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Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies ps2 Game Reviews
Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies
Critic Score
Metascore: 89 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
9.6 out of 10
based on 22 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 50 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

The Ace Combat series soars once again. Experience aerial combat like never before. A brand new gripping storyline and 18 fabulous missions will keep pilots-to-be on the edge of their seats. Released as "Distant Thunder" in UK & Europe. [Namco]

PUBLISHER: Namco
DEVELOPER: Namco
GENRE(S): Action
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE: October 23, 2001

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
XenGamers
Offers a heady, elating sense of flight, adrenaline-charged combat, perfect controls, and breathtaking visuals that will humble titles played even on the mightiest PCs.
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100
Hot Games
Without a doubt the best flight sim available for a next-gen system. Ace Combat 04 shatters the competition.
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95
Cloudchaser
This game is so beautiful and addictive that I fear the quality of the writing in this review has greatly suffered, since I find it difficult to concentrate as the game beckons to me even now.
Read Full Review
93
GameShark
Simplistic and intuitive controls are what make the game fun to play. The analog controls are dead on, and very precise.
Read Full Review
92
XGP Gaming
If you are looking for a topnotch flier, you can call off the search. This one is a must-have for any PS2 owner.
Read Full Review
91
Gaming Age
There’s a dramatic war story and fantastic scenary, and the trademark Ace Combat arcade gameplay is more solid than ever.
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91
IGN
Another one of those games that looks almost real, to the point where you can't quite peg exactly what it is that tips you off it's a videogame.
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90
GamePro
The arcade gameplay retains the Ace Combat trademarks: tons of firepower and a simple control scheme.
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90
Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
Controls are practically perfect, plane selection is extensive, and the whole package is exceptionally polished. [Dec 2001, p.160]
90
PSX Nation
If you like games that tell stories, this is one of the best yet for the PS2. It’s shocking that it’s also one of the best shooting / action games as well.
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90
GamerWeb Sony
The game seems to hearken back to the successes of "Ace Combat 2" by adding fair doses of realism with a good amount of action and intensity. The game's biggest fault lies in its brevity, as it ends much too soon.
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90
TotalPlayStation
The best flight game ever made.
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89
GameSpy
There is exceptionally thrilling gameplay, eye-popping graphics, a solid and plausible storyline, and an overall fun factor that will keep you coming back for more even after you’ve beaten it several times.
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88
netjak
This is probably as close as a game is going to get to realistically portray what it’s like to get behind the helm of a fighter jet and waging battle in the air. Even though the game is over a year old and at a measly $20.00, Ace Combat 4 is a must have for the Playstation 2.
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88
GameSpot
A highly enjoyable, well-executed flight sim that perfectly blends the action elements found in the series' earlier games with the sort of narrative typically reserved for other genres.
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87
TotalGames.net
That the plot is furthered only periodically, rather than religiously at the end of each mission, highlights Namco’s tempered hand, ensuring that it’s the gameplay which remains firmly at centre stage.
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87
Gamezilla!
Although some graphical elements are not what they should be, others look amazing. In addition, there are eighteen different jets with assorted armaments available, and they all handle well.
Read Full Review
85
Game Informer
A complete game package that has been meticulously constructed to draw you in like a missile to an afterburner. [Nov 2001, p.102]
80
Yahoo! Games
Ace Combat 4 delivers all the necessary thrills at a blistering Mach 1 style pace.
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80
Gamestyle
A combination of good graphics, excellent game play, a compelling story and a worthwhile soundtrack make this an essential purchase for fans of the genre.
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72
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Its gameplay isn’t revolutionary, and a couple of its missions get a tad tedious, but Ace Combat 4 sure looks pretty, which is half the reason flying buffs play these air-combat games anyway. [Dec 2001, p.234]
60
All Game Guide
Accessible and exciting. It's also disappointingly easy.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 9.6 (out of 10) based on 50 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jacob H. gave it a10:
One of the best games iv ever played.

Alex E. gave it a10:
I have played this game many times and would recomend it.

Mario N. gave it a10:
If not the real thing, this is almost.

Greg C. gave it an 8:
It took six hours to beat, that includes breaks. Tons of fun while it lasted though...

Nate W. gave it a 10:
Have you ever gotten the urge to fly an F-15 into enemy airspace to clear the skies? Do you see those jet pilots on the news and say "I want to do that!"? Look no further than this game. The physics are so accurate and the sounds soo realistic that you'll feel sorry for those little buggers you just sent to hell. If you get this game turn the sound way up, your niebours will think a jet just made a "flyby". This is the ultimate Jet Fighter Sim EVER!

Jeremy C. gave it a 9:
One of the best games that I have seen on PS2 excellent graphics (even though it is now 2 years old) and intriguing gameplay. From flying head on toward enemy F-22 fighters to flying in low in a massive assault against the enormous fortress 'Stonehenge' Ace Combat 04 is the most fun I've had in any flying simulator up to date. This game is revolutionary also in that you are not simply moving in an empty void as many flight simulators call for instead there is an intricate variety of terrain beneath your plane which offers great oppurtunity for low flying bombing runs. This game is excellent.

Rico G. gave it a 10:
I couldn't even play any other dogfight arcade/sim for more than 5 minutes after playing this gem....

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