Released on April 25, 2006, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is the prequel to all of the other games in the Ace Combat series. Taking place in 1995, the game follows two mercenary fighters Cipher and Pixy in a war between Belka and various nations surrounding it. But halfway through the game, when the war seems to be over, everything goes drastically wrong and a terrorist organization called "A World With No Boundaries" creates a new war, seeking to destroy borders, and create a unified world. The game's "three ace" system influences some of the battles and cutscenes you face throughout the game.
Best very easy time: single-segment 1:20:38 by Nicholas 'Sir VG' Hoppe on 2008-02-16.
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Speed Run Rules
WARNING NOTICE!
Those people who easily suffer from motion sickness should NOT watch this speed run! This run contains a number of aerobatic maneuvers and other twists and turns that could make you sick on watching it.
END WARNING NOTICE
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is a prequel to the other Ace Combat games, hence part of the reasoning for the name "Zero". The rest of the reasoning is in regards to specific events in the game. ACZ takes place in 1985 and follows a pair of pilots, called Galm Team. Galm-1 is you, named Cipher. Galm-2 is a pilot named "Solo Wing" Pixy (named as such because in a prior conflict, he was shot at, lost one of his wings, and STILL completed the mission and even returned to base - which is why, if you look at his plane, his right wing is painted red). Similar to Ace Combat 04 (which I did a speed run late last year), this game is 18 missions long, involves a bunch of superweapons, and brings in a few surprises and some good challenges.
Unlike AC04, which featured a number of set length missions, ACZ is almost entirely made of "destroy all the targets to win" missions. Only two have an alternate goal, and that's to get a set number of points. Because of such, the game moves much quicker and is a bit more exciting in this regard.
The biggest change to the game is the introduction of "Aces". "There are three kinds of aces: Those that seek strength, those that live for pride, and those that can read the tide of battle." How you fight throughout the game determines which you are. If you kill a lot of yellow (neutral) targets, you will be labeled a Mercenary. If you kill few or no yellow targets, you'll be labeled a Knight. Kill a moderate amount, you will be labeled a Soldier. This affects which squadrons you see in certain missions in the game - I will point out which missions these are.
One more note in regards to Ace Combat 04. If you have AC04 data on your memory card when starting the game, you can unlock the X-02 after completing the 1st mission. I purposely removed all data that unlocks items and worked with a clean save.
This mission is a simple mission, aimed at getting you used to the basics of the game. Just like AC04, it involves a bunch of bombers flying through the skies to take out your base. With the help of Pixy (who I believe took out 3 different targets), the mission ends quickly.
Time: 1:57:52 (C Rank)
A simple introduction to the idea of ground targets, as well as a bigger emphasis on your Ace style. I have Pixy take out enemies in the air, so I can focus on the targets (which are all on the ground).
Time: 2:05:16 (B Rank)
The Round Table is an area of land that's filled with tons of natural resources, surrounded by mountains. The area is shaped like a big circle, leading to the name. Skilled pilots in this area are often referred to as the "Knights of the Round Table" (yes, you'll see a LOT of King Arthur references in this game).
This mission is the first to change based upon your Ace style. In this case, since I am a Knight Ace, I face Indigo Squadron here.
Time: 2:41:16 (B Rank)
This mission is the first to offer 3 choices. It's one large campaign, but you only have to participate in one front of it. I choose to join Costner, as it unlocks the F-16C, which is a great plane to have for the next few missions.
Time: 2:57:55 (S Rank)
A simple task - take out a few ground targets, then a few aerial targets. Nothing too exciting here, just a chance to try out my new toy.
Time: 2:44:70 (S Rank)
This mission is really annoying. A lot of the targets are tricky to hit, because they're hid amongst the buildings. After clearing them out, I have to wait a bit before Gelb squadron shows up to get their butts kicked.
Time: 3:16:54 (S Rank)
This is one of the two missions that are cleared after getting a set amount of points. I buy and use the A-10A Thunderbolt II (aka "Warthog" or is it Chupathingy? Har har.) strictly for this mission, because of the XAGM missiles which do double the damage of the normal missiles, and their flight pattern is nice for pillboxes. I easily clear this mission without having to go back to reload.
Time: 8:57:37 (S Rank)
Just like Mission 04, this mission presents a choice. I decide to join Theta team, though the objectives of all 3 missions are fairly similar. After clearing out all the enemies out, I have to run from a giant laser beam that comes out of nowhere. What it is, is explained in the next mission. Dodging the laser is absolutely critical, because it can take you out of the sky in a hurry.
Time: 6:13:40 (S Rank)
This mission reveals the truth of what happened at the end of Mission 08. Belka's superweapon, Excalibur, is capable of firing at targets at a long distance using a very powerful laser. The original function, much like Stonehenge (in AC04) was to target Ulysses 1994 XF-04. First, I have to clear out the jammers so I can target the laser beam, then I send Excalibur itself crumbling to the ground. This mission also introduces us to Crow member #3 named PJ, who plays a bigger role later in the game.
The sword has been pulled from the stone. Har har for more King Arthur references.
Time: 4:51:24 (B Rank)
This is the second mission, where who you fight is determined by your Ace status. In this case, since I'm a Knight Ace, I fight Silber Squadron. Beforehand though, I dump off all my old planes and get a nice new F-15C and some QAAMs.
Time: 6:54:35 (S Rank)
This mission is to support a midnight air raid at Hoffnung. The ground is very difficult to see, so watching altitude and using any points you can see is a must. In the second half, destroying the plane with the radar jammer is very helpful.
Time: 5:12:15 (S Rank)
This mission is the turning point of the game, and the Belkan War. The initial part of the battle is simple in idea, and then something goes horribly wrong. Do NOT adjust your television set. The displays are meant to be going nuts.
Time: 5:24:17 (C Rank)
So what happened at the end of Mission 12? Well, Belka decided to detonate 7 nuclear bombs on the ground, killing a large number of people, in an attempt to end the war. The thing is, the bombs detonated in the country of Belka. In other words, they just committed genocide on their own people. What a scary thought.
To make matters worse, a number of allied squadrons, including my own comrade, Pixy, suddenly rebel and join a terrorist squadron called "World With No Boundaries". At the end, most of those missile warnings are coming from Pixy firing at me!
A simple cleanup mission. Since Pixy has departed to join the terrorists, I have a new member on my team...PJ, from Crow Squadron. He's a bit of a blabbermouth, but does help a bit. Simple goal is to get 20,000 points.
Time: 9:13:31 (S Rank)
The last mission that involves you choosing which team you want to join. Mercury is a very fast mission, so I choose that. Meanwhile, a report states that a peace treaty signing is going on to officially end the Belkan War.
Time: 2:24:32 (B Rank)
The terrorist group, "World With No Boundaries", has bombed our base using a very large craft called the XB-0 Hresvelgr. The 0 in this case is because it's a prototype, but due to the cost to maintain this ship, it was never put into mass production. Along with the craft, a couple of Sapin fighters (Espada Squadron) attack. There are a LOT of targets on the XB-0.
...what a Christmas present. (For those that don't get that, the mission takes place on Christmas Day.)
Time: 4:05:00 (S Rank)
We return to our favorite hotspot, B7R (The Round Table) for one last battle against some squadron determined by the Ace path. In this case, since I'm a Knight Ace, I face Wizard Squadron, who were allies (you may remember them from Mission 10), but are now part of the terrorist organization.
Time: 2:58:22 (S Rank)
This mission immediately follows Mission 16, so there is no chance to change either my plane or my weapon. The mission is simple and straightforward, but certainly NOT easy. I have to fly through a valley while heading for the Avalon Dam. Once I arrive, I fly through a small slit in the base of the dam, take out targets in 3 areas to prevent the launch of the V2, which is being controlled to reset the world back to zero and wipe out all boundaries and borders...the true purpose of why this game is called Ace Combat Zero. Once I take out all of the targets, I simply fly out to end the mission.
Time: 4:42:xx (B Rank)
Suddenly, a mysterious craft comes out of NOWHERE, armed with a giant laser and shoots PJ out of the sky...
Yes, this could be seen a MILE (and a half) away. Our "wonderful friend" Pixy has returned, armed with a new jet, and controls to reestablish the V2 launch. This three part battle is difficult, even though there's only 1 target. The music is also very fitting. The music is Spanish on origin, in the style of a tango. A tango is a dance for two. And there's only 2 craft in the entire area for this level - Cipher and Pixy.
The first part destroys the giant laser on the back of Pixy's plane. After that, he starts launching these super powerful missiles that seem to be small nukes. It's fun trying to dodge those while aiming for Pixy.
Last, is the true tango. Pixy fires up his ECM, meaning I can't hit him from ANYWHERE, except straight ahead. If I fire missiles or my gun from, say, behind him...they bounce off like a rubber ball. This run includes the BEST battle against Pixy I've ever had - 3 passes and he's down.
Time: 4:05:xx (S Rank)
Total Time: 1h 20m 38s
And now, the Belkan War comes to an end with the defeat of Pixy and the rest of "World With No Boundaries".
Special thanks to asad98 from GameFAQs for his guide to this game.
This run is Copyright (C) 2008 Nicholas "Sir VG" Hoppe and is allowed for downloading and private viewing. Permissions for hosting this run have been granted to Radix and Speed Demos Archive. Public viewing of this run is prohibited without prior permission from the creator. The selling or distribution of this run for profit in any way, shape, or form including (but not limited to) selling on eBay and television for profit is prohibited without prior permission from the author. Video hosting sites (i.e. YouTube, etc) may host this video in part or in full, as long as full permission is granted from the author. Any violation of the above listed may result in legal action. Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War is Copyright (C) 2006 Bandai Namco.
Sir VG, signing out.
FIN