Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Nov 1, 2001
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 154 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 136 out of 154
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 154
  3. Negative: 11 out of 154
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  1. DavidS.
    May 2, 2003
    10
    A really solid game in every sense, not just the graphics, sound, gameplay which are all top quality. There's also an underlining feel good factor. The game builds you up and the story which points you towards the showdown with yellow 13. Excellent can't wait for number 5!
  2. Mobius1
    Mar 22, 2002
    10
    This is the most truly awesome game I've ever played. The messages like, DIE, YOU S.O.B!, or THEY'RE DESPERATE!, are just hilarious. The graphics are fantastic, and the sounds are totally realistic! Put a Rumble Pak in and it's like you're really there! Dudes (or dudettes), you haven't lived until you've played this game!!!
  3. RobertO.
    Mar 6, 2002
    10
    Excellent game, Amazing attention to detail right down to the variable intake ramps on the F-15s . Truly impressive all speed brakes flaps and cannons are all correctly located (save the F-117 which has a gun but shouldn't.) A+ FOX-1 NAMCO!!!
  4. JacobC.
    Apr 17, 2003
    10
    Great graphics and adrenaline rush makes this game so good you can't put it down.
  5. AlexE.
    Sep 3, 2005
    10
    I have played this game many times and would recomend it.
  6. MichaelF.
    Jan 11, 2002
    10
    This is the first ever flight sim game i've ever bought and I have to say it will probably will be the best i'll ever buy too. Unless of courses Namco comes out with Ace Combat 5. I highly recommend this game to everyone out there in cyber space and who own a PS2 to spend the money and purchase Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies.
  7. JayA.
    Jan 25, 2002
    10
    This game is truly terrific!!!
  8. JustinJ.
    Feb 12, 2002
    10
    This game is the best jet fighter game out there.
  9. DavidW.
    Feb 24, 2002
    10
    Challenging. Good graphics.
  10. TetsuoH.
    Feb 4, 2002
    10
    Right off the bat, the graphics blew me away. The plot, which was surprisingly deep for a flight sim was awesome, and the controls were perfect! I felt like I was getting combat from the adrenaline! Definitely worth buying.
  11. Yellow13
    Mar 11, 2002
    10
    I have heard people say many things about the playstation. A lot of people that I hang out with hate the playstation and they never even tried it. I gathered all of those doubters over my house one night. 2 of them I know for a fact don't like flight sim games very much at all to begin with by the way. Sat them in my living room in front of my 32" TV. Dimmed the lights, turned on my I have heard people say many things about the playstation. A lot of people that I hang out with hate the playstation and they never even tried it. I gathered all of those doubters over my house one night. 2 of them I know for a fact don't like flight sim games very much at all to begin with by the way. Sat them in my living room in front of my 32" TV. Dimmed the lights, turned on my surround sound, and fired up the PS2 with Ace Combat 4 in it. From the word go they where impressed. The flight sim haters took a little bit longer, but by mission four everyone was screaming "BANK LEFT!" and "MISSILE COMING! DUDE WATCH IT!" And my personal favorite "Dude what are you doing? Under the bridge!? AHHHHHH!!!!!!" after about an hour or so of player Vs player, We called it a night (I opted after a few games to not play since I whooped everyone so bad since they never played before), and I asked them if they had anything to say. All but one person said they thought the game ROCKED, and was surprized at how real the replay screens looked and how intuitive the controls where. Most said they thought the actual game play was incredible and sucked you into it right away. So what did that other person say that was different? Well he was the one who hated the PS2 the most so what he said next was really the best... "So how much is a Ps2 these days anyway? Can I still get Ace combat 4 in the stores?" I think that said it all, if it didn't, the next week when he called me, asking how to beat the final mission in the game was. Run do not walk, and buy this game. P.S. the way the cutscenes are handled in my opinion was not only elegant but, well, I can't really express how cool it was. With all these 3d CGI cinimatics on other games, who would have thought that a simple watercolor slide show with voice overs and sound effects could capture my imagination the way it did. Namco once again...THANK YOU!!!… Expand
  12. JosephB.
    Mar 24, 2002
    10
    The only reson I gave it a 10 was I couldn't give it an 11. This game is AWESOME!! The grafx are the best I have ever seen. Although the "hard" difficulty setting is not very chalenging, if you beat it, the "expert" level and the "ace" level are nothing short of real life dogfighting. One missle can shoot you down on the "ace" difficulty!
  13. JosephB.
    Mar 24, 2002
    10
    The only reson I gave it a 10 was I couldn't give it an 11. This game is AWESOME!! The grafx are the best I have ever seen. Although the "hard" difficulty setting is not very chalenging, if you beat it, the "expert" level and the "ace" level are nothing short of real life dogfighting. One missle can shoot you down on the "ace" difficulty!
  14. AnT.
    Jun 26, 2002
    10
    This game is why I ever bougt a PS2 - it the best graphic I've ever seen...
  15. NathanielD.
    Aug 19, 2002
    10
    This is one of the few games presently existing that makes you feel warm and tingly all over. Visually stunning, easily used controls, and just about the best flight sim to date. The games graphics are probably what get you the most, there so real it's frightening. you can see whisps of clouds as you gain altitude. The only thing more real is joining the air force.
  16. MarioN.
    Jun 26, 2005
    10
    If not the real thing, this is almost.
  17. JacobH.
    May 17, 2006
    10
    One of the best games iv ever played.
  18. MatthewH.
    Dec 24, 2001
    10
    Inarguably the best flight sim yet on PS2. Great graphics, story, game control, and sound. Very challenging, one of the best darn games I've played on PS2 to date. Keep 'em coming, Namco!
  19. PeterC.
    Dec 25, 2001
    10
    Ace Combat 4 is one of the best flight simulators I have ever played. The gameplay is awesome and it has a very high replay value. This is a must have game in everyone's game library.
  20. GregR.
    Jan 16, 2002
    10
    If there was an 11 on the voting scale, this game would certainly take it. The graphics are some of the best around, and gameplay is unreal, when I first started playing, I was going into high speed maneuvers and almost made myself sick from the barrel-rolls. Keep games of this calliber coming my way!
  21. MarkS.
    Feb 11, 2002
    10
    Hell yea.
  22. NateW.
    Nov 26, 2003
    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 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!… Expand
  23. Robert
    May 23, 2003
    10
    By far the best flight sim out now. Beat the game 5 times so far under each difficulty setting... ACE still remains. GREAT multiplayer as well.
  24. PeterC.
    Dec 25, 2001
    10
    Ace Combat 4 is one of the best flight simulators I have ever played. The gameplay is awesome and it has a very high replay value. This is a must have game in everyone's game library.
  25. homer4president
    Mar 25, 2015
    10
    The photo realism must be seen first hand to be believed, screen shots and movie clips found around the net cannot describe half the beauty that this game is. The graphics, consistent frame rate, and responsive controls successfully creates an immersive environment of flight. There are times where I would ignore the mission objectives and fly at incredible speeds, low to the ground,The photo realism must be seen first hand to be believed, screen shots and movie clips found around the net cannot describe half the beauty that this game is. The graphics, consistent frame rate, and responsive controls successfully creates an immersive environment of flight. There are times where I would ignore the mission objectives and fly at incredible speeds, low to the ground, amongst snow-capped mountains. One word: Bliss.… Expand
  26. fullypr3load3ed
    Mar 27, 2018
    10
    A very good game with great flight controls, customization and an engaging story. The only thing that is holding it back is the outdated graphics but that's expected. Rumor says they are remastering it and when they do I would 100% suggest picking it up.
  27. Gigabiter
    May 3, 2018
    10
    This game was ahead of its time and comes with some of the best soundtracks the series has ever conceived.
  28. Mobius118
    Jun 20, 2019
    10
    Best game ever made. The plot is perfect, it holds up in graphics for its time (even now) and the gameplay is the best ever known. By far the most amazing game of all time.
  29. Rodrigoalcassas
    May 1, 2023
    10
    The best Ace Combat in the franchise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  30. Gustavo
    Apr 3, 2002
    9
    The only reason that I didn't give a 10 to this game is that for real players (the one's who had the playstation one, beat almost all the games and bought a ps2 for the final revenge!) this game is a little too short. But it's a great great game and it's definetely worth the money. P.S I'm from Brazil!!!
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Awards & Rankings

16
#16 Best PS2 Game of 2001
13
#13 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
15
#15 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    72
    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]
  2. netjak
    88
    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.
  3. TotalPlayStation
    90
    The best flight game ever made.
    Read full review
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