By far, the most anticipated game of 2026 is GTA 6, which is slated to release for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19. However, there are other video games releasing later this year to look forward to, among them being Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.
Bandai Namco had already seen success with 2019’s Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, the first multi-platform installment in the historically PlayStation-exclusive Ace Combat franchise. CBR was invited to have a first look at Ace Combat 8, and it quickly became clear that it has the makings of a game that will give GTA 6 a run for its money.
Ace Combat 8 Is an Air Combat Sim for the 2020s
Ace Combat 8, as with most other installments in the Ace Combat franchise, is set in the fictional world of Strangereal. In particular, the game is centered around the Usean continent, whose dominant power was once the Federation of Central Usea. The FCU, as it is also known, still hosts some of the most powerful military technologies known to humankind, especially when it comes to its fighter jets.
However, turmoil has caused the FCU to fracture to a point where it is barely recognized as a real nation anymore. At present, the FCU’s main geopolitical rival is Sotoa, a rogue republic that has made allies with the former’s breakaway states and has invaded much of the formerly dominant country.
In an effort to boost morale among what’s left of the FCU and its allies, the government heavily promotes the Joker Squadron, a unit of the country’s air force made up of a rag-tag team of pilots, among them being a stunt pilot. The squad leader bears the title “Wings of Theve,” bestowed on the player character, Rex.
The title of Wings of Theve carries a big burden for the player, who is expected to be the FCU’s flying ace. In theory and in practice, this is meant to showcase the FCU’s resilience against its decline. For what it’s worth, the public is on board with this idea, with the in-game news and social media outlets lauding the Wings of Theve as the FCU’s savior.
Internally, however, the upper echelons of the FCU and its allies, even including Rex’s trustworthy comrades, are fully aware that the title of Wings of Theve is more about image than a measure of the titleholder’s skill. While the public may eat it up, those in the know have to deal with existential bureaucratic matters on top of preventing Sotoa from taking any more of their land.
Kazutoki Kono, Ace Combat 8’s brand director, says this reflects the world as it is in the 2020s. He says there is a need for real-world governments to embellish their successes over their victories in order for their populations to maintain a sense of morale despite the reality of the situation.
“On a larger scale, social media and misinformation are challenges that teams have to overcome nowadays in order to see what’s on the other side,” Kono says.
The reverse is true as well, with outlets from adversarial nations often punching down on the FCU. It’s a big double-edged sword for players, who must try and accentuate the FCU’s probable comeback story.
Ace Combat 8 Is Not as Intimidating as It Looks
CBR was able to play a selection of Ace Combat 8’s dozens of missions. What was discovered is that the game, despite its daunting presentation, is considerably more beginner-friendly than one might expect.
The first three missions of the game help players get acquainted with the controls, which are simpler than one might expect. The exact controls vary between systems, but players are able to quickly switch their jet’s weapons and use them to fire on enemy aircraft or bases. Truth be told, as long as players closely follow the tutorials, flying and shooting will be a breeze.
Compared to the enemy aircraft, which can be taken out within one or two shots, players are given much greater room for error. To this end, players have to keep an eye on the damage meter, which increases numerically if players get hit by enemy fire or hit water. By contrast, a crash landing will instantly kill the player; it’s not hard to avoid crash landing, although at the same time, that fact requires players to be fully aware.
Each mission in the game gives players certain tasks. This includes taking down all enemy aircraft, taking down enemy infrastructure, or both. As to be expected out of a franchise that had its roots in the PS1 era, these missions are action-packed and intense, making for a stressful yet satisfying experience for players.
By October 2, gamers will be able to experience Ace Combat 8 for themselves. The game will release for PC (via Steam), PS5, and Xbox Series X/S. Given how much further this multi-platform launch will extend the series’ reach compared with earlier, pre-Ace Combat 7 installments, Kazutoki Kono says this strategy will pay off.
“Ace Combat 8 is also going to be a multi-platform launch, and we have a fleshed-out online experience which is going to be cross-platform,” Kono says. “We want people to realize it’s not just on PlayStation that they can connect with players all over the world.”
It’s understated how highly anticipated Ace Combat 8 really is, and the game’s story and gameplay is more than something to write home about. If it keeps up the hype, and it lives up to players’ expectations, then it stands a good chance at challenging GTA 6 for 2026’s Game of the Year.