The gameplay of Ace Combat 5 is divided into three modes: a campaign mode, an arcade mode, and an optional tutorial.[9] Unlike its predecessors, Ace Combat 5 does not include a multiplayer mode as developers did not have enough extended time to implement one.[5][6] Like previous games in the series, Ace Combat 5 features gameplay that is a cross between that of an arcade flight game and that of a flight simulator.
The game features more than fifty licensed jet aircraft,[3] including military and experimental aircraft from the United States, Europe, and Russia. The game's planes are divided into fighter aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat, attackers like the A-10 Warthog, jammers like the EA-6B Prowler, and multirole aircraft like the Dassault Rafale. The game's aircraft feature some differences in their handling that reflect their real-world capabilities, although these distinctions are not as severe as they are in reality.[4] The game's main fictional aircraft are the X-02 Wyvern from Ace Combat 04 and—for the first time as a playable unit—Ace Combat 2's ADF-01 FALKEN. A third fictional aircraft, the ADLER, was planned but not fully developed due to time constraints;[10] it was later made available in a 2016 update for Ace Combat Infinity.[11]
Most of the game's planes are inaccessible at the game's start; planes must both be unlocked and purchased to be used in the game's campaign mode. Certain planes are unlocked as the player progresses in the campaign, while others are unlocked via the game's "technology tree" system. In this system aircraft are grouped into "families", and earning a certain number of kills with a particular plane can unlock one or more variants or derivatives within that aircraft's family. After an aircraft is unlocked, it can be purchased for use in the campaign by spending credits that are awarded according to the player's performance during missions.[12]
The game's heads-up display includes a radar display and other flight instrumentation, as well as displays for the plane's damage rating and available weaponry. During gameplay, an aircraft's default weaponry typically consist of a supply of guided missiles and a gun. Additionally, each aircraft is also armed with a particular special weapon, examples of which include various types of air-dropped bombs and specialized air-to-air, air-to-ground, or air-to-ship missiles.[4] Unlike Ace Combat 04, there is only one type of special weapon available for each aircraft.
Ace Combat 5 introduces minor improvements to the game's radar display such as analog scaling of the mission map and color-coding of enemies to indicate damage level.[12] The game also introduces to the series optional side games such as midair refueling, which are available before and after certain missions.[7]
In addition, Ace Combat 5 is the first in the series to feature wingman interaction. During most campaign missions, the player can issue orders to the AI members of their unit using the DualShock controller's directional pad. The player also must purchase and assign aircraft for each of the squadron's pilots prior to each mission. Additionally, players may choose to respond to YES/NO questions during missions by squadron mates or other characters in the game. Although the player's response or lack thereof may affect the game's dialogue, the effect these questions have on gameplay is minimal, although the player's answer will affect which one of two missions they will undergo at two different points of the game.
