Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War delivers a finely tuned blend of arcade-style thrills and flight-simulator depth. From the moment you climb into the cockpit, you’re handed full control over your aircraft’s altitude, speed, direction, cannon fire, missiles and special weapons. Each of the 32 main campaign missions unfolds with a clear briefing and set of objectives, challenging you to master dogfighting, ground-attack runs and strategic escort duties. The controls strike a careful balance: approachable for newcomers, yet precise enough to reward veteran pilots who learn advanced maneuvers and energy management.

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One of the standout innovations in Ace Combat 5 is the introduction of Wingmen and squad commands. As the leader of the elite 108th Tactical Fighter Squadron—code-named “Wardog”—you can issue simple orders such as “attack,” “cover,” or “regroup.” This system not only gives missions a more dynamic, squad-based feel, but also breathes life into your AI wingmen: each pilot shows distinct traits, from hot-shot aggressors to cautious defenders. Coordinating with them feels satisfying, especially during large-scale battles where timing and positioning are critical.

Progression in the game is driven by mission performance. Successful completion of objectives and extra “Ace Kills” rewards you with in-game currency, which you can spend between sorties to purchase new fighter jets. Unlike earlier entries, special weapons come pre-equipped, but you must still stock your squadron—if you want a flight of four F-16s, you’ll need four F-16 slots in your hangar. This inventory management adds a strategic layer, encouraging you to tailor your fleet to upcoming threats and experiment with different aircraft loadouts.

For players seeking more immediate action, the unlocked “Arcade Mode” lets you step into the boots of Mobius One from Ace Combat 04 and face endless waves of enemy attackers. This mode strips away the story to focus on pure aerial combat, offering high-score chases and survival challenges. Together with unlockable hidden missions, bonus aircraft and online leaderboards, the gameplay loop remains addictive long after the main narrative concludes.

Graphics

On the PlayStation 2 hardware, Ace Combat 5 pushes visual boundaries with detailed aircraft models and lush, varied terrain. You’ll fly over deserts, oceans, snow-capped mountains and urban sprawls, each environment crafted with impressive attention to scale and atmospheric effects. Draw distance is generous for its era, allowing you to spot enemy formations on the horizon and plan intercepts well in advance.

Aircraft are rendered with crisp lines and authentic liveries—from the sleek F-14 Tomcat to the brutish Su-27 Flanker and A-10 Thunderbolt II. Cockpit views are functional and immersive, complete with working gauges and minimal HUD clutter. External camera angles further showcase your plane’s design and damage effects, bolstering the sense of immersion when tracer rounds streak past or explosions ripple through the sky.

Special effects like missile smoke trails, flak bursts and ground demolitions stand out in the heat of battle. Explosions leave scorch marks on runways, and weather conditions—light rain, clear skies or thick cloud cover—affect both visibility and mood. While textures may appear dated compared to modern titles, the art direction remains strong, and the overall presentation holds up creditably over two decades later.

The game’s user interface strikes a solid balance between functionality and style. Mission briefings use clean layouts, while in-flight HUD elements clearly display radar locks, waypoints and wingman statuses. Cutscenes blend in-engine footage with pre-rendered cinematics, ensuring that the transition between gameplay and narrative feels seamless and cinematic.

Story

Ace Combat 5’s narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a fictional post-war world. Fifteen years prior, the aggressive Belkan Federation launched a sweeping conquest across neighboring territories. To stem their advance, the Osean Federation and the Union of Yuktobanian Republics formed a military alliance and drove the Belkans back—until the Belkans detonated six nuclear warheads on their own soil, effectively halting the alliance’s counter-invasion and plunging the region into uneasy peace.

In the present day, you assume the role of Captain Bartlett—callsign “Heartbreaker”—a seasoned ace tasked with training fresh pilots on remote Sand Island off Osea’s western coast. When unidentified hostiles ambush the rookie squadron mid-exercise, the massacre is quietly covered up while military brass scramble for answers. Tension escalates rapidly as Yuktobania suddenly declares war on Osea, igniting the “Unsung War.” As Wardog’s leader, you’re thrust into a web of political intrigue, mistrust and devastating aerial engagements.

Story progression relies on a mix of pre-mission briefings and in-flight decision points. During key missions, you’ll face binary “Yes/No” prompts that can alter dialogue and wingman relationships—adding weight to your choices while you barrel through enemy formations at 600 knots. Cutscenes between sorties deliver dramatic twists, betrayals and revelations about the true motivations behind the conflict, backed by solid voice acting and a stirring orchestral score.

What sets Ace Combat 5’s narrative apart is its blending of personal heroism and larger geopolitical stakes. You’re not just racking up kills; you’re defending civilians, exposing conspiracies and forging bonds with your fellow pilots. The emotional highs and lows—moments of triumph, sacrifice and the horror of nuclear warfare—give the campaign real dramatic heft that elevates it above a simple shoot-’em-up.

Overall Experience

Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War stands as one of the genre’s most accomplished titles, offering an engaging blend of accessible flight mechanics and deep strategic options. The core campaign is robust, with 32 missions that vary in scope from tight interception runs to sprawling all-out air battles. Wingmen commands and mid-flight choices inject personality into the experience, making each sortie feel uniquely yours.

The game’s longevity is bolstered by its Arcade Mode, online leaderboards and hidden content—unlockable aircraft, bonus missions and secret endings reward thorough playthroughs. Even after completing the story, chasing high scores, mastering “Ace” kills and assembling a dream squadron provide plenty of reasons to return to the skies.

Presentation-wise, the PS2-era graphics and audio still impress: sweeping vistas, realistic aircraft models and a soaring soundtrack combine to create an enduring sense of cinematic scale. While newer flight sims may boast more complex systems, Ace Combat 5’s streamlined approach remains highly engaging, emphasizing the thrill of aerial combat and the emotional resonance of its story.

For newcomers, veterans and flight fans alike, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War is a must-play. Its combination of tight controls, memorable narrative, varied mission design and lasting replay value make it a standout entry in the Ace Combat series—and one of the most satisfying air-combat games ever released. Whether you’re dogfighting at breakneck speeds or commanding your wingmen through a hail of flak, Wardog Squadron’s legacy soars high above the competition.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10