Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War (エースコンバット・ゼロ ザ・ベルカン・ウォー, Ēsu Konbatto Zero Za Berukan Uo?) is a semi-realistic flight simulator developed by Namco for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It is part of the Ace Combat series of games. In Europe the game was released under the title Ace Combat: The Belkan War.
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan Warエースコンバット・ゼロ ザ・ベルカン・ウォー
The American cover shows two F-15s flying close to a mushroom cloud.
Introduction
The game takes place in 1995, 15 years before the events of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, revolving around the conflict between the nation of Belka and the Allied Forces; a multinational military alliance with forces from the nations of Osea, Yuktobania, Ustio, and Sapin among others. Several characters from Ace Combat 5 make an appearance in Ace Combat Zero, but they appear in tertiary roles. The player plays as a mercenary pilot, callsign "Cipher", hired by the country of Ustio, which was invaded by Belka.
The game features primarily older versions of fighter aircraft seen in its predecessor game, such as F-15C, F/A-18C, and several second generation aircraft like the Saab 35 Draken. The player will go up against enemy ace squadrons who feature enhanced weaponry and combat prowess. Players who destroy everything without regard to hostility will receive the Mercenary rank, players who instead spare neutral targets will receive the Knight rank, and those that strike a balance between the two will earn the Soldier rank. These ranks will affect which enemy ace squadrons a player will face throughout the campaign. A split-screen versus mode is included with the game, but no online feature exists. A notable, if unfortunate, difference with previous and following game of the series is that the player does not have the ability to choose the aircraft his wingman.
The game takes place in 1995, 15 years before the events of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, revolving around the conflict between the nation of Belka and the Allied Forces; a multinational military alliance with forces from the nations of Osea, Yuktobania, Ustio, and Sapin among others. Several characters from Ace Combat 5 make an appearance in Ace Combat Zero, but they appear in tertiary roles. The player plays as a mercenary pilot, callsign "Cipher", hired by the country of Ustio, which was invaded by Belka.
The game features primarily older versions of fighter aircraft seen in its predecessor game, such as F-15C, F/A-18C, and several second generation aircraft like the Saab 35 Draken. The player will go up against enemy ace squadrons who feature enhanced weaponry and combat prowess. Players who destroy everything without regard to hostility will receive the Mercenary rank, players who instead spare neutral targets will receive the Knight rank, and those that strike a balance between the two will earn the Soldier rank. These ranks will affect which enemy ace squadrons a player will face throughout the campaign. A split-screen versus mode is included with the game, but no online feature exists. A notable, if unfortunate, difference with previous and following game of the series is that the player does not have the ability to choose the aircraft his wingman.
Story
The Principality of Belka has launched an invasion on the nearby Republic of Ustio in an attempt to seize the newly discovered resources required for its economy. This triggers The Belkan War, between Belka and the coalition forces consisting of the nations of Osea, Sapin, Yuktobania, and Ustio itself. Ustio, having only recently seceded from Belka, loses most of its territory. As a last hope, the Ustians hire mercenary pilots to serve in their air force. Two of the mercenaries know by the callsigns Cipher and his wingman Pixy (who gave his name as "Solo Wing" on his paperwork, but whose real name is Larry Foulke).
Cipher and Pixy succeed in driving the Belkans from Ustio along with the coalition forces. However, when the coalition forces begin to push into Belka, Pixy starts to question the validity of the invasion. This uncertainty comes to a head when Belka resorts to nuclear weapons to fend off the advancing coalition forces. In the confusion of the nuclear blasts, Pixy commits an act of treachery by firing upon Cipher's aircraft. He then flees, and Cipher is ordered to pull back into friendly territory.
A short time after, a ceasefire treaty is signed between the Belkans and the coalition forces. However, a coalition of disillusioned pilots and soldiers from Osea, Sapin, Ustio and Belka do not support the treaty; they form a terrorist organization called A World With No Boundaries, that seeks to erase the concept of borders between countries and create a unified world. The rest of the game is spent fighting these terrorists.
The final battle in the game is fought over the Avalon Dam in Belka, where Cipher and his replacement pilot PJ are sent to destroy an enemy base capable of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles. During the battle, PJ is shot down by Pixy, now a defector to the organization. After Cipher engages in a battle with his former wingman, he is victorious and succeeds in putting an end to A World With No Boundaries.
The Principality of Belka has launched an invasion on the nearby Republic of Ustio in an attempt to seize the newly discovered resources required for its economy. This triggers The Belkan War, between Belka and the coalition forces consisting of the nations of Osea, Sapin, Yuktobania, and Ustio itself. Ustio, having only recently seceded from Belka, loses most of its territory. As a last hope, the Ustians hire mercenary pilots to serve in their air force. Two of the mercenaries know by the callsigns Cipher and his wingman Pixy (who gave his name as "Solo Wing" on his paperwork, but whose real name is Larry Foulke).
Cipher and Pixy succeed in driving the Belkans from Ustio along with the coalition forces. However, when the coalition forces begin to push into Belka, Pixy starts to question the validity of the invasion. This uncertainty comes to a head when Belka resorts to nuclear weapons to fend off the advancing coalition forces. In the confusion of the nuclear blasts, Pixy commits an act of treachery by firing upon Cipher's aircraft. He then flees, and Cipher is ordered to pull back into friendly territory.
A short time after, a ceasefire treaty is signed between the Belkans and the coalition forces. However, a coalition of disillusioned pilots and soldiers from Osea, Sapin, Ustio and Belka do not support the treaty; they form a terrorist organization called A World With No Boundaries, that seeks to erase the concept of borders between countries and create a unified world. The rest of the game is spent fighting these terrorists.
The final battle in the game is fought over the Avalon Dam in Belka, where Cipher and his replacement pilot PJ are sent to destroy an enemy base capable of launching intercontinental ballistic missiles. During the battle, PJ is shot down by Pixy, now a defector to the organization. After Cipher engages in a battle with his former wingman, he is victorious and succeeds in putting an end to A World With No Boundaries.
The Round Table (Area/Airspace B7R)
This particular airspace is one of the main battle zones in the game and the border between Belka and Ustio. Aces who distinguish themselves in this area are known as "Knights of the Round Table".
Known as "Operational Airspace B7R", or, more formally, "Belkan Priority One Strategic Airspace B7R", it is located at north latitude 24° east longitude 235°. The topography makes the location look like a giant circle with a 400 km radius, hence the name "The Round Table." It is the attack corridor used by Belka to invade not just Ustio, but also its surrounding nations, making it an extremely important strategic location, charged to many Belkan aces to defend. The reason for the outbreak of war is the large cache of natural resources found within this area, making it very hotly contested. It is also the site where the player will encounter many enemy ace squadrons.
The area over The Round Table is impenetrable to any radio or distress signals. If someone gets shot down, it will, for that reason, be very hard to get a signal through, let alone survive on the barren, empty land. In the Round Table the player will meet many characters from Ace Combat 04 and 5, such as Heartbreak One (Captain Bartlett from Ace Combat 5, spelled HTBRKONE on the screen), Grabacr (an elite enemy squadron from Ace Combat 5), Huckebein The Raven (Pops, from Ace Combat 5) in Mercenary mode; Ofnir (another elite enemy squadron in Ace Combat 5) in Soldier mode. Also, in SP Mission (the Gauntlet), if you beat Espada squadron in less than one minute on Ace difficulty, you get to fight "Mobius" (believed to be Mobius 1, the protagonist in Ace Combat 04). He will be flying an F/A-22 Raptor and can fire missiles backwards. This appearance is not canon. However, you can only see these characters in Mission 10 Mayhem, save for Mobius. "The Round Table" is similar to "MiG Alley" of the Korean War, an area east of the Yalu River where numerous US, British, North Korean, Chinese, and Russian (flying planes with Chinese markings) pilots engaged in massive battles and individual duels, essentially the place a fighter pilot would go looking for a fight.
This particular airspace is one of the main battle zones in the game and the border between Belka and Ustio. Aces who distinguish themselves in this area are known as "Knights of the Round Table".
Known as "Operational Airspace B7R", or, more formally, "Belkan Priority One Strategic Airspace B7R", it is located at north latitude 24° east longitude 235°. The topography makes the location look like a giant circle with a 400 km radius, hence the name "The Round Table." It is the attack corridor used by Belka to invade not just Ustio, but also its surrounding nations, making it an extremely important strategic location, charged to many Belkan aces to defend. The reason for the outbreak of war is the large cache of natural resources found within this area, making it very hotly contested. It is also the site where the player will encounter many enemy ace squadrons.
The area over The Round Table is impenetrable to any radio or distress signals. If someone gets shot down, it will, for that reason, be very hard to get a signal through, let alone survive on the barren, empty land. In the Round Table the player will meet many characters from Ace Combat 04 and 5, such as Heartbreak One (Captain Bartlett from Ace Combat 5, spelled HTBRKONE on the screen), Grabacr (an elite enemy squadron from Ace Combat 5), Huckebein The Raven (Pops, from Ace Combat 5) in Mercenary mode; Ofnir (another elite enemy squadron in Ace Combat 5) in Soldier mode. Also, in SP Mission (the Gauntlet), if you beat Espada squadron in less than one minute on Ace difficulty, you get to fight "Mobius" (believed to be Mobius 1, the protagonist in Ace Combat 04). He will be flying an F/A-22 Raptor and can fire missiles backwards. This appearance is not canon. However, you can only see these characters in Mission 10 Mayhem, save for Mobius. "The Round Table" is similar to "MiG Alley" of the Korean War, an area east of the Yalu River where numerous US, British, North Korean, Chinese, and Russian (flying planes with Chinese markings) pilots engaged in massive battles and individual duels, essentially the place a fighter pilot would go looking for a fight.
Belkan super weapons
Some focus of Ace Combat Zero revolves around Belka's three super weapons. The first of these weapons is the Excalibur Ballistic Missile Defense platform. Developed in 1981, it is a symbol of Belka's military dominance. It is categorized as a chemical laser based weapon which was designed to shoot down incoming missiles. By utilizing high-altitude aircraft and satellites carrying reflectors, the laser's range can be extended to counteract the curvature of the planet and achieve a range of 1,200 km. This technology is similar in design to the Arkbird's laser system (and to a lesser extent the FALKEN's laser system) in Ace Combat 5 as part of Belka was taken over by Osea and Gründer Industries began to sell its cache of weapons and technology.
A screenshot of the Hresvelgr aircraft.
The second super weapon originating in Belka is the massive XB-0 Hresvelgr aircraft. Developed by the South Belkan Munitions Factory and stored at a special hangar in Mt. Schirm, this gargantuan flying fortress is actually a prototype with no mass production as of 1995. It is designed to act as a staging area and aerial aircraft carrier for air and land dominance operations, and, because of its size, can act as a large-volume transport and bomber. Despite its cost to maintain, the terrorist organization, "A World with No Boundaries", has seen fit to utilize the Hresvelgr.
The third weapon is known as V2. Most likely named for the real-life German V2 rocket of World War II, the weapon is an ICBM containing multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles with the warheads believed to be rated in the megatons, if not gigatons.
Some focus of Ace Combat Zero revolves around Belka's three super weapons. The first of these weapons is the Excalibur Ballistic Missile Defense platform. Developed in 1981, it is a symbol of Belka's military dominance. It is categorized as a chemical laser based weapon which was designed to shoot down incoming missiles. By utilizing high-altitude aircraft and satellites carrying reflectors, the laser's range can be extended to counteract the curvature of the planet and achieve a range of 1,200 km. This technology is similar in design to the Arkbird's laser system (and to a lesser extent the FALKEN's laser system) in Ace Combat 5 as part of Belka was taken over by Osea and Gründer Industries began to sell its cache of weapons and technology.
A screenshot of the Hresvelgr aircraft.
The second super weapon originating in Belka is the massive XB-0 Hresvelgr aircraft. Developed by the South Belkan Munitions Factory and stored at a special hangar in Mt. Schirm, this gargantuan flying fortress is actually a prototype with no mass production as of 1995. It is designed to act as a staging area and aerial aircraft carrier for air and land dominance operations, and, because of its size, can act as a large-volume transport and bomber. Despite its cost to maintain, the terrorist organization, "A World with No Boundaries", has seen fit to utilize the Hresvelgr.
The third weapon is known as V2. Most likely named for the real-life German V2 rocket of World War II, the weapon is an ICBM containing multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles with the warheads believed to be rated in the megatons, if not gigatons.
Ace Style
The player's actions will dictate what kind of ace they will be. In the missions the player will encounter neutralized enemies or neutral targets (such as houses and fuel tanks). Destroying these targets will push the player's marker towards the left and towards the mercenary end of the spectrum. Sparing neutral targets will push the player's marker towards the right. Other ace-style defining actions include whether or not the player rescues allies in need of aid.
Which type of ace the player currently is will determine radio chatter, which ace squadrons the player encounters, as well as what FMVs play. Different aces earn different planes, and at the end of the game, your current style is added as a paint scheme for all planes.
Mercenary Ace
An Ace who seeks strength. He will strike down all opposition for the sake of his money & strength. If you go about destroying all of the neutral targets, your ranking will gravitate towards this category.
Soldier Ace
An Ace who can read the tide of battle. Can predict the situation in an instant and change the flow of battle. To become a Soldier Ace, you must balance destroying neutral targets while letting an equal amount free and/or survive.
Knight Ace
An ace who lives for pride. Cool-headed, pacifistic and believes in honor. Avoiding the destruction of neutral targets will shift your position towards this ranking.
The player's actions will dictate what kind of ace they will be. In the missions the player will encounter neutralized enemies or neutral targets (such as houses and fuel tanks). Destroying these targets will push the player's marker towards the left and towards the mercenary end of the spectrum. Sparing neutral targets will push the player's marker towards the right. Other ace-style defining actions include whether or not the player rescues allies in need of aid.
Which type of ace the player currently is will determine radio chatter, which ace squadrons the player encounters, as well as what FMVs play. Different aces earn different planes, and at the end of the game, your current style is added as a paint scheme for all planes.
Mercenary Ace
An Ace who seeks strength. He will strike down all opposition for the sake of his money & strength. If you go about destroying all of the neutral targets, your ranking will gravitate towards this category.
Soldier Ace
An Ace who can read the tide of battle. Can predict the situation in an instant and change the flow of battle. To become a Soldier Ace, you must balance destroying neutral targets while letting an equal amount free and/or survive.
Knight Ace
An ace who lives for pride. Cool-headed, pacifistic and believes in honor. Avoiding the destruction of neutral targets will shift your position towards this ranking.
Ustio Air Force
"Cipher"
A mercenary pilot of the Ustian Air Force,Cipher was placed in charge of Galm Team at the period where Ustio was in resistance against the Belkan invasion. Cipher displayed outstanding combat abilities during the Belkan war, destroying several unique weapons systems, savaging the Belkan Air Force and defeating the Rebel organization A World With No Boundaries. For his leading role in defeating numerous ace squadrons of the Belkan Air Force and A World with No Boundaries, he is given the moniker, "Demon Lord of the Round Table," a foe both respected and feared.
During the course of his missions, Cipher flies a variety of aircraft in a variety of roles - from Interception, Air Superiority, Escort, Strike and Close Air Support.
Primary accomplishments include participation in the liberation of Solis Ortus and the capital, Directus; the attack on the Belkan mountain fortress Glatisant; the neutralization of the special weapon Excalibur, XB-0 aerial fortress and the V-2 ballistic missile complex at Avalon Dam, and defeated Pixy in the ADFX-02.
At the close of the Belkan War this highly decorated pilot vanished from sight with no clues as to his fate. This seems to be a common link between the player's pilot alias in Ace Combat 4,5 and Zero.
During the course of his missions, Cipher flies a variety of aircraft in a variety of roles - from Interception, Air Superiority, Escort, Strike and Close Air Support.
Primary accomplishments include participation in the liberation of Solis Ortus and the capital, Directus; the attack on the Belkan mountain fortress Glatisant; the neutralization of the special weapon Excalibur, XB-0 aerial fortress and the V-2 ballistic missile complex at Avalon Dam, and defeated Pixy in the ADFX-02.
At the close of the Belkan War this highly decorated pilot vanished from sight with no clues as to his fate. This seems to be a common link between the player's pilot alias in Ace Combat 4,5 and Zero.
Larry "Pixy" Foulke
Voice Actor:Yuri Lowenthal Cut-Scene Actor: Sean Ryan[1]
A pilot in the mercenary squadron of Ustio Air Force well known for once having completed a mission and landing safely while his F-15's wing was blown off. Although Foulke accepts war for what it is, he hates the concept of it. He looks at the world as having no boundaries but only those placed there by war. Although sharing this philosophy with friends such as the leaders of the Osean Wizard Squadron, he did not act on it until June 6th, 1995 when Belka -- in an attempt to stop the allied advance - dropped seven V1 nuclear warheads on the Waldreich mountains. (The green enemy seen at the top of the radar on that mission is Wizard 1. Also, players can see his plane swoop out of the XB-0 at the last minute when they shoot it down.)
Helping to establish A World With No Boundaries, Pixy was given the ADFX-02 Morgan prototype aircraft (a modified ADFX-01, which capable of using TLS, MPBM, ECMP at once, and forerunner to the ADF-01 Falken). Facing off against his former wingman Cipher, Pixy was shot down over the mountains and was given shelter by those still living in the blast zone. Leaving the Osean continent behind, Pixy goes on to fight in the Usean Continental War as a volunteer in the border conflict near Delarus. When he was interviewed, he seemed to have come to terms with himself, accepting borders and seemingly sorry for betraying Cipher.
A pilot in the mercenary squadron of Ustio Air Force well known for once having completed a mission and landing safely while his F-15's wing was blown off. Although Foulke accepts war for what it is, he hates the concept of it. He looks at the world as having no boundaries but only those placed there by war. Although sharing this philosophy with friends such as the leaders of the Osean Wizard Squadron, he did not act on it until June 6th, 1995 when Belka -- in an attempt to stop the allied advance - dropped seven V1 nuclear warheads on the Waldreich mountains. (The green enemy seen at the top of the radar on that mission is Wizard 1. Also, players can see his plane swoop out of the XB-0 at the last minute when they shoot it down.)
Helping to establish A World With No Boundaries, Pixy was given the ADFX-02 Morgan prototype aircraft (a modified ADFX-01, which capable of using TLS, MPBM, ECMP at once, and forerunner to the ADF-01 Falken). Facing off against his former wingman Cipher, Pixy was shot down over the mountains and was given shelter by those still living in the blast zone. Leaving the Osean continent behind, Pixy goes on to fight in the Usean Continental War as a volunteer in the border conflict near Delarus. When he was interviewed, he seemed to have come to terms with himself, accepting borders and seemingly sorry for betraying Cipher.
Patrick James Beckett "P.J."
Voice Actor: Johnny Yong Bosch
A young mercenary pilot flying for the Crow team and hired by the Ustio government to fly against the Belkan Air Force during The Belkan War. James' character appears to resemble those of the Wardog Squadron, especially Hans Grimm, from the war 15 years after then those of his fellow mercenaries, proclaiming that he is fighting for peace and often at odds with Solo Wing over the nature of the war.
After Pixy goes missing in action on the 6th of June, Crow 3 is transferred to the Galm Team, flying as Cipher's wingman for the continuation of the war. After helping in the Avalon Dam raid and destroying the V2 control devices, PJ is shot down and killed by laser fire from Solo Wing's ADFX-02.
A young mercenary pilot flying for the Crow team and hired by the Ustio government to fly against the Belkan Air Force during The Belkan War. James' character appears to resemble those of the Wardog Squadron, especially Hans Grimm, from the war 15 years after then those of his fellow mercenaries, proclaiming that he is fighting for peace and often at odds with Solo Wing over the nature of the war.
After Pixy goes missing in action on the 6th of June, Crow 3 is transferred to the Galm Team, flying as Cipher's wingman for the continuation of the war. After helping in the Avalon Dam raid and destroying the V2 control devices, PJ is shot down and killed by laser fire from Solo Wing's ADFX-02.
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