As you'd expect, the game doesn't let you assume control of all 21 planes initially; rather, you'll be relegated to the relatively weak F-4 and F-5 initially. As you complete more missions, you'll earn enough points to purchase more advanced fighters, such as the F-2, F-22, SU-37, and F-15 Active. Additionally, each of the missions has a couple of ace pilots who aren't part of that level's objectives. If you manage to shoot these pilots down, you'll gain access to several different paint jobs to the planes in your hangar.
It's interesting to note the interplay between Ace Combat 04's many planes. KC-10s will often be seen refueling fighter planes; E-767s will fly high above the action in an attempt to provide electronic support to its fighters and jam its enemies; SU-27s will perform the Cobra maneuver; A-10s will flip upside down to acquire their targets. And this interactivity isn't limited to aircraft alone, either, as you can easily make out ground battles between tanks and other armored vehicles as well. This is certainly a subtle touch that only a die-hard fan of combat flight simulation will be able to appreciate, but it goes a long way in making Ace Combat 04 a believable game and not just an action game in flight-sim clothing.
Because Ace Combat 04 will let you reattempt any of its missions once you finish the single-player campaign, the game does have some replay value. There are even five multiplayer levels that will let you and a friend go head-to-head in planes of your choosing.
In the end, it's hard to find fault in the game. Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies is 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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Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (PlayStation 2):
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