More Than Just A Sequel || Ace Combat 2 & Assault Horizon Legacy Retrospective

Continuing with the Ace Combat retrospectives, here we are with Ace Combat 2! This game in my eyes nailed the core gameplay of what an Ace Combat game is! We'll also be looking at the remake of AC2 in this video as well, Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy!
The background used for the thumbnail of this video comes from @Nickname1718 's Ace Combat 2 Intro remake video that can be found here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eaS5eWpmatp2m80
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Twitter: ThunderousFolf
CHAPTERS
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0:00 Intro
2:26 Development
10:07 Story
11:39 Gameplay
25:45 Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy
40:13 Conclusion
41:35 Credits
RESEARCH SOURCES
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Computer and Video Games Issue 190 - archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_190_1997-09_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n35/mode/1up
Ace Combat 2 entry on Acepedia - acecombat.fandom.com/wiki/Ace_Combat_2
Ace Combat 2 entry on Wikipedia - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Combat_2
4Gamers.Net entry on Assault Horizon Legacy leaks - www.4gamer.net/games/121/G012149/20100929055/
Cubed3 entry on Assault Horizon Legacy - www.cubed3.com/news/15682/1/e311-media-ace-combat-nintendo-3ds-screens.html
MUSIC USED
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Blockade (Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies)
Invoke (Ace Combat 2)
Warning Line (Ace Combat 2)
El Dorado (Ace Combat 2)
Lode Stone (Ace Combat 2)
Aim High (Ace Combat 2)
Fly Away (Ace Combat 2)
Fighter's Honor (Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy)
Skies Over the Promenade (Ace Combat Joint Assault)
The Inferno (Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War)
Gray Wolf (Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy)
Footsteps In The Night Sky (Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy)
Gravity (Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy)
Extra Ending (Ace Combat 2)

[@Ikcatcher]

Ace Combat 2 was the game that got me into the entire franchise and I genuinely think it still holds up to this day.

[@Aereto]

AC2 got me to series. AC3 JP is the only one in the series that continues to burn in my mind and thoroughly understood the lore as a child.

[@Garuda1_AC6]

Same here! I was only 2 years old and my father got me this as my first game.

[@GeoRyukaiser]

One of my favourite memories from AHL was during the fleet assault mission. While coming to make a pass on one of the last remaining ships, plane nearly falling apart, I was dreading the inevitable AA fire, but as I came around, focusing the camera on the target I saw all the AA fire being fired away from me... with Edge flying rings over the head of the ship clearing the way for me to close in and put the last missiles into it.

[@TheSkyGuy77]

I love how AC2 is what started the Strangereal setting of most of the rest of the series.

[@afterburner94]

Absolute banger of a retrospective. The graphical leap between Air Combat and AC2 cannot be understated. The shock was huge in '97. Only 2 years between the 2 games releases and you can tell the dev team really took all the technical knowledge they were missing when they release Air Combat and put it in AC2. The texture mapping, the resolution and the polygons count made a huge leap overnight. 97 is really the first year dev studios across the world finally released games that took advantage of the full capacity of the PlayStation. It shows. Im glad you revied AC AH Legacy as well! Its a fresh take on AC2 and it was welcomed!

[@sickosl1me]

I was literally playing ac2 when the notification of this video popped up lol

[@dani_p2200]

In Legacy there are more amiibo alt colors for the planes plus a F15 zelda one, and I think you forgot to mention that you can edit the livery for all the planes you buy after some use, and there are some iconic liveris from the series to unlock (ps the F117 has a defult EVA01 livery)

[@TornaitSuperBird]

the F15SE has both Pixy and Cipher's liveries. Also, the F-22 has Southern Cross's livery.

[@dani_p2200]

@@TornaitSuperBirdNow I remember that the SU37 has full the Yellow 13 livery

[@ThunderousFolf]

Oops, I did forget about the other amiibo aircraft and the livery editing, my bad 😅

[@MrLemmy82]

To this day, Ace Combat 2 is still my favorite game in the series, the fun core gameplay, fantastic mission design, and visual as well as sound design give it an incredibly strong identity and make it a blast to play! As for continuing the game after Kingpin, you only need to take down the Z.O.E. plane in Kingpin itself, not all of them. But you do need to take out all of them to face the ADF-01 in Fighter's Honor. You also do not unlock the aces' skins after shooting them down in 2, only the extra score and medals (Which unlock the model display if you have them all). I'm surprised you didn't mention another big Ace Combat thing AC2 started, with the XFA-27 being the first fully original Ace Combat design, and its first superplane too! AHL is indeed a divisive game, and while I love its boss fights and the characters, cutting one third of the original's missions, removing a lot of unique planes in the roster, and completely changing the vibe of the game with the soundtrack are all sore points to me. Overall I consider it to be a good complement to AC2, but by no means a replacement.

[@albertoamoruso7711]

You make some of the best videogame videos on all of YT, please never stop doing these!

[@finnm.2582]

It also started for me with AC2, I was 5 when my father brought home a PS1 which he borrowed from a colleague. He was an aircraft mechanic in the German Navy during that time and we lived in Paris during that time (he worked at a NATO Supply Base during that time if I remember correctly). That must have been sometime in Spring 1998 or 1999, we moved back in 2000. I was obsessed with this game and it became my „entry drug“ not only for Ace Combat but also for military aviation Sims like Jane‘s USAF. I‘m a gamer pretty much all my life and I‘ve always played some kind of Aviation game. I‘ve played all Ace Combat titles with the exception of Shattered Skies and Infinity. When I was 18 I‘ve tried to become a fighter pilot but I was 24cm too tall sadly so I‘ve served three years on the lowest foodchain instead. Nowadays I prefer more realistic flight sims like DCS and Falcon BMS than arcade shooters but I enjoy AC7 and Project Wingman from time to time.

[@Kaivaryu]

As someone who also enjoys Ace Combat music (maybe even a bit too much), I commend your track choices for the video. I've learned a few things about AH Legacy from this, being one of the titles I sadly haven't gotten to play, and now that I've taken a listen, the music sounds oddly similar to the style they have in Assault Horizon, even the rap. And hey, in the chance you haven't heard, AC released a live play called "Music Beyond the Sky" on their main channel, one of the tracks being 'Fire Youngman' where Keiki himself played. It has flown under the radar for a lot of folks, so I thought I'd give it a shoutout~

[@ThunderousFolf]

Ayy, a fellow lover of Ace Combat music! AHL's music definitely has echoes of Assault Horizon, yeah. Particularly Gray Wolf, that's the track that, to me at least, has that Assault Horizon flavor the most. Music Beyond the Sky rings a bell for me. I might have heard about it before? In any case, I haven't checked it out yet, but I'll definitely give it a listen!

[@Kaivaryu]

Hell yeah! And spot on, Gray Wolf does seem like it came straight out of AH, it even sounds to me a bit like 'Dogfight'. And also, what would be your top 5 tracks from the whole series? (if 5 is too few, I'll take a top 10) No judgin' here of course, just curious

[@tonywilkins9616]

I recently replayed this one and was genuinely surprised how good it stands up. It's just some honest to god arcade fun. First time visiting your actual channel today and amazed how few subscribers you have. I expect you will become one of the big hitters later. Keep up the quality

[@CheckeredMaple3]

Assault Horizon Legacy was my first AC game making me interested in the series more

[@marksayosmejia7251]

16:28 luved the armored core reference to almost mentioning human plus.

[@starlahverion6220]

I am so glad i wasnt the only one that found the time goals in AC AHL soo stingy and hard to meet. Another great vid about my fave game series.

[@JarboeGaming]

Excellent video! After recently diving into more of the AC series, this looks incredible and one that's worth checking out.

[@PGM991]

i remember. i was still in middle school, i don't have PS1 of my own but a game console shop were popular back there from entire shop every kid play winning eleven, I'm only one playing air combat.

[@legomania2427]

YOOOOOOOOOOOO FINALLLYYYYY LESS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Edit: In AHL+ you can even just turn off the maneuvers in the controls menu if you hate them that much, just shows how non-essential they really are. This is why it’s the definitive version of this game. Edit 2: DISNEY MEETS ACE COMBAT IS THE PERFECT WAY TO DESCRIBE LIKE A PHOENIX RISING Edit 3: Why didn’t you mention Go Shiina was the composer for AHL? I’m just curious.

[@ThunderousFolf]

I had a hunch you'd be happy seeing this video! I didn't know you could turn them off entirely, interesting! That's cool that the game gives you the option to do that. I really like Like a Phoneix Rising! Beautiful in it's tone, determined in its lyrics. Shoot, I did forget to mention him. Just something that slipped through the script writing/recording part on my end.

[@legomania2427]

⁠​⁠​⁠​⁠@@ThunderousFolfIt’s a great video regardless. I just know too much about ACAHL+ since have like 200 hours in it lol. You complained about how restrictive the time limits are for the s-ranks. In my opinion the most offensive of the bunch is the time limit for Mission 7. Because on Ace, the Z.O.E.’s ai is so god damn good at evading your attacks it makes Sulejmani look like a joke. Plus it can fly faster than you can in any aircraft in the game, fly into the ground and has ridiculous health. And you have to beat it in like a minute because you spent the rest of the time limit on the first part of the mission.

[@Delta4280]

AC2 was intro to thd Ace Combat series... unfortunately I didn't get to experience until later, but now I've going more into the series. Also surprised you didn't mention how weird it was that both the F6F-5 Hellcat and A6M5 Zero were in the 3DS remake

[@heymanchan9007]

AC2 MUSIC IS GOD TIER The game is AN EPIC OF ITS TIME such a banger

[@enzo991_]

Honestly this video convinced me to play the original Ace Combat 2 since I only played AHL+ but now I feel like there is merit to try out the OG. Another great retrospective. I love how you go over all aspects of the games thoroughly. I'll say the reason for why the music in the game seems to be all over the place in terms of style is because Go Shiina the composer reused a lot of his work from Joint Assault which was more orchestral. Can't wait for the ACE04 retrospective.

[@shira_yone]

OG AC2 still have one of the biggest and my fav plane list in the series, with AHL cutting missions and especially cutting the plane list (felt like it's cut in half) it's definitely worth playing the original. If you're using an emulator, don't forget to turn on Analog mode; the game supports an early version of analog stick controller (the first one in the series, commonly mis-credited to AC3).The controls are very smooth and responsive.

[@tec5x5]

AC2 was my start and man what a great start

[@muysli.y1855]

Air combat was my first ps1 game Ace combat 2 was a perfect upgrade

[@firesbullets6357]

Action Maneuvers don't originate from Ace Combat Assault Horizon (although the connection seems and probably also is close). They are literally pulled 1 to 1 from Sky Crawlers Innocent Aces (Sky Crawlers Game made by Project Aces). They implemented the Maneuvers in that game because it was (next to controllers, thankfully) supposed to be playable with wii-motion controls. These were very inaccurate, so you had maneuvers to help you out, you had to fill up a 3 level bar and depending on which level you triggered the maneuver the more center it would land you behind the enemy. The effectiveness of the maneuver also relied on the enemy skill level. Good Video, i enjoyed it I have to add that Ace Combat 2 is a contender for my favourite ace combat game. I know people like zero and 5 alot more but i for me the golden triangle was alway 2, 3 (japanese version) and 4

[@blitzkrieg2142k]

Ace 4 was my entry into the game. But i do love the lore that 2 started. And the evolution of the series is intresting coming from a we just ported a game we made and didnt understand what we could do to we understand the linits of the Playstation and are gonna use every bit of ram and processing power to make a intresting game. Ace 2 is one of the games i want to data mine at some point like ive done with other games.

[@hitpeppens2932]

Ace Combat 5 was obtainable on PS4 when pre-ordered AC7.

[@everygamersdream72]

The + version was for the New 3DS, but it did add Circle Pad Pro compatibility if you played it on the Old 3DS, which I believe was previously only available on the Japanese version of the original release.

[@Unr3aler]

I think that AC2 is the best game in the franchise in terms of how simple and effective the gameplay is. No gimmicks, just loads of fun. It is one of those games showcasing how things like leveling, upgrades, loot, special weapons etc. are all distractions, that are cool, but if you want these features to work, game has to be fun without them first.

[@MrPottsTeaching]

Great video you nailed it!!! Godlike yea ya ya ❤❤❤❤😊😊😮😮❤❤❤

[@DpNemo]

hell yea, been waiting for this one. wait, therse another comment saying the same? um... been waiting for this too? yea lets go with that one

[@dummyproductions4281]

AC2 has always been one of my favorites, and this video really does it justice. such a great game, and it really shows project aces basically nailed the game's design with the sequel.

[@diegoviramontes2479]

Bro I just downloaded Ashl+ off of the hshop the timing is insane

[@MrPottsTeaching]

AC2 was Tha GOAT!!! BEST GAME none matched it

[@MetalFalcon99]

When I was doing a final project in school about the SR-71 i listened to this soundtrack

[@bepsimig]

Good and entertaining video! AC2 is my favourite out of the three PS1 titles thanks to its gameplay, tho it has its cons (missile homing). I'd just add some small info that I couldn't find in the comments: SAM stations can and will fire missiles even when not locked-on/in player's visual range. You might miss it because it doesn't give a missile warning until the missile is close to you (basically when it'll 100% hit) or because of you outrunning it (slow speed + bad homing). The AA guns are far deadlier. If you somehow reach 0 credits and crash your plane, you don't get a game over, nor go in the negatives. The credits remain set to 0 and you can retry the mission as if nothing happened.

[@UltraSpinkie]

Been waiting for this

[@justinpascual1691]

I'll now forever call pulling off intense aerial evasive maneuvers as "Sulejmani" hahaha. Ace Combat X and Joint Assault were my first Ace Combat games, and then back tracked from The Ps 1 games up to current gen.

[@timetellersunion3711]

Oh my, Legacy was my first ace combat game, and yes I wish it was remastered to consoles

[@TornaitSuperBird]

I'M SO GLAD I SUBBED TO YOU JUST IN TIME TO SEE THIS VIDEO DROP. I would've made this video myself, but I'm glad that you did it! I love Ace Combat Assault Horizon Legacy (Plus), and by proxy AC2. I'd sub to you again if I could.

[@Tech_Renegade]

Great video, I appreciate the coverage of legacy. I would point to the maneuvers in Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces as another influence on the action maneuvers in Legacy, especially since in that game they served to make the wiimote work better with AC style controls.

[@fehsantana]

Man what a amazing vídeo, my first ace was 7 and I buyed the 3ds to play this game 1 month ago, did not finish it yet cause I'm trying to get the platinum for ace 7. After that, gotta to finish this one and Unsung War

[@Roky_2000]

wait, you can change paint jobs in AC2 ?

[@Ikcatcher]

You can’t, he is mistaken

[@luftcorde]

I haven't played AC2 yet, but I love AC:AHL+. It's definitely not the best Ace Combat. But it doesn't need to be to be a really enjoyable game. Also, I didn't know there was a Star Fox Falken. And now I'm sad I don't have it. So thanks for that 😂

[@trevargrisham35]

Wow, you went through a review of the special missions and didn't mention the absurdity that is Special Mission 4, where you have to pull a U-turn in the fortress and then have to fight 4 FALKEN's all equipped with TLS. Those four bastards are the hardest fight in all of Ace Combat history.

[@Middle-jo4nz]

❤

[@CTPSenpai]

33:10 tips fedora*

[@dazelandpointcom4170]

You dislike time limit based ranking on Ace Combat 2 remake, but did it not bother you in Ace Combat 3 (japanese version)?

[@diabdia]

My favorite ace combat game ❤.

[@Fuzon-S]

Great video, I missed out on AC2 until I played it much later despite I played Air Combat, and with Assault Horizon leaving a sour taste in my mouth I pretty much skipped on AH Legacy and not knowing it was a remake of the sequel, so that's twice on missing out AC2 in my life. I did manage to play and beat AHL when the 3DS was near the end of its life cycle. One thing I feel the need to point out is the Action Maneuver was lifted from Project Ace's Wii game The Sky Crawlers which predated Assault Horizon's DFM/dodging mechanics, even down to the way to earn S Rank on certain missions. It's still worth checking out but be warned, the final dogfight makes the Sulemanji battle look like a cakewalk.

[@tammysilverwolf1085]

Air Combat was the first game to get me into flight games, I loved renting it from Blockbuster. Completely hooked me away from RPG's and stuff.

[@o_o_o_o_o-o_o_o_o_o]

please display 4:3 video in 4:3

[@raihanrusli2720]

So the named aces started here huh. Well it certainly evolved, mostly in AC0 and AC7. AC0 add hundreds of them in just a single game, different in ace style and more as difficulty progresses. And AC7 adding some requirements for them to spawn. I like the idea in AC7 but I hope that all planes have the ability to trigger it. AC7 M1 require us to use 4/6/8AAM or ADMM to shoot down 4 targets, so any planes without it cannot spawn the named aces Edit: someone has corrected me in the comment that AC7 isnt the first one to do this 🤣 but I will just keep this comment up

[@TheRibbonRed]

AC4 had the "requirements to spawn" thing.

[@m1sz3lpl24]

AC7 was hardly the first game to do it with aces, AC4 and ACX both had it before

[@raihanrusli2720]

@@TheRibbonRed yeah just only go to certain places and you will meet them. I guess almost every AC did that. But what I meant in AC7 is that the game requires you to do some stuff, like fly low alt, get dmged, destroy non tgts, etc. Just check acepedia

[@raihanrusli2720]

@@m1sz3lpl24 yes, but its the first game that requires you to do some stff before the game spawns the aces. Just check acepedia

[@TheRibbonRed]

@@raihanrusli2720 if you wanna get that technical, AC5 did that first. F-14D Zipang required you to shoot a non-TGT Mirage & 4 non-TGT Phantoms when Yukes were spamming cruise missiles. F-4G Mindripper required you to shoot down 2 non-TGT Phantoms & 1 TGT Lancer before it appears. AC7 didn't innovate anything. It was merely recapturing what Project ACES ditched over a decade ago. If you want gameplay innovation, look at AC6.

[@sandman-os2zy]

How is it your went to the effort to get pixel-perfect capture of Air Combat & Ace Combat 2, then decided to smear it across the screen instead of leaving it in beautiful 4:3 😢

[@leniekotze9697]

and the biggest success was ace combat 3 electrosphere ( jp 52 mission but then after it slowly went down hill ace combat 7 Assault Horizon was a flap, it was so bad that ace combat 7 skies unknown got the nomber 7 ace combat 7 skies unknown and this game is still not as good as ace combat 3 electrosphere ( jp 52 mission ,,,the king of the series

[@justinl8791]

Great retrospective, AC2 is a classic that stands the test of time & AHL+ is a good remake. That said, while AHL+ has great gameplay, it also has some my least favorite songs in the entire franchise. I genuinely dislike Fighter's Honor(sounds like some knockoff Disney movie theme song) & Gravity sounds fucking weird, especially when compared to a hype AC rap song like Gotta Stay Fly. They REALLY should've stuck with FIRE YOUNGMAN.

[@Scooge420]

"Guys who love rock" this tells me absolutely zero things about your music taste other than being vaguely interested in electric guitar