After a 7-year wait, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve returns to Strangereal — the legendary fictional universe that has defined the series. Developed by Project Aces (Bandai Namco) in collaboration with ILCA, it was revealed at the Game Awards 2025 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. With the franchise surpassing 20 million sales, this is the biggest air combat game of the year.
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Story: FCU vs Sotoa
Wings of Theve takes place in Strangereal — the fictional universe that has housed the series since 2001. The Federation of Central Usea (FCU) is under invasion by the country of Sotoa. The player is part of the elite squadron "Wings of Theve", led by the legendary ace "Rex". After Rex's death, the player — as his co-pilot — inherits the callsign and the mantle of leadership.
What is Strangereal?
A fictional world that resembles ours, but with different countries, continents, and history. Here you'll find superweapons, aerial warships, laser weapons, railguns, and advanced AI. The asteroid Ulysses 1994XF04 struck the planet in 1999 and changed history forever.
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Gameplay: Arcade-Style Combat Flight
Ace Combat has always been arcade-style flight combat — not a realistic simulator. Aircraft have flight dynamics and can stall, but they carry dozens of missiles and the battles are fast, dramatic, and anime-inspired. Expect real and fictional aircraft, as well as boss-type superweapons that are the series' hallmark.
Dogfight Mechanics
Arcade-style aerial battles with missiles, cannons, and special weapons — fast, dramatic, cinematic.
Real Aircraft
F-22, F-35, Su-57 and many more real models, alongside fictional prototypes and superplanes.
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Superweapons
Aerial warships, railguns, lasers, and other boss-type weapons — the series' trademark.
Anime-Style Story
Dramatic plot with legendary aces, heroic sacrifices, political conspiracies, and epic cinematics.
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The Development Team
AC8 is being developed by Project Aces (Bandai Namco) in collaboration with ILCA — the studio behind Pokémon Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl. Development was confirmed in August 2021, with the full reveal at the Game Awards 2025. It releases on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC (Windows) in 2026.
"The skies belong to no one — except the aces who dare to fly."
— Ace Combat philosophy
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The Ace Combat Legacy
From Air Combat (1995) to Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (2019), the series has sold 20+ million copies. AC7 alone reached 7 million — the most successful entry (Metacritic 80/100 PS4). Highlights include AC04 with Metacritic 89/100, AC5: The Unsung War, and Zero: The Belkan War, widely considered the best in terms of story.
What Makes Ace Combat Special
It's not a simulator like DCS or Microsoft Flight Simulator. It's arcade action with anime storylines, emotional narratives, epic music, and massive superweapons. An experience that exists nowhere else.