View source for Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies

{{Short description|2001 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
| image = ac04box.jpg
| caption = North American box art
| developer = [[Namco]]
| publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|Namco|NA|[[Namco Hometek]]|EU|[[Sony Computer Entertainment]]}}
| director = {{ubl|Atsushi Shiozawa|Hiroyuki Ichiyanagi}}
| producer = Shigeru Yokoyama
| composer = {{ubl|Tetsukazu Nakanishi|Hiroshi Okubo|Keiki Kobayashi|Katsuro Tajima}}
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|September 13, 2001|NA|October 23, 2001<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies'' |url=http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/ace-combat-4-shattered-skies/ |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=[[GameSpy]] |archive-date=July 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706200041/http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/ace-combat-4-shattered-skies/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''Ace Combat 4'' |url=http://ps2.gamezone.com/gamesell/p17970.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011031222604/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gamesell/p17970.htm |archive-date=October 31, 2001 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=GameZone}}</ref>|EU|February 8, 2002}}
| platforms = [[PlayStation 2]]
| genre = [[Combat flight simulation game|Air combat simulation]]
| series = ''[[Ace Combat]]''
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies'''''{{efn|In Japanese: {{nihongo|'''''Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies'''''|エースコンバット04　シャッタード・スカイ|Ēsu Konbatto Zero Yon Shattādo Sukai}}.}} (released as '''''Ace Combat: Distant Thunder''''' in Europe) is a 2001 [[Combat flight simulation game|combat flight simulation video game]] developed and published by [[Namco]] for the [[PlayStation 2]]. It is the fourth entry in the ''[[Ace Combat]]'' series and the first in the series to be released for the PlayStation 2. The game's plot, set in a fictional alternate universe where Earth has been ravaged by [[Impact event|asteroid impacts]], follows the [[player character]] "Mobius 1", a [[fighter pilot]] in a multinational military [[coalition]] who spearheads the liberation of the fictional continent of Usea from the [[Expansionism|expansionist]] country of Erusea.

''Ace Combat 04'' features [[Arcade game|arcade]]-style gameplay with elements of both realism and fantasy; for example, while the game has realistic flight controls and is set in the modern day, the player's aircraft can carry dozens of missiles in [[hammerspace]] and conduct difficult flight maneuvers such as flying through tunnels, and [[superweapon]]s such as massive [[railgun]]s appear in certain missions. The game features an 18-mission campaign and a multiplayer battle mode. A total of 21 aircraft, including both real and fictional aircraft, can be unlocked and equipped with a variety of special weaponry.

''Ace Combat 04'' began development as a reboot of the franchise, following the lukewarm reception of ''[[Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere]]''. The game was developed by "AC04 Project", a team of developers who previously worked on ''Ace Combat 3''. ''Ace Combat 04'' was critically acclaimed at launch, with critics praising its gameplay, controls, plot, graphics, and music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ace-combat-04-shattered-skies/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |access-date=2022-12-23 |website=Metacritic |language=en |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250212144423/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ace-combat-04-shattered-skies/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was the highest-selling entry in the series until it was succeeded by ''[[Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown]]'' in 2019.<ref name="ACESales" /><ref name="ac7sales" />

==Gameplay==
[[File:Ace Combat 04 Shattered Skies screenshot.png|thumb|left|The player destroying an enemy aircraft]]
The player assumes the role of a fighter pilot through 18 story missions and a [[Split screen (video games)|split screen]] versus mode.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies US manual |publisher=Namco |pages=8}}</ref> Each mission features different objectives including [[Air combat manoeuvring|air-to-air combat]], [[Close air support|ground attack]] and escorting friendly units, along with accompanying radio commentary (recorded by real-world fighter pilots). The player's aircraft is armed with a [[machine gun]] and standard [[missile]]s that can lock on to air, ground, and naval targets. Special weapons including [[air-to-air missile]]s, [[air-to-surface missile]]s, [[Rocket (weapon)|rockets]], and [[bomb]]s can also be equipped, though their availability depends on each aircraft.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies US manual |publisher=Namco |pages=25–27}}</ref> At the end of each mission players are ranked on their performance and awarded credits to buy new aircraft and special weapons.

The player has the opportunity to purchase 21 different aircraft, both real and fictional, such as [[Fighter aircraft|fighters]], [[Attack aircraft|attackers]], [[Interceptor aircraft|interceptors]], [[Multirole combat aircraft|multiroles]], and [[air superiority fighter]]s. Each plane has two alternate paint schemes that are earned by shooting down enemy aces hidden in each mission.

The gameplay is simpler and more action-oriented than other combat flight simulator games. The player aircraft carries much more ammunition than a real plane and has infinite fuel. Multiple difficulty levels can be selected which determines the number of enemies, the AI skill and damage thresholds for both players and enemies. On easier difficulties, the player can survive several missile hits, while on the hardest a single missile can destroy the player's aircraft.

== Synopsis ==

=== Setting ===
''Ace Combat 04'' is set in the series' fictional universe of [[Strangereal]], where Earth has entirely different nations, geography, and history. The game's story details the 2003 Continental War, fought between the Federal Republic of Erusea and the Independent State Allied Forces (ISAF) [[coalition]] over territory on the continent of Usea. In 1999, an [[asteroid]] broke into fragments that [[impact event|impacted Earth]], causing widespread devastation and sparking an international [[financial crisis]] and [[refugee crisis]]. Four years later in 2003, Erusea, struggling with an influx of refugees and heightened international tensions, suddenly launches a massive invasion of the entire continent, including the neutral country of San Salvacion. Erusea also captures an array of [[Asteroid impact avoidance|anti-asteroid]] [[railgun]]s codenamed [[Stonehenge]] and repurposes it as a long-range [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-air]] [[superweapon]]. ISAF is formed to fight back, but Erusea's strength and [[air supremacy]] from Stonehenge forces them to retreat to the island of North Point outside Stonehenge's effective range, allowing Erusea to occupy the entire Usean mainland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The World of AC04 |url=http://www.acecombat04.com/english/world_e.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418145735fw_/http://www.acecombat04.com/english/world_e.html |archive-date=2010-04-18 |access-date=2021-03-02 |website=AC04Web}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|trans-title=|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=|platform=|version=|scene=opening|level=|language=|quote=}}</ref>

Players control the game's [[silent protagonist]] "Mobius 1", an ISAF fighter pilot who leads the counterattack against Erusea. Other characters include AWACS SkyEye, an [[Airborne early warning and control|AEW&C]] operator who coordinates Mobius 1's deployments; Yellow 13, an Erusean ace pilot who leads Erusea's elite Yellow Squadron; and Yellow 4, Yellow 13's [[wingman]] and close friend. Cutscene interludes are narrated by a man from San Salvacion writing a letter to Mobius 1 after the war, recalling his childhood memories of life in San Salvacion's occupied capital.

===Plot===
Mobius 1 and ISAF repel Erusean [[Tupolev Tu-95|bombers]] from destroying ISAF's headquarters,<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=Sitting Duck, Imminent Threat}}</ref> allowing ISAF troops to safely evacuate to North Point.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=The Northern Eye}}</ref> Mobius 1 then takes part in a series of [[Airstrike|air raids]] to disable Erusea's "invincible" Aegir Fleet, halting Erusea's attempts to invade North Point by sea.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=Blockade, Lifeline, Invincible Fleet}}</ref> Bolstered by their victories, ISAF planes strike deeper into the continent but suffer heavy losses due to fire from Stonehenge.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=Deep Strike}}</ref> ISAF then launches a ground invasion of the Usean mainland, establishing a foothold on the continent.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=Operation Bunker Shot}}</ref> Mobius 1 gains a reputation as a promising [[flying ace|ace]].

Meanwhile, a boy witnesses the death of his immediate family when an Erusean fighter with a yellow-painted "13" tail number shoots down an ISAF aircraft that crashes into the boy's home.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 1}}</ref> The boy is taken in by his uncle, an unemployed alcoholic who lives above a bar in San Salvacion's capital city, and earns income by playing music for Erusean soldiers in the bar.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 2}}</ref> There he meets Erusean ace pilot Yellow 13, leader of Erusea's elite Yellow Squadron, and his wingman Yellow 4.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 3}}</ref> Although the boy resents Yellow 13 at first, the captain and the rest of the squadron befriend and adopt the boy as one of their own.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 4|quote=Narrator: And so as time passed, I found the goodness of a home in their company. Leaving them was no longer an option for me now...}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2006-03-23|scene=Interlude 5|quote=Narrator: I didn't have anyone to turn to, so I found myself living as if I were a member of the Yellow Squadron.}}</ref> The boy speaks of Yellow 13's desire to face a worthy opponent<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 4|quote=Narrator: Some day, if an equal appeared and challenged the limits of his skills in a fight, he would bear no resentment about being shot down. He said this himself.}}</ref> and praise for Mobius 1's growing skill.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 5|quote=Yellow 13: He's so close. If he manages to stay alive for just a while longer, that pilot could be a worthy opponent.}}</ref>

The ISAF invasion marks a turning point in the war against Erusea, and Yellow Squadron is hounded by [[Military logistics|logistical]] issues.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 7|quote=Narrator: Logistics support became infrequent following the Allied operations. I knew this because Yellow Squadron's crew chief bellyached about this all the time to me.}}</ref> The boy discovers that the barkeep and his daughter are agents of the [[Resistance movement|resistance]],<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 5}}</ref> though the daughter is fond of Yellow 13.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2006-03-23|scene=Interlude 6|quote=Narrator: But I knew she didn't mean that from the bottom of her heart. Thirteen had captured her heart. I knew this from the way she shot jealous glances at his wingman.}}</ref> The daughter bombs Yellow Squadron's airfield,<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 8|quote=Narrator: He knew she was responsible for planting the bomb on their runway as well.}}</ref> damaging the aircraft flown by Yellow 13 and Yellow 4.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 7}}</ref> ISAF then launches an attack on Stonehenge in which Mobius 1 disables the railgun array. Yellow Squadron scrambles to defend Stonehenge, but in the resulting [[dogfight]], Yellow 4 is shot down by Mobius 1; her [[ejection seat]], damaged by the airfield bomb, fails to operate, and she dies in the crash,<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=Stonehenge Offensive}}</ref> devastating Yellow 13.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 8}}</ref>

As ISAF forces approach San Salvacion, Yellow 13 catches the barkeep's daughter after she attempts to plant [[Detonator|explosive detonators]]. The boy intervenes, calling Yellow 13 a "fascist pig". Yellow 13 is upset by the boy's words, but allows them to go free.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 9}}</ref> As ISAF liberates San Salvacion's capital,<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=Emancipation}}</ref> the boy and the barkeep's daughter follow the retreating Erusean forces.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 10}}</ref><ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 11|quote="Narrator: The barkeep's daughter and I had followed Yellow Squadron this far."}}</ref> ISAF forces push through Erusea's final defensive line to the Erusean capital of Farbanti.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=Whiskey Corridor}}</ref> Mobius 1 spearheads the siege of Farbanti and engages and defeats the remainder of Yellow Squadron, including Yellow 13.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=Siege of Farbanti}}</ref> The boy and the barkeep's daughter find and bury Yellow 13's handkerchief.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 11}}</ref>

The Erusean leadership surrenders to ISAF. However, a rogue group of Erusean officers take control of Megalith, a [[Weapon of mass destruction|superweapon]] that uses [[ballistic missile]]s to shoot down asteroid fragments in orbit, intending to use it to subject Usea to [[kinetic bombardment]] as revenge. Mobius 1 leads the newly formed Mobius Squadron into battle against the rogue officers while a [[special forces]] unit infiltrates the Megalith facility. As Mobius 1 flies into the missile ports to destroy Megalith's generators, the special forces unit opens Mobius 1's escape route at the last moment. With Megalith destroyed, the squadron celebrates Mobius 1's heroism as they return to base.<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|level=Megalith}}</ref>

Many years after the war, the boy, now grown, reflects on Yellow 13's life and death. He finishes his letter to Mobius 1, stating his belief that the rivalry between the two pilots gave Yellow 13 "an unexpected joy, [...] at the end of that meaningless war."<ref>{{cite video game|title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies|developer=Namco|publisher=Namco|date=2001-09-13|scene=Interlude 12}}</ref>

== Development ==
''Ace Combat 04''<nowiki/>'s development began as a reboot of the franchise after the lukewarm reception of ''[[Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere]]''.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=351737232375291906|user=kazutoki|author=Kono, Kazutoki|date=1 July 2013|access-date=11 February 2020|language=ja|script-title=ja:何処まで書いたのか分からないが、AC04の話。賛否両論を呼んでしまったAC3から、現用戦闘機路線への復活はスンナリと決まった。それは「原点回帰」が、言わずとも、チーム内であったから。}}</ref> This design philosophy was reflected in the marketing tagline "It's Changing Everything Again."<ref>{{cite tweet|number=351738010624208896|user=kazutoki|author=Kono, Kazutoki|date=1 July 2013|access-date=11 February 2020|language=ja|script-title=ja:なのでその頃、「心機一転、原点回帰」の方向性が決まった。だから、It's changing every thing, again.ってなフレーズを決めた。これは確か、We are〜のフレーズをパクったと記憶している。苦笑。|link=no}}</ref> Gameplay was given more of an [[Arcade game|arcade]] feel with an increased focus on score attack objectives and fewer story cutscenes. [[Studio 4°C]] developed the interludes that play between missions as [[slide show]] cutscenes, which was a cost-effective alternative to the fully-animated cutscenes in ''Electrosphere''.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=351742400588288000|user=kazutoki|author=Kono, Kazutoki|date=1 July 2013|access-date=11 February 2020|language=ja|script-title=ja:で、ここから4°Cさんの話になるのだけれど、結構ヘビーです。先ずはお金。予算が全然無かった。それでもAC3の豪華IGさんのアニメと、何とかバランス取らなきゃいけなかった。だから、結局、先ず、その時の時代性、あと自分の感覚だけで、「スタジオ4°Cさん突撃作戦」を自ら立案して実行した。|link=no}}</ref>

Development was led by "AC04 Project", a team of developers who had previously worked on ''Ace Combat 3''. This team eventually evolved into Project Aces, Namco's dedicated development team for the ''Ace Combat'' series.

"Strangereal", the name of the fictional universe in which most of the ''Ace Combat'' series is set, originated in ''Ace Combat 04''<nowiki/>'s development to describe the "strange, real world" created for the series' setting, which was left vague in prior titles.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=『エースコンバット7 スカイズ・アンノウン』最新バージョンを体験！ そして河野Pにあれこれ聞いてみた【E3 2017】 |url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201706/14134927.html |access-date=2022-12-28 |website=ファミ通.com |date=June 14, 2017 |language=ja |archive-date=December 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228170355/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201706/14134927.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The term was used in ''Ace Combat 04''<nowiki/>'s marketing and first appeared in a trailer for the game shown at the 2000 [[Tokyo Game Show]]. Though the term was only intended as a marketing phrase for the game's unnamed universe, fans began calling the series' universe "Strangereal", and the name stuck, being used in an official capacity in later releases.<ref name=":0" /> Internally, Project Aces uses the term "True Strangereal" to describe the specific version of Strangereal depicted in ''Ace Combat 04'' and shared by most other mainline titles in the series.<ref name=":0" />

As opposed to the ''[[Top Gun]]''-inspired [[rock music]] in ''[[Ace Combat 2]]'' and the [[electronic music]] in ''Electrosphere'', ''Ace Combat 04''<nowiki/>'s soundtrack features a blend of rock, orchestral, and [[synthesizer]] music, as well as a song featuring a [[Chant|Latin chorus]], which cemented the style of ''Ace Combat'' soundtracks going forward. Sound director Tetsukazu Nakanishi designed the music to flow like a movie soundtrack.<ref>{{Cite web |title=STAFF MESSAGES |url=http://www.acecombat04.com/english/staff_01_e.html#nakanishi |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209034054fw_/http://www.acecombat04.com/english/staff_01_e.html#nakanishi |archive-date=2005-02-09 |access-date=2022-03-03 |website=AC04Web |quote=I have concentrated on making the background music flow much like a movie soundtrack, complementing the excellent visuals and improved backgrounds.}}</ref> Audio was recorded from [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4s]] and [[McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle|F-15s]] at [[Hyakuri Air Base|Hyakuri Japanese Self Defense Base]].<ref>{{Cite book |title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies US manual |publisher=Namco |year=2001 |pages=33}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 89/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies for PlayStation 2 Review |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ace-combat-04-shattered-skies/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2 |website=[[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=December 23, 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015163455/https://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-2/ace-combat-04-shattered-skies|archive-date=October 15, 2020}}</ref>
| CVG = 8/10<ref name="CVG">{{cite web |title=PS2 Review: Ace Combat 4 |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=23522 |website=[[Computer & Video Games]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209233241/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=23522 |archive-date=February 9, 2008 |date=January 23, 2002}}</ref>
| Fam = 33/40<ref name="Famitsu">{{cite magazine |title=エースコンバット04 シャッタードスカイ (PS2) |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=604 |magazine=[[Famitsu]] |publisher=[[Kadokawa Corporation]] |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613110204/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=604 |archive-date=June 13, 2015}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="GPro">{{cite magazine |author1=Four-Eyed Dragon |title=Review: Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies [PS2] |url=http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/17465.shtml |magazine=[[GamePro]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201081804/http://www.gamepro.com/sony/ps2/games/reviews/17465.shtml |archive-date=December 1, 2008 |date=October 22, 2001}}</ref>
| GI = 8.5/10<ref name="GI">{{cite magazine |last1=Fitzloff |first1=Jay |title=Ace Combat 4 Review |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200111/R03.0806.1016.22151.htm |magazine=[[Game Informer]] |publisher=[[GameStop]] |access-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031022185530/https://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200111/R03.0806.1016.22151.htm |archive-date=October 22, 2003 |url-status=dead |date=November 2001}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.8/10<ref name="GSpot">{{cite web |last1=Ajami |first1=Amer |title=Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ace-combat-04-shattered-skies-review/1900-2819749/ |website=[[GameSpot]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |access-date=December 23, 2020 |date=October 23, 2001 |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926191809/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/ace-combat-04-shattered-skies-review/1900-2819749/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| IGN = 9.1/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |last1=Smith |first1=David |title=Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/23/ace-combat-4-shattered-skies |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=December 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024546/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/10/23/ace-combat-4-shattered-skies |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |date=October 23, 2001}}</ref>
}}
''Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies'' was a commercial success. By 2008, it shipped 2.64 million copies worldwide,<ref name="ACESales">{{cite web |url=https://www.acecombat.jp/ace6/news080130.html|language=ja |title=『エースコンバット』シリーズ全世界累計1,000万本突破！ |trans-title=The cumulative worldwide sales total of the "Ace Combat" series exceeds 10,000,000 units! |last=Ichinoya |first=Hiroyuki |date=January 30, 2008 |publisher=[[Bandai Namco Entertainment|Bandai Namco Games]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331045251/https://www.acecombat.jp/ace6/news080130.html |access-date=January 23, 2021|archive-date=March 31, 2008 }}</ref> making it the highest-selling ''Ace Combat'' game until ''[[Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown]]'' surpassed it in 2021.<ref name="ac7sales">{{cite news |title=Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown Tops 2.5 Million Sales, Is Best-Selling Game In Series |url=https://www.psu.com/news/ace-combat-7-skies-unknown-tops-2-5-million-sales-is-best-selling-game-in-series/ |access-date=23 January 2021 |work=PlayStation Universe |date=18 January 2021 |quote=Skies Unknown managed to top the previous best-selling title, Ace Combat [04]: Shattered Skies, to be crowned the series' biggest-selling title. |archive-date=January 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124000036/https://www.psu.com/news/ace-combat-7-skies-unknown-tops-2-5-million-sales-is-best-selling-game-in-series/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

''Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies'' was critically acclaimed at launch, being given the Gold Hall of Fame award from ''[[Famitsu]]'' and listed as an Editor's Choice by ''[[IGN]]''. On the review aggregator website ''[[Metacritic]]'', ''04'' holds an 89/100, indicating "generally favorable reviews". ''IGN'' gave the game 9.1 out of 10<ref name="IGN"/> and ''Famitsu'' scored a rating of 33 out of 40 on release.<ref name="Famitsu"/> It was nominated for ''GameSpot''{{'}}s annual "Best Story" and "Best Shooting Game" prizes among [[console game]]s, which went respectively to ''[[Final Fantasy X]]'' and ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.<ref name=bestworst2001>{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020803185618/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/video/bestof_2001/ | title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst Video Games of 2001 | author=''GameSpot VG'' Staff | date=February 23, 2002 | work=[[GameSpot]] | archive-date=August 3, 2002 | url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{Clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Video games}}
{{Wikiquote|Ace Combat}}
* {{official website|https://acecombat.jp/pdf/acecombat04.pdf|Official website (archive PDF)}}
* {{MobyGames|/game/6192/ace-combat-04-shattered-skies/}}

{{Ace Combat series}}
{{Studio 4°C}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:2001 video games]]
[[Category:Ace Combat]]
[[Category:Combat flight simulators]]
[[Category:Fiction about near-Earth asteroids]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
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[[Category:PlayStation 2-only games]]
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[[Category:Video games set in 2004]]
[[Category:Video games set in 2005]]
[[Category:Video games set in fictional countries]]