Those creative folks at Namco have created another great installment of this classic air combat game. The landscape graphics are more diverse and maintain AC4's realism. The storyboard graphics and animation are captivating as always, but have been weaved a bit too often into the game playing modes.

I was happy to actually see destroyed ship targets sink upon destruction and a diversified aircraft inventory. The replay sequences are longer, but lack the distant camera angle view we saw in "Shattered Skies". This however, does not detract from the enjoyment of the game.

I would have liked to have seen a competition mode with the possibility of using PS2's network adapter, just a thought.

Overall this game is a testament to the continued persuit of excellence by NAMCO, who will hopefully not wait so long before they dazzle us again with another Ace Combat game.

P.S. Namco folks, I hope history's past is not off limits for future games like this.

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I have always enjoyed this type of game and I think Namco has outdone themselves once again.

The graphics - Outstanding!!!

The controls - Simple, yet effective.

The storyline - Excellent.

The selection of aircraft/weapons - This has been degraded from Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies... Now each aircraft can only carry one special weapons, I find in particular that the SFFS bomb (Self-forging fragmentation bomb) is ineffective against most targets. Some aircraft don't carry enough weapons to get the job done and some lack maneuverability. Also, planes like the A-10 and F-117 can go faster than they should. For example, according to Jane's Military Jets the A-10 is only capable of no more than 500 knots... I've taken it above mach 1 on some occasions. Also, the F-117 Nighthawk is pretty much useless. It has a very limited payload, lacks maneuverability and the mission timers don't allow for a slow and low approach. Also I've seen the A.I using it as a fighter in several missions, I understand that the actual F-117 carries neither missiles nor machine guns, it's a sneaky bomber through and through.

The only negative thing about this game is that each and every mission has a timer, once that timer runs out (if you haven't met the score requirements) the game ends. Often I'll go through a mission and check my stats, then I end up feeling like I could have done better if I'd had more time.

The things I would do to improve this game are to extend or remove the timers for one, bring back the return-to-base line on the edge of the map but allow the player to actually fly to base and land/refuel/takeoff. I'd do the same for the refueling checkpoints (where you have to dock with a tanker) remove the timers, make the maneuvering process a little more realistic. The missions that let you land afterward are less than desirable too, you have to go in at 200+ knots and pretty much slam on the deck and come to a screeching halt in order to get a perfect score.

All things considered, I would say that this is an Excellent game and would easily recommend it (as well as the others in the Ace Combat/Air Combat series). I've played a lot of games from this genre, and from many different companies. I find that Namco's products blow the others clean out of the water every time!

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This is one of the best games in the genre (not a real simulation, but a FUN light-arcade-sim)

The story is very engaging, the music is INCREDIBLE and the graphics STILL look good after 5 years.

I recommend it to all fans of the genre out there.

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I'm a big fan of Ace combat games. I played AC4 since its release in 2001 and fell in love with it. Then in 2005, I purchased AC5 on its first day of release. There are some differences between these two games released on PS2. AC4 has the most realistic graphics of all time but AC5 feels a little bit cartoonish. However, I had more fun playing the 5th game than I did in AC4. I was deeply attracted by its storyline. I learned the war between Osea and Yuktobania wasn't started by the Yuke Prime Minister Nikanor, there were evils behind all this. I became emotional when wathcing Kestrel sunk and the two leaders of both countries shaking hands and say "the war is now over". Now I'm interested in knowing what happened to Belka 15 years prior AC5 was kinda sad. They used 7 nuclear bombs on their own land and destroyed 7 of their cities from what I've read. It's time to play ACzero.

The music are awesome, they fit every single situation in cutscenes and missions. Looks like Keiki Kobayashi and his sound team really took time making these music. On one mission when Chopper crashed into the stadium, the music became sad, and I felt the strong emotion after "losing" him. I thought Razgriz doesn't deserve a captain like me. Well, everything was scripted and Chopper has to die anyway.

AC5 seems to be the only game that is worth to be honored. I love it, and Namco too. Well done.

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First off, I'm a new/casual gamer. I don't play that much. But I always wanted to fly jets, so I decided to buy a PS/2 and pickup an aircraft simulator. This one had excellent reviews, so I decided to give it a try. It's certainly worth it!!! The heads-up-display is extremely accurate. If you've ever seen Top Gun with Tom Cruise then expect the same with this game! Because of this, there was definitely a learning curve, but the game has a 14 step tutorial that introduces you to flight terminology and acrobatics, and won't let you take the next step until you have successfully completed the current one. The only thing that really trip me up is the fictional wars and names. The game is SO real and life-like until you actually believe you're fighting one of our past wars like Desert Storm or Vietnam, so when you get your briefing and you hear these "other" names it kind of throws you off. But thats it! This is one true to life gaming experience!

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The gameplay is great, though you should have a large TV (20" min.) to truly enjoy the game. The missions can be a bit long. I am just disappointed that there isn't a two player mode.

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I like this game. It's an awesome game, with great graphics and fun gameplay.

The campaign is really nice. The one main thing I like about this is the animated movie scenes and the wingmen who actually have a conversation and crack a joke here and there.

A must buy for any flight simulator lover. I heard it's even better that Ace Combat Zero.

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I've played AC4 and AC5, and I can tell you AC5 is more of the same, which is good for me. AC5 has more missions and a better story, and you'll find yourself actually developing a relationship with your squad of fighter-pilot jocks. I could probably tell you some characters' first name, last name, rank, and flight moniker. Around mission #4 of AC5, you become the squad leader and can decide if you want your squad to attack targets around you, cover you, or disperse and when you want the squad to use their special weapons, individualizing their routines. Once I realized and understood the differences of these, I used them to my advantage. Obviously, the rest of my squad never would kill as many targets as I would, but this is assumed, since I'm the one playing the game. If you like flying, just sit back and enjoy the view, with a lot of action to keep your adrenaline going.

I am only disappointed AC5 has no two-player mode. AC4 had a two-player mode. But, this is okay, since this appears to be more story-oriented, and I still own AC4.

I finished both AC5 and AC4, and they are very good. Most of the time, you just need to know the appropriate way to do the mission. If you know what to do, you make each mission simple. Actually, this can be taught, and reading a strategy guide in a reputable magazine or internet service could warn you of the proper procedure. Sometimes, I watch the mission briefings, but I just need to be told what I'm doing wrong. For instance, on the mission where you have to take the aerial photographs, I would take the shots too close, but the guy on the radio would always tell me I was too far away, which makes no sense. The game only allowed me to take the photos a certain way to let it function properly.

Over all, I felt AC5 was a better game. If you liked AC4 as I did, you will be happy again, with more missions this time. I would play AC4 on its "Ace" mode, and now I'm in the middle of AC5's "Ace" mode, which becomes available after beating it once. I'm glad the makers brought over the aircraft carrier landings: this is a cool addition.

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At first I got worried, becouse the training part is really easy so I wasn't expecting much of the game, but as I started doing the missions it really got me interested and now I can't wait to get home and play it. Great graphics, you really feel like you're in the jet seat.

Excelent game.

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Many of my impressions have already been expressed in the other reviews here. I will make a few brief observations. Compared to Ace Combat 4, I find the clarity of the visuals, with the plane itself, to be less sharp. I don't know why, I bought this expecting them to be even sharper than AC4. The background story line I thought was not as interesting as AC4, either. I can take or leave the CGI moving characters of the story. The radar screen is difficult to read, especially compared to AC4. The dull green arrowhead for your plane is too easy to confuse with the wingmen and sometimes with the enemy if you only have time for a quick glance. At times, trying to adjust the scale on the radar screen doesn't add any clarity at all. So, I think the radar screen presentation in some missions really needed some further work. A silly point to bring up, given that it's really kind of "silly" to care this much about a video game, but even in the realm of sci fi and fantasy in the game itself, I don't logically follow how some missile bursts will blow up all friendly aircraft below 5000 feet (for example) but not harm, at all, any enemy aircraft or ships. Basically, though, I very much enjoyed this game and certainly recommend it to anyone, though I thought AC4 in some ways was superior.

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I'm updating my review because I have now gotten all the planes--every last one--and must declare it well worth the effort. When I had only 'the best' planes, the missions were not nearly as interesting and oftentimes very difficult to do a sortie at Expert or Ace level because the plane I was using was too fast, didn't perform well at low altitudes, or featured weapons that were only really good for dog fighting. I could be flying the Falken through a mission and my wingmen would get the most kills because I would overshoot my target before I had a chance to lock on and fire and therefore have to go at it again, and the enemy aircraft would shoot me down as I literally jetted past them. The Falken is a great example because, unless your targets are all out in the open, you likely wont be as successful as if you flew something less 'super.'

Which plane you chooose is as important if not more than how you fly it or what kinds of weapons it features. For comparison, if you wanted to play a really great game of golf, you would need a full set of clubs--not just a driver and a putter. Likewise with planes--and I imagine this absolutely must be so in the real world of jet fighters--there is no one super plane that is the absolute best for all situations.

The best thing about this game--even more so than with Ace Combat 4--is how it demands you use strategy in addition to making appropriate choices in which planes your team flies.

Unlike Ace Combat 4, you can't just pick the right plane for yourself and finish the level or all levels practically solo. You need not only the right plane for yourself, but the right plane for your wingman and sometimes a complex combination of plane capabilities for the three other pilots at your command in addition to yourself. And then you have to give them appropriate commands--or you'll fail. Sometimes you even have give the most important strategic role to yourself while giving the more exciting dogfighting role to one of your other pilots.

You can't just have your team cover you and blast away at everything--you'd likely run out of missles and/or time--and even when the software suggests other choices of commands or planes, you have to take command and make the real decisions.

So what I wrote about Ace Combat 4 is far more true of Ace Combat 5. This isn't a game for dummies, and the amount of choice making you have to do in addition to outflying your opponents is what makes this an intelligent game.

They even included a bit of flight school in this one--nice.

My only complaint is about the Arcade Mode. You have to do it all the way from beginning to end. You can't save and finish it off later--which is no good for those of use who don't have hours at a shot to sit there and play video games. I'd rather be able to do a few bits in arcade mode, save it and do more later.

Campaign Mode is just perfect though. Sometimes you're stuck having to do more without saving after a really long and hard level, but it's not over the top difficult or lengthy. Even this adds to the challenge though, as you have to choose planes that you can succeed with in a variety of situations.

Great game; much improved over its previous version without losing anything in the process.

I do wish the playback at the end of each mission showed the weapon strikes at Ace Combat 4 did.

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Other games simpy cannot compete with such a great game. This is a perfect game -- everything feels polished and well presented. The story, while having some dorky voice actors, is rich and compelling at it's much more involving than, say, Ace Combat 4, which relied on indirect cutscenes every few missions.

This is basically what Ace Combat 4 should have been; it's long, it's fun, it's got a ton of replay value, and it's definitely one of the few reasons that I'm glad I have a PS2.

In short, although it's basically an upgraded Ace Combat 4, for fans of the series or newcomers, it's one of the greatest games on the PS2 in my opinion, if not one of the best arcadey flight games ever created.

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I know its a little late but here goes. I bought the game on its release date because I have Ace Combat 4 and I was waiting for the new Ace Combat game. I was so happy when I played it. The graphics are sharp and more realistic than AC4. Now there is more missions and aircraft. There are a few hard ones but you can get through it. The gameplay was smooth sailing. With 32 missions in this game, it would seem like a lot, but it actually isn't. Just a problem with the game. Theres no rearming your plane so that makes the game haeder and more challenging. I'd recommend buying this game. If you want hours of fun, I'd get this game if I were you. Planes I recommend are the ******(i dont wanna give it away! its a secret aircraft after you do something), Typhoon(best for almost everything), Su-37(best dogfighter), and the Su-47(i just like how its designed)

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So, let's begin with Ace Combat 5. This will be my first review also. I have been a gamer since I was six years old in the 80's where Nintendo reigned supreme. Let's not delve into my gaming history because the Ace Combat 5 Review demands I pay attention to it...

Ace Combat 5, which I have rated the game as 5 stars, is an excellent and entertaining piece of dogfighting simulation, a tight story albeit with some loose holes, and of course fighters to purchase and fly.

Starting with the graphics, Ace Combat 5 is great if not superb. With the fighters being incredibly detailed, you can count on your storyline CGI-animated episodic films as they are the breath of every Ace Combat game. For me, I've fought and won the Erasian war as Mobius 1 as do the others who have. The textures on 4 lacked the greatness of ground and sea, for which Ace Combat covers up a little. I can tell you you do not need to worry over pixellation as the storyline coupled with fighters are the ones you will love.

For the storyline, I will not detail spoilers as it will spoil the game and ruin any player's fun. For me, I loved the story of Ace Combat 4, of which you fight as Mobius 1 against the aggressive Erasians and their elite Yellow Squadron. It was great until the ending made it kaput. But 5 kept the storyline engaging with a good mix of mission variety and surpises that would entertain you for chuckles, laughs, and admiration for the Namco team that created this game. The storyline features you, as Blaze, who are thrust into a looming war between two strong superpowers, Ocea and Yuktobania. As Blaze, Ocea sends you into every mission with wingmen so you all work together to combat and win the war. There are interesting twists and hints on every CGI-animated movie as well in-mission. You will have as many questions of who, what, or how they were or ever came to be. The beginning and middle leaves no mercy for the player to understand the major players that drive or push away the war into full throttle or into exhaustion. It is towards the end the storyline hangs by the thread to explain by simple yet interesting uses of revealing the plots.

For the fighters, I can admit to you that my favorite fighter of Ace Combat 4 was Su-37 (Terminator), and in 5, the Su-47 (Berkut) not because of their incredible speed but excellent stability and maneuverability. Whenever I combat my friends, I love to fly fast and play mind games with them rocket for rocket. Of course, there's a downside to every Combat game. You not only have to get the Versus mode by beating the campaign but it is time consuming to buy all the fighters with the money you need to acquire and stacking them up for a no-holds barred PvP aerial battle. In the end you have a full house of planes, it is well worth it as you can display your show of force towards your friends, relatives, whomever and yell, "I am forever invincible!" Yes, my friend, it's from Boris in Goldeneye yet I can never forget the great storyline in that movie. A great classic, don't you agree?

In conclusion, I recommend you buy Ace Combat 5, and the Belkan War, which is very interesting in its own right. So go ahead and purchase it. You won't be sorry once you get pulled into the war. You'll love the fighters! Try the Berkut sometime! :)

See you

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Ace Combat 5 is a game that is very much victimized by the reputation of its predecessor. I'm certainly not going to dispute the quality of AC4, but the fans of that game have often overlooked the simple and obvious fact that AC5 is an entirely different game. Many of the complaints against it are nothing more than minor gripes about things that were changed, regardless of the impact on the finished product.

Visually, Ace Combat 5 is spectacular. The aircraft models are extremely well-detailed and terrain is nearly photo-realistic. AC5's framerate remains superbly smooth at all times. Little touches like the wonderfully detailed missile trails make it all the more enjoyable. The CG cutscenes are also of extremely high quality.

Sound quality leaves almost nothing to be desired. It makes excellent use of directionality on my 5.1 system and is always crisp and clear. Fine attention has been paid to nuances such as the time it takes for the sound of an explosion to travel to your plane. Voice acting is generally high quality, although a small bit of it does seem rather flat.

Radio chatter adds a great deal to the ambience. On one of the early missions, for example, there will often be no less than three people talking at once, making it seem all the more frantic. Early on in the missions, your wingmen tend to chat about their feelings regarding the war or about their personal lives. That touch of intimacy goes a long way toward establishing a sense of camaraderie.

Control was my biggest gripe with Ace Combat 4. It always seemed just a bit clumsy and never gave me quite the level of precision I wanted. The new installment has cleaned that element up considerably, making it much smoother.

The game's big new feature was wingman control, which has been criticized rather excessively. You can give them general orders such as cover, attack, or disperse, and they generally follow them well enough, but it's necessary to underdstand exactly what those orders entail. Also, you can't possibly expect your wingmen to come and cover you while they're in the middle of chasing down an enemy plane. Another complaint about the wingmen is that they're not very useful, which is decidedly false. When commanded properly, they can deal quite a lot of damage to enemy forces, although never as much as you. You are, after all, playing as the greatest ace in the war.

The game's plot is exceptionally good for the type of game, although it certainly wouldn't hold up as the basis for something like a role-playing game. It has a couple of decent twists, as well as an abnormally high amount of character development. I find the criticisms about the anti-war message completely unfounded, as the characters always go off to battle willingly. There's nothing wrong with them yearning for peaceful times. If they didn't want peace, what would they be fighting for?

Overall, the game is excellent. Many small changes have been made since AC4, but they're well-executed when placed in the proper context. It's a different game, and should be viewed as such.

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