""Let us be blessed with glory as we pass through the gates of hell!""

Where to start......I have been a big fan of the Ace Combat series ever since I decided to buy the second one so long ago. It was when I first got a playstation and I played the demo, and I was immediately hooked. This will be my first review on gamefaqs, usually alot of people think that when I review games I look to closely at alot of the flaws, so I told myself that I would not write a gamefaqs review unless it is really needed. And since I slapped myself for not supporting AC4, I decided my first review will be for the next game in the series, AC5. In this review I will add my own individual scores in what I think needs to be looked at in this wonderful series.

Now on with the review:

Controls (8/10)

AC5 features controls that play similar to AC4. They are smooth and mostly responsive, but at times i find that the controls can be a hinderance especially when I turn and dive. They also changed the auto-pilot mode from the 4th one, which really helped me out when i had to fly down narrow areas such as canyons and tunnels. All in all, the controls work, and thats what counts.

Gameplay (10/10)

AC5 sports 50+ planes, 30+ missions, extra missions, arcade mode, free special mode, and a butt load of features. Many more features than what AC4 had, so that's a good thing! Just plain flying around a stage can be extremely fun and exciting. The missions are well made, as each mission have parts that play along with the storyline and situations change in accordance to how you play. For example: In one particular mission if you do not destroy a certain object quick enough it will shoot ballistic missiles in the air, which require you to raise 5000 ft in the air to dodge. Nothings more intense being below 1000 ft of altitude and having to raise to 5000 ft in now less than 10 seconds to dodge the attack. AC5 also features the wingman command in which you use the D-pad to give command to your squadron. Although i thought I would write more about the gameplay but i saved the details about the missions as a subject all into itself.

Missions (10/10)

Intensity is not a strong enough word to describe the missions in AC5. For example, a certain squadron, which I will not name here is after you in a canyon, in which you must fly through the canyon and fight them, yes I said fight them, while not rising above the canyon walls. Difficult? Yes. Intense? Hell yea. Many times I ran out of ammo on alot of these missions hoping for the mission to be accomplished, I know I did everything right, I destroyed all the targets in the air and ground, and while I fly aimlessly waiting for the "mission accomplished" signal to appear on my screen, I get slapped with a "Mission update!" on my screen asking me to do another mission objective that would probably leave me for dead, but miraculously I survived. One of the greatest aspects that the Ace Combat series brings is that Namco always makes the last mission special, or a mission where you have to do such an incredible task. AC5 does not disappoint. While I will not say what you have to do, (You will just have to get there yourself :p)it will always be engraved in my memory as one of the greatest missions ever developed in a video game. The missions are definitely one of the best aspects of the Ace Combat series.

Graphics (9/10)

The graphics have improved from the 4th installment and although some visuals seem grainy and bland (The ground, buildings and targets) they still shine to exceed to the PS2 capabilities. Overall, the graphics do what they do best - Eliminate frame lag and bring atmosphere.

Story (9/10)

One of the greatest aspects of the Ace Combat series that levitates itself above the rest is the story. You play as Blaze, a mute hero who must battle through a deceived war that has no sense. Your wingmen openly object to the war and knowingly you must go and give them the courage to fight on. Comrades will be lost, and alliances will be broken. In the end, you realize that not only is your crew the only ones who believe what is right and wrong, but that they stick with you til the end. The story is very touching because it delves into the horrors of war and builds a decent amount of character development between your crew. I always found this surprising because this is one of the few games (I am a big RPG fan) outside of RPGs in which the story is decent and has alot of depth to it. It is really hard to explain, you will just have to play the game yourself.

Radio Talk (10/10)

The best aspect of the AC series is the radio chatter that goes on during the heat of battle. Some of it funny, some of it just plain chaotic. The title to my review is an example of the radio talk that the enemy will say to you. Alot of times it is very personal, as the ground forces on certain missions will applaud your work, and say things such as - "They are here! We are sure to win now." Most of the conversations are between enemies in which the enemies state that they fear you because you have gain such a reputation during the story as being the most feared ace pilots in the war. All and all, it adds so much atmosphere to the game and really makes you feel like your are into the game. Most notably is the conversations between your wingmen. As each crew member as a different view on the war and a different view on the missions that are being carried out. The radio conversations definitely add to the story and depth of the game.

Overall (9/10)

This is a game that is indeed worth buying. I have never thought I could enjoy this series so much, the only change I am hoping for is the ability to play online sometime in the future. (Can you imagine dueling 8 planes against 8 planes??) I just hope that you at least give this series a chance. I did, and it turned out to be a must buy when the next sequel comes out.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 06/08/05