Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Announced at Game Awards

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve was announced at last night’s Game Awards. The mostly cinematic trailer focused more on storytelling and the cast of characters. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is the first entry since 2019’s Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. The game will come out in 2026 and will run on Unreal Engine 5.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve’s Story

Bandai Namco’s description for the game’s backstory is as follows. On the page for Ace Combat 8, the site says, “You’re a fighter pilot, adrift at sea in a rescue boat until the outdated aircraft carrier, Endurance, pulls you aboard. Your homeland’s navy is shattered. The aging vessel, its decks crowded with refugees, has already retreated far from the front lines.

July 2029: The Federation of Central Usea (FCU) has fallen under a lightning invasion by the Republic of Sotoa. Most of the nation is occupied, the military is scattered, and the Endurance is just one fragment of what remains. On this ship, you’re given a single name: “Wings of Theve”. A legendary ace, a symbol of hope, a name tied to Theve, the FCU capital.

But that legend was a lie; it was a story made to keep morale alive. Now, you must carry that name and take to the skies again. With three new comrades at your side, fight to reclaim your lost homeland.”

Regarding the story mode, Bandai Namco writes, “Campaign Mode showcases stunning visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that capture the majesty of living skies. Feel the rush of a fast-paced arcade-style gameplay and deploy powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield.”

More Information Regarding Ace Combat 8

Bandai Namco continues describing the story mode, “Beyond the chaos in the air, breathtaking 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.”

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will be on PC, Xbox X|S and PS5. The series has been developed by PROJECT ACES, and the eighth installment of the arcade combat flight action series has big shoes to fill, as Ace Combat 7 sold 7 million copies since its release in 2019. Ace Combat began as a 1993 arcade game titled Air Combat, which is the same title of the 1995 PlayStation combat flight simulation game.