Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War puts you in the pilot’s seat as call-sign “Demon Lord,” an Ustio mercenary drawn into a conflict whose true stakes are only revealed mission by mission. The game’s primary mode, Story Mode, unfolds 30 missions ranging from high-altitude dogfights to low-level strikes against heavily fortified targets. Controls remain intuitive enough for newcomers yet deep enough for series veterans: you can toggle between realistic flight assists or remove them entirely for a true challenge. The sensation of speed and altitude comes through beautifully, with tight turn radii and realistic G-force effects that make every barrel roll and split-S maneuver feel weighty and impactful.

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Variety is at the heart of Zero’s gameplay loop. You’ll find traditional air-to-air engagements where you must protect allied bombers from incoming enemies, as well as air-to-ground passes requiring precise targeting of radar installations or enemy armor columns. The developers also throw in a few memorable set-piece missions—think escorting a crippled battleship through contested waters or making a desperate dash beneath enemy air defenses to disable a nuclear device. The mission pacing strikes a solid balance between moments of calm reconnaissance and frantic, all-guns-blazing skirmishes.

One of Zero’s most innovative features is the Ace Style meter, which dynamically tracks your approach to combat. Fly with chivalry—ignoring downed foes and sparing civilian structures—and you’ll earn a “Knight” ranking; focus on the main objectives and minimize collateral damage for a “Soldier” ranking; or embrace pure firepower and rack up civilian kills to become a feared “Mercenary.” Your style not only affects cutscenes and dialogue but also adjusts enemy strength in later missions, ensuring each playthrough can feel substantially different. This branching system adds significant replay value, encouraging you to master different combat philosophies and aircraft loadouts.

Graphics

Despite releasing in 2006 on PlayStation 2, Ace Combat Zero still impresses visually with its crisp, well-detailed aircraft models and sweeping environmental backdrops. From the rust-colored deserts of Belka to the cloudy skies over mountain passes, each setting feels distinct and alive. Weather effects, like rain and low-lying fog, not only enhance atmosphere but also introduce gameplay challenges—restricting visibility and forcing you to rely on radar and instruments more heavily.

The particle effects for explosions, tracer fire, and smoke trails remain among the series’ best. Anti-aircraft flak bursts punctuate the sky with bright orange flashes, while missile trails carve luminous arcs across the horizon. Cockpit views feature functional HUD elements that glow clearly against vibrant backdrops, and damage modeling on your jet—from angry sparks to fractured control surfaces—provides immediate feedback when you push beyond the limits.

Cutscenes and in-mission camera angles also hold up surprisingly well, blending pre-rendered sequences with engine footage to keep the narrative flow engaging. Though polygon counts and texture resolutions can’t match modern flight sims, the art direction is strong enough that you rarely notice technical shortcomings. The paint schemes on each of the 30 licensed fighters feel authentic, and mission briefings are complemented by animated maps and highlighted waypoints, making it easy to plan your attack ramps.

Story

Serving as a prequel to Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, Zero plunges you into the shadowy politics of the Belkan War through the eyes of a contemporary reporter. Ten years after the conflict, this journalist uncovers hidden archives, pilot testimonies, and secret government documents that reveal how the Belkan military’s desperation for victory led to catastrophic nuclear strikes and near‐apocalyptic sabotage plots. This framing device adds a layer of suspense—you’re never quite sure which truths are real and which belong in the realm of wartime propaganda.

Each mission brief and post-mission debrief advances both the on-ground political intrigue and the personal struggles of Demon Lord’s fellow pilots. You learn of rivalries within your squadron, questionable orders from your Ustio employers, and the human cost of turning the Belkan campaign into a televised spectacle. Voice acting remains solid, with just enough dramatic flair to underscore tense situations without veering into melodrama. Occasional flashbacks and newsreel segments broaden the scope, painting the war as a tragedy for both sides.

Where Zero truly shines is in how Ace Style choices feed back into the narrative. If you play as a Knight, certain civilians are rescued and extra intel missions become available. As a Mercenary, you unlock darker story threads that hint at conspiracies aiming to prolong the conflict indefinitely. These branching narrative paths encourage multiple playthroughs, allowing you to piece together the full story behind the Belkan War and witness alternate fates for key characters based on your decisions in the cockpit.

Overall Experience

Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War stands as one of the finest arcade-style flight games on the PlayStation 2, offering a potent blend of fast-paced dogfighting, varied mission design, and a layered story that only deepens on subsequent runs. Its balance between accessibility and depth means that newcomers can pick it up and feel powerful quickly, while series veterans will appreciate the nuanced Ace Style system and hidden mission unlocks. The game’s pacing remains taut from start to finish, punctuated by explosive set pieces that feel cinematic without sacrificing gameplay control.

Replayability is a major strength here. Whether you’re chasing the elusive Knight ranking for a pacifist-style playthrough or embracing full-on mercenary brutality to see how far the developers push the repercussions of mass destruction, there’s a fresh challenge every time. Collecting and mastering all 30 licensed jets—from nimble Interceptors to heavy strike bombers—adds another layer of long-term engagement, as each aircraft comes with unique handling characteristics and weapon loadouts.

For anyone craving a high-octane aerial adventure with a compelling prequel story to one of the series’ best-regarded entries, Ace Combat Zero delivers in spades. Its graphical polish, robust mission variety, and branching narrative make it a must-play for flight game enthusiasts and fans of military drama alike. Even years after its release, Demon Lord’s journey through the Belkan War remains an exhilarating ride that continues to influence modern entries in the franchise.

Retro Replay Score

7.6/10