Xbox Series X PS5

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

ShooterSimulatorArcade

Time to beat: about 18.2 hours

Overview

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a 2026 combat flight simulation game developed by Bandai Namco Aces and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It is the ninth mainline installment in the Ace Combat series and is a sequel to Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (2019). Set in the series' fictional universe of Strangereal in 2029, amidst a war between the Federation of Central Usea and Republic of Sotoa, the game's story follows "Rex", a Usean fighter pilot who is tasked with taking on the mantle of the "Wings of Theve", a legendary flying ace whose exploits were made up for propaganda. The plot's premise is loosely inspired by real-world "ace pilot" propaganda myths such as the Ghost of Kyiv and Colonel Tomb, and involves themes of information warfare and disinformation, corporate influence in geopolitics, and hope.

Following the commercial and critical success of Ace Combat 7, development of a new Ace Combat game was first announced in 2021, with Ace Combat 8 being revealed in 2025 for release the following year. Gameplay is typical for Ace Combat titles but incorporates and improves upon aspects from previous entries. An online multiplayer component, Ace Combat Online, is included with the game and is separate from the single-player campaign.

Ace Combat 8 was released for Windows, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S on October 2, 2026, to positive critical reception from critics, who praised its gameplay, presentation, music, theming, and immersive feeling of flight, though the game's handling of cutscenes received some criticism, as did some aspects of Ace Combat Online.