Ace Combat 5 - Squadron Leader review

When I looked at the early version of Ace Combat 5 in December, I predicted a glorious future for this game and I am inclined to pat myself on the back and be complimentary on my foresight now. In fact, I will go as far as to proclaim it to be the "Best aircraft game ever on the PS2".

Squadron Leader offers beautiful graphics, a good storyline and great action in the sky. And to top it off, Namco has made the game so easy to approach that anyone can join in the fun. The simple recipee for success.

A world at war

Squadron Leader starts off in the year 2010 in a world very similar to our own. Humans have become no smarter than they are today since the futuristic society is still plagued by war.

Some 15 years prior to the timeline in the game a counterpart to the real life UN defeated a massive attack from a coalition of nations called Belka (Soviet Union anyone?). As a last resort Belka chose to deploy nuclear weapons in their own territory, an act that made the leaders of all nations unite and declare the end of war for good.

Alas, things have not righted themselves. The Osean Federation is suddenly and without apparent reason, attacked by their former ally Yuktobania. The reason for the attack is revealed as the story unfolds and Namco has included quite a few surprises along the way.

From Rookie to Commander

Not surprisingly you take the role as a pilot but not a particularly experienced one. In fact you are as green as they come when the war erupts.

Unfortunately, almost all pilots are killed in a suprise attack so before you can say 'Damn, my parachute didn't unfold' you are among the most experienced flyers left on your side. Yes you'd be forgiven for thinking you'd just walked into The Last Starfighter.

In the first few missions a superior officer flies with you and gives the orders, but when he suddenly vanishes you are made Squadron Leader. This gives the option of issuing orders to the other three pilots in your group. You can have them cover you, attack, spread out across the area or conserve their ammo. These orders are simply issued by pushing the dpad in either direction, easily accessible while airborne.

Anybody can join

You control your plane using the left analogue stick as well as the L and R buttons. The weapon systems are controlled by the symbol buttons. The controls are very simple and easy to learn.

Before your first flight a tutorial lets you get a hang of it but even though Squadron Leader is a simulator by heart, Namco has put emphasis on the action part of the game. You can therefore concentrate on fighting your enemies rather than your flight controls for most of the time.

Depending on your skills behind the stick it is even possible to adjust your planes reactions. This - and the five difficulty settings in the game - makes it possible to manage your exact abilities as a pilot.

Roger That!

In the air Squadron Leader is most convincing. There is a constant radio chatter and you are even required to answer some times. The conversations and the familiar tone between the pilots contributes to the sense of belonging in the squadron.

In fact, the entire audio experience is far better than good. Despite the amounts of chatter it is easy to hear the different lines and the voice acting is excellent. The score fits the game like a glove, supporting the grim and frantic feel of constant fighting.

The audio in the cutscenes feels equally good. The story is told in these sequences and luckily the great acting continues. As do the brilliant graphics, beautiful when in the air, beyond even that when on the ground. When the scene changes from game to story, it is like watching a film. The story is good, exciting, involving and surprising and will keep you enthralled and wanting more.

Good on the eyes

Squadron Leader is a visually great game. When airborne the perspective is first person. The right stick lets you scan the sky for enemies which really supports the feel of being in a cockpit.

The view includes a display giving you speed, altitude, remaining weaponry and other data nescessary in a fighterplane. The green lines of the H.U.D. zoom about when the action speeds up, but never become a nuiscance.

The environments are beautiful even though the speed is high most of the time, and dogfights over the ocean look particularly great. Sea and sky blends perfectly in the horizon and the brilliant cloud animation really gives Squadron Leader that bit extra. If anything must be mentioned as a bit below standard it would be the explosions, but since you will never have time to really study them, it matters little in the overall impression.

3...2...1... BUY!

As well as the story mode, the game includes an arcade mode that simply lets you fly and fight. Not exactly as fun as the main game because the story is not there. A few hours worth of entertainment though.

If you like the Ace Combat series, there can be no doubt. Squadron Leader must be in your collection, but this is not just for the established fans. If you can summon up the courage to try a flight game for the first time, Ace Combat 5 - Squadron Leader will be a great place to start.

Source: Boomtown DK
Translated by: William Bjarnø (Dworkin)