Flying games have been a little thin on the ground for a while now. It has been seven long years since the last mainline Ace Combat game took to the skies. But that wait is finally over with Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve. After the success of Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, Bandai Namco is aiming to push the series higher, faster and louder than ever before.
Read More: A History of PS1 Graphics in Five Games
Once again, the game is set in the “what if” universe of Strangereal. This time, however, you find yourself in the middle of a war between the Federation of Central Usea and the invading Republic of Sotoa.
You take on the role of REX, a pilot who finds himself carrying the name and reputation of the legendary Wings of Theve after the original pilot is killed. What starts as a name used to keep morale alive soon becomes something much bigger as you and your squadron attempt to reclaim your homeland.
Top to Tale
For fans of the series, you’ll know what you’re getting into right away in terms of the story. Newcomers, however, may get a bit of a surprise at just how much story there is here.
Ace Combat 8 really goes all in on the cinematic side of things. From first-person sequences on the ground to mission briefings, radio chatter and the relationships you build with your fellow pilots, the game does a brilliant job of making you feel like you are part of something much bigger. The game feels like more than simply jumping into a jet and blowing things up.
Read More: Halo: Campaign Evolved review – Combat Disengaged
But let’s be honest, that is exactly what we are here for: to feel the need, the need for speed. And if the story is why you enjoy the series, that’s great, but for me it’s about living out my Top Gun dreams.
Ace Combat has always been about the feeling of taking some of the coolest aircraft ever to take to the skies and throwing them around at ridiculous speeds, all while Kenny Loggins’ Danger Zone is playing on Spotify. Ace Combat 8 absolutely nails that feeling and then some.
Fight Left in the Old Dog
The combat still sits perfectly on the arcade side of the flight-sim world. You don’t need a pilot’s licence to get airborne. That said, there is also enough depth here to reward you if you are willing to put the time into mastering the skies.
Dogfighting is where the game comes to life. You lock onto enemy aircraft, pull off ridiculous manoeuvres and try to get that missile lock-on. There are also plenty of ground targets to deal with. The game also brings in some huge set-piece encounters that the series is known for. So there is always something to blast, or be blasted by.
Fly By Admire
Ace Combat 8 looks absolutely stunning. It’s that simple. The move to Unreal Engine 5 helps deliver some incredible aircraft, environments and, most importantly, clouds.
Weather is much more than just something pretty to look at, too. Storms, wind and changing conditions directly affect how you approach a mission. There are moments where the weather can be just as dangerous as the enemy hunting you down.
Read More: [REDACTED] review – Epic Space Protocol
The aircraft roster is also exactly what you would expect and hope for. And to boot, there’s a huge selection of fighters to unlock, customise and upgrade. Each come with different strengths, weaknesses and weapons. There is plenty of reason to experiment rather than simply sticking with your favourite jet.
Kenny Log In
And when you’re finally done with the campaign, which is unlikely to happen quickly if I’m honest, online play offers the biggest multiplayer experience the series has ever seen. With cross-play, co-op missions and PvP, there is plenty here to keep you playing after the campaign credits roll.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is everything I wanted from the next game in the series. It looks fantastic, sounds fantastic and, most importantly, feels fantastic when you are screaming through the clouds with missiles flying past your cockpit.
Read More: Shadow Labyrinth review – A Perfect Circle
The story can still get a little carried away with itself in a number of ways. And there is a lot to take in. But, when the engines roar and you are thrown into an insane aerial battle, none of that really matters.
Or, in other words, as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell says, “You don’t have time to think up there. If you think, you’re dead.” Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a full-blown return to form for the series, and once again it proves that when it comes to high-flying arcade action, nobody does it quite like this.
- Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve review – Flying Ve
- Alien Breed 35th Anniversary Collection review – AGA Can
- Hot Wheels Infinite Rush review – 2 Fast 2 Frivolous
