During today’s State of Play, we announced that Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Theve will release on PlayStation 5 on October 2, 2026. For Deluxe Edition holders, Early Access begins on September 28 at 3:00 PM(PDT).
From all-new boss battles to glimpses of allies and rivals, the trailer reveals what lies ahead in Ace Combat 8’sCampaign Mode.
Campaign Mode has become synonymous with the Ace Combat series as a single-player experience, immersing players in the Strangereal world, a shared fictional world across Ace Combat series (3, 4, 5, ZERO, X, 6, 7, and 8) which is a realm that resembles our own but still fundamentally different.. Written by Sunao Katabuchi, Ace Combat 8 invites players to earn their wings as an Ace pilot, and lead the war against the Sotoans to its resolution.
The dangers that lie ahead
Players can dive into a wide variety of combat scenarios including “air-to-air combat,” where you soar freely through the skies, engaging in dogfights with enemy aircrafts.
Redefining aerial combat, Ace Combat 8 introduces techniques like “ground attack” and “anti-ship” missions where you destroy ground and naval targets from above. The most unique combat of Ace Combat series lies in the “giant weapon battles,” which highlight weapons that can only be encountered in Strangereal. Players can look forward to
battles against unique weapons, such as massive continental transport aircraft and land-based ships capable of bringing an entire country within “main gun range.”
A diverse fleet of aircraft
In Ace Combat, players have the ability to pilot over 30 different aircraft! With a lineup that spans real-world fighters from across the globe and original fictional models, pilots can fully experience the fast-paced aerial combat that defines the Ace Combat franchise.
These aircraft are categorized into four roles: fighters, attack aircraft, multi-role aircraft, and electronic warfare aircraft. Players will need to carefully select the most optimal aircraft for each mission to gain the upper hand in battle.
Meet your Squadron
At the start of the players’ journey, you will take on the role of the Joker Squadron’s commander. You will be tasked with deepening bonds with your comrades as they overcome challenges.
In Ace Combat 8, during missions, players will determine the composition of their squadron’s fighter jets. In combat, they lead the team to victory not only through their own actions but also by issuing commands to wingmen.
Ellington Baxter:
“Professor”Joker Squadron, Aircraft No. 2, Rank: Major.
The calm hand that holds the rest of squadron together. Highly knowledgeable and considerate, Baxter once served as a university lecturer. Tasha calls him “Teach” despite him never revealing his field and the two of them can often be found studying together in the mess.
Tasha Seversky:
Joker Squadron, Aircraft No. 3. Rank: Second Lieutenant.
Originally a star pilot in Yuktobania’s acrobatic team, Zvezda, Tasha was on the Endurance to shoot publicity footage when war broke out and ended up staying on the ship.
William Coster:
“Noise” Joker Squadron, Aircraft No.4. Rank: Captain.
A skilled wingman capable of keeping up with Tasha’s extreme maneuvers and providing effective cover. A diehard rock music fan, Coster brings a compact music player into the cockpit to listen to during missions.
Kate Evans: “Little Bee”
Lieutenant Commander and leader of Queen Flight, the carrier’s other flight.
Cool and collected, she does everything in her power to protect the lives of pilots in both flights as she is an excellent pilot. The bandages that she constantly cover her battle scars, but she never lets the strain show; instead, she buries her own fears and presents a positive attitude to those under her command.
The “Land Battleship,” a massive weapon that holds the key to the story, is revealed
Players will lead The Joker Squadron on a mission to recapture Theve, the capital of the Federation of Central Usea – also known as the FCU.
Ace Combat 8 takes place in July 2029. The Federation of Central Usea has been suddenly invaded by the neighboring Republic of Sotoa, a swift assault that captures the FCU capital city of Theve.
What’s left of the FCU military is shattered. The navy lies in ruins. Civilians are displaced, scattered across a country in crisis. You are rescued from the sea by an aging aircraft carrier, Endurance. Long past its prime and withdrawn far from the front lines, the ship may be obsolete—but this is where your story begins.
There, you will encounter the massive “Land Battleship, ” one of the bosses within the game. Measuring approximately 450 meters in length, the Land Battleship is encroaching on Theve, destroying the surrounding skyscrapers and everything in its path. Lead Joker Squadron to victory by dodging its massive main gun attacks.
False Wings
In addition to the Land Battleship’s debut, the trailer showcases the team engaging in combat with an enemy ace squadron after operational intelligence is compromised. Players can look forward to more of the story unfolding amid a chaotic world of information warfare.
Preorder today
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is available for pre-order today on the PlayStation Store. A Deluxe Edition is also available, featuring content such as three days of early access and aircraft skins. Please check acecombat.com for more details as this offer varies and might be only available digitally for some countries.
As a pre-order bonus, you will receive Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War (PS5 ported version), which was originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2006, and the playable aircraft F-14A Tomcat.
Please note that Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will release on the following timings depending on your region: October 1 at 3pm PT / 6pm ET | October 2 at 12am CEST / 7am JST.
New characters, new threats— Earn your wings in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.
Rise above.
