A.C.E. Another Century's Episode >>> Walkthrough, Secret Missions, Unlockable units, etc. <<< =============================================================================== Author: Von "Snakemaru" Ellano Version: 1.5 Date: August 3, 2005 @ 8:29 p.m. EST Email: snakemaru @ email . com =============================================================================== =============================================================================== Table of Contents: I. Introduction II. Version History III. Controls IV. Translations: "What are those and what for?" a. Game difficulty b. Carrier upgrades c. Mecha upgrades d. Ability slots V. Anime Series: Mecha and armaments VI. Walkthrough and Secret Conditions VII. Unlockable units VIII. Assorted Tips / Lesson Learned, etc. IX. Credits =============================================================================== =============================================================================== I. Introduction Welcome to my first and probably the last revision of my walkthrough/FAQ for the game "A.C.E. - Another Century's Episode". This guide now contains more than the initial offering. Besides the list of secret conditions for each mission, unlockable units and some miscellaneous stuffs which was stated in the previous version, I have now included the primary objective of each stage in order to complete it, game controls, translations for upgrades and mecha armaments. Since the game is written in Japanese language, it is advisable (but not mandatory) for any player to at least know how to read katakana. You may still finish the game without the proper knowledge of the language but it may involve various experimentations. Also note that the skeleton of this guide was inspired from a translated Japanese website posted on the GameFaqs message board. Since nobody is making a walkthrough/FAQ for this game (except Mantone), here I am making my version of the guide. Again, I did not make this guide to take all the credits for myself but also to preserve the helpful informations regarding this game that were only discussed/raised on the various discussion from the GF message board. So sit back, relax and enjoy! =============================================================================== =============================================================================== II. Version History Version 1.0: July 25, 2005 @ 2:30 a.m. EST - The initial version. Contains the list of Secret Missions, Unloackable units, assorted tips, etc. Version 1.5: August 3, 2005 @ 8:29 p.m. EST - The final version. Added the translations for the game controls, mecha and carrier upgrades, mecha armaments and everything else making this FAQ a full walkthrough (I hope). =============================================================================== =============================================================================== III. Game Controls First, let me lay down the functions of each buttons. Triangle - Lock-on (a target). Press repeatedly to switch targets. Square - Main Weapon/Melee (when close to the target) For melee combat, press the square button repeatedly or followed with the circle button for different combos. Circle - Sub weapon X - Dash ON/OFF Dash towards the enemy and press circle to activate a mecha- specific attack/move. R1 - Raises straight up R2 - Lowers straight down L1 - Attached Weapon 1 L2 - Attached Weapon 2 Left Analog - Moves the mecha (forward/backward/sideways). Tap it twice to side-step or tilt-dodge. Right Analog - Camera - (inverted) On Earth, rotates the camera 360 around. In space, rotates the mecha 360 in all directions. L3+R3 - Special Weapon/Ability At the start of the game, you have two choose between two control schemes. Automatic Scheme: Offers the player to have an auto-lock-on ability making the Triangle button rather useless yet still useable if you prefer to select from among the enemies. The square button is the main weapon and the circle is for the special attack/ability. The downside for this scheme is that you cannot fully control the output or warpower of your selected mecha because its the scheme who will decide what weapon your mecha will use (depending on the distance between you and your targeted enemy). Manual Scheme: Offers the player more freedom in managing his mecha's warpower. With this scheme, you can make use of your choice weapon anytime as long as it is available (when green). You still have to press Triangle in order to lock-on an enemy, but need not worry for as long as another enemy is within your line of sight or near your it will be automatically targeted. =============================================================================== =============================================================================== IV. Translations: "What are those and what for?" There are three game difficulties: Rookie, Pilot and Ace. It may very much like Easy, Normal and Hard. Every 4-5 stages you cleared during story mission mode, you'll arrive at the Rendezvous Point where you can buy upgrades for your Carrier and Mechas. When selecting the "Carrier", you can buy upgrades for your mothership. The upgrades are as follows: 1. Expand slot capacity - More mecha can join your squad (maximum of 12). So if you want to buy a particular unit, you can buy it during Rendezvous Points. Of course, you will have to drop a unit from your active roster in order to add another if you already have 12. 2. Repair points - More points you can use to repair your mecha during the missions. The 'repair points' will be automatically refilled at Rendezvous Points as well as your damaged mecha being fixed for free. 3. Repair efficiency - The higher the percentage, the less repair points are needed for fixes. Only during Rendezvous Points you can buy an upgrade for your mecha, you can increase the bought upgrade further anytime during each missions. When you select the "Slot", you'll arrive at the list of your active roster with your available ace points displayed on the upper-right corner. When you select a mecha, the "Set-up" submenu will be displayed: 1. Add upgrade 2. Increase upgrade 3. Delete upgrade Options #1 and #3 are unavailable during story mode briefing menu. When selecting the "Add upgrade", this list will be displayed: ----------------------------------------------------------------- | Ability slot | Cost | Effect | ----------------------------------------------------------------- | Armor | 500 | +defense, -vernier | | Speed | 500 | +speed, -defense | | Boost speed | 750 | +boost speed, -gen output | | Generator Output | 750 | +generator output, - boost speed | | Motion Ability | 1500 | +motion ability, -turning ability | | Turning Ability | 1500 | +turning ability, -motion ability | | Weapon Power | 1000 | +weapon power, -weapon reload rate | | Weapon Reload | 1000 | +weapon reload rate, -weapon power | ----------------------------------------------------------------- Weapon Power and Weapon Reload can be bought thrice for each weapon or ability. The sub-menus under these two upgrades are: Main Weapon Melee Weapon Sub Weapon Attached Weapon / Ability 1 Attached Weapon / Ability 2 Special =============================================================================== =============================================================================== V. Anime series In case you're curious, these are the anime series that are participating in this game, the mecha available and translated weaponries. *** Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counter Attack *** Nu Gundam ---------------- Main: Beam Rifle Melee: Beam Saber Sub: Hyper Bazooka Attach 1: Fin Funnel Attach 2: Dummy Balloon Special: I Field Sazabi ---------- Main: Beam Shot Rifle Melee: Beam Saber Sub: Shield Missile Attach 1: Funnel Attach 2: Dummy Balloon Special: Scatter Mega Particle Cannon *** Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam *** Z Gundam ------------- Main: Beam Rifle Melee: Beam Saber Sub: Hyper Mega Launcher Attach 1: Head Vulcan Attach 2: Grenade Launcher Special: Wave Rider Transformation Hyaku Shiki ----------------- Main: Beam Rifle Melee: Beam Saber Sub: Clay Bazooka Attach 1: Head Vulcan Special: Mega Bazooka Launcher Bound Dock ---------------- Main: Beam Rifle Melee: Beam Saber Sub: Mega Scattering Particle Cannon Attack 1: Claw Arm Punch Special: Mobile Armor Transform Quebeley -------------- Main: Beam Gun Melee: Beam Saber Sub: Double Beam Gun Attack1: Funnel Special: Funnel All Launch *** New Mobile Report: Gundam W *** Wing Gundam ------------------ Main: Buster Rifle Melee: Beam Saber Sub: Shield Attack Attach 1: Head Vulcan Attach 2: Machine Cannon Special: Bird Transform Gundam Death Scythe ------------------------ Main: Buster Shield Melee: Beam Scythe Sub: Machine Cannon Attach 1: Head Vulcan Special: Hyper Jammer Gundam Heavy Arms ------------------------ Main: Beam Gatling Melee: Army Knife Sub: Micro Missile Attach 1: Gatling Attach 2: Homing Missile Special: Full Open Attack Gundam Sand Rock ------------------------ Main: Heat Shortel Throw Melee: Heat Shortel Sub: Shield Flash Attach 1: Head Vulcan Attach 2: Homing Missile Special: Cross Crusher Shenlong Gundam ------------------------ Main: Dragon Fang Melee: Beam Glaive Sub: Flame Thrower Attach 1: Head Vulcan Attach 2: Beam Glaive Continuous Attack Special: Beam Glaive Spinning Cut Tallgeese -------------- Main: Dober Gun Melee: Beam Saber Sub: Dober Gun (Charge) Gundam Epyon ------------------ Main: Heat Rod Melee: Beam Saber Sub: Heat Rod (Full Power) Special: Bird Transform *** Nadesico the Movie: The Prince of Darkness *** Black Serena ---------------- Main Weapon: Hand Cannon Melee Weapon: Tackle Sub Weapon: Chest Vulcan Attach 1: Tail Binder Attach 2: Distortion Field Special: Gekigan Flare Aestavalis Custom ----------------------- Main: Rapid Rifle Melee: Punch Sub: Large Rail Cannon Attach 1: Distortion Attack Attach 2: Distortion Field Ability 1: Roller Dash Alstromeria ------------------- Main: Boson Jump Claw Melee: Claw Sub: Double Claw Attach 1: Spinning Claw Attach 2: Distortion Field Ability 1: Roller Dash Ability 2: Boson Jump *** Brain Powerd *** Yuu Brain ------------ Main: Brenpar (Shot) Melee: Brenpar (Cut) Sub: Shooter Attach 2: Chakra Shield Special: Chakra Flash Ability 1: Mood Ability 2: Vital Jump Hime Brain ------------- Main: Brenpar (Shot) Melee: Brenpar (Cut) Sub: Brain Blade Attach 2: Chakra Shield Special: Chakra Flash Ability 1: Mood Ability 2: Vital Jump Nelly Brain --------------- Main: Brenpar (Shot) Melee: Brenpar (Cut) Sub: Shooter Attach 2: Chakra Shield Special: Chakra Flash Ability 1: Mood Ability 2: Vital Jump Baronzu ------------ Main: Chakra Light Melee: Fin Sub: Fin (Morphing) Attach 1: Chakra Light All Launch Attach 2: Chakra Shield Special: Fin All Launch Ability 1: Mood Ability 2: Vital Jump *** Aura Battler Dunbine *** Dunbine ----------- Main: Aura Shot Melee: Aura Sword Sub: Dunbine Kick Attach 1: Wire Claw Attach 2: Aura Barrier Bilbine ----------- Main: Aura Sword Rifle Melee: Aura Beam Sword Sub: Aura Cannon Attach 1: Wire Claw Attach 2: Aura Barrier Special: Wing Caliber Transform Zwarth ---------- Main: Aura Vulcan Melee: Aura Sword Sub: Flame Bomb Attach 1: Wire Claw Attach 2: Aura Barrier Special: Aura Power Bilbine (Camouflage Color) --------------------------- Same as normal Bilbine (the original Bilbine is abit stronger statistics-wise). *** Metal Armor Dragonar *** Dragonar 1 ---------------- Main: Hand Rail Gun Melee: Laser Sword Sub: 5 Tube Missile Pod Attach 1: Spin Laser Sword Attach 2: Shoulder Bomb Special: Glider Unit Dragonar 2 --------------- Main: Hand Rail Gun Melee: Punch Sub: 10 Tube Missile Pod Attach 1: 280mm Rail Cannon Attach 2: 2 Barrel Rail Cannon Special: Full Open Shoot Ability 1: Glider Unit Dragonar 3 --------------- Main: Hand Rail Gun Melee: Assault Knife Sub: 3 Barrel 105mm Cannon Attach 1: Dual Missile Special: Jammer Ability 1: Glider Unit Gilgazamne ----------------- Main: Machine Cannon Melee: Sei Ryu Tou Sub: 100 Tube Launcher Attach 1: Body 12 Barrel Vulcan Attach 2: 2 Tube Missile Pod Special: Large ?? Missile (i dont know those 2 kanji) *** Heavy Metal L-Gaim *** L-Gaim ------------- Main: Power Launcher Melee: Saber Sub: Shield Attack Attach 1: S Mine Ability 1: Thruster Unit Ability 2: Beam Coating L-Gaim MK II ----------------- Main: Buster Launcher Melee: Saber Sub: Power Launcher Attach 1: S Mine Special: Prowler Transform Ability 1: Thruster Unit Ability 2: Beam Coating Auge -------- Main: Buster Launcher Melee: Scythe Sub: Round Binder Attach 1: Power Launcher Special: Bio Relation Ability 1: Thruster Unit Ability 2: Beam Coating Ashura Temple ------------------ Main: Power Launcher Melee: Saber Sub: Circus Binder Attach 1: Reverse Bomber Attach 2: Energy Bomber Special: Full Open Launcher Ability 1: Thruster Unit Ability 2: Beam Coating Novel D-Serdd ------------------ Main: Power Launcher Melee: Saber Sub: Double Power Launcher Ability 1: Thruster Unit Ability 2: Beam Coating Amonduel Stack -------------------- Main: buster Launcher Melee: Saber Sub: Power Launcher Special: Land Booster Transform Ability 1: Thruster Unit Ability 2: Beam Coating *** Blue Comet: SPT Layzner *** Layzner ---------- Main: Lasered Rifle Melee: Knuckle Shot Sub: V-MAX Attack Attach 1: Calf Missile Attach 2: ECM Chaff Special: V-MAX Activate Zakarl -------- Main: Lasered Rifle Melee: Horn On Arm Sub: V-MAX Attack Special: V-MAX Activate *** Banpresto Original / FromSoftware Design *** Gespenst MK II ---------------- Main: M950 Machine Gun Melee: Plasma Stake Sub: Split Missile Cloud Breaker -------------- Main: 6 Barrel Gatling Cannon Melee: Energy Blade Sub: 4 Tube Missile Pod Attach 1: Shotgun Special: Electron Sniper Rifle Ability 1: Glider Unit =============================================================================== =============================================================================== VI. Walkthrough and Secret Conditions I did most of the secret missions on my first run through of the game so you may notice that a lot of the mecha I used were not from the list of unlockable units. During the course of accomplishing the secret conditions, I have also included my personal touch on how I did things. It may not be the best solution for a particular mission but it got the job done. Mission 1: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy all the Hizacks in 1 minute - Got this one during the free missions and using Tallgeese. Mission 2: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy the Desks Custom - The Desks Custom passes by somewhere on the southwest of the map. It's the yellow dot on your radar when you start the stage, hovering above you. Mission 3: Winning Condition: Destroy the Transporter as initial objective then destroy the enemy reinforcements. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Find the Organic Plate - The Organic Plate's location is always random so pay close attention to the ground when looking for it (advisable when you've trimmed down the enemies to 1). When found, press triangle to lock-onto it, walk towards the plate and press Square button to collect it. (I found my plate directly north, beside one of the long plateau, under the shade. I saw it from above). Mission 4: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Get 60 Attack Chains - I used the Cloud Breaker and got 129 chains by the end of the stage. Reserve your Sniper Rifle on tanks (since they're grouped together), and everything else to helicopters. Mission 5: Winning Condition: Destroy the first wave of enemies then pick-up the box where the Mission Data is full. Destroy the next waves of enemies and Jonathan's GrandChar. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Find the Organic Plate - Random location, can be found on the ground. Mission 6: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies then defeat Tallgeese for it to retreat. Watch out when Tallgeese starts fleeing away, he's setting up to fire his charged Dober Gun. Either you evade all his dobergun shots or dash and tail on him and interrupt his attack sequence. After the scene, destroy all the Aries EXCEPT one Aries (your ally) that is usually flying alone and being shot at by the other Aries. Losing Condition: Player unit or the lone Aries is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy a Helicopter - After defeating Tallgeese, the helicopter "H-41" will appear hovering above near the base. Mission 7: Winning Condition: Defend the Nadesico B by destroying all flying enemies and ground MLRS. Losing Condition: Player unit or the Nadesico B is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy a Helicopter - The helicopter "H-41B" appears sometime during the middle of the stage (after 2-3 waves of enemies), opposite the direction where the Nadesico is heading. A unit with missile attack is preferable. Mission 8: Winning Condition: Defend the shuttle by destroying all enemies. There are stealth bombers flying above, flying mecha at the middle airspace and mecha under the sea. Losing Condition: Player unit or the shuttle is destroyed. Secret Condition: All radar dishes must not be destroyed - There are a total of 8 radars for you to guard. I used Dragonar 1 for this stage because it moves fast and useful homing missiles. After 2-3 waves of stealth bombers and (possibly cleaning up all the Reclaimer units), a lone enemy will appear on the other side of the island approaching your radar site. Once on view, even if the lock-on is still green, let loose a pair of missile. After destroying the lone enemy, dash back to the area where the shuttle is and let loose your remaining missiles to the enemies BUT save 1 pair of missile because another lone enemy will soon appear near the radar site. Dash back and wait for it. Rinse and Repeat. Mission 9: Winning Condition: Destroy all the laser satellites and enemy reinforcements. Follow the red arrow pointing to the target satellite. Next, destroy the Graim Kaiser. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy all the Bravers in 1 minute - Used Tallgeese with maxed weapon Reload Rate Down. Mission 10: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Get 120 Attack Chains - Same as #9. Mission 11: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. When the megabazooka launchers has been launched, quickly destroy all approaching enemies while trying to direct your movement towards the launchers as guided by the red arrows. Afterwards, defeat Yazan's troops (3 flyers). Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed or enemy acquired the megabazooka launchers. Secret Condition: Rescue the Shuttle in 1 minute - Used L-Gaim MK II with maxed Weapon Reload Rate Down. Mission 12: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies while avoiding the Mass Driver's asteroids. When the word "Caution" appears, look out for the red arrow pointing to where the asteroid's origin. Avoid it. Defeat Malliot's troops (3 flyers) then Malliot's Falgen. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Avoid the asteroids until the Mass Driver runs out of ammo - Used Heavy Arms. Basically, you're just cleaning up all incoming enemies and avoiding the asteroids coming from the Mass Driver while waiting for the communication from the Ra Kairum bridge saying that the Mass Driver has run out of ammo (or something to that effect). Mission 13: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed or the damage to the city has reached 40%. Secret Condition: The City's Damage must not exceed 3% - Lure the enemies one-by-one to the center where there are no nearby buildings prior to shooting them down. Mission 14: Winning Condition: Destroy enemies and proceed to the next area as the red arrow suggested. Defeat the Ashura Temple at the last part of the stage. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed or the time reaches zero or the reactor is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy the Bat-shu unit - Use a fast unit for this one because of the timer. After destroying all the enemies that came out of the last hole, you'll soon notice yellow dots on the radar. Return to the previous rooms to locate and destroy the Bat-Shu unit. Mission 15: Winning Condition: Destroy Gilgazamne (and all the cheap fries making scores at the hapless allied battleships, for points). Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed or you deliberately left Gilgazamne to use his special at the huge laser station. Secret Condition: Prevent the Gilgazamne from using its special until it can't activate it. - I used Heavy Arms. Spammed him with all your attacks to trim his health down to 20% (red bar). From this point on, wait for him to flee and pause to do his special attack. When he does this, tail on him and tap the Beam Gatling / chest gatling to interrupt him. Continue this sequence till he said "Mada.. something". That's your cue to let loose of your restrained anger and laugh maniacally afterwards. Mission 16: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Destroy the first set of enemies then after the scene when the enemy battleship starts-up with reinforcement, continue downing small enemies. When all the small fries are defeated, Yatenkou will appear. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed by enemy fire or touched by the battleship (instant-death). Secret Condition: Avoid the battleship until it stops moving - Trim the enemies down to 1 then start your evasions. When the "Caution" message appear, that's your cue to mind the direction where the battleship is heading (usually towards you). A communication from Torres will eventually come saying the battleship cannot move any longer because of engine trouble. Destroy the remaining enemies to finish the mission. Mission 17: Winning Condition: Destroy the Libra's 4 main engines then destroy the Gundam Epyon. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed or timer reaches zero. Secret Condition: Destroy the Libra's Main Cannon - Used Heavy Arms. After destroying the Libra's engines, go behind/underneath Libra to locate its main cannon (it's the square-ish black hole at the center). Although you cannot target it, approach it and go trigger-happy. Mission 18: Winning Condition: Destroy all the Kureeps(sp?) by luring them near the white bombs before detonating it. Then destroy the Bound Dock piloted by Rosamia (looking for her "brother" Kamille, as usual). Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy all enemies in 2 minutes - Used Nu Gundam with maxed vernier. This is rather hard as you need to time the approach of the enemy Kureeps near the targeted bomb before shooting it. Mission 19: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies then defeat the Marasai piloted by Jerrid. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy the Command Vehicle - At the start of the stage, go through the archway in front of you, totally ignoring the first few enemies along the way. Passing the archway, you'll see the highway on the ground leading to the wall directly in front. Fly near or land on the highway and approach the wall, press triangle to lock-on the Command vehicle (a car) about to come out underneath. Mission 20: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies while keeping an eye for the "Caution" word. This warns you of incoming salvo from the enemy battleship. Losing Condition: Player unit or the Parliament is destroyed. Secret Condition: The Parliament's damage must not exceed 20% - Used Heavy Arms and I stood in-between the Parliament and the incoming enemies, taking the damage for myself. Mission 21: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies then the Majin. Watch out for its gravity blast. Start running away and in circular motion when the "Caution" word comes out. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy all the Doros - There are three. Use a unit with missile attack. Mission 22: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. When the word "Caution" comes up, its time to do some neck-braking evasions because the cannons on top of the island is about to fire at you. Diving under the sea won't save you from it. Beat Malliot and his Falgen. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Get 60 Attack Chains - Used Tallgeese with maxed Weapon Reload Rate Down. Mission 23: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies then defeat Jerril's Leprechaun. After she retreated, face off with the next wave of stronger enemies. Oh, and watch out for missiles coming out of the dessert surface. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Find the Organic Plate - Random location. Mission 24: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Face off again with the insects then with Jerril's Leprechaun again. Just when you thought you have already destroyed her, the Leprechaun will transform (or should I say expand) into one humongous, over-grown insect! It almost cannot evade all your shots but it's still agile and can catch-up to you and do a slash or trap you in its aura barrier. If you can make a distance from her, let loose all your strongest attacks and prepare to side-step and/or dash away. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy the Will Wisps - Use a unit with a strong attack power (mega launchers, buster rifle, etc.). Used Heavy Arms. The Will Wisps can only be targeted after 2-3 waves of enemies. When it is finally within your range, make sure you're targeting its command center (the top of the ship). Mission 25: Winning Condition: Defend the La Vien Rose by destroying the enemies and then the Ashura Temple. After defeating Ashura Temple, things begin to get more chaotic. Besides the waves of incoming enemies, there are now missiles bombarding the La Vien Rose. In addition, the "The O" will now join the fray. Quickly try to shoot down the missiles and diminish the regular enemies before The O arrives. When it finally arrive, concentrate all your attention to The O. Also, be mindful that your stray shots aren't adding to the damages being inflicted on the La Vien Rose. Losing Condition: Player unit or the La Vien Rose is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy the Lisnil - Use a unit with a strong attack power (mega launchers, buster rifle, etc.). It arrives almost at the same time the Ashura Temple appears. Mission 26: Winning Condition: Survive the massacre of the fearsome Mobile Dolls System till the Nadesico jumps-in to disable them. When it does, you can easily shoot them down along with some fresh active enemies. Defeat Harall. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Get 160 Attack Chains - Let's rock with Tallgeese! Mission 27: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies while protecting the shuttles. Destroy the Shoetear. Beware of its annoying subcannons that act like funnels. Losing Condition: Player unit or a shuttle is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy the Groon - This is quite an annoying secret mission. It took me many tries to accomplish this. I used Tallgeese with maxed weapon reload rate down for it's main and sub weapons and maxed speed, vernier/dash ability. As for the Groon, it will appear sometime AFTER the discussion between the Ra Kairum crew and the UEC. After all the discussions, keep an eye on the radar because it will appear a second after a Virgo appeared on the horizon. Ignore the Virgo and hunt for this Goon, I mean, Groon. Mission 28: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies then defeat the Zwarth piloted by the black knight. Watch out for enemy battleship's main gun when the word "Caution" comes out. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Find the Organic Plate - Random location. Mission 29: Winning Condition: Defend the MLRS by destroying all incoming Virgos and the flying Aries. When you are flying over the sea, missiles will be launched at you from the south of the radar. Losing Condition: Player unit or all MLRS are destroyed. Secret Condition: All the MLRS must survive - You have 5 MLRS to protect. Using Heavy Arms, stand in front of the MLRS and fire at will. Alternate your kills from both sides. If you see a green dot closing in on your MLRS, an Aries is making an ambush. A single fire from the circle button (dual-missiles) will take care of that. Mission 30: Winning Condition: Mission Data should be at 60% or more by the time Relena has finished with her speech. You lose Mission Data points if you're being spotted by cameras on-board the helicopters. Destroy all enemies by keeping yourself under the sea (more like walking on the sea floor). Losing Condition: Player unit or the Parliament is destroyed or Mission Data is not 60% or more by the time Relena has finished her speech. Secret Condition: Get 100% Mission Data - Destroy the enemy without any of the helicopter spotting you. Basically, I used Heavy Arms again here because of the ever-useful missiles. Stay hidden under the sea and fix your eyes on the radar to avoid approaching helicopters. Mission 31: Winning Condition: The command car safely reaches its destination(under the mountains). To accomplish this, just destroy all enemies. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed or timer reaches zero. Secret Condition: Find the Secret Pathway - After that scene with the Sazabi appearing and escaping, land and look to the right side of the archway and you will see a rock boulder fallen on top of the roadway (leading to the side of the archway). Destroy the rock boulder and guide the car into it. The mission will end when the car reaches this pathway. Mission 32: Winning Condition: Destroy the turrets planted on the asteroids. You'll know if you're aiming at the right asteroid if the one you're locked-onto is blinking in the radar. And if ever, you're gonna blow-up random asteroids, make sure you are at a distance to avoid the explosion (because it's painful, believe me). After a minute or so, the Auge will appear, of course, for you to destroy too. And you're not thru yet for the Bloody Kaiser will challenge you as well. As usual, defeat it. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy all the Space Graias - Destroy the Space Graias until Torres reports you've destroy all of them. This takes time so be patient. Mission 33: Winning Condition: Destroy the enemies for Jerrid's Bound Dock to appear. After besting him in battle, Quess in a Yakto Doga requests to follow Jerrid to his demise. Grant her that request then escape this huge laser cannon by following the red arrow pointing towards the exit. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed by enemies or hit points totally drained. Secret Condition: Destroy the 5 MS teams and the Bound dock in 100 seconds. - Used Heavy Arms and spammed them with everything I got but I reserved my special for the Bound dock. Mission 34: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemy battleships and mechas. Then destroy the Yakto Doga to end the mission. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Make the enemy surrender - Destroy all the ship cannons and enemy mechas. Do not destroy any battleship. Patience is the key. Mission 35: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Entertain yourself by dispatching waves after waves of enemies. Then a scene occurs with the Axis colliding to another asteroid base. This time it'll be raining mecha-sized asteroids and you're unit acts like a magnet to them. Not only that, but there are also enemy mechas mixed in all this confusion. After the rain of death, Sazabi will introduce his own brand of rain - funnels. Scratch him a little to scare him away. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Protect the Leo - Zakarl with maxed vernier and use V-MAX like crazy. Make sure you conserve your V-MAX, that you're actually hitting enemies. Mission 36: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Make sure you destroyed all the ground cannons before your face-off with the Psycho Gundam. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy all the Cannons - Just make sure that you destroy everything else before the last enemy mecha or Psycho Gundam (but it's better to destroy the cannons before the fight with the Psycho Gundam). Mission 37: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Used Heavy Arms. There are 2 enemy battleships in this stage. The first nearest one is protected by an aura barrier and you can't harm it while the barrier is still up. The barrier will be neutralized after a shot from the Goraon's main gun (you can sometimes hear Captain Bright giving the order to fire in the background). When it's down, target the center of this battleship to quickly destroy it. Since it will take a while for the Goraon to fire at the enemy battleship, take care of incoming insects ambushing the Guran Galan. Repeat the steps for the second battleship but this time target its command center located at top center. Afterwards, lure the enemy boss away from the Guran Galan and make your battles somewhere safe (safe from your stray shots). Losing Condition: Player unit or the Guran Galan is destroyed. Secret Condition: The Guran Galan's AP must be more than 80%. Mission 38: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Destroy all enemies and Jonathan's Baronzu. Losing Condition: Player unit or the Nadesico C is destroyed. Secret Condition: Nadesico C must destroy 15 enemies - Use a unit that has a barrier skill (Black Serena, Brain Powerd units, etc.) or strong defense and keep avoiding the enemies. When you hear Ruri saying that she's about to fire the Gravity Blast main gun, lure the enemies into Nadesico's line of fire (and make sure you wont get hit as well). The Nadesico C will eventually leave the area even if you have not yet achieved the secret condition so be forewarned. Mission 39: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Losing Condition: Player unit or the Garuda is destroyed. Secret Condition: Do not attack the Garuda - Be quick in dispatching the enemies but be very careful not hitting the crashed airship. When the enemy boss, Zakarl appeared, lure him away from the Garuda. Use tilt-dodge or side- step repeatedly to avoid his V-Max attack (the time when he's glowing and repeatedly slams at you). Mission 40: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy the Poseidon Statue and the entire fort - Destroy the enemy ground artillery at the 4 corners of the map then destroy the head of the Poseidon Statue before cleaning up all the enemies. Destroy the Auge to finally crush the Posiedal group. Mission 41: Winning Condition: Destroy all the bombs to clear a safe passage for the shuttle. Clear first the bombs that are far away from the shuttle. For those bombs that are closer to the shuttle, approach them till they ignite their mini thrusters (when you noticed something blue around it). Now back-off and dash away from them to shoot them from a distance - away from the shuttle and away from you. Sometimes they self-destruct probably due from thruster's burn- out or collided with another bomb. After the scene, there are now enemy mechas trying to ambush the shuttle, destroy them. Losing Condition: Player unit or the shuttle is destroyed by bombs or enemies. Secret Condition: Destroy the bombs and a Virgo - When you're done cleaning up the bombs, enemy reinforcements will appear and one of them is the Virgo that usually appears far away and alone on your radar. This mission is like that Groon-hunting from mission 27 but much easier. Mission 42: Winning Condition: Destroy Quess' Yakto Doga and then Alpha Jell. Watch out for funnels! Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Destroy the Geara Doga - Hunt down the lone Geara Doga from the enemies (marked with a yellow dot on the radar) and quickly destroy it. Mission 43: Winning Condition: Destroy the shuttles and waves of enemy geara dogas. After awhile, its time for another round with Char's Sazabi. Damage this Red Comet again for him to retreat so that you can continue sinking down spaceships. When the red arrow appears, follow the direction and destroy that spaceship (a dummy). The second red arrow is your real target. Sink it to end the mission. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed or the target shuttle enters the Earth's atmosphere (out of your radar range). Secret Condition: Destroy all the Geara Dogas - Destroy all incoming Geara Dogas while alternately destroying the shuttles (for points). When a red arrow appears, that's your cue to finish the mission. Clean up all the remaining Geara Dogas (if there are still any) and while evading Sazabi's onslaught, go hunt for the target shuttles. Mission 44: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed or the timer reaches zero. Secret Condition: Defeat all the enemies before fighting the boss - Before entering the last hallway after you entered the password to the huge door, swat down all the flies first. I used Heavy Arms here and found out that Hokushin (piloting the Yatenkou) is afraid of missiles and bullets. Mission 45: Winning Condition: Destroy all enemies and crush the Sazabi. Losing Condition: Player unit is destroyed. Secret Condition: Defeat Sazabi with more than 50% AP - Heavy Arms to swat away that last pesky red fly. Congratulations! You've beaten the story mode! Enjoy the ending and don't forget to save! When you return to the A.C.E. main screen, you can now select the Free Missions mode. In this mode, you will retain all your purchased mecha units, upgrades on them, acquired ACE points and accomplished secret conditions, etc. Basically, it's a continuation of your last save file but with the exception that you can play again all the stages on story mode. Only on Free Missions you can access the two Extra Missions and some of the unlockable units. These two missions behave like a survival mode wherein you'll have to beat all the bosses of the game - two (sometimes more) at a time. For each extra mission, I have listed down the enemies in order of their appearance. Note: the first name for each wave/group I consider top priority and must be dealt with ASAP. Oh, and you're life replenishes after beating each wave/group. Extra Mission 1 - Earth: Zwarth and Garaba Tallgeese and Falgen Baronzu and Zakarl Psycho Gundam and Bound dock Yatenkou and a bunch of Mutsuras Auge, Calvary Temple and Ashura Temple Extra Mission 2 - Space: Falgen and his troops - Rebi, Gelf and Yact Auge and Ashura Temple The O and Gundam Epyon Bloody Kaiser and Graim Kaiser Alpha Jell and Sazabi Shoetear and Harall (the one with the rainbow booster) Psycho Gundam MK II =============================================================================== =============================================================================== III. Unlockable units These units, after the requirement has been accomplished, will appear in the roster of purchase-able units and they don't come for free. But with the Free Missions, money is out of the question. Yuu Brain - Finish Story Mode Quebeley - Finish Story Mode Zakarl - Finish Extra Mission 1 (Earth) Sazabi - Finish Extra Mission 2 (Space) Green Bilbine - Use 5 different mechas to clear a level Tallgeese - Use 25 different mechas to clear a level Alstromeria - 5 secrets conditions cleared Ashura Temple - 15 secrets conditions cleared Bound dock - 25 secrets conditions cleared Zwarth - 30 secrets conditions cleared Baronzu - 35 secrets conditions cleared Auge - 40 secrets conditions cleared Gilgazamne - 45 secrets conditions cleared Amonduel Stack - Get an Ace rank on 10 different levels using the same mecha. Gundam Epyon - Get an Ace rank on 30 different levels using the same mecha. =============================================================================== =============================================================================== IV. Assorted Tips / Lesson Learned, etc. - Set you controls to manual at the start of the game to access the unit's full war potential. - Always save manually. Trust me. - Learn to side-step (on the ground) or tilt-dodge (in mid-air). This is your best recourse for evading those incoming projectiles. - Close combat: Besides the usual square-square-square, each mecha has their own unique combo when using square-square-circle. - You can finish the story mission without accomplishing any of the secret missions. It is much easier and convenient to accomplish them during the free missions. - You can finish the game without wasting ace points on mecha upgrades. Spend those points on Carrier upgrades. Prioritize the upgrades in this order: repair points, repair efficiency, expand slot capacity. - You get an ACE rank when your end score for a mission reaches 8,000 and above. - As for the 30 ACE ranks, I used Tallgeese. - The most useful units for me are (in no particular order): Nu Gundam, Zeta Gundam, Wing Gundam, Gundam Heavy Arms, Tallgeese, Arstromelia, Dragonar 1, El-Gaim Mk II, Zakarl & Cloud Breaker. - Maxed out Tallgeese' main and sub weapons reload rate down. It will serve you well for the secret missions and ACE-ing missions. =============================================================================== =============================================================================== V. Credits Thanks to Jeff Veasey (CJayC) at GameFAQs.com for posting this guide. Thanks to the author of the webpage (http://ground3.moo.jp/ace/) for giving me the hints for the secret mission objectives. Thanks to Mantone too for posting a translated version of that URL on the GameFaqs message board and for giving me the idea of including the control schemes and the translations for the Carrier and Mecha upgrades. Thanks to MasterKaizer for the list of available units and the translations of each Mecha's armaments. Thanks to Hoshino_Ruri, Rue and people of the A.C.E. message board at GameFAQs.com who helped me in time of needs. You know who you are, benevolent souls. :) Thanks to Banpresto and FromSoftware for making a great game. Thanks to my girlfriend who always accompany me whenever we're out choosing/buying a game. Thanks to you and everyone else reading this guide. I hope the guide has served you well. =============================================================================== =============================================================================== - EOF -