The Game

Ace Combat 2 was one of those rare early home console 3-D efforts to maintain the simplicity of the classics while mixing in the styles of modern game. Flight is simple, yet no less exciting than a full-fledged simulation. Its arcade roots with its predecessor are firmly in place before the series would take turn towards becoming slight more complex in 2000 with Electrosphere.

Ace Combat 2 is fast. Exceedingly fast. Pulling too close to the ground is exhilarating as the simple polygonal environments go by. Likewise, pursuing enemy jets is equally thrilling. It's an improvement over Air Combat from two years earlier by a landslide.

The formula for the base of this series is perfectly intact here. The only thing missing are cinematics in a unique style, presented here as nothing more than briefings before heading into battle. The story is more background filler than anything to keep the pacing up as missions are presented with brief loading times.

Upon its release, Ace Combat 2 had most of the market to itself. There was little competition, and to this day, not much tries to challenge this crown. It's a blend of the classic SHMUP with the right dash of simulation to appease fans of both camps.

The Present

The obvious hurdle in tackling this game today is the graphics. Early 3-D typically falls into one category: Disastrous. The landscape is clouded with fog, though any impact to the gameplay is nominal. Enemy planes are always in view, while missiles and bullets obviously reach their target.

Those trained on newer entries will have to adjust to the simpler flight mechanics as well. There's no need to tilt the plane to turn. Simply hitting left or right is enough to make any moves. There was no possible way to recreate realistic flight on a standard pad before the Dual Shock arrived, and this simplified method makes this the best way to get a feel for this franchise. Ace Combat 2 remains relevant to this day.