Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Developer(s): Project Aces
Publisher(s): Namco (JP, US), SCEE (EU)
Genre: Simulation
Wikipedia: Link
Game review links: Metacritic: 89/100
Game description: During the course of the game, the player has the opportunity to purchase 21 different planes, from models that actually exist to prototypes or relatively new aircraft that were in development (at the time of game production) and their weaponry. Every plane has two alternate paint schemes, gained by achieving a superior, or S, ranking on a stage in normal difficulty mode, by shooting down the ace pilots on each stage, or by completing the challenge modes.
Test configurations on Windows:
Environment | Configurations | Comments | Tester | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region | OS | CPU/GPU | Revision | Graphics | Sound/Pad | ||
PAL | ? |
|
SVN r5051 | GSDX D3D11 r5051 | SPU2-X r5025 | Needs powerful hardware just to go in-game. Needs investigation/optimization to make this game playable. | ? |
PAL | Windows |
|
1.0.0 | GSDX |
|
Europe v02.00 (14/06/2004), None, SkipMPEG, - Game launched via a retail copy., - Heavily "garbled" textures in the in-game menus (plane/weapon selection, plane/weapon buying and selling screen) : most of the textures of those menus are hidden by formless black polygons covering a large part of the screen. | |
NTSC-U | Windows |
|
1.1.0 r5546 | GSdx 5542 SSE41 |
|
Runs near full speed. | |
PAL | Windows 10 Pro 64 bit |
|
1.2.1 r5875 | GSdx 0.1.16 (MSVC 18.00, AVX2) | SPU2-X 2.0.0 r5822 | Hardware mode has many graphical glitches. Software mode renders the game accurately, but requires a very powerful CPU.
I can maintain the target framerate of the PAL version (50fps) even with the view set to external. When using the NTSC-U (60fps) version, the framerate drops to 52 - 55fps, rendering the game sluggish and unplayable. |
Zhohner |
NTSC-J | Windows |
|
1.3 Git 28 of May | GSDX |
|
USA v02.20(10/02/2006), Little Heavy,can requires MTVU hack., Status | |
PAL | Windows |
|
1.3 Git 28 of May | GSDX |
|
USA v02.20(10/02/2006), Hard to believe....but Is fine now,not issues more., Status | |
NTSC-U | Windows 7 Professional 64-bit |
|
1.3.0-20140912204128 | GSdx 20140912204128 (MSVC 18.00, SSE41) 0.1.16 [GSdx32-SSE4]OpenGL | SPU2-X 20140912204128 2.0.0 | Hardware mode runs fast, but there are too many texture glitches to be enjoyable. Software mode works well, but requires a fast CPU and only Virtual Cockpit view works. | SpeedySPCFan |
PAL | Windows 7 Professional 64-bit |
|
1.5.0-1230 | Default | Default | Runs and looks great in software mode. Numerous graphical issues in hardware mode. Slowdown with OpenGL HW renderer due to unoptimized AMD OGL driver. | FlatOut |
NTSC-U | Windows 10 Pro x64 |
|
1.5.0 beta 2590 | GSdx32-SSE4 1.1.0 | SPU2-X 2.0.0 | This is a VERY intensive game for both CPU and GPU. Even at native resolution, my GPU is maxed out and i get framerates like 52-58FPS. Also, I see vertical lines on the entire game, save for some cutscenes. Those are not very distracting. | clorophilla |
Environment | Configurations | Comments | Tester | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Region | OS | CPU/GPU | Revision | Graphics | Sound/Pad | ||
NTSC-U | Arch Linux |
|
PCSX2 1.4.0-0-compiled on Jan 9 2016 | GSdx 1.0.0 OpenGL | SPU2-X 2.0.0 SDL | Runs stable in hardware mode. Has severe terrain texture glitches that worsen the longer played, and in game player plane renders completely black. Distracting, but playable as they only happen in the distance. Software mode does not experience such issues but is prone to slowdowns. | actioninja |
Trivia
- Original names: エースコンバット04 シャッタードスカイ (SLPS-25052) & (SLPS-73410)
- Also known as Ace Combat: Distant Thunder (EU)
Known Issues
Broken terrain textures
- Status: Active
- Type: Major
- Description: In hardware mode mipmapping issues cause terrain textures to appear distorted and constantly changing form.
- Workaround: This can be resolved with the latest v1.5.0 git builds. Go to Config > Video(GS) > Plugin Settings, and set Mipmapping to "Basic". For older versions use Software mode.
Flickering HUD
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: In Hardware mode, the HUD can be flickering, and completely disappears in some night missions
- Workaround: Go to Config -> Video (GS) -> Plugin Settings, and set CRC Hack Level to "None".
Black Plane
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: In Hardware mode the outside of the player's plane appears completely black, wile all NPC planes are fine. Cockpit view is fine too.
- Workaround: Use software mode.
Missing clouds
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: In Hardware mode clouds are invisible.
- Workaround: Use software mode.
Hangar area partially obscured
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: In Hardware mode a thick, dark gray mist covers the hangar area.
- Workaround: Go to Config -> Video (GS) -> Plugin Settings, and set the Renderer to "OpenGL (Hardware)". For PCSX2 v1.4.0 and earlier Hardware Depth also needs to be enabled. Or use software renderer.
Software mode FPS drop in Third Person or Cockpit view
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: In Software Mode, both third person and cockpit views make the game go unplayably slow.
- Workaround: Set the camera to Virtual Cockpit or play in Hardware mode.
Explosions not visible
- Status: Active
- Type: Minor
- Description: Explosions on planes or ground items do not display in hardware mode, only the white puff of smoke arising from the explosion.
- Workaround: Use software mode.
The gallery
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Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (SCES 50410)
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Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (SCES 50410)
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Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (SCES 50410)
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Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (SCES 50410)
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Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (SLPS 25052)
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Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (SCES 50410)