-Ace Combat 2 Information Center

Communication mode: Level S
Operation code: TC2012
Communication description:

A coup d'etat broke out within the military corps, general area code NA-P2700.

They saw an opportunity during a time when their leaders were away from the country on a diplomatic mission.

After the forces occupied the center of administration, they seized control of important facilities in each district.

They are expanding their influence while strengthening their fighting power.

Their military capabilities include air and sea forces. It has also been confirmed that they are in possession of extra powerful cruise missiles.

To respond to the rebels' forces, the military corps' headquarters made a decision to use the Special Tactical Fighter Squadron, "Scarface" which consists of you, my fellow pilots.

We want you to go on this mission and suppress the coup d'etat immediately.

You will receive all-out support from our military corps, full cooperation through our intelligence division, and military supplies.

The situation is tense,
and there is no time to waste.
Take on this mission immediately.
That is all.

This Ace Combat game features a larger plane selection than Air Combat and an additional, "Extra" aircraft selection when you choose a new game after the game has been completed once. The, "Extra" plane selection allows several more flyable aircraft, and a new, "Super Fighter" of namco's design. This trend started in AC2 and continued on through the Ace Combat series. To date, there have been three more games with similar, "Super Fighters" designed by Namco, all of which are quite popular among players as their favorite fighters.

This game featured an immense jump in graphics technology. Light sources were added to enhance the 3D experience. The inclusion of moveable control surfaces and afterburner flames began here. There was also the addition of branching missions and a wingman selection (with minimal control), along with a soundtrack with a crisper, more detailed sound similar to the style featured in Ace Combat.

Ace Combat 2 also featured the first branching mission tree of the Ace Combat Series. This branching mission tree allowed players to unlock secret missions by completing secret objectives in certain missions from the primary campaign missions or choose a different branch of missions as an alternative to the usual missions. This system would be used in Ace Combat 3, Ace Combat 5, Ace Combat Zero and Ace Combat X.

Sources:
Ace Combat 2 (In-game data)

*Original Article by PhantomPhanatic*