Namco's signature flight combat series returns to PlayStation 2 in Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. Set 15 years before the events found in 2005's Ace Combat 5, the game has players slipping into the flight suit of a mercenary pilot working for the fictitious country of Ustio. Ustio is engaged in a bitter war with its neighbor, Belka, with the conflict being decided in the air. New to the series is the addition of skilled rivals and their specially decorated planes. These squadron leaders will employ new tactics in dogfights, requiring more skill to shoot down than typical enemies.
Ace Combat Zero also features a number of gameplay tweaks from its predecessor. Players can now assign weapon payloads for their computer-controlled wingmen, and a gallery option shows exactly what requirements are needed to unlock an assortment of bonus features. The main game mode follows a multi-mission campaign that offers a documentary film approach to the cinematic cut-scenes. After taking out enemy structures and planes in the single-player game, pilots can challenge a friend in split-screen versus play in a choice of modes, from straightforward dogfights to more elaborate capture-the-flag variants.
Controls
Left Analog Stick Up = lower pitch
Left Analog Stick Down = raise pitch
Left Analog Stick Left or Right = roll left or right
Right Analog Stick = move camera
D-Pad Up = command wingman to attack
D-Pad Down = command wingman to cover
D-Pad Left = command wingman to disperse
D-Pad Right = command wingman to allow or prohibit special weapons
Circle Button = fire missiles or special weapons
Circle Button (hold) = track missile
X Button = confirm selection, machine gun
Triangle Button = cancel, change targets
Triangle Button (hold) = track target
Square Button = change enemy detection radar
L1 Button = throttle down
L1 Button (hold) = maximum deceleration
L2 Button = yaw left
L3 Button = toggle boresight mode
R1 Button = throttle up
R1 Button (hold) = maximum acceleration
R2 Button = yaw right
R3 Button = change vantage point
L2 + R2 Button = engage auto pilot
Select Button = toggle missiles and special weapons
Start Button = pause menu ~ Keith Adams, All Game Guide
