Silicon Fusion >> Reviews >> Ace Combat 5: Squadron Leader

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Review:

24th February 2005:
Ace Combat 5: Squadron Leader
Own the skies in this awesome sequel. Dogfight and dive-bomb in dramatic air, sea and land assaults.
Posted by John Grothier - PlayStation 2 - UK and Europe

It seems like an absolute age since the last Ace Combat title, Distant Thunder, appeared on the PlayStation 2, but now after several months and a new name since its release elsewhere in the world, Europe can once again take control of the skies, with a new-improved Ace Combat, where players can now issue orders to their wingmen, to make the battles truly come alive.

The first thing you will notice on booting up this title is the beautiful, flawless presentation. The menus are simple, easy to navigate, stylish and fit in perfectly with the 'five years into the future' story. This time around the epic, branching storyline contains over thirty wide-ranging, action packed missions including bombing campaigns, high altitude pursuits and, of course, aerial dogfights. Ace Combat 5 also includes some stunning fully rendered CG cut scenes, which pulls the player deeper into this epic adventure. For my money, the story in Ace Combat 5 is a much more enjoyable and has a much more coherent narrative than in the last title.

There are two main modes of play, Campaign - where you get to fly through over thirty varied missions, and Arcade mode where you have a level tier system which rewards you with an unlock or two if you complete it. Ace Combat 5 is all about planes, and it does not disappoint with the amount available, and also the amount players can unlock as they progress through the main Campaign mode. Here you can purchase planes not just for yourself, but also for your wingmen to fly alongside you. It may well be prudent in some mission to have a variety of planes in formation, some for instance are much better at air-to air combat, while others can take out ground targets with ease. After you complete a few missions, it may be wise to spend a few of those hard earned dollars on upgrading the hanger for your wingmen. Indeed, there are over fifty different licensed planes, all of which even have selectable colour schemes.

Controlling your plane with the DuelShock 2 controller is an incredibly responsive and enjoyable experience, and there are two main ways of piloting your plane - Normal, and Novice. Normal mode is more realistic and highly recommended, as you use the left analogue stick to roll your aircraft and the L2 and R2 buttons for yaw. Novice mode turns the aircraft without rolling, and ultimately makes for a much more arcade-like experience. Don't worry inverters, all the options you could possibly want are here, along with options to remove HUD items and wingmen commands in case you fancy flying with a little less clutter on the screen.

Issuing commands to your wingmen in Ace Combat 5: Squadron Leader is a perfect evolution of the series, and commands can be given quickly and cleanly using the D-pad. While in the heat of battle you can issue orders to attack, provide cover, order your wingmen to disperse and also permit, or prohibit them from using special weapons. This time around players will feel much more like one of the team, as you get to hear your wingmen's chatter constantly throughout missions. Using the right analogue stick you can look completely around your aircraft to keep track of friends and foes alike, and the radar and map systems are implemented well and the map also has a handy magnify function.

Each and every mission feels completely crafted and although the learning curve shoots up rather swiftly a few missions in, they are all a joy to play and behold. Objectives often change mid-way through, so always be on your guard, and if possible, try to expect the unexpected. Targeting the enemy is simple and targets range from the many different aircraft types to ships, frigates, gunboats, land targets, bunkers, military installations and also some rather large bosses.

The graphics are outstanding, pushing the PlayStation 2 to its absolute limits. Ace Combat 5 is a beauty - from the sunlight skipping off the surface of the sea, the missile trails, the detailed plane models, the ultra-realistic landscapes, and also the incredibly realistic weather effects, which often changes in real-time during a mission, games rarely look better than this one. The replay function at the end of each mission really shows off the graphics engine at its absolute best, but with a lack of memory, and loosing both music and wingmen chatter, the replay is short and eerily quite at times.

The music, I'm glad to say, matches the gameplay perfectly with some really rousing compositions, which match the mood and moments of mission incredibly well. The game audibly feels alive, and in-flight briefings and general chatter all add to a fantastic gaming experience. For those of you in the know, 'Blurry' from Geffen recording artist Puddle of Mudd provide suitable modern rock at key moments.

Overall Ace Combat 5: Squadron Leader is an almost flawless sequel; the inclusion of wingmen commands, truly breathtaking graphics and sound takes the series to all-new heights. We can only hope that there will be an Ace Combat on the PS3, maybe, just maybe - with online play...

John Grothier

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Review Summary:

Namco's fifth installment of the outstanding Ace Combat series. Introducing wingman commands, Ace Combat 5 is the premier air combat game combining ultra-realistic graphics and dog fighting with the sheer excitement of soaring through the air, destroying enemy planes and ground targets. Experience the thrill of commanding a squadron, knowing that their fate is in your hands.

Related Games:

Ace Combat 5: Squadron Leader
for PlayStation 2

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