Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War

"The Ace of Aces"

As a long time fan of the Ace Combat series, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War is hands down, the greatest Ace Combat ever. The non-stop action has brought gaming nirvana to many gamers but has always left me yearning for more. However, I don't know how you can ask for anything else from Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War . From graphics to game play, this game surpasses all flight simulators I have ever encountered.

Game play 10/10

Game play is one of the most astounding parts of this amazing game. While piloting a plane on a video game controller may seem like a disaster waiting to happen, Ace Combat has always had a knack for accomplishing this feat seamlessly. While playing, I felt like I always had complete and total control of my aircraft. This can make for some adrenaline fueled dog fights with a rival squadron of elite fighters. A new feature is the optional alternate control stick which is designed for a more realistic feel to racing an F-22 Raptor across the skies at speeds well in excess of 1,000 MPH.

One of the most appealing features to Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War is it's ability to feel like an arcade style game and a more serious flight simulator. This is something I felt that its previous entry (Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies) lacked. This is a careful balance that many other games disrupt.

Story 9/10

15 years after The Belkan War your base receives an emergency intercept signal on a squad of bombers heading towards Sand Island. 9 pilots died. The 2 surviving pilots are white with images of their comrades deaths burned in to their memories.Capt. Jack Bartlett was the lead pilot instructor at the air base. This man can take newbie nugget pilots and forge them in to a fearsome Ace pilot. That possibly vanished today. The only recruits left were 2nd Lieutenant Kei Nagase who was the 2nd survivor in the encounter and the pilots that were lucky enough to be on the ground that day.The control room is baffled as to who would order such an attack since the only thing next to Sand Island is Yuktobania, their sworn ally. Red alert! There is an enemy recon craft on its way to your base. You are Blaze. You are the number 4 in the prestigious Wardog Squadron. LAUNCH!!!

There moments in this story that you may laugh at and others that may make you cry. This story will consume you from head to toe.

Graphics 8/10

While I am a firm believer that graphics do not make or break a game, this is the notable short coming in Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War. While the cut scenes are rendered in beautiful animation, the in-game graphics have flaws.

For instance, once a plane has been destroyed, it will burst in to flames and begin to descend. After a few seconds, the plane will erupt and burst again, however this time there is no wreckage. The aircraft magically vanishes in to nothingness. Also, in one mission, you are required to follow a fleeing van that has just executed several acts of terrorism. This van is travelling at rates of around 200 MPH and stands about 2 stories tall!

However, one very minor detail I noticed that I thought was very impressive was the difference in impact results of bullets depending on the terrain. Normally, when you fire a bullet in to the ground it makes a poof and will kick up some dirt. However, when the same bullet is fired in to water, it will make splash. I don't know why but this little aspect really impressed me.

Sound 10/10

My favorite part of this game. Everything about this games sound is simply brilliant. From the song "Blurry" by rock band "Puddle of Mudd" to the amazing voice cast, this is one of the greatest pieces of sound in video games I have ever seen. On long bombing runs, the entertaining chatter between pilots can give you a sense of company. Also, there are some beautiful orchestral pieces in this game worthy of note. This music can either pump adrenaline through your veins or bring tears to your eyes.

Replay Value 10/10

This game can keep you entertained for months on end. From obtaining the prestigious "S" rank on Ace difficulty to collecting all of the 50+ aircraft, you will be popping this game in years after your purchase. Notice that I am writing this review 5 years after this games original release. What does that say about this games replay value?

Overall 10/10

This game delivers on all fronts. I believe that Ace Combat is one of the most under-appreciated game series of all time and I hope you experience the same thrills that I have with Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War. In conclusion, this game rocks!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/30/09

Game Release: Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (US, 10/25/04)