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In 1987, Cascade decided to capitalise on the success of the game ACE and decided to release Ace 2. In Ace 2, you play a two player game either versus the computer, or versus another player - in a head to head match.
The music over the title screen is absolutely brilliant, which is to be expected from legendary C64 composer Rob Hubbard. This is a vast improvement over the original ACE, which had no music at all. Unfortunately, this is the only area in which this game is better than the original.
The above screen is the configuration screen. You can choose whether you're playing versus the computer or versus a second person. Also, you can choose what type of fight you're going to have, as well as how many lives each player has. Interestingly, you can have crash detection off which means you don't die when you hit the ground - which can be a problem in a dogfight to the death. Finally, the amount of damage your plane can take is customisable too.
The above screen gives you an indication of what the gameplay is like. It's split screen and the aircraft controls are very basic. Altitude and airspeed are displayed, as is fuel and ammunition on the weapon you're using.
Targeting radar is very basic for each player, and you also have a compass and attitude indicators.
As with the previous version of ACE, you also have a map, however it's ultra basic and also on a much smaller scale than in the original game.
The premise of the game is basically to kill the other person and that is all you do. Flight Simulator fans will be disappointed as you start the game in the air flying. You never take off or land.
There's not a lot else to say. The title screen and music gives a very different impression of this game to what it really is. Like a lot of Hollywood movie sequels, this is a poor follow up to a brilliant game.
Downloads: Music, Advert
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| GRAPHICS - 7/10 |
The graphics are extremely basic. Land is yellow, which is supposed to be a desert I imagine, but it's not very effective, nor are the terrain features. The screen showing the aircraft is the only really nice graphic and that is what I base my mark on. Aircraft graphics are okay and the explosion is nice when you kill the other person.
| | SOUND - 8/10 |
This rating is solely for the title music, which is wonderful. Apart from that, the game has no sound worth mentioning - there is no jet engine sound. Warning sounds and the like are sparse. I'd probably rate this a two out of ten if it wasn't for the title music.
| | PLAYABILITY - 5/10 |
The problem with this game is that is just not a lot of fun. Even playing it with someone else, you don't get any kind of rush happening, or much excitement. The lack of sound plays a big part of it, as is the uninspiring graphics.
| | OVERALL - 6/10 |
This falls far short of the benchmark set by the original ACE. Quite a poor sequel to a great game, and one that is only worth loading up for its title music and not more than that.
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| COVER |
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; "Click to zoom!")
; "Click to zoom!")
; "Click to zoom!")
; "Click to zoom!")
