Graham

The only real QC issue I had on the 3 Alphas I own was an extremley warped neck piece on the Shadow. Graham

A few things I'd like to see in the next Ace Combat game:- 1) More realistic speeds. In AC5, I had the A-10 up to 800kts (or whatever the unit of speed measurement is). Just a tad unrealistic me thinks. 2) For those real-world planes which use helmet mounted sights and can make off-boresight missile shots, I'd like to see this ability added. In game terms this could work by allowing you to lock on to an enemy plane that is anywhere on screen (rather than just in the HUD as at present) with your basic missiles, as long as it is in range. 3) Add a mission builder. I've been saying this for years. Having the ability to create your own missions, by choosing terrain, number and type of enemy, time limit etc would greatly increase the long-term playability of the game. 4) Slightly increase the range of weapons, especially the basic missiles and guns. They are too short ranged IMO. 5) Add the ability to create your own unique color scheme for your planes. 6) Most planes have a sufficient number of hardpoints that they should be able to carry 2 different types of special weapons. Although, the quantity of each should be less than if only 1 type of special weapon is carried. 7) I'd like to see planes with chaff, flares and perhaps towed decoys (for those real world planes that have them). Of course the number of these counter-measures should be finite. On the fence about having fuel. IIRC, didn't AC1 have fuel? Graham

Warning, if this thread degenerates into discussing whether Routh or Reeves has the bigger bulge, then it's definitely getting locked. Graham

Even though I love the Ace Combat games, I usually only play through them once and then perhaps repeat a few specific missions that I enjoyed. I have little interest in unlocking every plane, especially the fictional ones. As long as I get the Typhoon, Tornado, A-10 and Gripen I'm happy! Neither do I have any interest in winning every medal or getting an S grade on every mission. I'm just not that hard core a player I guess Still, I'm enjoying AC0 so much, I may just play through it twice. Graham

Yeah, I have AC5 saved on the same memory stick. Typhoon should realistically be more capable than the F-16C and 99% of other real planes as well, with the exception of the F-22. Looking forward to getting to fly the Gripen in AC0 as well as I liked it in AC5. I generally prefer to play Euro planes rather than US (or Russian) planes, with the exception of the A-10 or occasionally the F-22. Graham

Yep, Hikaru VF-1S has to have FAST Packs. Graham

Although I'm playing the Japanese version, I've been using this FAQ, which is based on the US version as differences are usually minimal between US and Japanese versions, but it seems like some (but not all) planes are unlocked differently. The FAQ above mentions that you get the F-16C after completing mission 4. Well, I'm on mission 13 and still don't have the F-16C available to buy. Not that I care, as I use the Typhoon pretty much exclusively. Another difference is that the FAQ mentions that you have to complete the campagn twice to unlock the X-02 Wyvern. In the Japanese version, it unlocked on mission 2 IIRC, although of course after only two mission there was no way I could afford to buy it. Graham

No it's not out yet. And yes the official release date is still 5/30. Graham

This question is supposed to be a joke, right? Graham

Moved. No Trannies in the Macross toy forum please. Graham

Here's a more detailed breakdown of my 1/48 collection: - 1/48 VF-1A Hikaru = 4pcs. 1/48 VF-1A Max = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1A Kakizaki DYRL Custom = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1A Cannon Fodder = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1A Low Vis = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1A Low Vis 2 = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Super Hikaru = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Hikaru = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Super Max = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Super Milia = 1pc. 1/48 VF-1J Super Stealth = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1S Focker = 2pcs. 1/48 VF-1S Hikaru = 3pcs. 1/48 GBP Armor = 2pcs. 1/48 FAST Pack Set = 9pcs. And the other stuff: - 1/60 Millia Q-Rau = 2pcs. 1/60 Max Q-Rau = 1pcs. 1/60 VF-0S = 3pcs. 1/100 Konig Monster = 2pcs. Still have to do an accurate check on the exact number of 1/72 Macross Plus and 1/60 VF-1 toys. Graham

Does the US version of the game have English subtitles or not? Reason I'm asking is that I have the Japanese version. While the audio on the Japanese version is all in English, the subtitles are in Japanese. My problem is that I can only play at night after my son goes to sleep and I have to keep the volume down low so as not to wake him, which means I don't get to hear what's being said. If the US version has English subs, I might bite the bullet and order it. Graham

It was released here in Hong Kong at the end of last week. Graham

Good question. I'll compare them when I get home and let you know. Graham

Nope, sorry the antenna is white. Graham

The middle shot with the sky background is great. Now if only the stand could be edited out. Graham

I poo on PVC. Graham

Hee, just got mine. Graham

Just to make it 100% clear, in none of the three modes (Fighter, Battroid or GERWALK) is the flap at the bottom of the backpack supposed to fold up.. This is where the VF-0 design differs from the VF-1. Illustration 4 on page 6, shows that you are supposed to fold the whole backpack up and over into the GERWALK mode position, NOT fold the flap.. DON'T TOUCH THAT FLAP!!!! Of course if you try to fold something which is not supposed to fold, it will break. This is more a case of not understanding the instuctions, rather than any defect with the toy. Graham

The VF-0S's GPU-9 35mm gun pod is supposed to be bigger than the VF-1's GU-11 55mm gunpod. While the GPU-9 is a smaller caliber, 35mm as opposed to the VF-1's 55mm gunpod, it holds much more ammunition. The VF-0S's 35mm GPU-9 gunpod holds 550 rounds, while the VF-1's GU-11 55mm gunpod only holds 200 rounds. Graham

Wow, the more I see of this, the more I like it. Definitely prefer it to the Stealth. Graham

Another minor issue with my super stealth is that while the AMM-1 missiles fit nice and securely on the wings, the UUM-7 micro-missile pods are quite loose on two of the wing attachment points. So loose that the slightest touch will cause them to fall off. This is the first time I've had this problem on any of my 1/48s. Usually, the UUM-7s are nice and tight. Haven't tested the fit of the RMS-1 reaction missiles yet. Graham

Up to mission 8 now, the one with the big laser that zaps you from the sky. Definitely enjoying AC0 more than AC5. Thought mission 7 was fantastic fun. While IMO the missions in 0 are a bit harder overall than the missions in 5, I find them harder in a challenging (and enjoyable way), rather than just being annoying and poorly thought out, as several of the missions in 5 were. I actually prefer that there is less story between missions in 0 compared with 5. Graham

Played through the first 3 missions of AC0 last night. Defineitly like it more than AC5 so far. One thing I've noticed is shooting down bombers seems a bit easier and more realistic in AC0 compared to 5. In 5, you have to hit them with at least half a dozen missiles, in 0, one or two hits and they are down. Also, like that you can buy different special weapons for each plane. I'm Mercenary all the way baby! If it runs it's meat! Graham

Picked up a Super Stealth yesterday. I threw away the box before I even got it home, just so they wife couldn't complain about large and expensive toys! Gotta say I have a few minor issues with mine so far: - 1) Both flaps come off very easily. I haven't had a 1/48 VF1 where the flaps can get knocked off this easily since the gen 1 Hikaru VF-1A. 2) The hole in the gunpod handle is very tight, making it even more difficult to attach in fighter mode than the VF-0S's gunpod. 3) When in the open position, the airbrake alls falls off very easily. 4) The nosecone is a very tight fit. In fact, I can't get it to sit all the way back, so there is a noticible gap between the nosecone and the forward fuselage. Haven't checked the FAST Packs yet. Graham