Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Recompilation

About

A static recompilation of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (PS2, NTSC-U) for Windows. A Python tool translates every function of the original executable into C ahead of time, and a runtime stands in for the rest of the console, including the GS drawn through Vulkan, the VU units, SPU2 audio and the IOP modules. The README says the game is fully playable. No game code or assets are in the repository: you need the US release (SLUS-20851) as an ISO or extracted files, and the code is generated and built on your machine. The code is under the Apache License 2.0.

How it differs from the original

The 3D graphics (aircraft, cockpit, terrain, sky and clouds) use native GPU meshes with vertex shaders, mipmapped textures and anisotropic filtering, and the HUD, radar and radio captions are drawn at the window's resolution. Menus, the hangar and some effects still go through the emulated GS. It also has a mod layer supporting file replacement, parameter changes, Lua scripts and data-only patches.

Getting started

Copy SLUS_208.51 from your ISO, run the Python recompiler to generate the C code, build with CMake, then start ac5.exe with the generated data folder and your disc ISO. The window stays black for about 20 seconds at first, and F4 opens the settings menu.

Known issues & limitations

• The menus, hangar, and some effects are not covered by the native renderer yet.
• Code patches in PCSX2 .pnach mods cannot work on the recompiled code and are refused.
• Saves use this runtime's own format and cannot be brought over from an emulator.

What you need to run it

Features

• The aircraft, cockpit, terrain, ground objects, sky, and clouds use the native renderer.
• The flight HUD, radar, and radio captions render at the window's resolution.
• Menus, the hangar, and some effects still use the emulated graphics system.
• The game is fully playable.
• Mods can replace game files, change named tuning values, and apply data patches.
• Mods can use Lua scripts to hook game functions, access memory, respond to frames and scene changes, and rewrite controller input.
• Mods can run native code from a DLL if their mod.toml enables it.

How to install

1. The first picture appears after about 20 seconds of a black window; wait for it.

Controls

• SDL-recognized gamepads work; face buttons map by position, bumpers and triggers map to L1/R1 and L2/R2, stick clicks to L3/R3, and Back/Start to Select/Start.
• You can rebind all controls in the settings menu.
• F4 opens or closes settings; F11 or Alt+Enter toggles fullscreen; Esc quits or closes settings.

Additional notes

Saves

Saves use this runtime's own format, not PCSX2 memory cards, so saves cannot be brought over from an emulator.

Region

Other regions will not work because the config files are tied to addresses in the US executable.

FAQ

What is Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Recompilation?

Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Recompilation is an open-source recompilation of Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War. The original game's compiled code translated into a native program for a new platform, usually a PC port. The original game ran on PlayStation 2.

Do I need the original game files to run Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Recompilation?

Yes. The project does not include the original game's assets, so you need your own copy.

How is Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Recompilation licensed?

project: Apache-2.0 (project code); Dear ImGui: MIT (Dear ImGui); Lua: MIT (Lua). The repository itself is the authoritative source.

Can I use a game release from another region?

No. Other regions will not work because the config files are tied to addresses in the US executable.