Reviewed on:
PC
Platform:
PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC
Publisher:
Bandai Namco
Developer:
Bandai Namco
Release:
Rating:
Teen
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve flies on the tailwinds of its predecessor, which brought life back to the series in 2019. Yet it also dips deep into the series' wealth of mechanics and themes – wingmen, huge mission areas, memorable rivals – to forge what feels like the ace of aces, and one of the series' best entries.
In the wake of an invasion of your homeland, you go down in a dogfight with Sotoa's elite Shadow squadron alongside the "Wings of Theve," a folk hero for the FCU that you discover is a little more tall tale than living legend. You don his identity and become the new "Wings of Theve" to help keep the war effort alive.
Though Ace Combat is certainly no stranger to stories about war, politics, and their effect on the world at large, Wings of Theve takes it to a new height thanks to its focus on your wingmen and the crew of your carrier, the Endurance. Over 30 missions, you build a small band of surviving fighters aboard your meager fleet, all hoping to make it to the conflict's resolution. From your Joker Squadron and sister Queen Squadron to enemy aces and crew aboard the Endurance, the cast is both packed and memorable.
Though there are still some odd story wrinkles, specifically when asking for an arbitrary button press to advance the scene, and the voice of the former Wings pilot Cope speaking to you from the beyond lays on a little thick at the start, Ace Combat 8's story soars thanks to its new first-person perspective and focus on the squadron around you and other members of the Endurance.
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