Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Review – Flying High

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Review

With eight previous mainline entries, several spin-offs and a host of handheld releases, stepping into the cockpit of this famed franchise can feel daunting for newcomers. That was certainly my experience as I fired up the engine and prepared for take-off. Does Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve provide a smooth landing strip for first-time pilots, or will newcomers find themselves caught in turbulence?

Set in the year 2029, the Federation of Central Usea invades the Republic of Sotoa, capturing its capital. During the attack, your aircraft is struck, leaving you grasping on for dear life in the middle of the ocean. Fortunately, you’re found and, after a quick medical, thrust back into action as the navigator to the icon, Rex. Soon you learn that the so-called legendary pilot is actually a fraud, a propaganda tool used to improve morale. Although an established pilot, lies about his kill count and heroics create a myth that the government strives to continue. After a fatal crash, you inherit the alias, leading the Wings of Theve and keeping spirits high.

A Dark Secret

Political deceit and turmoil are central to the narrative. While you question right and wrong, your crew adds an emotional edge to the story, grounding the plot. From the classic rocker who puts on tracks as you fly through the sky to the enigmatic star pilot who can fly rings around enemies, the crew is full of distinct characters that help you to form connections with the team. These bonds develop through missions as the crew speaks to one another, guiding you through some cinematic battles. Although it’s not a groundbreaking tale, I was surprised at the focus on this component. Cutscenes bookend missions, giving purpose to each mission, but at times, the story can get lost in the chaos.

Bandai Namco has a smooth onboarding process which allows newcomers to quickly get to grips with the many systems in play. From taking off on the runway to pitch turns in battle, tutorials and scaling mission difficulty guide you through the manoeuvres, so that you quickly feel like an ace of the sky. Missions vary, with objectives shifting, creating a dynamic battle where you race around a large open area. Comms are key at this point, as enemy locations appear on your radar and demand your immediate intervention. With the team at your command, you can guide them with specific tasks, and at times, some may ask to peel off and support with something else. Here you must weigh up the impact of losing a pilot and decide whether you need them for the current battle or to help someone else, adding choice into the mix.

More Than One Way to Fly

There’s not one path to victory. With the sheer number of hostiles on radar, you must decide the best course of action. Do you stay and protect the target or rush forward to eliminate enemies? Questions race through your mind as your decisions can result in success or failure. If you do fail, you can restart from a checkpoint and try another strategy to accomplish the mission.

Ground-based and aerial enemies are completely different and require the right tools to overcome. Chasing down other planes in an intense dogfight is a thrill. You’ll quickly become accustomed to the three radar options, flipping between them to track your opponent and ultimately blow them into smithereens. Ground-to-air attacks challenge your navigation skills, forcing you to weave in and out of the terrain to line up the perfect angle and shot.

Selecting the right aircraft and crew for the job is just the beginning; you must also equip the right weapons and can upgrade your aircraft to create a vehicle that suits your playstyle. At the start, your loadout isn’t too important, but it quickly ramps up, forcing you to rethink your equipment before entering battle. Due to this, you must consider the mission and objective prior to selecting the type of weaponry to ensure success.

Get Your Crew

In addition to the campaign is Ace Combat Online. After creating your avatar, you can wander an airbase hub that hosts up to 100 players, where you can play classic Namco titles before entering a battle. Co-Op Assault is a competitive PvE mode where two teams of four take on enemies to see who reaches the highest score. Co-Op Warfare is a straight-up PvP battle, where you and your crew must face another squad in a hectic fight for victory. Although the online component wasn’t live during the review period, this is a clear focus from Bandai Namco and something they want to thrive.

Flying through the sky is wonderful, partly due to the stunning visuals. The photorealistic sky makes zipping through the clouds a thrill, especially when chasing down a target. Paired with a great sense of scale, pinpoint 3D audio and some banging tracks, Ace Combat nails the tone, allowing players to live out their Top Gun fantasies.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve captures the intensity of aerial warfare better than any other title. Freely flying through multi-stage missions is a thrill, making you feel like a true pilot. While attention has been given to the story, it still fails to fully captivate, despite a strong premise that feeds into the action. Although it may not convert players to the genre, it certainly lowers the barrier to entry, making it a perfect choice for newcomers and veterans alike.

***A PS5 code was provided by the publisher***