ACE COMBAT 4 - DISTANT THUNDER
Genre - Flight action game
~ Version - 1.4 ~
Created 1~2 August 2002
Game produced 2001 - pal
2 players duel shock compatible memory card 80 KB
Walkthrough produced by Michael Radford
Last update - 3/10/03
NOTICE - this is the first walkthrough I have done for gamefaqs and I
have tried to go into as much detail as possible to help and advise
players of this game whatever the difficulty level however if there is
anything that I have missed out then please feel free to e-mail at
[email protected] I know from experience that when people write these
walkthroughs loads of people email and demand you answer there questions
like you owe them something so please don't. If you do and it is not in
the walkthrough you will be ignored. If you do have a good question and
it isn't in the walkthrough just email me and I will do my best to
answer it. I have dedicated this walkthrough to all the people at
gamefaqs for the great site and the hard work and all the fans of this
game.
============================================= CONTENTS
i -INTRODUCTION, DISCLAIMER AND VERSION HISTORY
ii -THE STORY
iii -GAME CONTROLS
iv -THE PLANES
v -THE WEAPONS
vi -THE MISSIONS
vii -TIPS AND ADVANCE PLAY MANEUVERS
viii-HIDDEN AIRCRAFT AND MODES
ix -DID YOU KNOW
x -FAQ's
xi -THANKS AND CREDIT
============================================ 1. INTRODUCTION, DISCLAIMER AND
VERSION HISTORY
INTRODUCTION - Ace combat 4 is not surprisingly the forth game in the ace
combat series
it is a combat flight game where the player takes control of mobius one
the leader of an group of eleven aircraft which are not seen until the
end. At the start you are in squadron 118 where you are defending you HQ
from enemy bombers. The game has a total of 21 aircraft ranging from the
very slow F4 to the amazing jets such as the SU 37 and X 02.
The game is set on the fictional continent of Ursea where after a
devastating asteroid shower on Earth the large country of Eursea invades
the rest of Usea. The games controls are simple and allow the player to
master them in a few minutes.
The Erusens also has an elite flight squad called the yellow squadron
who are a squad of five planes with the leader of the group an
exceptional pilot known only by his call sign 'yellow thirteen'.
DISCLAIMER - this document is copyrighted any and all distribution of
this document without express permission from the author will not be
tolerated anyone who does so will have legal action taken upon them.
Also if this document is sold or any money is made off it without the
author's permission will be prosecuted.
This FAQ should only appear at the following websites at present
www.gamefaqs.com
www.neoseeker.com
www.ps2guides.coolfreepage.com
if you wish to publish this faq please contact me at
[email protected]
VERSION HISTORY -
4/09/02 (v.0.1) - The guide is up at the moment although none of the missions
are up as of yet
====
6/09/02 (v.0.2) - Put the finishing touches on the missions and the FAQ. Next
up will be the story and other smaller features.
===
9/9/02 (v.1.0) - That concludes it, the whole guide is up and running, who's
the daddy?
===
4/11/02 (v.1.1) - It would seem not me, the special named pilots required to
unlock hidden planes are apparently wrong and have been removed for review.
Thanks to everyone who told me about those.
===
18/11/03 (v. 1.2) - Small correction of the FAQ part. Thanks to the people who
told me about them
===
5/1/03 (v. 1.3) - A few small changes being made.
===
3/9/03 (v.1.4) - Large guide overhaul. The planes section has been rewritten
and edited fully as well as correcting any spelling mistakes. I have also
uploaded the lonerider's flight log, that is worth check. If you want yours
uploaded please send them to me, contact details above.
===
11/12/03 (v.1.5) - Added a new altitude for Jake Rheinfrank, see below.
============================================ 2. THE STORY
-= I recommend strongly you complete the game before reading
this as it gives away pretty most all of the story =-
The Earth has just survived a devastating meteor shower that has killed
half the population. Before the shower the populates of Ursea had built
a huge cannon structure called Stonehenge. Taking advantage of the
situation the Erusians attack the rest of the continent foreign the ISAF
(Independent States Allied Forces) back to the small island known as
North Point.
While the conquest went on the Erusians captured the city of San
Salvasion a young boy who was on his way to school watched as the
Erosion fighters destroyed the ISAF planes trying to protect the city
one of the Erusian planes shot one down and crashed on the cape where
his family lived. He watched as the plane that had shot down the ISAF
fighter confirmed the kill, and on the plane was a large number 13 in
yellow.
An important note is the player is not the same person as the young boy
in the movie sequences.
When the Erusians had taken control San Salvation they also gained
control of the super cannon Stonehenge, even though it was built to
shoot down asteroids the cannon could also be used as an anti-aircraft
weapon, knowing this the Erusians could destroy any aircraft and take
complete control of the mainland. Now the ISAF have relocated their HQ
to a small island called North Point where there is no room to retreat
and if they are destroyed there the Erusians have won.
Slowly though the ISAF regain land forcing the Erusians back towards
there country, as they retreat the ISAF can attack Stonehenge where it
is destroyed however the Yellow Squadron attack and the super elite
pilot Yellow 13 loses his wingman yellow 4.
The ISAF continue to advance until they enter Eusea and take over there
capital, however yellow squadron come back and the players pilot Mobius
1 fights them eventually destroying yellow 13 and stopping the war.
But the Erusians had one more trick up there sleeve as they revealed a
secrete weapon called Megalith. The Mobius Squad fly in and Mobius one
destroys it to finish off the Erusians and end the game.
============================================ 3. GAME CONTROLS
Left analogue stick - bamk or pitch the plane
Move it down to pitch up
Move it up to pitch down
Move it left to bank left
Move it right to bank right
(Not the most challenging thing in the world)
Move the Right analogue stick to look around this gets more handy later
on and in harder modes
Cross - fire Vulcan cannon
Circle - fire missile or secondary weapon
Triangle - zoom in
Square - displays the map. Apply pressure to zoom in.
L1 - air brakes
L2 - Jink left
L3 - N/A
R1 - accelerate
R2 - Jink Right
R3 - N/A
Select - Switch to secondary weapon
Start - Pause / Unpause
=================================================== 4. THE PLANES
Here are all the planes and there stats I apologies for no pictures-
+++++++++++++++
F-4E
Multi-role
---
UGBM
Napalm bomb
---
This is the first plane you will fly in the game. This plane is actually okay
for a starting plane. The handling and speed will easily be enough for you to
match or out match the compotation.
Overall - 5/10 - Starting aircraft
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F-5E
Multi-role
---
UGBS
Rocket Launcher
---
Although it is fairly fast and well armed, this plane is more or less the same
as the F-4. It may be quite tempting to get as it is the first new plane of the
game, but try to hold on to your money as the next planes worth shelling out
for. Get it? Shelling? I know planes don't shell but, erm, moving on.
Overall - 6/10 - Starting aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
F-16C
Multi-role
---
UGBS
XMAS
---
This plane is fast, well armed and small enough to dodge anything thrown at it.
You should buy this plane as soon as you get it to replaced the older F-4.
Overall - 7/10 - Starting aircraft
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A -10
Bomber
---
UGBL
XMAS
Cluster bomb
---
A fantastic bomber for the money that you are paying. This maybe the slowest
plane in the game, but it is also the most armored, specially designed to be
protected from AA artillery. You have a massive payload and you will find
yourself using this bomber time and again throughout the game.
+++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++
MIR 2000
Fighter
---
UGBS
XLAS
---
Although it is the best air to air fighter that is available at the moment as
you progess through the next few missions you will see that you have wasted
your money if you opted for buying it.
Overall - 5/10 - Mid game aircraft
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F-14A
Air superiority fighter
---
XLAA
UGBM
---
An excellent air superiority fighter used for heavy dogfights. I recommend
buying this for Shattered Skies. And completely ignore it's bombs it is not a
bomber and you tend to get shot down.
Overall - 8/10 - Mid game aircraft
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TND - ID5
Multi-role
---
Bomblett Despenser
Precision Bomb
XLAS
---
Although it is a multi-role aircraft it is best used as a bomber. However, it
is not as good as the A-10 so try to avoid it.
Overall - 5/10 - Mid game aircraft
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F/A 18C
Multi-role
---
UGBM
XLAG
XMAA
---
It is worth buyijng if you have the money in this stage of the game as it great
at air to air. It's not essential though as the F-14 should be more then good
enough to get you through.
Overall - 7/10 - Mid game aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
F-15C
Air-to-Air
---
XMAA
XLAA
---
A good plane with good stats. And a heafty price tag, unless you are repeating
the game of have LOADS of money then do not buy this yet.
Overall - 6/10 - Mid game aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
MIG 29A
Air-to-Air
---
UGBS
Missile Launcher
---
A great fighter which is both fast and well armed. It's missle launcher is
great for taking on Stonehenge and will destroy a turret in one or two salvos.
Overall - 8/10 - Mid game aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
F 117A
Bomber
---
UGBL
Precision bomb
Cluster Bomb
---
'Cool, it's that ace looking bomber thing you have to lie down to fly'. It also
has a tiny payload, is slow, very vunrable to both aircraft and ground attacks.
Need I may say more, it is like many modern sports, all talk and no action.
Overall - 3/10 - Mid game aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
EF 2000
Fighter
---
XLAA
UGBL
---
This plane is both adgile and fast. It is also well armed. The price is right
to so if you can afford it then go in and buy it immeditly. In this stage of
the game there are a lot of air battles coming up and your older Fighter may
not stand up that well.
Overall - 8/10 - Mid game aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
R-M01
Multi role
---
Bomblett dispenser
XMAA
XLAS
---
Although this plane is fast and has a good array of bomb it is out classed in
bomb missions by the A-10 and in Air-to-Air by the EF 2000. It maybe worth it
if you are on a mission that will require both specifications like Bunker Shot,
but since you are passed that stage I would wait for a while.
Overall - 6/10 - Mid game aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
F -15E
Multi role
---
UGBL
XMAA
Cluster
---
A good aircraft in both departments, this is the one you should go for, for the
rest of the multi role combat missions for a while.
Overall - 7/10 - Mid game aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
F-2A
Multi role
---
UGBM
Rocket Launcher
---
The best aircraft to take down Stonehenge if you repeat the game. It is both
fast and powerful. However if this is the first time playing through the game,
I would stick with what you have for a while. This way you can afford the
really good planes as they come.
Overall - 7/10 - Ending aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
SU - 35
Fighter
---
XLAA
UGMB
---
A good plane and star of several other Ace Combat games, however I would just
wait a while longer as the SU-37 is a lot better.
Overall - 7/10 - Ending aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
F-22
Fighter
---
XMAA
Precision Bomb
---
Yes it's the one off the box. Buy it on the second time round however, the good
planes are coming next.
Overall - 8/10 - Ending aircraft
+++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++
SU-37
Fighter
---
GAAM
UGBL
Precision Bomb
---
The aircraft that the yellow squadron fly. This is one of the best air-to-air
aircraft in the game. It maybe expensive, but worth it it.
Overall - 9/10 - Ending aircraft
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+++++++++++++++
F-15 - ACTIVE
Multi role
---
XMAA
Fuel Air
---
This is the best aircraft for bombing as it has the fuel air bombs. These are
extremely powerful and take out anything withing a large radius in a single
hit. Not only this but it has excellent air-to-air abbilitys. Try to get as
soon as possible and use it on Whiskey Corridor.
Overall - 9/10 - Ending aircraft
+++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++
S-37A
Fighter
---
GAAM
UGBL
---
This is yet another amazingly good air-to-air combat aircraft. However since it
has the UGBL by the bucketload, it is great for air-to-ground missions as well.
Buy it as soon as possible
Overall - 10/10 - Ending Aircraft
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X -02
Multi role
---
XLAA
Bomblett Dispenser
GAAM
This aircraft is fast and well armed. It is the best air-to-air aircraft in the
game. Missles are no problem to dodge and it is faster then a speeding bullet.
The only thing that lets it down is it's air-to-ground role. Who's idea was it
to give it the bomblett dispenser?
Overall - 9/10 - Hidden Aircraft
+++++++++++++++
=========================================== 5. THE WEAPONS
Vulcan Cannon - This is your machine gun that is used to take out
enemies at close range.
Missile - These are the normal missiles shoot these at the enemy planes
when you have a lock on to shoot them down.
UGBS (Unguided freefall Bomb Small) - this is the basic bomb for most
early aircraft it can be dropped from four slots instead of the normal
two.
UGBM (Unguided freefall Bomb Medium) - this is the next best one from
the small version only it can only be dropped from two slots but makes a
bigger explosion.
UGBL (Unguided freefall Bomb Large) - same as above only makes a very
large explosion.
XLAS (Advance Long range Anti Surface bomb) - this bomb locks on and can
destroy targets from a long way it can hit up to four targets at once.
XMAS (Advance Medium range Anti Surface bomb) - It does the same thing
as the one above only it will only work from a shorter range
XLAA (Advanced Long range Air to Air missile) - like the bomb version
only this can get planes from a long way away incredibly inaccurate
though and best used on big slow enemy planes like an E 767.
XMAA (Advanced Medium range Air to Air missile) - like the above only
slightly more accurate.
Precision Bomb - A preseason guided bomb locks onto the target with the
piper it has a wider damage area then the advance bombs.
Rocket Launcher- launches rockets duh! Good on very large targets that
don't move.
Missile Launcher - The better version of a rocket launcher and can make
short work of Stonehenge's turrets.
Bomblett Dispenser - Releases lots of tiny bombs over a large line. They may
sound handy, but in fact are hard to use and usless. Quite possibly the most
usless weapon in the game.
Fuel Air - Arguably the best bomb in the game they are only available on
the F 15 ACTIVE but due to its great air to air and air to ground powers
it makes it highly effective. The bomb itself sprays fuel as it hits the
ground then the bomb explodes causing the devastation of a cluster bomb.
Napalm bomb - This only come with the F-4 and despite a cool name its no
good and since that plane has UGBM's you are far better off using them.
GAAM (guided Air to Air Missile) - this is a homing missile that will
follow the target until it is out of fuel of hits the target, if you
have locked on you can still fire at the target even if it is at your 6
O'clock.
============================================ 6. THE MISSIONS
MISSION 1 - SITTING DUCK
Objective - Destroy the bombers advancing on the ISAF HQ
Aircraft of choice - F-4
Weapon of choice - UGBM
You began this mission following your squad to the targets, gently tap
R1 to stay in formation and head straight for the first bomber, when you
get in shooting range take it down, the next bomber will now be in front
of you. Again the next bomber should be in front of you when you shoot
down the next one. Do a U turn and destroy the other bombers. Its simple
once you get the hang of it.
Mission difficulty 1/10
Special pilot - he appears when you have shot down three bombers, he is
south east of Newfield Island.
MISSION 2 - IMMANENT THREAT
Objective - Destroy the bombers at Rigly
Aircraft of choice - F-4
Weapon of choice - UGBM
Don't let the re-fueling aircraft distract you to avoid crashing into
it. follow the other planes to Rigly. On the way you should ascend to
around 7000ft to avoid the enemy. When you get to Rigly pitch down and
press select to switch to bombs. You will see a dotted line going down
this will be the bombs course. At the bottom of the line there is a
circle with a dot in the middle. The dot is when the bomb will hit and
the circle it's estimated range of damage. The entire thing is called
the piper. The get the circle of the piper around as many enemy ground
targets as possible and press circle. Do this until all the targets are
destroyed
Mission difficulty 1/10
Special pilot - Able pilot Able in his A10 is hovering around north west
of Rigly
MISSION 3 - THE NORTHERN EYE
Objective - Destroy the Shezna Radar
Aircraft of choice - F-4
Weapon of choice - UGBM
Stay in formation until you get to the radars. instead of bombing them
try a high approach from the south and just lock onto the with a missile
until you have got them all. Then head West to Shezna Radar 2 do the
same thing.
MISSION UPDATE - this is the first mission update and it is not
challenging fly south to the doted return line use you map (square) if
you cannot find it and land at your base. The landing is not essential
but it adds depth to the game however if you cannot do it just press
start to skip.
ADVICE ON LANDINGS
Base - line yourself up with the runway using the jink feature (L2/R2)
you see what looks like a cross hare on the middle of your screen line
them up so they are both in the middle and that is where you need to be.
Move the vertical bar by jinking move the horizontal bar by banking up
and down.
Carrier - the same really only aim for the left of the carrier and go a
lot slower the runway is very small and you can fly right off the end.
Mission Difficulty - 2/10
Special pilot- take down the named pilot north of the gap between Shezna
Radar one and two.
MISSION 4- BLOCKADE
Objective - Destroy the transport planes above the harbor
Aircraft of choice - F-16
Weapon of choice - UGBS
There are to ways to complete this mission but first fly towards the big
stage circles on the map. When you are inside be careful radar does not
work. Now you have a choice. To straight for the targets of fly straight
to the middle of the jamming and destroy the source the E-767. to get
them go to around 10,000 ft and go to the middle of the first circle, it
may take a while to find but when you destroy one half the radar clears
go to the middle of the next jamming destroy the other E-767, this
leaves all the aircraft open so you can just go and blow them out of the
skies taking out any enemy plans that are foolish enough to get in your
way.
Mission difficulty 3/10
Special pilot - This one is hard to find as he is in the cover of the E
767 jammer. As soon as you take out the E 767 he bolts off to the
northeast. If he gets there you will be hard pressed to take him out and
get back in time to get the last target so get him fast.
MISSION 5- LIFELINE
Objective - Reduce the output of the oilrig
Aircraft of choice - A-10
Weapon of choice - UGBL
When the mission starts head towards the red dot on your radar, this is
a transport carrier and will give your points a boost when you destroy
it. Don't waste a bomb on it though use a missile or if you think you
can just use your guns to destroy it. Its up to you which of the areas
you want to go to. To the East is the Oil rigs whereas the West is the
processing plant. If you have chosen the cluster bomb for the A10 then
head west and if you have the Large Freefall Bomb head west. When you
get to the oilrig simply place the piper over an oilrig and drop the
bomb on it. There are eight rigs so go for the ones closest to you and
head backwards until you have destroyed them all. If you do destroy all
the rigs either head West and help the processing attack or which I
recommend head back to the return line for what's next.
MISSION UPDATE - now we meet the yellow squadron, they will pursue you
from the south and you are ordered to disengage. Just return south and
don't try to fight them they can't be hit! When you pass the return line
the mission ends.
Mission difficulty 4/10
Special pilot - The named pilot is north after you destroy around 3 rigs
when the yellows come he disappears so get him quick.
MISSION 6 - INVINCIBLE FLEET
Objective - Sink the "invincible" Agjiar fleet at anchor
Aircraft of choice - A-10
Weapon of choice - UGBL, cluster bomb
This mission is fairly hard in some spaces because of the sheer number
of missiles that are shot at you. When you gain control look at the map
to see the ships trying to get to the return line go to them and bomb
them all flying past the return line and re-stocking on bombs when you
run out. After all the ships are destroyed head back and swap your
secondary weapon to the cluster bomb and fly to the combat zone to the
upper right of your position. There are a lot of ships and facilities
here ascend as high as possible and drop about three cluster bombs to
destroy everything there before heading north to the next zone. These
areas big so make all your bombs count. Out in the harbor there are
missile boats as well they move fast so be very careful and shoot them
with a missile. If there is enough time fly southwest to the last combat
point and destroy the submarines some are in armored docks so get low
and hit the dock from the front.
The reason I have saved that part until last is that fire gets very
heavy and you're likely to get hit by a missile. I recommend so of the
monovers suggested later on in this walkthrough.
If you pass the mission when the time runs out then you are treated to
the pilots of the 118th squadron singing.
Mission difficulty 6/10
Special pilot- head to the top right hand edge of the screen within the
final five minutes to see him, he is fast though and will fly his F/A
all over the place its faster then a A-10 so be careful.
MISSION 7 - DEEP STRIKE
Objective - Destroy solar facility evade attack from Stonehenge
Aircraft of choice - F 14
Weapon of choice - UGBM
On the first part of the mission head north until you get to the power
plant, take out the targets with bombs or missiles, now comes the fun
part, you hear Stonehenge is firing at you! Look at the map for the
darker areas and fly to the nearest one, these are crevasses you must
descend into one before the shots get to you. When you get inside head
south and navigate the ravine, when you are about halfway some fighter's
paper at high speed following you and your team, but stay in the
crevasses and below 2000 ft and the shots won't hit you, simple, well
not really.
Mission difficulty 7/10
Special pilot- he is flying West of the second power plant shoot him
down before Stonehenge as he can get away from you and its incredibly
difficult to shoot someone go through tight walls and avoid Stonehenge
at the same time.
MISSION 8 - SHATTERED SKIES
Objective - Destroy as many enemy fighters as possible and destroy all
bombers.
Aircraft of choice - F-14
Weapon of choice - XLAA
This is one of my favorite missions as its one big air battle, when you
start ignore the high value target it is moving to fast to catch at the
minute so just destroy as many planes as you can. There are a few
yellows there but the not the elite five that chased you before so they
can be hit, don't spend too munch time trying to get one though as there
is not a great deal of time. At the back there is an E 767 and a KL 10
destroying them to boost up your points.
MISSION UPDATE - B-2 bombers paper on the radar ignore the talk about
them being stealth its only so when you are close, get behind and lock
onto four with your XLAA's then blast the other two, lead the planes
chasseing you back to Comodia island where you can have your team mates
help to destroy them.
Mission difficulty - 6/10
Special pilot - at the north end of the dogfight near the E 767 and the
KL 10 the named pilot is flying around.
MISSION 9 - OPERATION 'BUNKER SHOT'
Objective - Aid in the landing of ground troops
Aircraft of choice - A-10
Weapon of choice - Cluster bomb
When you start the first thing you notice is that is dark and there is
very low visibility however you should know how to understand all the
this like the distance display in the cockpit now so it shouldn't cause
a problem. Head to the front beach, I recommend you over the beach in
front of you lengthways and use the bombs to destroy all the targets,
just remember don't shoot your friends and if you are going to use
missiles Pillboxes need to be hit twice. When you hear that you have
neutralized Crowne beachhead East to the next beach and do the same,
there is a higher concentration if enemy troops here making it more
effective for a cluster bomb. Finally from there head north and take out
the launchers and Howitzers, after that head back to the return line and
stock up on missiles.
MISSION UPDATE - after the time runs out a group of six bombers come in,
they are A-10's and they are fairly hard to hit. Make sure you have a
lot of missiles and try to get close enough to use the gun make sure any
part of the plane is inside the circle when you fire for a more accurate
hit.
Mission difficulty - 7/10
Special pilot - he flees around the most westerly section of the west
beach, take him out!
MISSION 10 - TANGO LINE
Objective - Destroy the enemy fortresses
Aircraft of choice - A-10
Weapon of choice - Cluster bomb
This is a tough one because of the terrain. Start by flying west towards
the central base there is a barrage so just fly below it and fire tree
bombs to easily neutralize the facilities, when you are doing this
bewares of Sam's. Then head north to the submarine base again a few
cluster bombs destroy most thing however if you look at the structure
there are sort of crevasses in the rock you have to fly through them and
put a missile in the front of the sub base there's two so do it twice on
the two different cuts. Fly south east to go to the VETOL base, this bit
is quite hard fly high and drop a bomb in the holes where the bases are
to get rid of them, also take out the helicopters and planes that keep
shooting missiles at you. Lastly if there's time head south to the
airport where a few bombs will destroy the top half look of your radar
for a lot of ground targets and drops the last of your bombs there.
Carry on to take out the fighters until the time runs out. Also
Stonehenge will shoot at you again in this mission so simply so below
2000 ft when you hear the warning and preferably before sky eye shots
impact!
Mission difficulty - 8/10
Special pilot - he flies around the top of the area but disappears later
on so catch him before he leaves.
MISSION 11 - ESCORT
Objective - protect the civil aircraft
Aircraft of choice - F-15C
Weapon of choice - XMAA
When you start go all the way up to 23,000 ft and head to the civilian
aircraft, destroy the fighter and then head down to 6000 ft and destroy
the next two. They will keep coming n patterns of high, low, high, low
until they are all destroyed or when the planes pass the return line.
Mission difficulty - 4/10
Special pilot - he flies behind the last group and above the middle of
the area kill him and make sure you get back in time to save the
passenger planes.
MISSION 12 - STONEHENGE OFFENSIVE
Objective - Destroy the Stonehenge cannon
Aircraft of choice - MIG-29A
Weapon of choice - Missile launcher
When you gain control follow the other aircraft down to avoid the
immanent strike then fly with them to Stonehenge, flying up when you see
it use your gun to destroy the jamming device, next simply use the
missile launcher to destroy the turrets.
MISSION UPDATE- you thought that was hard, well now it is time to fight
the yellow squadron, these are the ones that yellow 13 leads. Engage and
shoot one down after you have feel pleases that you've broken 13's
record. It doesn't matter which plane you shoot down it will always be
yellow 4, 13's wingman
Mission difficulty 8/10
Special pilot - he flies at the far north of the map but disappears
after the yellows come.
MISSION 13 - SAFE RETURN
Mission objective - Destroy as many hammers as possible and defend the
U2 form attack
Aircraft of choice - EF 2000
Weapon of choice - XLAA
This is my least favorite mission, when you first gain control the
first thing that you will notice is that there is very poor visibility
you must look around the area for airships and destroy them with your
guns. This mission is fairly hard to start with and when I first did it
I couldn't find any jammers after the first one, you will be surprised
how many you fly past with out realizing so stay focused.
MISSION UPDATE - two F-15E's and 2 EF 2000's here use the missals
and XLAA's for easy kills, sometimes they will try to run to the U2 so
be careful.
Mission difficulty - 8/10
Special pilot - The named F-15E appears in the NE of the area when
the other fighters arrive.
MISSION 14 - BREAKING ARROWS
Mission objective- destroy all the cruise missiles
Aircraft of choice - F-15E
Weapon of choice - XLAA
When you start this mission blast on the after burners and head for
the missiles timing is everything on this one, get behind them and use
the XLAA's to destroy them all. Then immidiaty head for the other group
of missiles and use the rest of the XLAA's and missiles to destroy them,
if you don't do it in time the missiles will split into two groups
taking up more valuable time. When you have got rid of them there is one
last missile this one is tough. Head over there as fast as you can
ignore all the planes as you go. If you want head north to take out the
named pilot of head on to the missile. If anyone has played Ace Combat 2
they will rember a similar mission however now you can use your
missiles. Fire every thing you have got at the missile but be warned it
will evade a lot, it is also made a lot more tense with every few
minutes sky eye saying "twenty miles" "ten miles", after you destroy it
you see a huge explosion and well done.
Mission difficulty - 8/10
Special pilot - The pilot is in the X-02 I think forgive me if I am
wrong this maybe your first time to see it but don't hang about if you
want to pass the mission. He is in the north when the super cruise
missile appears.
MISSION 15 - EMANCIPATION
Objective - Help re occupy San Salvation
Aircraft of choice - F-15E
Weapon of choice - Cluster bomb.
When the mission starts I recommend looking at the map and flying to
the furthest one, which is the airport, this has a lot more high value
targets and would give you a high boost in the score. Then head over to
the most Easterly battle area and help regain old town.
MISSION UPDATE- 6 blackjacks appear however they should be no math
for your skills just keep up with them
Mission difficulty - 7/10
Special pilot - he is flying around on the last few minutes before
the bombers.
MISSION 16 - WHISKY CORRIDOR
Objective - force the Erusians into retreat
Aircraft of choice - SU-35
Weapon of choice - UGBM
This mission can get tricky because of the spaces between the enemy
forces it is difficult to bomb them. So head west and engage that line
as they are closest together then, bomb all the enemies in sight then
head more west and bomb the tents. This will get you around three
quarters of the way to your target score. The head to the northern most
combat zone and destroy the HQ. There is a hell of a lot of SAM's here
so dodge them if your life depended on it. Now destroy as many fighters
as possible until the time runs out, you should have an S rank if you do
all that right.
Mission difficulty - 8/10
Special pilot - he flies around the top half of the screen, I think
if you know exactly free to email me.
MISSION 17 - SIEGE OF FARBANDI
Objective - take over the capital of Erase.
Aircraft of choice - SU-37
Weapon of choice - UGBL / GAAM
This is not an easy mission. The forst thing you should do is to fly
to Johnston Memorial Bridge and destroy it leaving the tanks stranded.
Then go to either the west or east combat zone. I recommend the West, as
there are a lot more targets, just not as high value. Destroy them with
your bombs and always avoiding the SAM's. Also head to the small
grouping of targets just west of this combat zone where there are a load
of flooded skyscrapers. Go high and plunge at them and you will see two
submarines. After putting missiles in them to the East combat zone and
bomb the battleship making sure that you get all the guns as the ship
won't sink. When you hear that the enemy leaders are escaping in
choppers fly to the return line and switch you secondary weapon to the
GAAM's. Now get ready for one tough dogfight.
MISSION UPDATE - its our old friends the yellow squadron, these are
the ones headed by 13. Engage them but be careful when you get with in a
missile lock of one another one will fly behind you and try to shoot
you. Use the maneuvers below to avoid them. Use all the GAAM's then
missiles. I recommend fighting nears the return line and if you are hit
return immediately. The last plane is always yellow 13 but he is not
that hardly close to him and shoot him with your guns decelerating when
he turns, its much easier to take him out with guns than missiles when
he is dead its mission complete.
Mission difficulty - 9/10
Special pilot - he flies north of Farbandi and then goes to the
northeast later. He will disappear when the yellows come.
MISSION 18 - MEGALITH
Objectives- destroy the fortress Megalith
Aircraft of choice S-37
Weapon of choice - GAAM
The first thing you are bound to notice is that you are now flying
with the Mobius squad, stay with the formation, now you have to fight 25
yellows, they are not as hard as the yellows from last time but they are
tough use the GAAM's to get faster kills. When they are all destroyed
fly towards Megalith on the radar you see a line which sort of looks
like the runway when you try to land you should follow that line going
in as slowly as possible, i recommend doing the hardest one first, this
is the left one, as you fly though you will have to yaw left and then
right to avoid the wall then destroy the generator, now go around to the
front of Megalith and go through the right one destroy that generator
and go around to the side, there is a way to fly through the middle so
follow the line. After the final generator is down you will see 4
missile ports open near you if you want you can destroy these of just
leave them, head around to the front of megalith and fly straight at it.
Another exhaust vent is now open so fly through that and you will see a
massive missile about to be launched blast it with a missile and pitch
up to see hatch open at the top, you may have to turn to get through but
once your out YOU HAVE COMPLETED ACE COMBAT 04 - DISTANT THUNDER!!
CONGRATULATIONS
Mission difficulty - 9/10
Special pilot - he flies just north of Megalith.
======================================7. TIPS AND ADVANCE PLAY MANEUVERS
Yellow squadron keeps blowing you out the sky?
SAM's shoot you down no matter what?
Are you just ready to say goodbye to it all and walk of your wing?
Well don't here are some tips that will make those missiles easy to
dodge.
Stealth - a missile will have a harder time hitting you if you are
in a stealth fighter these are as follows -
F- 117A
S- 37
X- 02 Difficulty - it depends really
---
Brake turn - when you see a missile alert just brake hard and turn
it cannot get you.
Difficulty - 2/10
---
Loop - do a loop or helix when you detect a missile and it cannot
catch you.
Difficulty - 2/10
---
Stall - brake until you stall the put on the afterburners and pull
away from the ground at 5000 ft.
Difficulty - 4/10
---
Ground impact - fly fast and low to the ground and on its way down
the missile will hit the floor. Difficulty - 5/10
---
Barrel roll - if you have something to prove look behind you and
watch for the missile as soon as it gets near you perform a barrel roll,
time it right and it will fly straight looks very good.
Difficulty - 9/10
---
==============================8. HIDDEN AIRCRAFT AND MODES.
Expert mode is unlocked by completing the game in hard mode
Ace mode is unlocked by completing the game in expert mode
There is more than one color scheme for the planes first complete the
game. Go into free mission and get all the grades as S then go and play
the game again shooting down all the special named pilots described in
the earlier part of the walk through.
Get the yellow paint scheme by shooting down all the named pilots
Get the X-02 by completing the game with all the S grades on normal mode
Get the alternative colours by complting the game with S grades on hard and
expert.
See the blackbird on the mission shattered skies. It is the high value
target you lock onto when you begin the mission, it flies as 4000 ft and
fast its not to hard to catch it up though. It also appears in whisky
corridor near the west of the area.
========================================================9. DID YOU KNOW?
That in the US and Japan the game is called Ace Combat 4 Shattered
Skies.
---
There is more then 30 aircraft in the game.
3 missions are taken from the old ace combats and air combat games
these are deep strike, megalith and shattered skies.
---
The aircraft with propellers not including the choppers is the
bear bomber in the first mission "sitting duck", a C 130 in Tango Line and
in siege of Farbandi where the leaders escape in V 22 Osprays, thanks goes to
Krash.
---
Many people belive that ISAF could mean USAF, the American airforce, when ISAF
is a real orgenisation.
---
On the same note, the X-02's special colours have the marks saying '/l/l'. Some
people think this stands for NASA because of their development of highly
advanced aircraft.
---
As well as the above mentioned marks, the alternative colours for the X-02 have
the mobius symbol on it, only it is red where the blue marks are.
---
The re fueling plane on several missions these are deep strike,
Stonehenge and I think whiskey corridor at the very southwest.
---
In the mission - Lifeline you have your very own wingman. He is near
the return line near the middle of the screen and won't do anything
until you formation fly with him.
---
My altitude record is 50,555ish ft in the X - 02. To do it go on the
megalith mission in free flight mode and go diagonally across the screen
banking very carefully at around 45,000 ft as it is unbelievably easy to
stall. Also keep the afterburners on full all the time while doing this.
It is possible to fly as slow as 56 knots without stalling in the X-
02 thanks to its unique wing positioning.
Shooting your wingmen does not damage them
---
Last updated - 11/12/03
My flight log is 43 hours 21 minutes 09 seconds
I have shot down 3012 aircraft
I have destroyed 6135 ground targets
I completed the game in two days
I have been shot down 9 times
I have crashed several times on developing a new style, which seems
to have turned into a Kamakarise run which isn't as successful as I first hoped.
---
Here's the times from the lowrider:
Flight time: 33:38:42
Shot down : 3648 aircraft
Destroyed : 5718 ground targets
Finished game in 2 days
Shot down : about 18 times
And I too have crashed several times pulling tricks and flying two feet of the
ground, lol
---
Jake Rheinfrank managed to get to 51,233 in the SU-37
---
Anyone else who wants me to upload their flight details onto the FAQ please
send them to me at the above email address.
==================================================10. FAQ's
Q: Are there any other planes unlockable apart from the ones in the hanger
after completing the game?
A: Yes, you can unlock the planes alternative colour schemes.
---
Q: There is one plane I am missing but I have finished the game, what's that?
A: That is the X-02, read how to unlock it in the guide.
---
Q: How low is it possible to fly?
A: In some points of the game where there is a long flat surface you can get to
one or two feet of the ground. It is very hard though.
---
Q: What's the highest a plane can go?
A: Apparently 50,000ft, I have never been that bothered to try though. If it is
true, it would have to be done in the X-02.
---
Q: I am flying a plane with stealth, why am I being shot at.
A: Planes with stealth are not invisible, enimeys that are quite far away will
not always fly and attack you in a stealth aircraft as they would in a reguler
one.
---
Q: Is it possible to fly at Mach one? (the speed of sound)
A: Unfortunalty no plane goes fast enough to break the sound barrier, however
the blackbird featured in some levels does.
---
Q: Is it possible to get the Orbital Sattalite Laser like it says on game
winners?
A: Let's clear this up. *Ahem* The orbital sattalite laser is NOT I repeat NOT
in Ace Combat 04. Not in Distant Thunder, not in Shattered Skies, it is not in
the game and don't let any tell you contry!
---
Q: Are there any other hidden weapons in the game?
A: None, but there are rare weapons only mounted on a few aircraft like the
rocket launcher on the F-5.
---
Q: I have the SOL you know, it is true.
A: Not it isn't, are you sure you are not playing AC3 by mistake?
---
===================================================11. THANKS AND CREDIT
Thanks for reading this and if I have not explained something enough
email me and I will be more then happy to email you back.
Credit and thanks goes out to:
Krash - For the propeller planes
Vulcan Shaman - For some plane interpretations
Juggfeind_001 - For some more plane tips
The Lowrider - For his flight log
Jake Rhienfrank - For his altituide record
I hope you will find other walkthroughs and reviews interesting.
