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[el jacko]

Tomorrow I'm going in to trade away a game for GS credit (my PS2 doesn't play blue discs) and I'm hoping to get in on the Ace Combat party (which is probably over by now). I'm fairly sure I'll enjoy it; I've always been a fan of flight games, especially ones with combat involved. Now, the question is, which of the two do I buy?

Right now, I'm not sure which way to lean. While AC4 is bound to be cheaper, I greatly prefer AC5's soundtrack, enough to consider the extra cost (though AC4's music is no slouch). It may sound like a silly reason to favor one over the other, but the soundtrack is a very important part of buying for me (think of a graphics whore but with music). Really, though, the most important part is the gameplay, and I'd rather get the game that has the better play experience.

So, for those who have played both games, please tell me which to get! If the store only has one or the other I'll get that (I may get neither; I did want Killer7 and DKJB a lot) but if the option is available I'd like to hear what everyone here thinks.

Thanks for any advice; I'll update with whatever I end up purchasing tomorrow.

 

[Lo-Volt]

A tough one, actually. AC5 is the clear winner in graphics, especially when enemy planes explode. The graphical difference is otherwise not as severe, but is still tilted away from AC04. AC5 also tries (but doesn't exactly succeed) to employ some storytelling, complete with political conspiracies and a bit of FMV, while AC04 is relatively bare in this respect. But AC5 also has more missions and what looks like more planes and quite a few variants to unlock. AC5 for the win.

 

[Zaptruder]

AC5 is your basic improvement/expansion to the AC4, so in gameplay terms its got more variety.
The last mission of AC4 is particularly impressive though...

aside from that, the main differences between the two is in the story, with the story in AC4 been told via illustrated cutscenes and a third party narrator, commenting on the war, mentioning the pilot you play as well as the rival pilot you face.

AC5 has its story told via chatter and CG cutscenes, following the story of you and your squadron; develops the characters in your squadron quite well as well... although in real terms they contribute very little to the actual combat... but you get finer control over them this time around, as opposed to none at all in AC4.

 

[Amir0x]

Imho, the fantastic way they told the story in Ace Combat 4 made up for a lot of the difference, although Ace Combat 5 wins overall for gameplay improvements, etc...

 

[Uncle Dukey]

AC5 has better graphics, more variety in the missions, and more content. Unfortunately, the story and presentation (I thought AC5's battle chatter was annoying) take a hit. AC5 also eliminates AC4's multiplayer mode, but that wasn't all that great anyways.

 

[Tim the Wiz]

Hmm, I'd say AC05 has the better content, however I felt that AC04 featured greater presentation and story.

Honestly, your best bet would be to get a good flight game on the PC and buy DKJB, but that's just me...

 

[Straightballin]

Try this to fix your blue back disc problem it works for me. Get two pieces of scotch tape each about 1 inch and put the on the sides of the middle cirlce/hole of the cd like this |o|

 

[Socreges]

AC5 also eliminates AC4's multiplayer mode, but that wasn't all that great anyways.

In terms of features, no. But it was still a lot of fun. AC5, we thought, would be where they'd expand on the multiplayer. Instead they removed it completely. BUH??

 

[Myoclonic Jerk]

Ace Combat 2 >>> all

 

[Shubit]

Ace Combat 4 has infinitely better soundtrack though, some really memorable tracks there. Other than that AC 5 is better in every respect so i'd go for the latter.

 

[Rocket9]

I say rent AC4, which is quite short, then buy AC5

 

[Satter]

AC4 is the clear winner. The gameplay in AC5 is almost identical to AC4. However, what sets them apart is the way their stories are told. AC4's story is much more deep, and one of the best told stories of this generation.

 

[Red Blaster]

AC5 has those extremely annoying wingmates.

 

[Crazymoogle]

Is there something I missed? AC4 best story wuh?

Ace Combat 5 by a landslide, if you get the flight stick.

*waits for inevitable doom_bringer angry retort

 

[Doom_Bringer]

Ace Combat V is kind of annoying imo. It only has a couple of good missions and the squadron you command is extremely annoying (Nagase and Chopper especially will get on your nerve) and will make you turn the English voices off or switch to the Japanese voice work. I thought the music was weak, the story was all over the place and the most important thing is that AC5 is not locked at 60 FPS! You don't want slow down in this kind of game.

Ace Combat IV is godly! It has tons of replay value and there are only two lame missions. All the voice work is superb, the story is awesome, the missions are awesome, the soundtrack spanks AC5 OST and most importantly the frame rate is locked at 60 FPS with zero slowdown.

Go with AC4 if you want to like AC series. Pick up AC5 when it's $20.

 

[Crazymoogle]

As I said, DB and myself do not see eye to eye on the series. I thought it was GOTY 2K4, he thinks it's a 20 dollar title! :lol

 

[Doom_Bringer]

As I said, DB and myself do not see eye to eye on the series. I thought it was GOTY 2K4, he thinks it's a 20 dollar title! :lol

:lol I didn't read your previous reply!

AC5 was a major let down for me! The slow down and the annoying voice work ruined the game.

I hope the AC4 team is working on AC next for PS3.

 

[Crazymoogle]

:lol I didn't read your previous reply!

AC5 was a major let down for me! The slow down and the annoying voice work ruined the game.

I hope the AC4 team is working on AC next for PS3.

What can I say, DB? If you think that's bad voice work then I can't think of a game which might have "good" voice work by the same reckoning. And I never noticed any slowdown while playing either. ?_?

Can I assume you at least bought it for the Flightstick2?

 

[Doom_Bringer]

What can I say, DB? If you think that's bad voice work then I can't think of a game which might have "good" voice work by the same reckoning. And I never noticed any slowdown while playing either. ?_?

Can I assume you at least bought it for the Flightstick2?

Come on man, the voice work freaking annoying!! In that one desert mission Chopper says something like "this is raaazzzzzgrrizzz threee," Simply the worst and most annoying video game voice work ever!. And that Nagase bitch is always trying to sound poetic in the middle of the war, I mean who cares if the sailors are drowning or the Arkbird is going down?? Focus on the damn mission!

And I saw plenty of slowdown in AC5, the second last mission “Ace” has lots of slowdown alone -_- And there isn’t a single mission in AC5 as good as “Lifeline” or “Shattered Skies”

Btw I didn't get the flightstick2 bundle.

Mobius 1 pawnz entire AC5 squadron.

 

[Crazymoogle]

Come on man, the voice work freaking annoying!! In that one desert mission he says something like "this is raaazzzzzgrrizzz threee," Simply the worst and most annoying video game voice work ever!.

You haven't played enough resident evil, then. :lol

And I saw plenty of slowdown in AC5, the second last mission “Ace” has lots of slowdown alone -_- And there isn’t a single mission in AC5 as good as “Lifeline” or “Shattered Skies”

Any particular spot? I just played the mission last night and didn't notice it. And I really didn't find any of the AC4 missions memorable; the last level was vaguely reminiscent of AC5, like some sort of user-made variant, but nothing I really wanted to replay.

Btw I didn't get the flightstick2 bundle.

Don't tell me you play with the controller...

 

[Doom_Bringer]

You haven't played enough resident evil, then. :lol

Resident Evil sucks

Any particular spot? I just played the mission last night and didn't notice it. And I really didn't find any of the AC4 missions memorable; the last level was vaguely reminiscent of AC5, like some sort of user-made variant, but nothing I really wanted to replay.

I saw lots of slowdown in AC5:

Fly near the smoke in the mission where the carrier gets attacked at bay.
On the last level when you are taking down the SWOG, flying debris will cause slowdown.
The Aces level is filled with slowdowns, the ground fire cased a lot of slowdowns.

And noticed it in some other missions as well.

The only memorable missions in AC5 were: Narrow Margin, Rendezvous, Front Line, and The Unsung War.

Don't tell me you play with the controller...

Yes I play with the controller and I am very good with it too!

 

[Crazymoogle]

Yes I play with the controller and I am very good with it too!

MADNESS

 

[Wario64]

AC5 has those extremely annoying wingmates.

yeah, wtf was that all about. it's like namco knew they had some kick ass radio chatter in AC4, so they got a big budget for the dialogue in AC5...only to waste it on unnecessary and annoying dialogue

"WOW DO YOU THINK THE WAR IS GONNA END TODAY??"

(choose yes or no) -> selected yes

"YEAH I HOPE SO TOO"

 

[..pakbeka..]

I got ace combat 5 back when it was released and loved it, then I got ace combat 4 last week and so far, I think 5 is much more superior, from the first 4 or 5 missions I played. My complaints about 4:
the story, or lack of it
the control doesn't seem as tight as in 5 (could be the jets I used, since I only used the first one and the f-16 so far)
AC5 had more jets
no characters

 

[Red Blaster]

yeah, wtf was that all about. it's like namco knew they had some kick ass radio chatter in AC4, so they got a big budget for the dialogue in AC5...only to waste it on unnecessary and annoying dialogue

"WOW DO YOU THINK THE WAR IS GONNA END TODAY??"

(choose yes or no) -> selected yes

"YEAH I HOPE SO TOO"

Not to mentiong Nagase and her incessant "WHY WOULD THEY DO THIS?! WAR IS DUMB!", Chopper and his "MAN THIS IS REALLY HURTING MY ROCK AND ROLL!" and Archer in general. How the hell can a mechanic who's had little to no flight experience suddenly become a top ace? Impossible.

 

[Moose]

AC5 is your basic improvement/expansion to the AC4, so in gameplay terms its got more variety.
The last mission of AC4 is particularly impressive though...

The last mission in 4 was amazing

 

[User 406]

I've always been a fan of flight games, especially ones with combat involved.

If you can find a copy, give Dropship: United Peace Force a try, it's good tough-as-nails air combat. Should be dirt cheap.

 

[Brannon]

"WOW DO YOU THINK THE WAR IS GONNA END TODAY?? A/S/L"

(choose yes or no) -> selected yes 19/m/28,000ft

"YEAH I HOPE SO TOO LOLOLOLOL"

NAMCO turning Ace Combat V into AirMerica Online put the game just below AC04 for me, but I still think they're both pretty fun. I just wish there were more canyon/tight space areas in the games. I guess the Airforce Delta series are for that though. You wouldn't go wrong in getting either.