Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War

 PlayStation 2
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Apr 25, 2006
Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 45 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 45
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 45
  3. Negative: 0 out of 45
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  1. eToychest
    95
    The amount of intricate detail found on the planes is astounding, as the developers obviously put a lot of time and effort into making the aircraft as realistic as possible.
  2. Game Chronicles
    89
    Heavy on action and ramping the difficulty to new heights, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is one of the best flight combat games you can play on the PS2.
  3. GameBrink
    88
    A fans dream and an excellent place for newcomers to enter. The best of AC 4 & AC 5 have been melded to make what feels like the best iteration of the series yet. [JPN Import]
  5. IGN
    88
    The Belkan War doesn’t change the formula established by its predecessors. It does, however, add yet another layer of polish and refinement to a series that’s near perfect at what it sets out to do.
  6. Game Informer
    85
    The seemingly complicated flight sim-like elements scared me away from this game for a long time, but once you give it a shot, you'd be surprised how accessible and fun it can be. [May 2006, p.102]
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  7. Deeko
    85
    The story is engaging and well-presented although its themes are a bit overused.
  8. Worth Playing
    85
    The storyline is maudlin at times, but it is told in better fashion than most games.
  9. Cheat Code Central
    84
    Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is a game that any player at any skill level can get the hang of in a few minutes, but be warned that the last part of each mission is a killer - literally.
  10. GameShark
    83
    The game is also disappointingly a little on the short side, and a dedicated player could probably blast through the game’s missions (of which there are less than 20) in a good day of playing – it’s primarily in the unlockables and different avenues of play which give the game any semblance of staying power.
  11. PSX Extreme
    83
    It's got a few noticeable errors, especially when it comes to repetitive gampelay, no drastic enhancements, and erratic enemy AI. But it's extraordinarily pretty, the controls are nearly flawless and quite accessible, and the fun factor remains high throughout.
  12. Games Master UK
    81
    Multi-player adds afterburners to this pretty, nifty, slick acrobatic shooter. Good stuff. [Oct 2006, p.66]
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  13. GamerFeed
    80
    The varied missions, near photo realistic visuals, real world planes, and live action cut scenes have been mixed to produce a thoroughly enjoyable combat game, and the addition of aces, these skilled NPCs that can take forever to destroy, and a two player mode, only add to the product's rain slick sheen.
  14. GamesRadar+
    80
    The live-action cinemas that narrate the game's passable storyline are a cheesy, unnecessary addition, but the truth remains that for modern-era aerial action, there's no substitute for Ace Combat.
  15. GamePro
    80
    Ace Combat Zero is, without a doubt, the most fun I've ever had with a flight simulator, and it's the best one in the series yet.
  16. BonusStage
    80
    Except for a few subtle-but-effective additions, Ace Combat Zero doesn’t do much else but marginally evolve the series from its last effort, and in the end that leads to a familiar feeling of “been there, done that” more often than not.
  17. PSM Magazine
    80
    Still, even though the coating is a little stale and the mechanics at work are slightly overused, The Belkan War soars above other air combat titles, PS2 or otherwise. [Jun 2006, p.79]
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  18. TotalPlayStation
    80
    The Ace Combat games nail the rush of pulling g's and kicking on afterburners, that much will never change. But then, little else has changed too, and without an online component, it feels a bit too much like an expansion.
  19. G4 TV
    80
    The Belkin War lives up to the entertainment legacy of the Ace Combat series by subtracting much of what didn't work and adding valuable new elements.
  20. Computer and Video Games
    80
    Even without online support, this is a supremely enjoyable game and despite being the fifth Ace Combat sequel to arrive on PS2, it still feels refreshingly different in a release schedule crammed with racing, fighting and shooting clones.
  21. AceGamez
    80
    Except for a few subtle-but-effective additions, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War doesn't do much else but marginally evolve the series from its last effort, and in the end that leads to a familiar feeling of 'been there, done that'.
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  22. Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
    80
    A cracking surprise, The Belkan War is hardcore plane porn tuned for maximum thrills and money shots. [Oct 2006, p.90]
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  23. Play UK
    80
    It's fun flying about and pressing the missile button when the target gets red. It's just it's not so fun when missions take up to half an hour on the later stages; it really does get a bit repetitive after a while. [Issue 144, p.76]
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  24. GameSpot
    79
    Ace Combat Zero may not do anything particularly different or better than its predecessors, but it still delivers some excellent dogfighting and a good story tying it all together.
  25. Pelit (Finland)
    78
    A decent flight shoot 'em up that tries hard to look like a simulator. The flying is too easy for its own good and the enemy AI is too repetitive. More sci-fi missions would not have hurt, either. [Sept 2006]
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  26. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Surviving one of these encounters is extremely satisfying — if only this game let you buzz the tower in celebration.
  27. Gaming Age
    75
    The game is engaging, fun, and even offers a two player versus mode to provide for a bit of longevity.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best PS2 Game of 2006
23
#23 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2006
18
#18 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2006

User Reviews

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User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 82 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 68 out of 82
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 82
  3. Negative: 2 out of 82
  1. Shika
    Jul 2, 2012
    8
    More replay value than 5 and better mission design in terms of playing it again, Zero does a hands down amazing job at adding in enemyMore replay value than 5 and better mission design in terms of playing it again, Zero does a hands down amazing job at adding in enemy squadrons and really makes them feel personal, adding in enemy squadrons and bios for named aces really gives you the feeling of fighting an actual war against actual people, not just computer controlled pilots. However the acting seems just a tad odd, I can't quite put my finger on it, other than that they do a good job of giving each squad a theme. The game tries to really model a real war, and does a good job. You end up bombing civilians and Pixy constantly acts as the voice of reason towards PJ, the stereotypical peace fighter with no complexity or depth. The gameplay is standard, nothing really too new other than the change of the plane roster to(for some reason) remove a lot of planes from 5 and add in a few new ones, this is remedied by more special weapons and paint schemes. wingmen customization is also slightly removed by not allowing plane choice, yet also adds in the ability to specify for your wingman to only attack ground or air targets. Difficulty is nice, with the final squad mission being the highlight of the game for me, the final battle is pretty eh, and a death of a close character is added in very randomly and really feels useless and anti climactic. Soundtrack is simply amazing as expected, with a nice mix of genres that stays fresh. Overall the game does a good job of setting up a real war, but it really just doesn't do it 100% justice, meanwhile gameplay is improved in certain aspects and hurt in other places, it's odd that ACES forgot what they excelled in in their past installments, yet found new things to improve this time around to balance… Full Review »
  2. Galm03
    May 18, 2017
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. This review will be long, just for the sake of people interested in the game.

    The sixth entry in the whole franchise. This game takes you into the seat of a mercenary known as Cipher, and the game narrates of his efforts during the Belkan War, giving you an in-depth prequel that explains the events that were mentioned in Ace Combat 5. The game itself doesn't change much from the rest, as the mechanics are basically from AC5, which is a bit of a let down. That, and the fact that you can't choose your wingman's plane, anymore, but instead, you choose his special weapons, which is more useful, to a point.

    What the game doesn't have in new mechanics, it has in story and difficulty to spare. You don't have a tutorial mode, which is also a minus on its score, so it requires you to either have played previous AC games, or learn the controls by yourself. But when you master the controls and increase the difficulty up to ACE, the game rewards you. A lot. It presents a difficulty leap from the previous entries, which you'll either love or hate. The average Belkan planes are quite aggressive on their own, and the Ace squadrons only make it more challenging. And when you unlock the bonus mission, you'll understand that this game is not for the weak. Even more when you discover the secret boss.

    The story it's more than a simply "good vs bad", cliched trope that was previously used in AC5. In Zero, you manage to see the reasons of why Belka started the war, and why the Gray Men returned in AC5. The references in this game are a bit more implicit, excluding the WWII ones, and you'll probably have to replay the game several times to understand them, and do some subtle research on your own. The story on its own its quite engaging, and it becomes more mature and grayer than the plots used in the previous two games. And it gives you a huge leap in character building, giving you the records of almost 200 enemy aces, whose stories are seen in the Assault Records, which are updated every time you down an enemy ace.

    The soundtrack is nothing less than superb. More energetic and aggressive than AC5, which had orchestral and more refined tone, fitting for the story setting. The briefings have this 80 's synth bits that also fit the era, reminiscent to the Cold War era, The orchestral tracks are ominous and imposing, and the rock segments are quite really heavy, imitating what AC2 did back in its era, and the final mission has one of the best boss battle themes ever composed.

    Overall, this game is one of the best in the whole franchise. Zero, along with 5 and 4, has its place well deserved in what we AC fans call the "Holy Trinity" tier. It has its flaws. The lack of tutorial, not any particular new mechanic, short gameplay, as it only has 18 missions plus the bonus one, some tedious missions, and minor frame drops in a certain one. That being said, this game is truly a good recommendation.    … Full Review »
  3. DGDrocks7
    May 13, 2014
    9
    Another awesome game in the underrated Ace Combat series. The game serves as a prequel to Ace Combat 5 (15 years prior). You play as a pilotAnother awesome game in the underrated Ace Combat series. The game serves as a prequel to Ace Combat 5 (15 years prior). You play as a pilot only known as "Cipher", flying with his wingman "Solo Wing Pixy". The two mercenaries are hired to defend the nation of Ustio. The story is very good, although it could be developed more. If the campaign was as long as AC5, then we might have a powerful story. However, if you're really good, you can easily finish the campaign in 4 hours. But replayability is what keeps the game alive. There are branching paths. Depending on the amount of neutral targets you destroy or spare, there are certain aircraft you unlock and different enemies you face. Find this game, and play the crap out of it. And help us Ace Combat fans in convincing Namco Bandai to release an HD remake of 4,5 and Zero.… Full Review »
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