Fun sidebar: the voice of Albert Genette doing the narration at the end of the mission? None other than the legendary Matt Mercer. This was one of his first VA roles.
It’s Not a “silly little plane game” You just want to sound cool and what “hip” to what literally every other Internet gatekeeper of this particular franchise say
Heck, I even cried seeing this video. First time I heard "unsung war" was during the Olympic Games held in Japan. They played alot or even only video game music while the athletes were coming into the Stadion. And Unsung War totally stood out for me.
Man! I remember my dad used to love watching me play this once i got it for my 15th birthday in February. He's a retired USAF F-15 maintenance chief. I always offered to teach him to play, and sometimes he'd try, but would get frustrated with it and said he'd rather watch me play it and "be the wingman you need to watch your ass😂." When we played through it, and i got to the stadium scene (you know which one,) i cried because i felt GENUINE connection with these characters, and my old man was a little quieter for the next few missions too. But damn, if this game didn't set some insanely high standards i have for games now. The amount of times i played through beginning to end just to FEEL that experience again...i couldn't tell you how many times i did. Such a beautifully done piece of art.
Choppers death and this part got me. Ace combat 4 was what started it all for me and since then I’ve tried to play them all. I love the music, the gameplay, the story, etc of Ace Combat.
Its been more than 15 years (pun very much intended), since I played AC5 for the first time. I have upwards to 600+ (after a memory card loss, so probable double) of flight hours in AC5 (so literally 200+ full playthroughs) I STILL get teary eyed with Unsung War. Is such a beautiful song for a beautiful ending, there are no words I can say to explain the feeling in my chest when I hear it.
Fun fact - you can fly through the middle of the SOLG, down the barrel of the satellite, and destroy it from the inside without shooting the outer bits.
The Ace Combat Infinity variant of the SOLG shouted this strategy out by forcing you to go through the center for the final target. They made the satellite bigger so you could have eight planes jockeying for position to nail it with XAAMs.
"An almost liturgucal experience..." We call these games the Holy Trinity for a reason LOL. But yeah. The Unsung War is always one of my test pieces when checking new headphones just so I can get mesmerized in the details and relive the first time I played this mission. This game is one of THE defining milestones for me as a gamer and as a person. One thing to remember heading into Zero is that it's the chaotic genesis of 5. I look forward to seeing that playthrough.
About 20 years ago, when I was in middle school, I played this game over and over again. The feeling of having seen the coolest movie, like watching a mind-blowing documentary, made a strong impression on me at the time. And I still love this game series. I'm glad you played it.
This was me listening to Hush in AC7. Hearing Trigger's leitmotif come to life along with the drone's and every little piece in the whole OST and game that had a significant importance to the story was just too much for me, as well as the dialogue of the mission being so heavy on "end of the world" type of thing was an amazing experience.
I legit CHEERED when I finally got to the end of the game as a kid. That tunnel mission was probably the hardest in AC history (especially as a kid). I'm super bummed that I missed the last 2 parts of this series - I probably would've teared up again seeing such catharsis from someone who loves The Unsung War song and finally seeing it play out in context. No other game has given me that feeling in a long time.
On one side, Ace Combat as a series is such a silly thing, and on the other, it's such an impactful experience. I distinctly remember myself as a young teenage boy going through these games and how they stayed in my mind for weeks after finishing them. I've often compared the entire series to the Gundam franchise, both on the silly side, and the serious side. To the point I consider Ace Combat to be what Gundam games should be.
You hit on something important with the "God vs. Anti-God" thing. More than any other game in the series, Ace Combat 5 is not just a battle between nations or a battle to re-take your taken land, etc. Ace Combat 5 is a battle against the human nature of conflict and revenge; it is a battle against the weight of history. Few other games in general have gotten it right, and I think that none of the other AC games have quite managed to get it right either (AC Zero hits hard too, but it's aiming at a different target). I think AC 7 in particular was aiming at this target, but missed the mark.
AC 7 to me was aiming at "Man vs Machine" as it's thing. It's MAN that should fly planes. MAN that should make the decisions when going into battle. It's why we COULDN'T accept that drones would replace human pilots. It's also the main conflict point that leads into AC3 where all that's left are machines waging wars on behalf of corporations.
Yeah, much like White Bird nails the idea that you're doing something that nobody should ever have been made to do. Particularly when Arkbird is pulling that final hideous permanent stall with her third-stage rocket engine.
As someone who adores Unsung War enough to remember the lyrics (I'm a violinists' so lyrics usually aren't my thing), I'm so, so glad that it had this impression on you ❤
If you defeat Ofnir and Grabacr fast enough, you'll get a secret conversation between your wingmen. It's a very wholesome conversation. Try it out next time you play this mission!
So many years later AC5 is still one of my favorite games and the scoring played stick a huge part in that. So that to see it's still relevant to the art of game design as a whole.
Glad I was able to watch this stream and reexperience part of my childhood again. These two last missions must have been a cathartic feeling when completed. Thanks Marco, you've got no idea.
It has been near on 20 years, and what you felt in those moments is what many of us felt at that time and still feel to this day. Aces5 brought a whole new level of wholly integrated story telling into what is essentially a long form arcade game that is accompanied by excellent music, fantastic (for the time) visuals, a compelling story, and wrapped them all up in... an arcade flight game? I was caught so off guard by this game that I still wish I could play it to this very day. Alas, my PS2 is long gone, my game collection inherited by a good friend of mine from school. But it's always great to see folks appreciating what masterpieces these are.
It's been years since I played this game, but seeing that transition from the Tunnel Run the to SOLG was like I was sent back to 15 years old, clutching my DualShock 2 in awe at the sight while the music cued in and I was in for the flight of my life. Glad to see the impact this game leaves resonating with others.
When history witnesses a great change, Razgriz reveals itself... first, as a dark demon. As a demon, it uses its power to rain death upon the land, and then it dies. However, after a period of slumber, Razgriz returns, this time, as a great hero. Well done Marco! next up, The Belkan War.
Not to be that guy, Marco, but this is kiiiiinda what people mean when we keep saying "context is important." I know, I know, not for *every* song, but like, you have to admit, some songs are not the same experience without the context.
I’ve recently filmed an “apology video” about this sentiment. Though not to be that guy, tohlemiach (🫣) understanding why a piece is so beautiful outside of the context and then coming to it in context is a total punch to the gut too 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@@MarcoMeatball Hey, touche. I actually haven't played any Ace Combat games, and from your video on Unsung War a while ago I immediately added it to my playlist. Seeing your reaction here kind of makes me want to play the game now too...
I stumbled across this game by pure chance when I was in my early teen years. Plucked it off the shelf of my cousin's collection of video games and traded GTA Vice City Stories for it. This game stuck with me hard since then. The emotional weight of it, and the scene setting done helped me get through one of the hardest times in my life, when my grandmother was dying from cancer. The many challenges I had faced all the way to the end only to meet the SOLG head-on... and I had an epiphany... The reason it is so rememberable and impactful was not because the music, the boss fight, or even the characters. It was that that fight, the moral ground, and the theme of the game were all so deeply interlinked on such an insane level. By the time you get to the SOLG, you are such a high skilled pilot that it is nothing... and even moreso when the Belkan aces come at you at the start of the mission. it really puts it all into perspective. The fight against the SOLG, wasn't meant to feel like the final boss. It was meant to feel like the ending of a story, a conclusion of a moral quandary, an experience of finality. With the music, characters, and even just flying the plane you are in. It becomes a personal experience. Especially coming off the high of flying through that tunnel. It gives you, the player, the space to relax that little bit, yet still completely show what you came there for. To settle down, yet get even deeper invested. It is an invitation... to the end of one of the best pieces of art ever made.
Marco nailed it in his explanation. The slow burn, rising to the climax in AC5's storyline is what makes it so perfect along with the magnificent soundtrack made by absolute japanese wizards.. eh, I mean, composers, a soundtrack so well made that it follows the storyline curve steadily, up close, without giving it any quarters. Masterpiece. And... call me crazy if you want, but at least to me what AC5 really is a modern day military / mythological opera game and that blows me away every time. I'm pretty sure I've heard Marco talking about modern day games and movies being some sort of opera and damn he's right, but for a game, I'd say AC5 perfected at doing it!
@@WldntULike2Knowwhere I had been playing while conserving missiles before that mission, I wasted all missiles hunting down every enemy plane and went Winchester on remaining stragglers. I've never actually felt anger translate into gameplay until Chopper died.
2:08 That look you gave, you were in heaven man.. and was I when I felt this too my first time as well. Still have yet to find a finale in a game which gave such an uplifting feeling in my soul. It's been such a pleasure watching you experience this masterpiece. Wish I had a friend like you.. Congratulations on playing the Holy Trilogy.
What a beautiful reaction, im glad you finally got to experience it the way it was intended. These games were a part of my childhood and they have aged so well and my appreciation for them has only grown as i approach 30. I look at them as works of art as much as i do classic games. Cant wait to see you play Zero. Arguably moved me more than any other ace combat game. PS: whatever you do, please dont skip the end credits when you play Zero. You wont regret it
Your love of this game and particularly this song made me sub. Ace Combat 5 is one of my top 9 games of all time. I remember as a teenager putting this song on my mp3 player (ah the good ol' 2000s) and listening to it countless times. Heck I learned the lyrics and can still sing most of it! This game just stirred something in me, including a sense of patriotism for a fictional country. I just felt bound to the characters and the setting. Glad you managed to experience what me and many others did back in 2004.
I can't remember how i felt when i first finished this game literally 20 years ago now. I played the hell out of AC4 so jumping into harder modes was nothing to me. I faintly remember just thinking last mission was cool but also just admire the details like the panels flying off can kill you. FUN FACT - you can fly inside all the way through the core of the center barrel with a shootable wall at the end to exit. The outter arms can also be shot out so you basically can dismantle the whole thing.
My introduction to Ace Combat was 4, back when it was the hot new title in the series, and I easily clocked over 1000 hours on that. So it was no surprise at all that I would go on to 5 and then 0 (I got yet more of the games afterwards, including finding the older games, such as the first one of them all, Air Combat). AC5 was what sold me on the importance of having a good story and especially a good soundtrack accompanying it. While shooting down the SOLG was the appropriate final crescendo, it was November that City hit me much harder than I consciously recognized for years, and it bothered me so deeply for so long. I would not go so far as to say that it had that it gave me a genuine case of what I later learned it was, but I was constantly looking back, wondering if there was anything I could have done differently to yield a different outcome, never once thinking about whether or not the developers allowed it (yeah, it took me about a year before I decided to try making a different choice on the Face/Back of the Coin choices). It would not be until I went on to college and was listening to one particular example from my Psychology Intro professor that I realized, "Holy sh^t, I was doing what so many war veterans with PTSD, particularly survivor's guilt, do." That realization nearly rocked me to my core (yes, I know it is at least a little hyperbolic, but still) - and not to sound political, but it also completely altered how I view any war, real or fictional, from then on. That realization also made AC5's soundtrack hit so much harder, like it was giving a sense that (again, not to sound political) you were fighting against what some people IRL might claim is "God's will" as they also say "How dare you defy God." I kid you not when I say that AC5 actually inspired me to finally pick up and read Paradise Lost. Yes, it shined a new light on the commonly quoted line of "Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven," but for me, to tie back to that final BGM, the line that stands out the most is: "All is not lost, the unconquerable will, and study of revenge, immortal hate, and the courage never to submit or yield." And of course, the songs for the credits - oh, I can never not cry whenever I listen to them. Eventually, I started writing my own stories, and I drew arguably the most inspiration from Ace Combat, AC5 most of all (AC0 is so close of a second it might as well be tied for first to me). It is easily one of the best in the whole series, and I can see how some can argue that it is straight-up _the_ best.
I understand why you ended up crying when listening to this song. I am also the type of person who, when listening to certain melodies or leitmotifs, gets goosebumps, and tears inevitably appear in my eyes. This is one of the songs that gives me that feeling. Ace Combat is truly an incredible experience :')
Imagine how fans felt hearing this song again in Ace Combat Infinity. I was playing with a friend for the SOLG mission and he pointed it out. Once I heard it, it just pumped me up because I felt I was back in my favorite game with my friends this time.
Unsung War was the game that made me fall in love with AC. I also believe its the best AC game to date. I played this when i was in middle school and I still get around the same emotional reaction.
O7 Marco. AC5 has been the only game to make me cry, more than once, even on my second playthrough. I'm so glad you got to experience this properly and seeing you cry reminds me of me. Welcome to the club of the feels, Ace of Razgriz. And yes, the entire story of AC5 works in so many ways because you have so many things working together, the song, the song in universe, the book, the legend, your squadron, yourself. Everything works together with the music, you are Razgriz, the legend is real and it builds up over the story. I love this game more than most, I love it.
I'm commenting again because your talk about how affecting this series can be got me thinking. Because Ace Combat is a game that is on the surface more than a bit silly. Planes go whoosh and zoom and boom and dakka dakka while awkward and stilted anime dialog gets yelled across open channels. It has two opposing theses: that war is bad and nobody should want it *but* yo these places are so cool right?! It shouldn't work. The whiplash should be too great to bear. And yet, it succeeds, because the Ace Combat series is incredibly sincere. It's not winking or smirking at you; it's being completely honest at you the entire time, and the music is a large conveyor of that honesty and sincerity. Hell, even the game considered the least of the series, Assault Horizon, is being 100% sincere. Ace Combat is special to me. Has been for 20 years. I'm glad it's become special to you too.
I'm a Japanese fan who discovered you through Arknights reaction videos. The game music of Ace Combat 6 is amazing, so I'd love for you to listen to it! I'll continue to support you from now on.
I'm downloading the old games onto my PS2 emulator, I want to play them again so desperately. This final mission as well as Sea of Chaos. Fighting aircraft and naval ships while a beautiful melody is being sung in the background shaped my gaming experience to this day when I first played these games. It gave me a great appreciation for the power of music in video games. It's a career I've wanted to get into since I was younger, and hopefully someday I can.
It was a pleasure seeing you playing this. Experiencing AC for the first time is fantastic, and you can somewhat relieve it when other people like it and experience it as well. Thank you for the emotions Marco, see you soon for AC0!
A TH-camr called 'timmm' did a video essay on Ace Combat titled 'Ace Combat is a simulator, but not of reality' that explored the history of the franchise and the essense of what made it what it is. Your video here, for me, is the proof of the final takeaway from that video essay by timmm. Yes, it is a silly arcade-style plane game with a fairly basic gameplay loop, but making a complex and realistic simulator was never the purpose. It doesn't matter if what you are doing is unrealistic and fantastical. What was most important in Ace Combat is that 'you should feel'.
Ah, that video. Watched it a while back, while Ace Combat was the peak of my interests... and I gotta say, timmm really nailed the coffin on the head when he said something to the effect of "Ace Combat isn't about _being_ a fighter pilot, it's about _living the fantasy_ of being a fighter pilot." Though, do tell me if I got that paraphrased quote wrong. I'd love to have an excuse to look at more AC video analyses.
@@mrandrossguy9871 Better yet go join the air force. IMO the fact that they model aircraft sideslip and loss of altitude when banking without elevator is plenty good enough for me, especially since this is at the end of the day a fun arcady game just like 99% of games out there and I'm all for those 999 missiles and 10:1 thrust to weight ratios.
@@mrandrossguy9871 "detailed flying" bro the key word is " *A R C A D E* flight sim". I don't play ace combat for the flight model and if you do you're doing something very wrong
I know you, from reacting your Zero Reaction video, and as a Mexican fan of AC I can only say this in my language Esto fue muy chingón. And I can say, although I wasn't on the stream I saw it completely and your reactions to the music, the game, etc makes me love this franchise a lot more, as one of the guys in the comments says, "You are one of us now". I can't wait to see your Zero Walkthrough, and some note, its just my opinion, but the game looked so dark, idk if your playing from a real ps2 or an Emulator, but try to turn up the brightness in the game a little bit.
I love Unsung War. Its like playing out some modern mythology as if its being retold generations down the line as some grand legend. The Liturgical sounding music that each game leads up to helps to solidify that. You could honestly change some of the aspects to be in line with greek or norse gods and no one would think twice lol. Also a fun fact, the ending cutscene with the little girl reading the book is actually the one Nagase was rewriting earlier in the game. I love our silly little plane games.
Ah yes, what a reaction! Watched all the streams because is such a rare ocassion to see soemone play this for the first time... we AC fans are thirsty for people to see this franchise and all the incredible things it has, can't wait for tomorrow's stream for AC Zero. Thank you Marco! PS: I hope you use the Su-47 someday 😋
Even now after all these years having played this when it came out... i still remember this song fondly. Sometimes there is just a moment in a game and the music with it. just won't ever leave.
I forgot comment in this video, but I just said again, as well as today it's been 20 years, this game has the best story and such epically moment, in ACES when everyone assemble, and especially Unsung feels in that story of Razgriz from demon through becoming hero of all time
to this day it's still my favorite ace combat, together with the belkan war. also what i've noticed for the tunnel run, is that it's actually quite well made the faster you fly the faster the gates close, combine that with the sense of urgency the game creates specifaclly for this and you naturally tend to fly faster.
People have been wanting a remaster of these three games for so long. Nothing gets touched, just the visuals. As everything else is already perfection.
ace combat is the series that can give me the same feelings as armored core. idk why its like that but I love both series dearly and have been a big fan of both.
That is why I love ACE 5 so much! I know how you feel. I felt the same thing when I played for the first time. The Unsung War impacted me more than Shattered Skies and Zero. Don't get me wrong, I love the whole AC divine Trinity but AC 5 is my favorite.
Fun fact: you can use YA-10B and throw FAEB into the SOLG for massive damage, but you need to be really very damn close to the SOLG unless the bomb will fly away from the target. Aim at the center between all the target marks, keep the plane stable and watch the surroundings. In addition you will have to ALWAYS hit afterburner because this plane is really slow compared to the others (it's actually close air support for bombing ground targets, that's why).
I had a glorious time watching Marco turn into one of us AC enjoyer! What I wouldn't give for them to remaster the Holy Trilogy + ACX... but dang license issues...
I think every ac fans crys at some point for me it was blue skies at the end of AC4 and the opening cutscene in AC7 when the star fighter takes off and the second to last mission when the ocans and erisans come together to take down the final arsenal bird
I'm a lifelong Ace Combat fan but never got 5 until I was an adult. I played 4 and Zero, and X so much as a kid and those hold a special place in my heart. 5 is a bit different for me, I love the music, I love the gameplay, the aircraft roster (though no weapon selection is a bit daft), and the characters were...certainly characters. I'm so happy that you got a big emotional kick out of Ace 5 and 'Unsung War' is undeniably a fantastic piece of music. I couldn't really rank Ace Combat (including Project Wingman) music since it's all so good, other than Zero being my absolute favourite. Another track I reckon you'd find interesting is Morceux from Ace Combat 3, it's in my sleep playlist of all things with such tracks as Drakengard Chapter XIII 'closing', Chapter VIII 'in the air' and 'on the ground' among others.
yes The Ace Combat series is at its core is antiwar, it shows the sacrifice of individuals as they try to maintain or establish peace. On that note the music and writing convoy the most powerful emotion of al,l hope.
I’ve seen your tears Marco I’ll let you pass you’ve got a good tenure voice. Back in 2005 I was a teenager at the time playing ace combat 5 that you were playing I was pretty good in that game the unsung war song very enjoying I’m still enjoying to this day
20 years after I played the game and it still gives me chills when I hear those opening horns. Plus, to this day I still (try to) use the name "Razgriz" whenever I play any demon-adjacent class in video games - like the Warlock in World of Warcraft. In 20 years the name got recognized ONCE... and that makes me sad. This game should be a MUST PLAY for everyone who calls themselves a gamer, but alas 'It's just a silly plane game'. ... glad we all know better. :)
That reaction. Yes. There it is. That's what we all felt when we got there.
Well done, Captain.
Fun sidebar: the voice of Albert Genette doing the narration at the end of the mission? None other than the legendary Matt Mercer. This was one of his first VA roles.
I know!!!
I am in shock right now
Man I didn't know that. There's the familiar voices like Beau Billingslea and Wendee Lee but that does not sound like Mercer at all. Good call out!
And this is why UNSUNG WAR works so well, SITUATIONAL PRESENTATION. It wouldn’t have worked anywhere else, EXCEPT IN THAT INCREDIBLE FINAL MISSION.
Silly Little Plane Game that makes me way more emotional than it should. Thanks for introducing me to it Marco!
It’s Not a “silly little plane game”
You just want to sound cool and what “hip” to what literally every other Internet gatekeeper of this particular franchise say
@@mrandrossguy9871 it's just a joke man chill and btw you sound like someone trying to be cool ngl.
@@danilim7529well Take that 😋
Why so serious?@@mrandrossguy9871
Enjoy the ride dude!
Unsung War won't stay with you for a long time... It stays with you forever.
Heck, I even cried seeing this video. First time I heard "unsung war" was during the Olympic Games held in Japan. They played alot or even only video game music while the athletes were coming into the Stadion. And Unsung War totally stood out for me.
The opening ceremony had "First Flight", not sure when you hear UW.
It was "First Flight", but its still a banger anyway
they played WHAT at the olympics?!
@@GreatFox42yes, ace combat are one of another game that got featured on tokyo olympics
Man! I remember my dad used to love watching me play this once i got it for my 15th birthday in February. He's a retired USAF F-15 maintenance chief. I always offered to teach him to play, and sometimes he'd try, but would get frustrated with it and said he'd rather watch me play it and "be the wingman you need to watch your ass😂."
When we played through it, and i got to the stadium scene (you know which one,) i cried because i felt GENUINE connection with these characters, and my old man was a little quieter for the next few missions too.
But damn, if this game didn't set some insanely high standards i have for games now. The amount of times i played through beginning to end just to FEEL that experience again...i couldn't tell you how many times i did. Such a beautifully done piece of art.
Your old man is truly a wingman. o7
Choppers death and this part got me. Ace combat 4 was what started it all for me and since then I’ve tried to play them all. I love the music, the gameplay, the story, etc of Ace Combat.
seeing that opening bit
yeah no, that anger is valid
Its been more than 15 years (pun very much intended), since I played AC5 for the first time. I have upwards to 600+ (after a memory card loss, so probable double) of flight hours in AC5 (so literally 200+ full playthroughs)
I STILL get teary eyed with Unsung War. Is such a beautiful song for a beautiful ending, there are no words I can say to explain the feeling in my chest when I hear it.
Fun fact - you can fly through the middle of the SOLG, down the barrel of the satellite, and destroy it from the inside without shooting the outer bits.
Woah
The Ace Combat Infinity variant of the SOLG shouted this strategy out by forcing you to go through the center for the final target. They made the satellite bigger so you could have eight planes jockeying for position to nail it with XAAMs.
Some planes cannot fit unfortunately
i did this on accident in my first play through
Great pfp
"An almost liturgucal experience..."
We call these games the Holy Trinity for a reason LOL.
But yeah. The Unsung War is always one of my test pieces when checking new headphones just so I can get mesmerized in the details and relive the first time I played this mission. This game is one of THE defining milestones for me as a gamer and as a person.
One thing to remember heading into Zero is that it's the chaotic genesis of 5. I look forward to seeing that playthrough.
-"Yo buddy, still alive?"
About 20 years ago, when I was in middle school, I played this game over and over again.
The feeling of having seen the coolest movie, like watching a mind-blowing documentary, made a strong impression on me at the time.
And I still love this game series. I'm glad you played it.
Seeing Marco's reaction just gives me a giant happy smile. They did such an amazing job with the OST of Ace Combat 5.
This was me listening to Hush in AC7. Hearing Trigger's leitmotif come to life along with the drone's and every little piece in the whole OST and game that had a significant importance to the story was just too much for me, as well as the dialogue of the mission being so heavy on "end of the world" type of thing was an amazing experience.
I legit CHEERED when I finally got to the end of the game as a kid. That tunnel mission was probably the hardest in AC history (especially as a kid). I'm super bummed that I missed the last 2 parts of this series - I probably would've teared up again seeing such catharsis from someone who loves The Unsung War song and finally seeing it play out in context. No other game has given me that feeling in a long time.
Appreciated you being there when you could!
Now we can all say Marco is "one of us!".
I hope you play Zero next and face off against Pixy.
Plz Marco play Zero plz (My knees on the floor)
Let the Flamenco go hard
This comment spoiled me damn, I deserve it I guess
Ace Combat 5 is a beautiful piece of art, and I'm so glad you got to experience it. I felt the same way my first playthrough!
On one side, Ace Combat as a series is such a silly thing, and on the other, it's such an impactful experience. I distinctly remember myself as a young teenage boy going through these games and how they stayed in my mind for weeks after finishing them.
I've often compared the entire series to the Gundam franchise, both on the silly side, and the serious side. To the point I consider Ace Combat to be what Gundam games should be.
A video game doesn't have to make sense that's why there fun they take us to a place that cant be done in reality.
You hit on something important with the "God vs. Anti-God" thing. More than any other game in the series, Ace Combat 5 is not just a battle between nations or a battle to re-take your taken land, etc. Ace Combat 5 is a battle against the human nature of conflict and revenge; it is a battle against the weight of history. Few other games in general have gotten it right, and I think that none of the other AC games have quite managed to get it right either (AC Zero hits hard too, but it's aiming at a different target). I think AC 7 in particular was aiming at this target, but missed the mark.
AC 7 to me was aiming at "Man vs Machine" as it's thing. It's MAN that should fly planes. MAN that should make the decisions when going into battle. It's why we COULDN'T accept that drones would replace human pilots.
It's also the main conflict point that leads into AC3 where all that's left are machines waging wars on behalf of corporations.
Yeah, much like White Bird nails the idea that you're doing something that nobody should ever have been made to do. Particularly when Arkbird is pulling that final hideous permanent stall with her third-stage rocket engine.
As someone who adores Unsung War enough to remember the lyrics (I'm a violinists' so lyrics usually aren't my thing), I'm so, so glad that it had this impression on you ❤
If you defeat Ofnir and Grabacr fast enough, you'll get a secret conversation between your wingmen. It's a very wholesome conversation. Try it out next time you play this mission!
AC5 is one my favorite games all time, that emotions you get throughout the campaign are very real. I'm glad you got to experience that.
So many years later AC5 is still one of my favorite games and the scoring played stick a huge part in that. So that to see it's still relevant to the art of game design as a whole.
This is probably the most genuine reaction I’ve seen on TH-cam
It’s songs like Unsung War that solidifies my love for video games.
My favorite Ace Combat in terms of story. Beautiful story, sequence and music. Chopper's death really tore me up as a kid.
Crying while watching you crying to an amazing game and an amazing song. No need to hold back the tears and praise your warmhearted soul, Marco.
😭🙏
Glad I was able to watch this stream and reexperience part of my childhood again. These two last missions must have been a cathartic feeling when completed. Thanks Marco, you've got no idea.
This perfectly proves one important theory:
Context matters.
It does but I was also moved to tears with out it. 😉
It has been near on 20 years, and what you felt in those moments is what many of us felt at that time and still feel to this day. Aces5 brought a whole new level of wholly integrated story telling into what is essentially a long form arcade game that is accompanied by excellent music, fantastic (for the time) visuals, a compelling story, and wrapped them all up in... an arcade flight game?
I was caught so off guard by this game that I still wish I could play it to this very day. Alas, my PS2 is long gone, my game collection inherited by a good friend of mine from school. But it's always great to see folks appreciating what masterpieces these are.
It's been years since I played this game, but seeing that transition from the Tunnel Run the to SOLG was like I was sent back to 15 years old, clutching my DualShock 2 in awe at the sight while the music cued in and I was in for the flight of my life. Glad to see the impact this game leaves resonating with others.
When history witnesses a great change, Razgriz reveals itself... first, as a dark demon. As a demon, it uses its power to rain death upon the land, and then it dies. However, after a period of slumber, Razgriz returns, this time, as a great hero. Well done Marco! next up, The Belkan War.
Not to be that guy, Marco, but this is kiiiiinda what people mean when we keep saying "context is important." I know, I know, not for *every* song, but like, you have to admit, some songs are not the same experience without the context.
I’ve recently filmed an “apology video” about this sentiment. Though not to be that guy, tohlemiach (🫣) understanding why a piece is so beautiful outside of the context and then coming to it in context is a total punch to the gut too 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@@MarcoMeatball Hey, touche. I actually haven't played any Ace Combat games, and from your video on Unsung War a while ago I immediately added it to my playlist. Seeing your reaction here kind of makes me want to play the game now too...
@@Tohlemiach Im just being silly of course. Context is better. I just want to live in a world where people respect music for its own merit
@@MarcoMeatball I totally agree, all the moreso if videogame music itself becomes more widely known as the result.
I stumbled across this game by pure chance when I was in my early teen years. Plucked it off the shelf of my cousin's collection of video games and traded GTA Vice City Stories for it. This game stuck with me hard since then. The emotional weight of it, and the scene setting done helped me get through one of the hardest times in my life, when my grandmother was dying from cancer. The many challenges I had faced all the way to the end only to meet the SOLG head-on... and I had an epiphany... The reason it is so rememberable and impactful was not because the music, the boss fight, or even the characters. It was that that fight, the moral ground, and the theme of the game were all so deeply interlinked on such an insane level. By the time you get to the SOLG, you are such a high skilled pilot that it is nothing... and even moreso when the Belkan aces come at you at the start of the mission. it really puts it all into perspective. The fight against the SOLG, wasn't meant to feel like the final boss. It was meant to feel like the ending of a story, a conclusion of a moral quandary, an experience of finality. With the music, characters, and even just flying the plane you are in. It becomes a personal experience. Especially coming off the high of flying through that tunnel. It gives you, the player, the space to relax that little bit, yet still completely show what you came there for. To settle down, yet get even deeper invested. It is an invitation... to the end of one of the best pieces of art ever made.
Marco nailed it in his explanation. The slow burn, rising to the climax in AC5's storyline is what makes it so perfect along with the magnificent soundtrack made by absolute japanese wizards.. eh, I mean, composers, a soundtrack so well made that it follows the storyline curve steadily, up close, without giving it any quarters. Masterpiece.
And... call me crazy if you want, but at least to me what AC5 really is a modern day military / mythological opera game and that blows me away every time. I'm pretty sure I've heard Marco talking about modern day games and movies being some sort of opera and damn he's right, but for a game, I'd say AC5 perfected at doing it!
HISTOOOOOORIIIIAAAAAA
MUDAT VAAAALDE RAAAZRIIIIIIZ
REVELAT IPSUM. PREMUM DAEMON SHEST CUS EST
@@Talon1124Not to ruin, but the Google translation.
Remember Chopper
"I'm gonna miss that sweet voice"
(｀･ω･´)ゞ
I cried when he died, and when the game ended. AC5 is such a moving game
@@WldntULike2Knowwhere I had been playing while conserving missiles before that mission, I wasted all missiles hunting down every enemy plane and went Winchester on remaining stragglers. I've never actually felt anger translate into gameplay until Chopper died.
Poor guy had it rough, lost his record collection right off the bat
2:08 That look you gave, you were in heaven man.. and was I when I felt this too my first time as well. Still have yet to find a finale in a game which gave such an uplifting feeling in my soul. It's been such a pleasure watching you experience this masterpiece. Wish I had a friend like you.. Congratulations on playing the Holy Trilogy.
I started with Ace Combat 3 on PSX and to this day i love this series ... so much good memories !
What a beautiful reaction, im glad you finally got to experience it the way it was intended. These games were a part of my childhood and they have aged so well and my appreciation for them has only grown as i approach 30. I look at them as works of art as much as i do classic games.
Cant wait to see you play Zero. Arguably moved me more than any other ace combat game.
PS: whatever you do, please dont skip the end credits when you play Zero. You wont regret it
Your love of this game and particularly this song made me sub. Ace Combat 5 is one of my top 9 games of all time. I remember as a teenager putting this song on my mp3 player (ah the good ol' 2000s) and listening to it countless times. Heck I learned the lyrics and can still sing most of it! This game just stirred something in me, including a sense of patriotism for a fictional country. I just felt bound to the characters and the setting. Glad you managed to experience what me and many others did back in 2004.
I adore ace combat in ways I can’t really explain! Thank you for sharing and subbing!
I can't remember how i felt when i first finished this game literally 20 years ago now. I played the hell out of AC4 so jumping into harder modes was nothing to me. I faintly remember just thinking last mission was cool but also just admire the details like the panels flying off can kill you. FUN FACT - you can fly inside all the way through the core of the center barrel with a shootable wall at the end to exit. The outter arms can also be shot out so you basically can dismantle the whole thing.
Oh lord I can’t wait to see your reaction when you get to the final battle in Zero and hearing the Razgriz choir in the middle of the flamenco
My introduction to Ace Combat was 4, back when it was the hot new title in the series, and I easily clocked over 1000 hours on that. So it was no surprise at all that I would go on to 5 and then 0 (I got yet more of the games afterwards, including finding the older games, such as the first one of them all, Air Combat). AC5 was what sold me on the importance of having a good story and especially a good soundtrack accompanying it.
While shooting down the SOLG was the appropriate final crescendo, it was November that City hit me much harder than I consciously recognized for years, and it bothered me so deeply for so long. I would not go so far as to say that it had that it gave me a genuine case of what I later learned it was, but I was constantly looking back, wondering if there was anything I could have done differently to yield a different outcome, never once thinking about whether or not the developers allowed it (yeah, it took me about a year before I decided to try making a different choice on the Face/Back of the Coin choices).
It would not be until I went on to college and was listening to one particular example from my Psychology Intro professor that I realized, "Holy sh^t, I was doing what so many war veterans with PTSD, particularly survivor's guilt, do." That realization nearly rocked me to my core (yes, I know it is at least a little hyperbolic, but still) - and not to sound political, but it also completely altered how I view any war, real or fictional, from then on.
That realization also made AC5's soundtrack hit so much harder, like it was giving a sense that (again, not to sound political) you were fighting against what some people IRL might claim is "God's will" as they also say "How dare you defy God." I kid you not when I say that AC5 actually inspired me to finally pick up and read Paradise Lost. Yes, it shined a new light on the commonly quoted line of "Better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven," but for me, to tie back to that final BGM, the line that stands out the most is: "All is not lost, the unconquerable will, and study of revenge, immortal hate, and the courage never to submit or yield."
And of course, the songs for the credits - oh, I can never not cry whenever I listen to them.
Eventually, I started writing my own stories, and I drew arguably the most inspiration from Ace Combat, AC5 most of all (AC0 is so close of a second it might as well be tied for first to me). It is easily one of the best in the whole series, and I can see how some can argue that it is straight-up _the_ best.
I understand why you ended up crying when listening to this song.
I am also the type of person who, when listening to certain melodies or leitmotifs, gets goosebumps, and tears inevitably appear in my eyes.
This is one of the songs that gives me that feeling.
Ace Combat is truly an incredible experience :')
Imagine how fans felt hearing this song again in Ace Combat Infinity. I was playing with a friend for the SOLG mission and he pointed it out. Once I heard it, it just pumped me up because I felt I was back in my favorite game with my friends this time.
I watched you reminding of myself. This game changes people.
Yes! I knew it you would love the game! So glad to see you are having a good time
Really hope there is an AC8 announcement soon
Unsung War was the game that made me fall in love with AC. I also believe its the best AC game to date. I played this when i was in middle school and I still get around the same emotional reaction.
I've heard this composition long time ago, and finally I found it. Bless on you, man.
We welcome you into the fold, Marco. Thanks for bringing people back into the franchise. It needs more attention.
Now this is a game! Not everyday one experiences a game that leaves long lasting emotional memories.
“The Journey Begins” is the piece that does it for me.
O7 Marco. AC5 has been the only game to make me cry, more than once, even on my second playthrough. I'm so glad you got to experience this properly and seeing you cry reminds me of me. Welcome to the club of the feels, Ace of Razgriz.
And yes, the entire story of AC5 works in so many ways because you have so many things working together, the song, the song in universe, the book, the legend, your squadron, yourself. Everything works together with the music, you are Razgriz, the legend is real and it builds up over the story. I love this game more than most, I love it.
the climax to the Unsung War effect.... now you are a victim of it too.... welcome to the club.
I'm commenting again because your talk about how affecting this series can be got me thinking.
Because Ace Combat is a game that is on the surface more than a bit silly. Planes go whoosh and zoom and boom and dakka dakka while awkward and stilted anime dialog gets yelled across open channels. It has two opposing theses: that war is bad and nobody should want it *but* yo these places are so cool right?! It shouldn't work. The whiplash should be too great to bear.
And yet, it succeeds, because the Ace Combat series is incredibly sincere. It's not winking or smirking at you; it's being completely honest at you the entire time, and the music is a large conveyor of that honesty and sincerity. Hell, even the game considered the least of the series, Assault Horizon, is being 100% sincere.
Ace Combat is special to me. Has been for 20 years. I'm glad it's become special to you too.
@MarcoMeatball obrigado por lembrar desse game , chorei igual a vc.. sucesso sempre meu amigo lol
Man, now I'm excited for you to show what you thought of AC:Zero
I'm a Japanese fan who discovered you through Arknights reaction videos. The game music of Ace Combat 6 is amazing, so I'd love for you to listen to it! I'll continue to support you from now on.
I'm downloading the old games onto my PS2 emulator, I want to play them again so desperately. This final mission as well as Sea of Chaos. Fighting aircraft and naval ships while a beautiful melody is being sung in the background shaped my gaming experience to this day when I first played these games. It gave me a great appreciation for the power of music in video games. It's a career I've wanted to get into since I was younger, and hopefully someday I can.
You now understand the magic of the story Ace Combat has.
It was a pleasure seeing you playing this. Experiencing AC for the first time is fantastic, and you can somewhat relieve it when other people like it and experience it as well. Thank you for the emotions Marco, see you soon for AC0!
A TH-camr called 'timmm' did a video essay on Ace Combat titled 'Ace Combat is a simulator, but not of reality' that explored the history of the franchise and the essense of what made it what it is.
Your video here, for me, is the proof of the final takeaway from that video essay by timmm. Yes, it is a silly arcade-style plane game with a fairly basic gameplay loop, but making a complex and realistic simulator was never the purpose. It doesn't matter if what you are doing is unrealistic and fantastical.
What was most important in Ace Combat is that 'you should feel'.
Yeah yeah,
That’s just “subjective” BS
I Love to FEeL but I Also LOVE TO ACTUALLY ENJOY A PLANE GAME you know with ACTUALLY DETAILED FLYING
Ah, that video. Watched it a while back, while Ace Combat was the peak of my interests... and I gotta say, timmm really nailed the coffin on the head when he said something to the effect of "Ace Combat isn't about _being_ a fighter pilot, it's about _living the fantasy_ of being a fighter pilot."
Though, do tell me if I got that paraphrased quote wrong. I'd love to have an excuse to look at more AC video analyses.
@@mrandrossguy9871 go play DCS then or war thunder.
@@mrandrossguy9871 Better yet go join the air force.
IMO the fact that they model aircraft sideslip and loss of altitude when banking without elevator is plenty good enough for me, especially since this is at the end of the day a fun arcady game just like 99% of games out there and I'm all for those 999 missiles and 10:1 thrust to weight ratios.
@@mrandrossguy9871 "detailed flying" bro the key word is " *A R C A D E* flight sim". I don't play ace combat for the flight model and if you do you're doing something very wrong
I know you, from reacting your Zero Reaction video, and as a Mexican fan of AC I can only say this in my language
Esto fue muy chingón.
And I can say, although I wasn't on the stream I saw it completely and your reactions to the music, the game, etc makes me love this franchise a lot more, as one of the guys in the comments says, "You are one of us now".
I can't wait to see your Zero Walkthrough, and some note, its just my opinion, but the game looked so dark, idk if your playing from a real ps2 or an Emulator, but try to turn up the brightness in the game a little bit.
It’s the real ps2!!!
I love Unsung War. Its like playing out some modern mythology as if its being retold generations down the line as some grand legend. The Liturgical sounding music that each game leads up to helps to solidify that. You could honestly change some of the aspects to be in line with greek or norse gods and no one would think twice lol. Also a fun fact, the ending cutscene with the little girl reading the book is actually the one Nagase was rewriting earlier in the game. I love our silly little plane games.
Ah yes, what a reaction! Watched all the streams because is such a rare ocassion to see soemone play this for the first time... we AC fans are thirsty for people to see this franchise and all the incredible things it has, can't wait for tomorrow's stream for AC Zero.
Thank you Marco!
PS: I hope you use the Su-47 someday 😋
Even now after all these years having played this when it came out... i still remember this song fondly. Sometimes there is just a moment in a game and the music with it. just won't ever leave.
I forgot comment in this video, but I just said again, as well as today it's been 20 years, this game has the best story and such epically moment, in ACES when everyone assemble, and especially Unsung feels in that story of Razgriz from demon through becoming hero of all time
to this day it's still my favorite ace combat, together with the belkan war.
also what i've noticed for the tunnel run, is that it's actually quite well made
the faster you fly the faster the gates close, combine that with the sense of urgency the game creates specifaclly for this
and you naturally tend to fly faster.
People have been wanting a remaster of these three games for so long. Nothing gets touched, just the visuals. As everything else is already perfection.
Having those easy and hard mission you're having through and somehow you end up in last mission with the great ost.
Now you are Ace of Razgriz with us. Brother.
ace combat is the series that can give me the same feelings as armored core. idk why its like that but I love both series dearly and have been a big fan of both.
That is why I love ACE 5 so much! I know how you feel. I felt the same thing when I played for the first time. The Unsung War impacted me more than Shattered Skies and Zero. Don't get me wrong, I love the whole AC divine Trinity but AC 5 is my favorite.
Unsung War makes me more patriotic for a fictional nation than I am for the actual nation I live in.
This is probably my favorite Ace Combat song in the series
Still love how in Ace Combat 7 that the team returning from space is lead by Nagase. Was a great callback.
This.
This is why these OSTs hits people in the feels every time we hear it. It's about the experience.
Fun fact: you can use YA-10B and throw FAEB into the SOLG for massive damage, but you need to be really very damn close to the SOLG unless the bomb will fly away from the target. Aim at the center between all the target marks, keep the plane stable and watch the surroundings. In addition you will have to ALWAYS hit afterburner because this plane is really slow compared to the others (it's actually close air support for bombing ground targets, that's why).
0:13 yep I know the feeling man
I had a glorious time watching Marco turn into one of us AC enjoyer!
What I wouldn't give for them to remaster the Holy Trilogy + ACX... but dang license issues...
He gets emotionally overwhelmed at first reaction, and he still gets emotionally overwhelmed at the second 😂
I think every ac fans crys at some point for me it was blue skies at the end of AC4 and the opening cutscene in AC7 when the star fighter takes off and the second to last mission when the ocans and erisans come together to take down the final arsenal bird
the moment when you realize the song about the hero's tale is singing about you
And that's how they rope you in... and make you eagerly await the next entry in the series.
Congratulations Marco. Chopper would be proud
It's a silly arcade plane game but it hits you right in the feels
When you play your first Ace Combat thre's no turning back... Welcome, new Ace.
I'm a lifelong Ace Combat fan but never got 5 until I was an adult. I played 4 and Zero, and X so much as a kid and those hold a special place in my heart. 5 is a bit different for me, I love the music, I love the gameplay, the aircraft roster (though no weapon selection is a bit daft), and the characters were...certainly characters.
I'm so happy that you got a big emotional kick out of Ace 5 and 'Unsung War' is undeniably a fantastic piece of music. I couldn't really rank Ace Combat (including Project Wingman) music since it's all so good, other than Zero being my absolute favourite. Another track I reckon you'd find interesting is Morceux from Ace Combat 3, it's in my sleep playlist of all things with such tracks as Drakengard Chapter XIII 'closing', Chapter VIII 'in the air' and 'on the ground' among others.
yes The Ace Combat series is at its core is antiwar, it shows the sacrifice of individuals as they try to maintain or establish peace. On that note the music and writing convoy the most powerful emotion of al,l hope.
We've all been at that moment, no matter the game, i was playing Resident Evil 6 and the Chris ending got my eyes tearing up
Cant wait for zero and 6. Probably the most hype I've been for this channel is seeing him experiencing the ace combat games.
its been 10 years since i remember this like it was yesterday
I’ve seen your tears Marco I’ll let you pass you’ve got a good tenure voice. Back in 2005 I was a teenager at the time playing ace combat 5 that you were playing I was pretty good in that game the unsung war song very enjoying I’m still enjoying to this day
The Holy Trinity has earned its title, I believe.
20 years after I played the game and it still gives me chills when I hear those opening horns.
Plus, to this day I still (try to) use the name "Razgriz" whenever I play any demon-adjacent class in video games - like the Warlock in World of Warcraft. In 20 years the name got recognized ONCE... and that makes me sad. This game should be a MUST PLAY for everyone who calls themselves a gamer, but alas 'It's just a silly plane game'.
... glad we all know better. :)
Ace combat really is just peak gaming.
After all this years the soundtracks of Ace combat games is absolutely the best! Im really happy you made people discover this amazing game
This dude. This dude gets it