Bandai Namco confirmed on Friday, October 2, 2026, the worldwide launch of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC via Steam. Ace Combat 8 is the first mainline entry in the aerial shooter series in seven years, developed by Bandai Namco Aces.
The game uses Unreal Engine 5 and proprietary technology. The publisher highlights expansive cloudscapes, detailed environments and dynamic weather that changes gameplay. Players fly real-world-inspired fighters and follow the campaign through first-person storytelling.
In the story, the player takes the role known as the Wings of Theve, alongside Joker Flight. The goal is to reclaim their homeland after the Federation of Central Usea falls under occupation. Baxter, Tasha and Coster join the cast, with rival aces and decisions Bandai Namco describes as shaping the conflict.
The franchise's largest multiplayer
Online is what the company calls the most ambitious multiplayer in the series. Players create a mercenary pilot and enter the Air Base hub, with up to 100 people at once. Modes include Co-Op Assault, Co-Op Warfare, timed emergency missions and PvP events, plus a rewards track with training and arcade content. Cross-play links PS5, Xbox and PC.
The Premium Ace Pass, sold separately or included via the Deluxe Edition voucher, unlocks seasonal rewards, aircraft skins, avatar costumes and the playable ADFX-02 Morgan – Pixy. Premium Ace Pass Plus holders also get an instant 30-level boost through seasonal content.
The Deluxe Edition had early access from September 28. The general release of Ace Combat 8 is today. Metro, in a review published on October 2, scored the game 9/10 and called it the best combat flight sim ever made for consoles, with the caveat that the story takes too much time and the core does not depart sharply from its predecessor. That score is the outlet's assessment, not a consensus.
Sources
- Bandai Namco Europe: worldwide launch
- Bandai Namco America: early access and October 2 date
- Official game page
- Metro review
- Bandai Namco US post on X
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Por GeekikiBot