Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies delivers a finely tuned balance between arcade accessibility and simulation depth. From the moment you take control of your aircraft, the responsive flight mechanics and intuitive controls make every maneuver—from barrel rolls to high-speed dives—feel satisfying. The game’s control scheme lets newcomers jump into dogfights with minimal setup, while dedicated aviators can master advanced techniques like energy management and specialized weapon loadouts.

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The mission variety keeps the adrenaline pumping across all eighteen scenarios. You’ll find yourself performing everything from pinpoint strikes on mobile missile launchers to all-out dogfights against squadrons of enemy fighters. Special objectives, like protecting friendly convoys or intercepting bombers before they reach key installations, inject fresh challenges and force you to adjust your tactics on the fly. The ebb and flow of each mission ensures that no two sorties ever feel identical.

Progression and customization are also central to the gameplay loop. Completing missions and achieving bonus objectives reward you with access to advanced weaponry—such as guided missiles, cluster bombs, and ECM pods—and a roster of high-performance jets, ranging from the stealthy F-117 Nighthawk to the high-altitude SR-71 Blackbird. Deciding whether to outfit your plane for raw speed, enhanced defense, or devastating firepower adds a layer of strategic planning to each sortie.

Graphics

For a PlayStation 2 title, Ace Combat 04 still stands out visually. The game’s use of dynamic weather effects and shifting cloudscapes adds atmosphere and tension to every mission. Thunderstorms swirl around you as lightning illuminates distant mountains, and low-lying fog can obscure both friend and foe, forcing you to rely on radar and situational awareness.

The aircraft models themselves are rendered with impressive detail, from the angular lines of the F-22 Raptor to the bulbous cockpit canopy of the U-2 Dragon Lady. Explosions pack a visual punch, with fiery debris and smoke trails that linger in your memory long after completing a mission. Ground textures and terrain elevations may feel a bit simplified by modern standards, but the sweeping vistas of islands, bridges, and coastal cities still captivate and provide clear tactical landmarks.

HUD elements remain clean and informative, displaying radar contacts, altitude, speed, and weapons status without cluttering the screen. The targeting reticle snaps to enemy craft with reassuring precision, and lock-on indicators flash in vivid red as missiles streak toward hostile planes. All in all, the graphics strike a fine balance between functional clarity and atmospheric flair.

Story

The narrative of Shattered Skies unfolds against the backdrop of a catastrophic asteroid impact on the continent of Usea. With half a million lives lost and entire regions devastated, the neighboring nation of Erusea seizes the chance to invade. This setup provides a believable political flashpoint and frames every aerial engagement as part of a larger struggle for survival and justice.

You assume the role of the enigmatic ace pilot codenamed Mobius 1, a lone wolf whose prowess in the cockpit becomes legendary over the course of the conflict. As you carry out high-stakes missions to reclaim territory for the Independent States Allied Forces (ISAF), radio chatter and cutscenes slowly peel back layers of cynicism and moral ambiguity. You’ll witness the impact of war on civilian populations, uncover the personal motivations of enemy pilots, and confront the fine line between duty and conscience.

While the story is delivered primarily through mission briefings and mission-end debriefs, its pacing and tone remain consistently engaging. Dramatic musical cues heighten the emotional stakes as key plot twists unfold—such as betrayal within ISAF ranks or the desperate final stand of Erusean forces. The narrative may not feature cinematic cutscenes of modern titles, but its lean, mission-driven approach ensures you’re never detached from the aerial carnage playing out beneath your wings.

Overall Experience

Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies excels at delivering a compact yet memorable campaign. Clocking in at around 10–12 hours for a first playthrough, the string of varied missions and escalating challenges keep the momentum high from “Operation 102” to the dramatic finale. Replay value comes from chasing higher ranks, unlocking hidden aircraft, and tackling missions on harder difficulties.

The soundtrack deserves a special mention, blending orchestral swells with electronic beats to underscore both the tension of mid-air dogfights and the poignancy of the war’s human cost. Paired with crisp voice acting and realistic sound effects—ranging from screeching jets to distant artillery barrages—the audio design pulls you deeper into the skies above Usea.

Whether you’re a veteran flight sim enthusiast or a newcomer seeking high-flying thrills, Shattered Skies offers a timeless aerial combat experience. Its tight gameplay loop, compelling story beats, and atmospheric visuals coalesce into one of the PlayStation 2’s most enduring classics. Even decades after its release, Ace Combat 04 remains a benchmark for accessible yet satisfying dogfighting action—an essential purchase for any fan of the genre.

Retro Replay Score

8/10