Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Image
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 57 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 154 Ratings

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  • Summary: (Also known as "Ace Combat 5: Squadron Leader") With more than 50 different licensed planes and an intense storyline extending over 30 missions, players will be put to the ultimate test, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground fighting, air-to-sea assaults, rescue, recon and much more.(Also known as "Ace Combat 5: Squadron Leader") With more than 50 different licensed planes and an intense storyline extending over 30 missions, players will be put to the ultimate test, including air-to-air combat, air-to-ground fighting, air-to-sea assaults, rescue, recon and much more. Incorporating ultra-realistic beautifully rendered in-game graphics and cinematics along with unparalleled game play; ACE COMBAT 5 goes a step beyond the traditional air combat gaming experience. One of the exciting new features to the sequel includes Wingman Command, where players can issue directives to their wingmen mid-mission to carry out coordinated group attacks. Additionally, the in-game radio communications with the squadron and enemies adds to the realism and intensity of the dynamic battle sequences. In the game's premise, it is September 23, 2010 on distant Sand Island, a small island in the Ceres Ocean that divides the two superpowers, Osea and Yuktobania. An entire military base is on red alert--the 108th Tactical Fighter Squadron intercepted an unidentified aircraft and the entire squadron was decimated. You are a fighter pilot, part of the new squadron that's been called into action to protect your nation of Osea. Now, the story begins to unfold. [Namco] Expand
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Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Gameplay Movie 1
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 50 out of 57
  2. Negative: 0 out of 57
  1. Heavy on action and heavier on story, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War is without a doubt the finest flight combat game on the PS2.
  2. Play Magazine
    91
    What's important here is the execution and level of player involvement, not that we haven't done all this before, because we have. And believe me, I was involved. [Dec 2004, p.78]
  3. AceGamez
    90
    The intensity the radio chatter brings, matched with amazing music, exciting missions and fantastic storytelling makes one game that every gamer looking for a great action game should not miss, despite the short nature of the main story.
  4. netjak
    85
    It's EXCELLENT fun with the flight stick, but it's also $130 plus tax for that bundle...it had better be that good. (Add a +1 onto the gameplay, replay, and overall score for the scores with the Flight Stick.)
  5. GMR Magazine
    80
    Boasts ideal handling and control, near photo-realistic graphics, and digital surround sound. Where the game staggers is in its defiantly single-player focus. [Jan 2005, p.86]
  6. 80
    AC5 ups the ante once again for console dogfight games, combining the tight, exciting gameplay and gorgeous visuals and atmosphere of AC04 with added challenge and a superb story tied together by some brilliant cinematic cutscenes.
  7. It’s a shame, too, that the levels aren’t more exciting and spontaneous. Such predictability stops this game from being any more than an enjoyable flight simulator.

See all 57 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 37
  2. Negative: 1 out of 37
  1. StevenK.
    Nov 1, 2004
    10
    The graphics are awesome it has a great storyline and there are many planes to choose from. goerge W. all the wa.y
  2. Feb 13, 2012
    10
    This game is incredible. Although the actual game-play graphics are rather poor, the CGI animations during cut scenes is so high-quality thatThis game is incredible. Although the actual game-play graphics are rather poor, the CGI animations during cut scenes is so high-quality that there are even a couple of small moments when I mistake them for real actors. The plot is incredible, and is not just another cheap war game where you work your way into the enemy and hit their capital and wipe them out. The whole complication with the Gray Men of Belka made it really interesting, especially with the 8492nd Squadron and Captain Hamilton. Like the previous game in the series, Shattered Skies (A.K.A. Distant Thunder in Europe), it does not take the war lightly. For example, in the mission where you escort the Kestrel and other ships out of Port Hewlett, there is a brief cut scene in the middle, which is appropriate seeing as this is the first mission that you fight planes that aren't unmanned aerial drones, in which the news reporter narrates seeing living people drowning in the ocean after shooting down the Yuktobanian planes, and becomes emotional and begins saying "Just stop this! I can't take it anymore!" This game amazes me even further with the new addition of commands to your wingmen. The action your wingmen take can really change the course of the battle, because they do not go off and clear out enemies if you have them following you in cover-mode the whole battle. Expand
  3. WhiteWarrior
    Jan 14, 2005
    10
    It's not very often that I give a game a perfect 10, but this game most definitely deserves it. The graphics are absolutely phenomenal, It's not very often that I give a game a perfect 10, but this game most definitely deserves it. The graphics are absolutely phenomenal, the game play and controller response is superb, the storyline is intriguing and keeps you immersed in the game, and it surprises me that no one else in this review has mentioned the intensely realistic sound effects. From the jet wash, (I play with a 5.1 digital surround sound system and with the sub woofer turned up it sounds like the U.S.A.F. is doing flyby's over my house) to the explosions from long distances. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase the flight stick that was included with this game as a limited edition and this game is as close to flying the real thing as it gets. A no-brainer for anyone interested in flying the unfriendly skies. Expand
  4. Jul 29, 2021
    10
    This is a game I hold fondly in my heart. I absolutely love everything that Ace Combat 5 has to offer. On paper it doesn’t seem like much butThis is a game I hold fondly in my heart. I absolutely love everything that Ace Combat 5 has to offer. On paper it doesn’t seem like much but when you play through the game for the first time you will feel as if you’ve experienced the greatest game ever. The story is so amazingly well written and paced perfectly. The combat is classic ace combat that you’d expect. Each level is unique and nothing ever feels repetitive due to the great choice of objectives. The characters are all so engaging and convincing. They all felt like genuinely real people, not just npc’s. For how little you actually see these characters in person I found it incredible how much you grow fond of them just by hearing their voices and not actually seeing them all that much. I give a huge congratulations to the voice actors who did such a great job. The plane selection is massive and that there are about 50 unique aircrafts to choose from ranging from small interceptors, to medium sized fighters, to heavy attack planes. You also have 3 wingman under your control and the game allows you to not only chose a plane for yourself but for your wingman too. Combine that with the fact than you can give your wingman in game orders and commands, it really makes for some engaging gameplay you don’t see in too many other games. I believe there are about 30 playable missions all of exceptionally well designed playing areas and great in game objectives. The replay ability is quite strong too. You’ve also got arcade mode and that’s always a blast as well, but you’ll spend most of your time in the story. The last thing I want to talk about is the soundtrack, because believe me it’s absolutely incredible. It’s probably the best soundtrack in any game I’ve ever played... and I’ve played many many games in my time. Every track suits the mission so well. It just really brings the game to life. Speaking of which at the time I’m writing this one of the soundtracks was actually featured in the opening ceremony of the Tokyo Summer Olympics. Don’t believe me look it up. Anyways, in a nutshell this game is a holy gem that no other ace combat game comes close to being, sorry Ace Combat 4. I highly recommend just about anyone to play this game, because even if you aren’t really into flying games all that much I can promise you you’ll love it. There are two types of people in the world... people who love Ace Combat 5 or people who have never played Ace Combat 5. You either love it or have never played it... and I love it. Expand
  5. Jan 25, 2019
    10
    The best Ace Combat title there is and my personal favorite game ever. Amazing story, tons of planes to choose from, great mission variety,The best Ace Combat title there is and my personal favorite game ever. Amazing story, tons of planes to choose from, great mission variety, spectacular music. The graphics are a little dated, and even the update on the PS4 can only make the models sharper and clear out some busted particle effects from the PS2 version, but it's still an incredible game that stands the test of time even to this day. Expand
  6. Jun 11, 2022
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Uno de los mejores ace combat de PS hasta la fecha. La historia genera una atmósfera que provoca que quieras continuarla en especial cuando empiezas con los demons of razgriz Expand
  7. Oct 3, 2015
    4
    No me llego ha gustarme cuando lo tuve hace tiempo . Hay gente que seguro que le gusto o le gustara , pero para mi no dio la talla . MeNo me llego ha gustarme cuando lo tuve hace tiempo . Hay gente que seguro que le gusto o le gustara , pero para mi no dio la talla . Me decepciono , por suerte lo tenia pirata y no me gaste nada por el Expand

See all 37 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

25
27
#27 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2004
18
#18 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2004