Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (Sony PlayStation 2, 2004)

n 2001, Namco's Ace Combat series of flight combat games hit a high point with Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies, which was the series' first installment on the PlayStation 2. Featuring incredible visuals, responsive action that captured the thrill of high-flying (and low-flying) aerial dogfighting, and a surprisingly complex and well-told narrative, Ace Combat 04 was a real winner. Now Ace Combat is back in another game bristling with beautifully modeled real-world jet fighters and cinematic cutscenes. Ace Combat 5 isn't the huge step for the series that Ace Combat 04 was, but it's still a great flight combat game, featuring grueling arcade-style action and plenty of surprises both in its mission design and its story

The Ace Combat Series is by far the most realistic Combat Flight Simulators. The Joystick movements effect the Jet like it would in real life, if you want to turn right, you don't just push the joystick right, just like in real life pressing right makes the aircraft roll. To make a right turn, first you press right, rotating the plane 90 degrees. Then, you pull back on the Joystick, the same way you would if you wanted to gain altitude, however, since your on your side it's a right turn. All the movements of the plane and enemy planes are true to real life. Which, actually makes some people stop playing because they think it's too hard, but once you master it, you wouldn't want it any other way, however, for this 5th installment they have a sissy mode where you can operate the plane without having to answer the laws of physics. This 5th installment is Great, I love it. However, the previous Ace Combat 04:Shattered Skies had slightly more entertaining missions. For the first time, in the fifth installment you can actually tell the other Jets that's on your side what to do, whether it's protect your backside or attack flying targets or ground targets. Normally, I don't play shooters, however, the plot is so good, and the virtual world looks so good you feel like there really is an aircraft out there doing exactly what your making it do via unmanned jet. You cannot go wrong with this game. Ace Combat 04 is Definitely in my top 5 games of all time, and Ace Combat 5 might not be quite as good as the 4th installment, but it's pretty darn Close, Also, it grabs you from the first minute of play, and the freedom to explore and ignore the mission is fun as well. Each level you pass the more money you get and the better Jets you can Fly, and yes, all of the jets are actually real and licensed by their respective makers and their performance is largely based on real life performance. It's important to have the right Jets, some missions are mainly ground targets with a few bogeys, or little to no land targets and alot of bogeys. Between the realism, the plot, you get sucked in and each mission begins to have real meaning to you, you really get sucked in. If your gonna buy this game, you should probably get a copy of Ace Combat 04 at the same time you buy Ace Combat 5, 04 is a classic and you can get it for 15-20dollars. I haven't finished the latest installment Ace Combat Zero yet, but I would reccommend it as well. The Bottom line is you cannot go wrong with ACE Combat 5:The Unsung War for the PS2, even if you don't like shooters, You actually feel like your in a real war, using the best the US military has to offer with the deadliest weapons and missiles. ENJOY!!!
John

The game is a great game, if your into playing arcade style fighter pilot games. The story line is well thought out and puts you in charge of a flight squadron after your flight leader is shot down in the beginning. Over time you gain more powerful aircraft. I played it a few years ago and instantly loved it. I like it because I am not able to live out my dream of being a real life fighter pilot. The only things that I wish they would have done better to the game are 1. have real life stall altitudes. You stall out at around 30,000 feet. the next part I wish they would have made better is the cockpit view. It only shows the vary front of the cockpit. The part with the HUD. That's really my only complaints about the game.

Ace Combat 5 takes things to the next level by refining its story line and adding new aircraft to your arsenal. This time the story uses amazing animation to bring the story alive and makes for a deeper connection with the game. Pilot your favorite jet fighter in this acton packed arcade style flight combat simulator. Continuing on with the tree vew modes (full jet, cockpit, and HUD only) the game allows you to adjust for maximum enjoyment. New to the title is the wingman control panel. You can give orders to adjust the type of support your squadron will give you. The game also offers an arcade and VS mode. Visually this game is outstanding. However the map texture looks fuzzy when close to the ground. This game is fairly challenging and alot of fun to play multiple times over. I highly recomend this game to anyone with a PS2! Overall i give this game a 9.5 OUT OF 10

Ace combat 5 for the ps2 is and inpovment over AC04 simply because its has a lot more aircraft to choose from which makes it fun gives it more replay value. and the mission are more longer. you still have the same basic setup when it comes to flying the aircraft and when you go on mission you choose your team mates aircarft and give them inflight commands. agian something new not found in AC04.Ok now the graphics i think Namco did a good job on AC05.The aircraft do look realistic for a 9 year system again this goes to show you that the ps2 is still going strong after nine years. Ac05 usung war the planes do have more detail in them wich is important if your a fan of these beautiful flying machines like i am F-14' F-18 Hornet and so on. I will say this and you probably all ready know if you what to go to the next level in the ace combat series and i am not talking about the AceCombat Zero you gone to have to get a next gen console like the Xbox360... for the latest game but all and all a good game for replay value...four****star....my next review will be the ACombat balken war.....thanks