Ace Combat 2

 PlayStation
  • Publisher: Namco
  • Release Date: Jul 31, 1997
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 61
  3. Negative: 3 out of 61
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  1. Shika
    Jul 2, 2012
    8
    Ace Combat 2 really pioneered the arcade flight genre and was clearly the best at its time and still shows today, it's almost funny to see how many things implemented in modern Ace Combats and other titles in the genre exist in this game from 1997. This game is great, the gameplay is solid, plane selection is good(mainly just for looks, besides looks the only real difference isAce Combat 2 really pioneered the arcade flight genre and was clearly the best at its time and still shows today, it's almost funny to see how many things implemented in modern Ace Combats and other titles in the genre exist in this game from 1997. This game is great, the gameplay is solid, plane selection is good(mainly just for looks, besides looks the only real difference is maneuverability), and the mission design is excellent, but the music is really what blows you away while playing this game, some real classics. The story is a standard arcade setup, you're in charge of killing bad guys, not really anything else. It makes up for it with some seriously good mission design, even games today could learn a lot about variety and layout from AC2, it constantly throws in out of the box ideas that live to this day. The one thing that really hasn't aged well is the movement of planes, it can sometimes be hard to tell exactly how you're angled in comparison to buildings and the ground, but for the most part it isn't an issue. The game is about 4-5 hours to beat, with 21 missions in all, some taking 2 minutes to beat and some taking 12. The plane physics can feel a bit odd, they have some basic gravity physics,but sometimes the movement of the plane can feel a bit odd and not being able to move the camera really detriments the game. Amazing music, some of the best level design, awesome variety… Expand
  2. escograu
    Dec 13, 2015
    9
    This is my first dive into Ace Combat series and it's really awesome. Although this is from '97, gameplay still gave a lot of fun even today. If you want some pure arcade dogfights and nothing more, this game is exactly for you.
  3. Leontorres7
    Nov 13, 2018
    10
    Legendary game, play it, this game changed my life for good, all I have for this game is LOVE.
  4. Thisgameisterrible
    Nov 4, 2005
    0
    I dont like this game at all, not because of the graphics, but becaue of the control you have over the planes.
  5. D.D.
    Apr 6, 2005
    10
    Best game ever.
  6. Ahoy
    Jan 27, 2008
    10
    My favorite AC game of all time. The best arcade flight combat game of it's time.
  7. cristiadu
    Sep 16, 2020
    10
    Back in my PS1 days this game was one of the best I've ever played. Really fun.
  8. hardlanding
    Apr 18, 2016
    9
    This game made today's Ace Combat series. There are few flaws such like control, lack of story, etc. But It's very fun to play even now. Arcade style flying make you a top gun.
  9. brothers54321
    Jun 5, 2016
    9
    This game was the start of everything for me. My dad went into the Air Force with the dream to one day become a pilot. While that never happened, the PlayStation 1 promised him a chance to experience that feeling behind a screen with Ace Combat 2. This was the console my family owned when I was born and this game was the first I'd ever play. I remember I was 4 when I saw my dad staying upThis game was the start of everything for me. My dad went into the Air Force with the dream to one day become a pilot. While that never happened, the PlayStation 1 promised him a chance to experience that feeling behind a screen with Ace Combat 2. This was the console my family owned when I was born and this game was the first I'd ever play. I remember I was 4 when I saw my dad staying up late one day playing this game and he offered to let me try. I was hooked. As a PlayStation 1 game, the game looks good. It's an upgrade from the original, but by today's standards it's obviously dated and hasn't aged as well as other games of its time have. However the combat is timeless and to this day can still be a thrill for anyone wanting to experience what it might be like to be a fighter pilot. There are a total of about 15 missions with some that you get to choose between. Where one might give you more money, it is also more difficult and every time you are shot down or crash, you have to pay for a replacement jet, which might not make it worth the risk. The music is strong for a game like this, really adding to the overall feel of the game. The story is there, but it is not really the focus. Essentially you are an ace pilot tasked with stopping a coup of rebel forces from gaining power. While it's simple in nature, it's simplicity actually adds to the gameplay, as in real life, a soldier's job is to defined his nation and follow orders. You don't really need a special story to make this game. It's the gameplay that counts and this game will still make you feel like an ace fighter today with tight, realistic controls and radio chatter between your allies that adds for a nice touch. The biggest complaint would be that this game is relatively short, as the missions take about 5-15 minutes to beat each making the game somewhere around 4-6 hours long. But the replay value is there between the well designed missions that are a pleasure to revisit and the missions you didn't choose on your first play through. In short this game is a fun classic for anyone looking to expand thier PlayStation 1 library that I would highly recommend for anyone who has wanted to know what a dogfight feels like. While there are other games in the series equally as fun and the dated graphics may off-put some, this game will always have a special place in my heart and again I'd still recommend it.… Expand
  10. Lewis-Angelo
    Jan 13, 2019
    7
    el Air Combat está bien para la época, aunque obviamente ha envejecido mal tiene una buena banda sonora y es divertido

    Ace Combat 2 es la evolución natural, pero también se queda corto, demasiado parecido al primero con Ace Combat 3 ya pegan el salto, el uso de dualshock le viene genial, mejores controles, objetivos más claros, mayor información aunque la historia no se entienda    el Air Combat está bien para la época, aunque obviamente ha envejecido mal tiene una buena banda sonora y es divertido

    Ace Combat 2 es la evolución natural, pero también se queda corto, demasiado parecido al primero

    con Ace Combat 3 ya pegan el salto, el uso de dualshock le viene genial, mejores controles, objetivos más claros, mayor información
    aunque la historia no se entienda nada, porque no sacaron la misma versión en todo el mundo, y el sistema de progresión sea mucho más plano

    grandes juegos de una de mis sagas favoritas, pero les pesan mucho los años
    tal vez vendría bien un remake al original, o a la versión japonesa de AC3    … Expand
  11. jeicekombre
    Nov 7, 2018
    10
    The Ace Combat that really kicked off the series and formed "Stangreal" as a world. The soundtrack is second to none, I really miss the old namco sound team! This is easily the strongest soundtrack in the ace series and right up there with namco's best.

    Anyway, this game does what every sequel should, take all of the good aspects of the original and take to things to another level. The    The Ace Combat that really kicked off the series and formed "Stangreal" as a world. The soundtrack is second to none, I really miss the old namco sound team! This is easily the strongest soundtrack in the ace series and right up there with namco's best.

    Anyway, this game does what every sequel should, take all of the good aspects of the original and take to things to another level. The graphics are superb for their time and there is a real character to the game. More planes have been added and the mission variety really changes. Ace pilots in each level also add to the action and give variety. You could argue for a few more planes and maybe a little more variety, but that is only being picky. The new Ace Combat games have really taken the story elements beyond what Ace Combat 2 reaches, but I think the new games could learn a bit from the feel and challenge this game provides. Ir's a great game, 8 for me. Had to give it a 10 as some plum couldn't play the game and gave it a 0.    … Expand
  12. djape
    Nov 30, 2019
    10
    one of the most impressive gameplay at the time of release and long after.. One of my all time fav.
  13. hocineDZ
    Oct 20, 2020
    10
    Fantastic arcade game with great guitar soundtracks and cool gameplay, the fighter jets design is well made everythin looks polished and nice but the main campaign is very short
  14. AdrianOst077
    Jan 3, 2023
    7
    A big improvement over Air Combat visually and gameplay wise. The core mechanic is still the same and the way the missions play out are the same, but it's cool that you get to decide at one point which path to take when it comes to the missions. The AI surprised me for a 90's game when I realised that when you pursue them, specific aircraft such as the Su-35 can pull a cobra manoeuvre justA big improvement over Air Combat visually and gameplay wise. The core mechanic is still the same and the way the missions play out are the same, but it's cool that you get to decide at one point which path to take when it comes to the missions. The AI surprised me for a 90's game when I realised that when you pursue them, specific aircraft such as the Su-35 can pull a cobra manoeuvre just to get behind you in a dogfight. Graphics wise, the scenery of the missions and the colour palette improved drastically and adds character to the missions and the atmosphere. Very good sequel to Air Combat, would recommend playing.… Expand
  15. Alkecyrax
    Nov 20, 2022
    10
    Ace Combat 2 is one of the most fun games I've played. The controls are good, the graphics are nice and the missions aren't difficult. If you like military themed games then this game is for you.

Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best PS1 Game of 1997
5
#5 Most Discussed PS1 Game of 1997

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 10 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 10
  3. Negative: 0 out of 10
  1. IGN
    90
    Ace Combat 2 possesses some of the cleanest polygons ever to grace the PlayStation. This game possesses fully rendered levels ranging from submarine infested oceans, to anti-aircraft plastered canyon trenches.
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  2. Electric Playground
    90
    There has not been a flight combat sim released on any console system that can even come close to the quality and value of this title.
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  3. Gamezilla!
    85
    This game has some of the most simplistic controls and easiest flying system around. Outstanding graphics and intense gameplay make this game fun that will last for a while.
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