With the barrage of hyped up games being released such as "Halo 2", "San Andreas", and "Half-Life 2"; this game will probably be overlooked. It is quite a shame too because it is the sequel to the adulated Playstation 2 game, "Ace Combat 4: Shattered Skies". "Shattered Skies" made me an ethusiast of fighter planes. Somehow I get more thrills out of looking at fighter planes then at cars. Modern flightsims on consoles (actually maybe PCs too, I haven't heard about any excellent modern combat flight sim being released for it) are sparse and most of them, according to reviews I read, aren't even as good as "Ace Combat 4". Thankfully, "The Unsung War" lives up to the quality of its predecessor and in some aspects, it's even better.

Graphics
The graphics are improved over "Shattered Skies", but you won't really notice it by just looking at the plane models since "Shattered Skies" already sported photo-realistic plane models. All the nice little details such as the movement of the plane's flaps, the specialized plane cockpits, and missiles firing from a plane are still in. What you will notice are the nifty weather effects such as rain and snow, improved explosions, and improved terrain graphics. However, I am a bit disappointed that they did not add in visual effects for the cockpit view. I think they should have taken a page out of "Metroid Prime" with its splash effect, snow effect, etc. Still, you will be amazed by the graphics from watching the replay.
8.5/10









Sound
In my opinion, the voice acting in this game isn't all that bad. It can be better, but it's not the worse that I have ever heard. If you think the voice actors sound familar then you're right, they're played by experienced anime actors. So in a way, you will be flying with Spike Spiegel (Steven Blum), Jet (Beau Billingea), Vash the Stampede (Johnny Young Bosch aka the Green Power Ranger), etc. Sound effects are nice crisp with plane engine noises, explosions, and radio chattered all presented in Dolby Pro Logic II.
The music like "Shattered Skies" is rich and dramatic. The music is usually fit the situation you are in well, and each mission has a new track so it's never repetitive. It is more orchestrated as opposed to the multitude styles of music used in "Shattered Skies", but I think it is just as good if it is not better. Although, the main sung theme isn't as good as "Blue Skies" from "Shattered Skies". However, they did include a licensed music (you probably heard it before) that is surprising fitting in the intro and credits. My favorite music track would have to be from the last mission because I am into those grandiose operatic music (may I say it's even better then Agnus Dei from "Shattered Skies"?).
9/10

Gameplay
The gameplay is nearly identical to "Shattered Skies". It is actually a good thing since the flight sim/arcade style is easy and fun to get into. Your craft handles realistically (in other words, it doesn't turn immediately on a dime), but it can carry uploads of 60 missiles. You will also refuel in mid air, land on a ship, land on a runway, and takeoff. There are more planes to choose from. They range from F-16s and A-10s to SU-47s. The newest addition to the series is the inclusion of wingmen commands. You can command your wingmen using the d-pad to tell them to attack a target, cover you, use special weapons such as UGBs, or disperse. Your wingmen will help you from time to time, but you are still the main focus of the game. Oh I should also mention that the enemy A.I. seems more aggressive as opposed to Shattered Skies. You will get missile warnings in quite alot of the later missions. What "The Unsung War" does better then "Shattered Skies" are it mission structures and goals. Aside from the usual destroy all targets and escorting mission, you will also guide a plane through an Anti-Air Defense field, go on a reconnaissance mission, search and rescue, and more. Nearly ever mission is filled with surprises that happen during the course of the actual mission. Wait until you play the second to last mission, you will feel like you're in a battle from "Star Wars".

"Shattered Skies" story cutscenes were done with 2D cutscenes, but the one in this game is done in 3D. It is more personal so to speak; the story focus more on you as the pilot (who is only known as "Blaze" or "Kid", his face is never shown in the cutscenes) and your squadron as opposed to a civillian being affected by the war. The plot is center around two fictional countries known as Yuktobania and Osea fighting each other. Your squadron known as "Wardog" flies for the Osea and you get to see people reflect on your accomplishment throughout the game. Just like in the last game, it is nice to feel this sense of accomplishment. Enemies will fear you, allies revel in your presence-- overall it just makes you feel like you're actually making a difference. The plot is interesting with a nice plot twist, but the writing is a bit iffy at times. Your wingmates are also quite interesting, but I think they could use more character development. Nagaksi (or Edge), your second in command pilot, has good character development, but I wish I could see alittle bit more from the rest of your flight group such as Chopper, Grim (Vash), and Swordman (Jet).
8.5/10

Replay
The length of the game is adquate for a flight game. It took me about 5 hours, but that's not counting the number of times required for me to finish the 27 missions in the game (actually 30 since some missions have two parts and there are two branching missions). There are also 15 more missions in an Arcade mode where you play as Mobius 1 from "Shattered Skies". Just playing through the game once won't unlock all 50 planes either. You will probably have to play through the game twice to unlock all of them.
7.5/10

Overall
8.5/10
A worthy sequel if you enjoyed "Shattered Skies".

Is that a Mirage 2000 I spy in screen #3?

I would surely purchase 4 or 5 if I owned a PS2. Actually, these games would be my primary reason for ever buying one. I'm disappointed that neither GC or XB have any equivalent titles.

I love Shattered Skies - I still play it way too much. One of my favorite PS2 games ever. The graphics look like a big improvment (not saying that O4's were bad or anything), with the environment being much more detailed. Give my that, and GT4, and you won't see for months. I do like that Mir 2000 - looks fun.

2 questions:

How hard is it to fly the jets?

Is there a multiplayer?

(sorry if you already answered these questions and I didn't see it)

Flying the fighters is pretty simple, actually, and lots of fun. The controls are easy to master, nothing to worry about. I don't know about multiplayer though - 04' did have two player battle mode.

Cool, Ace Combat 04 was great. Although I liked the idea of the main character not appearing in the story, as there was no chance of my character turning out to be a wimp like this "Kid" guy. Also, the fighters are quite easy to fly.

I really enjoyed 05 and 04, still some of the best PS2 games I've played.

My favourite part is the Radio-Chatter; I love how all your teammates react and how the enemies do as well.

The radio chatter was cool, but I prefer the cool professionalism evident in Jane's USAF.

"Austin one, splash bandit." as opposed to "Yeeeehaawww!"

That's just me, though. :p

Yeah the controls are simple to learn. That is a Mirage in screen 3. Here is a list of all the flyable air crafts in the game. Unfortunately there is no multiplayer in "The Unsung War". I was hoping for an online coop campaign, but there is none.


Me too, there's espcially alot of radio chatter in this game because of the fact that you're always flying with wingmen. I forgot to mention that you can somewhat interact with them. Sometimes they will ask you a question and you can reply yes or no using the left and right direction pad buttons.


You will hear both kind. Your wingman "Chopper" will be the one doing most of those "Yeeehaawww", while your AWACs and other wingmen will behave a bit more professionally with their "Fox 2!", "Blaze, splash bandit", "incoming bogeys at 280", etc.


Question, what's the latest and best modern flight sim released for the PC?

Lock On: Modern Air Combat might be the one, people complain that it's buggy though. Last jet-fighter game I played was Eurofighter 2000, which was quite good. I can't really say as I prefer the era of the radial and in-line prop engine, not fiddling with attack radar settings or dodging missles, and having to lead my own target in order to pump my opponent full of machine-gun and cannon fire a range where my nose is almost through his tail

Ask SithNazgul. He's the local sim aviation-nut. He'll probably say Falcon 4 even after all these years.

OOoooO! They have the Typhoon and the Saab Gripen! That'd merit a purchase on those grounds alone if I had a PS2.

personally I loved this game. I bought the flight set and everything. it was pretty hard tho.