Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will launch on Xbox Series X|S on October 2 with more than 30 aircraft, four distinct combat roles, and a campaign that moves from traditional dogfights to large-scale attacks on land and sea targets.
Xbox Wire’s hands-on feature covered the first 10 campaign missions, including escort operations, bombing runs, air-to-air combat, a land battleship assault, and a defense mission involving a vulnerable carrier fleet. Each sortie brings its own objectives and battlefield problems, giving pilots more to manage than simply chasing missile locks.
Cloud layers give the skies more depth, while detailed buildings, trees, and canyon terrain make the large maps easier to read at high speed. The Endurance carrier also acts as a battered home base between missions, with its worn interior and exterior helping sell the pressure of a fleet fighting to survive.
Aircraft progression gives the campaign another layer of choice. Credits earned during missions can unlock planes and upgrades in the aircraft tree, while optional objectives provide another way to build that budget. Pilots can choose Fighters for air combat, Multirole aircraft for adaptable loadouts, Attackers for ground targets, or Electronic Warfare craft for support and battlefield assistance.
Pre-sortie customization also covers maneuverability, acceleration, and targeting. That means the same mission can call for a different setup depending on whether the priority is winning an aerial duel, clearing ground defenses, or keeping the rest of the formation effective. A balanced group can be useful, but the game leaves room for more specialized choices.
Dogfights will still demand careful control of speed and positioning. Training missions introduce those fundamentals in stages, which should give less experienced pilots a clearer route into the series’ arcade-style combat without taking away the sharper challenge waiting later in the campaign.
The first-person story approach gives the campaign’s squadron more room to stand out. Joker Flight can receive commands for attacks, support, cover, and special weapons, while between-mission scenes place the player on the carrier deck, in the mess hall, and alongside the crew. CPG’s earlier coverage of the first-person story approach details how those scenes give the usually silent pilot a more personal connection to the war.
Xbox listings put the Standard Edition at $69.99 and the Deluxe Edition at $89.99. Both preorder versions include the F-14A and Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War on Xbox Series X|S, while the Deluxe Edition will provide early access beginning September 28, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. PDT. The standard launch will follow on October 2.
Which aircraft role will you rely on most when Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches, and will you spend credits on new planes or performance upgrades first? Share your choice in the comments and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve
Developed by Bandai Namco Aces Inc.
Soar through the skies and rise above every challenge to earn your place among the elite. Engage in intense aerial combat to dominate the battlefield with powerful weapons. Experience a breathtaking campaign filled with high-stakes missions, hard choices, and deep squad connections.
- Genre Shooter, Simulator, Arcade
- Platforms Xbox Series X|S, PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 5
- Perspective First person, Third person
- Modes Single player, Multiplayer, Co-operative
- Release October 2, 2026
- Publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment
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