It's not the best all around fighter. It sucks in a dive, guns are terrible .....la7 or spit16 will top the best overall plane.
See I dont think it "sucks" in a dive. Certainly its not on par with Yank or German iron, or Brit for that matter. Its doesnt dive or roll "as" good. But it doesnt "suck". Theres a difference. Had the IJA the resources America had, the pilot training recycling, the KI-84 sooner and better. Had all of this been on par with the Allies??? I think the KI-84 was a war winning airframe. Certainly competitive at least with anything it faced.
Coulda, shoulda, woulda??? I know. In '44 and even into '45 they were still delivering KI-43s and Zeros to front line units. They had no business starting that air war and pursuing it the way they did. But the KI-84 was a damn fine fighter and its "attributes" are reflected well in Aces High. Were lucky it didnt come earlier in the war when they still had their base of experienced pilots.
In the game the plane gives a feeling of confidence. What more can you ask for? Its a well designed aircraft.