Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Reviews

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is ranked in the 98th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

Overall, Ace Combat 8 is still the immaculately crafted flight combat game we have all come to enjoy, but there is a more visceral aspect to the game now. From how you feel massive explosions to repeatedly breaking, as well as surpassing, the sound barrier. So I raise a humble hand of hope that this game will find its audience and that they will have a modicum of sympathy for the nomadic Sotoans even after all the carnage they have caused.

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4.5 / 5.0
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is everything we could have hoped for. It features a much longer, compelling story, a ton of different fighter jets at your disposal and some of the best combat in any air combat game.

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Jeremy Penter
Top Critic
Buy
Sep 25, 2026
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8 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve has a lot going for it. It's full to the brim with plane customization, a bucket load of missions, and a lengthy story. Despite some pacing and difficulty issues, it's a fine addition to the series.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a great action game and one of the best entries in the franchise so far, with the only major caveat being the incoherent and impenetrable story told in the 30-hour-long campaign mode.

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Sep 25, 2026

I waited years for Ace Combat to come back, and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve reminded me exactly why I missed it. One minute I’m admiring my plane, and the next I’m dodging a damn railgun while my squad is yelling over the comms and the soundtrack has me ready to take on everything in the sky. The targeting did get on my nerves during a few crucial moments, and some aircraft take longer to unlock than I would have liked, but those complaints barely put a dent in the fun. Between the combat, story, soundtrack, and sheer spectacle of it all, Ace Combat 8 delivers exactly the kind of experience I had been waiting years for. It’s easily one of the best games in the series, and I loved damn near every moment of it.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

If other publishers looked after their series as well as Bandai Namco looks after Ace Combat, the world would be a better place

Review in Polish | Read full review

Zoomg
Top Critic
9.5 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve delivers a truly first-rate and polished fighter jet combat experience. The strong character writing adds considerable value to the story, while the excellent level design makes the campaign consistently enjoyable, allowing you to fully experience the excitement—and at times, the tension—of its intense aerial battles. The game’s high-quality visuals and sound effects, along with its impressive variety of aircraft and upgrade options, further complement these strengths. All of these elements come together to make Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve arguably unmatched within its genre. If you’re a fan of the series or the genre, it’s an experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Review in Persian | Read full review

Gamefa
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

As a fast-paced, arcade-style action game, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve delivers the adrenaline-fueled experience fans have come to expect and keeps them satisfied all the way to the end. However, it does little to attract players who have never connected with the Ace Combat series over the years, as it doesn’t introduce enough new mechanics or ideas to bring something fresh to the table.

Review in Persian | Read full review

4 / 5.0
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theves is everything you could want from an Ace Combat game: an arcade flight combat experience that is as exciting and breathtaking as it gets.

Review in Arabic | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

Wings of Theve is a fantastic game worthy of a series that has been going strong for 30 years. With its striking visuals, immersive sense of warfare, and well-written characters, I can confidently say that it manages to take the series one step further in every respect.

Review in Turkish | Read full review

Cubed3
Jamison Nilsson
Top Critic
10 / 10
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is an improvement in everything that is quintessentially “Ace Combat," bringing back squadron commands and adding a plethora of different aircraft, new special weapons, and more. The cinematic visuals and deep, twisting narrative immerse the player in the fantasy of being an ace pilot in a war between two nations.

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100 / 100
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a bold evolution of the foundation laid in AC7. Its story is more exciting, its presentation is more polished, and most importantly, its gameplay is impeccable, with a variety of missions and combat situations that keep the player engaged, entertained, and wanting more. This is one of the best games not only of the year, but of the generation.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Sep 24, 2026

ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is an impressive culmination of the very best that the series has to offer so whether you're a long-time fan or a rookie pilot, you're going to love soaring through the clouds as you evade incoming missiles and blow up all sorts of targets. 👩‍✈️

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve iis the newest iteration of the famous flight simulator franchise, and it arrived with a bang. With incredible visuals and a campaign featuring several interesting missions, players will find an adventure in the skies full of excitement. The online multiplayer mode is fun and promises a lot, although we need more time to observe its execution. Whether you're a die-hard fan of the series or a newcomer who enjoys jet planes, this is a great addition to your library.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

9.2 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is undoubtedly one of the most comprehensive and ambitious entries in the franchise's thirty-year history. Bandai Namco has successfully refined the flight mechanics to perfection, offering highly accessible gameplay backed by stunning visuals and audio, as well as a wide variety of missions. While it suffers from minor pacing issues in the campaign's narrative and occasional frustration regarding target locking, the game's strengths far outweigh its shortcomings. It is a solid experience that not only satisfies series veterans but also sets an incredibly high standard for the genre once again. Now, it remains to be seen how the multiplayer component evolves, but that is a story for another time.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

9 / 10
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve doesn't try to reinvent the franchise—and that was the right call. It understands what works. It expands the campaign, improves character interactions, and gives greater weight to your squadron. Missions feature far more variety, weather systems are used in more compelling ways, and the visual leap is massive. To top it off, it delivers a much more ambitious multiplayer mode than I expected.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8 builds on the foundations laid by its predecessor, a game that modernised the franchise. With enhanced graphics, improved technology and a commitment to the essence of the series, these arcade-style flights offer a more immersive experience.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

8 / 10
Sep 25, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve made me feel like an idiot for the first few hours, and I’m grateful for it. Once I stopped expecting Top Gun and started flying the way the game wanted me to, it turned into one of the most immersive flying experiences I’ve ever had, backed by a grounded, surprisingly emotional story about a scared pilot wearing a dead man’s helmet and a presentation that comes very close to perfection.

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8.7 / 10.0
Sep 25, 2026

Epic, deeply satisfying, and visually stunning, Ace Combat 8 is the true embodiment of the greatest aerial combat films brought to life in video game form!

Review in Portuguese | Read full review