Few sport franchises seize the fantasy of turning into an ace pilot fairly like Ace Fight – with accessible arcade-like controls, stunning wanting fighter jets, and cinematic storytelling, it has lengthy been a recipe for a superb time for over 30 years. Ace Fight 8: Wings of Theve returns us to that world of hovering spectacle beginning October 2 for XBOX Sequence X|S with even deeper plane customization and extra epic set items together with a squadron whose personalities carry added weight to each mission.
As you possibly can inform by the trailer footage and screenshots, Ace Fight 8 is an unbelievable wanting sport. The work put into the brand new cloud layer tech actually brings the sky to life, in addition to the touches on the bottom environments that exhibit some extraordinary consideration to element. Buildings and timber are simply identifiable, and the form of the canyon terrain is spectacular when flying by way of these massive gameplay maps. Similar goes for the inside and exterior of the provider Endurance, your major house base all through the sport, which exhibits its put on and tear with pleasure throughout the marketing campaign as a floating island of refuge.
However it’s the plane, as all the time, who’re the celebs of the present – they usually’re simply as spectacular as ever. This sport is actually a visible marvel, one which shines a lightweight on the gorgeous mechanical design of fighter jets, from the swept-wing F-14 Tomcat to the brash-but-beautiful A-10 Warthog. And for good cause – they’re front-and-center all through the marketing campaign. Sure, there are alternate in-cockpit views accessible for every plane, however I saved the exterior digicam as my major so I may see these majestic machines in motion throughout my missions.
There are over 30 plane featured within the sport, and as you progress by way of the marketing campaign you earn in-game credit to spend on unlocking further planes and upgrades within the plane tree; finishing further goals can internet you extra credit to spend. You may wager I used to be taking each alternative to mop up some further floor targets on every mission to assist fill my pockets.
There are 4 major kinds of plane which you could purchase, they usually every have a job to play on the missions: Fighters (fight), Multirole (versatile), Attacker (floor assault), and Digital Warfare (buffer/assist). You’re not mistaken in pondering that seems like a primary recipe for a superb dungeon crawling social gathering, as bringing a balanced, multi-role fighter group into the missions is without doubt one of the keys to success that I discovered.
Earlier than every sortie, you’re given a number of flexibility in not solely the make-up of the fighter group you place collectively, but additionally by way of upgrades you possibly can apply to your craft like improved maneuverability, acceleration, and focusing on enhancements that make every mission really feel that rather more distinctive and opens up a number of replayability potential. Need to take Prowler on a mission in a assist position, or mop up floor targets in an A-10 whereas your wingmen cowl you? That’s fully on the desk.
Having now performed by way of the primary 10 marketing campaign missions, I discovered all of them extremely enjoyable and strong, supplying you with a mixture of all the pieces from escort missions, bombing runs, air-to-air fight, blended in with some unbelievable set items like taking out a land battleship or defending your fragile provider fleet. Every mission has felt distinct and distinctive, with its personal challenges to handle, and in-flight determination making that may assist flip the tide of battle.
In the event you need assistance getting your bearings, Ace Fight 8 additionally presents a sequence of progressively difficult coaching missions that will help you get used to the controls – personally, I’m fairly adept at some of these video games, so I didn’t dabble an excessive amount of into this characteristic, however I respect the work put in to make this sport as accessible as attainable to assist newer pilots earn their wings.
That’s good as a result of fight in Ace Fight 8 actually exams your potential to grasp some fundamental guidelines about dogfighting and air fight – it’s much more concerned than merely pointing and capturing. Past the plain (don’t hit the bottom), with the ability to handle your plane’s velocity and positioning to enemy plane is essential to popping out on high, particularly in opposition to a number of the tougher foes you face off with when it begins to really feel like a chess match within the skies, making an attempt to anticipate the enemy’s subsequent transfer.
I additionally actually appreciated the interactions with Joker Flight all through my time with Ace Fight 8, who helped carry an emotional weight to the storyline that feeds into every mission. There’s the affected person veteran Professor, the spunky civilian-turned-pilot Tasha, and the reclusive musician Noise who’re with you just about each step of the way in which. They’re extra than simply chatter over the radio, as they’re all very succesful photographs serving to take out goals and to clear bogeys off my six.
They’re additionally extremely good at following orders. You may subject instructions to them through the d-pad: Up is ahead assault (assault my goal), Left is dispersed assault (fireplace at will), Down is assist (cowl me), and Proper is particular weapons clearance (excessive injury). Not solely does that assist all through the sport’s missions, however it makes the crew rather more tangible because the stakes is raised within the latter missions of the marketing campaign. I discovered myself actually coming to depend on them as the problem of the missions progressed, and it was nice seeing them help in taking out a number of the bigger, extra advanced goals.
Between missions is when the characters take middle stage. In earlier entries, the story largely performed out with a briefing map and cinematic cutscenes. Now the story is advised from a first-person perspective utilizing the in-game engine, as you hear instantly from Joker Flight, tour the provider deck, sit down within the mess corridor, or get pleasure from some downtime watching a band play. If there was a single characteristic to spotlight about what makes Ace Fight 8 completely different from earlier entries, Joker Flight is that sturdy differentiating issue that makes you need to proceed taking part in so as to discover out what comes subsequent – and who’s going to make it again house when all is claimed and performed.
And that’s what retains me eager about how a lot I loved my time with the latest entry on this long-running sequence. It has all the time seemed good, however now it seems to be nice. The stakes have all the time felt excessive, however now they really feel like they matter. Your wingmen had been current, however now they really feel tangible. Throughout the board, it’s a masterclass to find new and ingenious methods to enhance upon their glorious earlier entry. You don’t need to miss it.
Ace Fight 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2 for XBOX Sequence X|S and is on the market for pre-order immediately on the XBOX Retailer. Choose up Ace Fight 8: Wings of Theve Deluxe Version to begin taking part in September 28 in early entry plus a duplicate of Ace Fight Zero: The Belkan Conflict, available for the primary time on XBOX Sequence X|S.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Deluxe Version Pre-Order
Bandai Namco Leisure America Inc.
$89.99
Pre-order Bonus consists of:
– Playable Plane: F-14A
– ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Sequence X|S Model)
– 3-Day Early Entry
*Early Entry is scheduled to start on September 28, 2026 at 3:00 PM (PDT)
*Launch date, contents and specs are topic to alter with out discover.
*Bonuses apart from ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Sequence X|S Model) could also be launched at a later date.
*ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR was also referred to as ACE COMBAT: THE BELKAN WAR in some areas.
*ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Sequence X|S Model) Supported Languages: Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Please pay attention to potential language variations from ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE when buying.
The Deluxe Version consists of:
– ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE
– Customizable Beauty Set
– PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE delivers high-octane aerial motion!
Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot throughout gorgeous skies. Enter intense dogfights, get rid of threats, and rise by way of gripping missions to earn your wings on this sport developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed staff behind the franchise.
Aerial Warfare in Residing Skies.
Marketing campaign Mode showcases gorgeous visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that seize the majesty of dwelling skies. Really feel the frenzy of fast-paced arcade-style gameplay whereas deploying highly effective weapons to dominate the battlefield.
A visceral journey from cockpit to floor.
Past the chaos within the air, exhilarating first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story by way of breathtaking cinematics. Expertise the strain of command, the load of selections, and the bonds solid in battle. Between missions, bond together with your squad members, rise to fulfill adversity, and show your self as a real ace.
The Largest On-line Mode of the Sequence
ACE COMBAT ONLINE delivers probably the most expansive multiplayer expertise in franchise historical past. Step into the sequence’ first on-line foyer, discover an air base together with your customized avatar earlier than diving into multiplayer video games. Sortie into on-line missions with pilots worldwide in a wide range of modes together with Co-Op and cross platform play.
*That is the Deluxe Version of the sport. A Customary Version can be accessible. Please take care to keep away from duplicate purchases.
—-
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE™& ©Bandai Namco Leisure Inc.
CORE IMAGERY – VIEW-READY © 2025 Vantor.
All logos and copyrights related to the producers, plane, fashions, commerce names, manufacturers and visible pictures depicted on this sport are the property of their respective house owners, and used with such permissions.
Produced underneath license. BOEING and all Boeing product names, logos, manufacturers, and their distinctive markings and commerce costume are logos of The Boeing Firm.
Copyright Dassault Aviation 2026 ©
Eurofighter Hurricane is without doubt one of the main fight plane on the earth. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH.
Produced in cooperation with Japan Air Self-Protection Drive.
Lockheed Martin Emblems used underneath license to Bandai Namco Leisure Inc.
The Northrop Grumman title, logos, plane, and content material are logos and copyrights of Northrop Grumman.
Copyright SAAB AB
Produced underneath license. Bell and all Bell product names, logos, manufacturers, and their distinctive markings and commerce costume are logos of Textron Improvements Inc.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Pre-Order
Bandai Namco Leisure America Inc.
$69.99
Pre-order Bonus consists of:
– Playable Plane: F-14A
– ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Sequence X|S Model)
*Launch date, contents and specs are topic to alter with out discover.
*Bonuses apart from ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Sequence X|S Model) could also be launched at a later date.
*ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR was also referred to as ACE COMBAT: THE BELKAN WAR in some areas.
*ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Xbox Sequence X|S Model) Supported Languages: Japanese, English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. Please pay attention to potential language variations from ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE when buying.
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE delivers high-octane aerial motion!
Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot throughout gorgeous skies. Enter intense dogfights, get rid of threats, and rise by way of gripping missions to earn your wings on this sport developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed staff behind the franchise.
Aerial Warfare in Residing Skies.
Marketing campaign Mode showcases gorgeous visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that seize the majesty of dwelling skies. Really feel the frenzy of fast-paced arcade-style gameplay whereas deploying highly effective weapons to dominate the battlefield.
A visceral journey from cockpit to floor.
Past the chaos within the air, exhilarating first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story by way of breathtaking cinematics. Expertise the strain of command, the load of selections, and the bonds solid in battle. Between missions, bond together with your squad members, rise to fulfill adversity, and show your self as a real ace.
The Largest On-line Mode of the Sequence
ACE COMBAT ONLINE delivers probably the most expansive multiplayer expertise in franchise historical past. Step into the sequence’ first on-line foyer, discover an air base together with your customized avatar earlier than diving into multiplayer video games. Sortie into on-line missions with pilots worldwide in a wide range of modes together with Co-Op and cross platform play.
*That is the Customary Version of the sport. A Deluxe Version can be accessible. Please take care to keep away from duplicate purchases.
—-
ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE™& ©Bandai Namco Leisure Inc.
CORE IMAGERY – VIEW-READY © 2025 Vantor.
All logos and copyrights related to the producers, plane, fashions, commerce names, manufacturers and visible pictures depicted on this sport are the property of their respective house owners, and used with such permissions.
Produced underneath license. BOEING and all Boeing product names, logos, manufacturers, and their distinctive markings and commerce costume are logos of The Boeing Firm.
Copyright Dassault Aviation 2026 ©
Eurofighter Hurricane is without doubt one of the main fight plane on the earth. Eurofighter Jagdflugzeug GmbH.
Produced in cooperation with Japan Air Self-Protection Drive.
Lockheed Martin Emblems used underneath license to Bandai Namco Leisure Inc.
The Northrop Grumman title, logos, plane, and content material are logos and copyrights of Northrop Grumman.
Copyright SAAB AB
Produced underneath license. Bell and all Bell product names, logos, manufacturers, and their distinctive markings and commerce costume are logos of Textron Improvements Inc.
