Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Soars to IGN 9/10 — “An Extraordinary Achievement”
IGN has awarded Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve a stellar 9/10 score, with the reviewer praising Project Aces for crafting what they call “an extraordinary achievement.” The game’s single-player...
IGN has awarded Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve a stellar 9/10 score, with the reviewer praising Project Aces for crafting what they call “an extraordinary achievement.” The game’s single-player campaign has been lauded for seamlessly blending stunning visual and audio design, a gripping narrative, excellent character development, and what the reviewer describes as the best aerial combat experience in series history.
The review highlights how both the cinematic cutscenes and the radio dialogue — which steadily builds character charm — make the story “surprisingly emotional and resonant,” with themes that feel highly relevant to the current era. The reviewer noted they haven’t been able to stop thinking about the game since leaving the cockpit. Notably, the score covers only the single-player campaign; the multiplayer modes, including Deathmatch and the PvPvE “Cooperative War” mode, received positive early impressions but require more extensive testing before a final multiplayer verdict.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2, 2026, for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The game features over 30 playable aircraft, including returning favorites like the F-22 Raptor and new additions such as a fictional stealth fighter. The campaign spans 20 missions across a variety of environments, from desert canyons to arctic tundras. The game supports VR on PSVR2, with the entire campaign playable in VR.
Project Aces has also confirmed a season pass that includes three additional missions, new aircraft, and cosmetic items. The first DLC, “Northern Front,” will launch in December 2026. The game’s multiplayer supports up to 16 players and includes a ranked mode. Cooperative War is a new 8-player PvPvE mode where teams compete to destroy targets while fighting off AI enemies.
The game runs at 4K/60 FPS on PS5 and Xbox Series X, with a 120 FPS mode for compatible displays. On PC, it supports DLSS 3, FSR 3, and ultrawide monitors. The PC version also includes a mission editor, a first for the series. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is available for preorder now, with a standard edition priced at $59.99 and a deluxe edition at $89.99 that includes the season pass and digital art book. For fans of flight combat, this is the genre’s new benchmark.