Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War

The Good
The first time I saw Ace Combat 5 on the shelf I was a bit intrigued and yet cautious. Even though it's predecessor (Ace Combat 04) was a decent game, it still left me wanting more from it and looking at this game it seems as though as it was going to do the same. After constantly encountering it on the shelves, watching the price drop each and every time I finally bit the bullet and bought it when the price was just right enough ($9.99). My first impression of the game was very optimistic, the sounds were very much improved from 04, this time I can actually hear the missile impact on enemy planes and the sounds of the jet's passing by actually give you the feeling of a real battle.

One thing I did like was the CGI cinemas to tell the story as opposed to 04's storyboard-style presentation and while the story is a little hokey at times, it still does the job. The graphics are also improved with a more realistic approach then the "soft" feeling that 04's graphics seem to have, especially the explosions. While the previous explosions seemed like a cell-shaded tack-on job that seems to be used in old arcade games, AC 5's explosions actually seem like real ones and with the sound effects, you get the feeling that you actually brought down a jet as opposed to a pure arcade feeling as before.

The music is OK, nothing terrible and yet nothing exceptional, but since you will be caught up with the crazy action going on in some of the stages you tune it out, so it's no big deal. There is a lot to like about this updated version, but sadly there are some weak points to it.

The Bad
Well, a few things bothered me, one of which is the pointless and stupid conversations you have during missions. Why this was added to this I'll never understand, it does nothing to the storyline. Originally when I first encountered it I picked the positive option each time, fearing that somehow it would screw up the mission or eventually hurt me later in the game, but it turns out you can keep giving the negative option each and every time and the story remains the same. It seems pointless that it was added to the game since it contributes nothing and distracts you during some of the most intense sequences. This also leads me to the voice acting.

While the voice acting isn't terrible, it isn't the best either. It's just enough to tell the story, but I swear did they secretly hire Bill Paxton? One of the wing mates in the game bears and uncanny resemblance to Paxton's performances in sci-fi movies like Aliens and Predator 2, complete with annoying cocky attitude where you just want to turn your plane around and blow his ass out of the sky. I swear, Paxton could sue for copyright infringement, that is who well this guy sounds like, but the bad part is, it really hurts the experience since he is so damn annoying, I have been tempted to turn on the mute just to avoid it.

The final thing that bothers me is that it just feels like the same game over. The formula is still there: fight off a seemingly invincible army, become an ace pilot, fight off hordes of enemy fighters, take on a super weapon, save the world, game over. It does tend to get boring at times when you constantly have to fight off a massive amount of enemies, but there is some variety, though some missions are annoying as hell especially the attack on the ally capital city. There is an attack on the capital city where the enemy is using bio weapons and use must take unguided bombs and drop them on gas clouds scattered throughout the city to counterattack the virus. It seems simple enough, but flying low into a mass of towering buildings you tend to get mashed against the sides of them and you will keep trying over and over and over until you finally pull your hair out.

The Bottom Line
In the end, Ace Combat 5 is a decent game over it's predecessor with better graphics, CGI storytelling and gut wrenching sounds and sense of speed. However, the same formula from 04 and that damn annoying Bill Paxton wannabe does hurt it a bit, but nothing that hurts the overall feel of the game. If you liked the first one, you'll probably like this one too, but just to be safe rent this first. It's not the best in the series, but it still isn't the worst, still worth a try though, give it a shot.