Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Mixes Anime and Aviation to Deliver a Stunning Action-Adventure
Summary
- We go hands-on with Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve and came away impressed with how this next entry in the long-running series is looking to be the most personal yet.
- This cinematic storytelling is one of the biggest changes in years for the series, by telling its story from a first-person perspective it helps immerse you further in the moment-to-moment air combat drama.
- Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is launching October 2, 2026, for XBOX Series X|S and is available for pre-order today on the XBOX Store. Or Grab Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Deluxe Edition to start playing on September 28, 2026. Pre-order any version of the game to receive a copy of the classic Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War for free.
One of my first thoughts from the reveal trailer of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve a few months ago was how that dog on the carrier flight deck could not possibly be following protocol. That doggy detail helps to reinforce the fictional realm of Ace Combat’s Strangereal universe, where continents like Osea, Belka, Erusea, Sotoa, and Usea cover the globe and routinely engage in hostilities via air combat.
That trailer also gave us a hint at how ACE8 will be changing, with a first-person narrative perspective mixed with high-stakes combat. At Summer Game Fest: Play Days we had a chance to go hands-on with this anticipated title and came away impressed with how this next entry in the long-running series is looking to be the most personal yet.
The aircraft carrier Endurance, your home base during the game, is old and battered, having recently taken on refugees as the result of a major conflict. This has left you and your squad to protect a small fleet of ships and civilians who are trying to make it to the next day in one piece. Think “Battlestar Galactica” meets “Top Gun” with a dash of “Mobile Suit Gundam,” and you have a sense of what ACE8 is looking to deliver here narratively this time around.
This cinematic storytelling is one of the biggest changes in years for the series, by telling its story from a first-person perspective it helps immerse you further in the moment-to-moment air combat drama. Your wingmen, from the spunky pink-haired Tasha to the poetic veteran Professor, address you directly; comparatively, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown’s story was largely told through cinematic cutscenes and animated briefing maps.
In a lot of ways, this approach reminds me of the classic Wing Commander (age check verification complete) in how you would move about the Tiger’s Claw, talk to the crew, and sit in the briefing room before heading out to the flight deck. The same emotional connection is taking place here, right down to the briefing room banter, making you more invested with your fellow pilots by putting faces, hopes, and dreams to the names that pop up on your HUD during battle, raising the emotional stakes and investment in the game.
In the opening mission, you’re introduced to Jan Cope, the Wings of Theve himself, an “ace pilot” who tells you he’s just a normal guy that has been propped up by war propaganda to keep morale high in the face of danger. As such, he has a target on his back on every mission he flies – and it isn’t long until his number gets called. We didn’t know Cope for long, but he leaves a lasting impression on us by reappearing as a manifestation and narrator to our high-flying adventure. Oh, and now we’re the next Wing of Theve – need to keep that war propaganda machine rolling!
We get a preview of how this plays out through a few subsequent missions that introduce us further to our wingmen. Cope continues to narrate in real time during the mission, giving us some more background on the state of the world and my sidekicks. Visually everything looks stellar, which has always been a strong element for the series. All the aircraft models have amazing visual fidelity, right down to the bolts on the fuselage and scratches on the paint; I didn’t think planes could look better after ACE7, but here we are. It’s very impressive.
One of the newer graphical features this time is the technology behind the cloud layers, which helps give a greater sense of speed as you’re flying through them, as well as an obstacle to navigate during combat encounters. Like the plane models, this too is an incredibly impressive looking tech that’s on display.
Flight controls feel just as solid as those found in Ace Combat 7, which itself felt excellent to play. Planes have real weight to them as you move through the skies, loosing up at lower speeds and tightening up at higher velocities. That’s still to say that Ace Combat games have never leaned too hard into flight simulator territory, preferring to give you a solid arcade-like flight experience – this lets you enjoy the spectacle of firing dozens of missiles at your enemies without worrying about silly things like logic to hold you back. You still need to mind elements like the ground and how speed can affect air combat, but approachability has always been a strong suit of the series and that is coming through here in spades.
To help bring future pilots on board, there are two flight models to swap between: standard keeps your aircraft pretty level though combat encounters, whereas expert unbuckles you to fly anyway you see fit. I’ve preferred the expert level of control myself – being able to have more of the complete freedom to move behind my target and execute my attacks, or diving and spinning to avoid missiles, has always been part of the excitement for me in these games.
Our overall time with the game was brief, just the opening hour, but that was enough to give us a better idea on how this entry is looking to elevate the franchise by having us more invested with our wingmen, delivering both an emotional and exhilarating experience that we can’t wait to play more of when it launches October 2, 2026, for XBOX Series X|S.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is launching October 2, 2026, for XBOX Series X|S and is available for pre-order today on the XBOX Store. Or Grab Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Deluxe Edition to start playing on September 28, 2026. Pre-order any version of the game to receive a copy of the classic Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War for free.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Deluxe Edition Pre-Order
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
– Playable Aircraft: F-14A
– ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version)
– 3-Day Early Access
*Early Access is scheduled to begin on September 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM (PDT)
*Release date, contents and specifications are subject to change without notice.
*Bonuses other than ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) may be released at a later date.
*ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR was also known as ACE COMBAT: THE BELKAN WAR in some regions.
*ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) Supported Languages: Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Please be aware of potential language differences from ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE when purchasing.
The Deluxe Edition includes:
– ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
– Customizable Cosmetic Set
– PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE delivers high-octane aerial action!
Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot across stunning skies. Enter intense dogfights, eliminate threats, and rise through gripping missions to earn your wings in this game developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed team behind the franchise.
Aerial Warfare in Living Skies.
Campaign Mode showcases stunning visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that capture the majesty of living skies. Feel the rush of fast-paced arcade-style gameplay while deploying powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield.
A visceral journey from cockpit to ground.
Beyond the chaos in the air, exhilarating first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story through breathtaking cinematics. Experience the pressure of command, the weight of decisions, and the bonds forged in battle. Between missions, bond with your squad members, rise to meet adversity, and prove yourself as a true ace.
The Largest Online Mode of the Series
ACE COMBAT ONLINE delivers the most expansive multiplayer experience in franchise history. Step into the series’ first online lobby, explore an air base with your custom avatar before diving into multiplayer games. Sortie into online missions with pilots worldwide in a variety of modes including Co-Op and cross platform play.
*This is the Deluxe Edition of the game. A Standard Edition is also available. Please take care to avoid duplicate purchases.
—-
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
& ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
CORE IMAGERY – VIEW-READY © 2025 Vantor.
All trademarks and copyrights associated with the manufacturers, aircraft, models, trade names, brands and visual images depicted in this game are the property of their respective owners, and used with such permissions.
Produced under license. BOEING and all Boeing product names, logos, brands, and their distinctive markings and trade dress are trademarks of The Boeing Company.
Copyright Dassault Aviation 2026 ©
Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the leading combat aircraft in the world. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH.
Produced in cooperation with Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
Lockheed Martin Trademarks used under license to Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
The Northrop Grumman name, logos, aircraft, and content are trademarks and copyrights of Northrop Grumman.
Copyright SAAB AB
Produced under license. Bell and all Bell product names, logos, brands, and their distinctive markings and trade dress are trademarks of Textron Innovations Inc.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Pre-Order
Bandai Namco Entertainment America Inc.
– Playable Aircraft: F-14A
– ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version)
*Release date, contents and specifications are subject to change without notice.
*Bonuses other than ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) may be released at a later date.
*ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR was also known as ACE COMBAT: THE BELKAN WAR in some regions.
*ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Series X|S Version) Supported Languages: Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Please be aware of potential language differences from ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE when purchasing.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE delivers high-octane aerial action!
Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot across stunning skies. Enter intense dogfights, eliminate threats, and rise through gripping missions to earn your wings in this game developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed team behind the franchise.
Aerial Warfare in Living Skies.
Campaign Mode showcases stunning visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that capture the majesty of living skies. Feel the rush of fast-paced arcade-style gameplay while deploying powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield.
A visceral journey from cockpit to ground.
Beyond the chaos in the air, exhilarating first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story through breathtaking cinematics. Experience the pressure of command, the weight of decisions, and the bonds forged in battle. Between missions, bond with your squad members, rise to meet adversity, and prove yourself as a true ace.
The Largest Online Mode of the Series
ACE COMBAT ONLINE delivers the most expansive multiplayer experience in franchise history. Step into the series’ first online lobby, explore an air base with your custom avatar before diving into multiplayer games. Sortie into online missions with pilots worldwide in a variety of modes including Co-Op and cross platform play.
*This is the Standard Edition of the game. A Deluxe Edition is also available. Please take care to avoid duplicate purchases.
—-
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE& ©Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
CORE IMAGERY – VIEW-READY © 2025 Vantor.
All trademarks and copyrights associated with the manufacturers, aircraft, models, trade names, brands and visual images depicted in this game are the property of their respective owners, and used with such permissions.
Produced under license. BOEING and all Boeing product names, logos, brands, and their distinctive markings and trade dress are trademarks of The Boeing Company.
Copyright Dassault Aviation 2026 ©
Eurofighter Typhoon is one of the leading combat aircraft in the world. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH.
Produced in cooperation with Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
Lockheed Martin Trademarks used under license to Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc.
The Northrop Grumman name, logos, aircraft, and content are trademarks and copyrights of Northrop Grumman.
Copyright SAAB AB
Produced under license. Bell and all Bell product names, logos, brands, and their distinctive markings and trade dress are trademarks of Textron Innovations Inc.
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