The peak of the Ace Combat series, and one of my absolute favourite games of all time. While other games in the franchise surpass parts of this game in individual categories, I feel that none of them, as a whole, achieve the level of quality in gameplay, narrative, mission design, and presentation, that this game does. I have loved this game since the moment I played it, and is the game that made me realize just how much games could achieve beyond simply being a fun distraction.
The gameplay is a pretty standard affair when it comes to arcade flight sims: fly plane, shoot missiles and guns at both air and ground targets, dodge missiles, win. What makes Ace Combat the undisputed master of this formula, however, is how it takes that relatively simple game loop, and combines it with an insane amount of variety in terms of missions, aircraft, and weapon choices. Ace Combat 5 has the single largest roster of planes in the series by my count, and while the choice to make each plane have only one special weapon tied to it is one that the series, thankfully, never repeats, I think that this is made up for with the variety in planes to choose from, increasing the variability of what you take into a mission moreso than other games in the franchise. It's a controversial choice, but I feel this game pulls it off.
Mission design in this game is among the most varied in the entire series, with a great mix of air-to-ground, air-to-air, air-to-sea, and any combination of them, combined with interesting restrictions and narrative scenarios that make each mission stand-out from the rest, a feat that keeps the entire campaign feeling fresh. Some missions are not the equal of others, and while they can be varied, I can't deny that some are just inherently not as fun to play, but the commitment to make each level unique is worth celebrating in a game where mission objectives and context bring the bulk of the variety in gameplay.
The standout feature of this game though is the main story, and the presentation of that story. Whether it is the anime-inspired pre-rendered custscenes, the in-game custcenes that contextualize a mission, or the in-game dialog that breathes life into each and every character, this game is a masterclass in telling an engaging story. It doesn't hurt that the narrative is also a fantastically grand, melodramatic, and emotional tale that takes twists and turns as if it were an anime, all while using gameplay to reinforce that narrative throughout. Ace Combat as a series is basically Gundam with planes, and this game truly feels like an anime series with how its plot weaves a story through the various set piece moments. I truly love the story and characters of this game, and for me, it stands as the most entertaining story in the franchise.
To cap it all off, the game's soundtrack maintains the insanely high quality of the series, really accentuating every moment of action and drama. This game is not just a good plane game, this is just a great video game, one that pushes the limits of its chosen genre, and takes it to new heights that really need to be seen to be believed. I can't analyze this game without bias, it is one of my favourites of all time, but I think it truly does deserve such high praise for how unique an experience it is, and the quality that it achieves within such a niche. Whether you like planes or not, this game is a masterpiece that more people should experience.
The gameplay is a pretty standard affair when it comes to arcade flight sims: fly plane, shoot missiles and guns at both air and ground targets, dodge missiles, win. What makes Ace Combat the undisputed master of this formula, however, is how it takes that relatively simple game loop, and combines it with an insane amount of variety in terms of missions, aircraft, and weapon choices. Ace Combat 5 has the single largest roster of planes in the series by my count, and while the choice to make each plane have only one special weapon tied to it is one that the series, thankfully, never repeats, I think that this is made up for with the variety in planes to choose from, increasing the variability of what you take into a mission moreso than other games in the franchise. It's a controversial choice, but I feel this game pulls it off.
Mission design in this game is among the most varied in the entire series, with a great mix of air-to-ground, air-to-air, air-to-sea, and any combination of them, combined with interesting restrictions and narrative scenarios that make each mission stand-out from the rest, a feat that keeps the entire campaign feeling fresh. Some missions are not the equal of others, and while they can be varied, I can't deny that some are just inherently not as fun to play, but the commitment to make each level unique is worth celebrating in a game where mission objectives and context bring the bulk of the variety in gameplay.
The standout feature of this game though is the main story, and the presentation of that story. Whether it is the anime-inspired pre-rendered custscenes, the in-game custcenes that contextualize a mission, or the in-game dialog that breathes life into each and every character, this game is a masterclass in telling an engaging story. It doesn't hurt that the narrative is also a fantastically grand, melodramatic, and emotional tale that takes twists and turns as if it were an anime, all while using gameplay to reinforce that narrative throughout. Ace Combat as a series is basically Gundam with planes, and this game truly feels like an anime series with how its plot weaves a story through the various set piece moments. I truly love the story and characters of this game, and for me, it stands as the most entertaining story in the franchise.
To cap it all off, the game's soundtrack maintains the insanely high quality of the series, really accentuating every moment of action and drama. This game is not just a good plane game, this is just a great video game, one that pushes the limits of its chosen genre, and takes it to new heights that really need to be seen to be believed. I can't analyze this game without bias, it is one of my favourites of all time, but I think it truly does deserve such high praise for how unique an experience it is, and the quality that it achieves within such a niche. Whether you like planes or not, this game is a masterpiece that more people should experience.