Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Reviews
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.
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.
For many players, the Ace Combat series means far more than the games themselves. It is hard to find anything else quite like Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, a game that lets you tear through such magnificent clouds with complete freedom. You can move fast enough to outrun sound and wind, yet the sky still feels endless. That romance of feeling both insignificant and extraordinary at the same time is exactly why this series deserves to continue.
Review in Chinese | Read full review
It can certainly be challenging, but it is also clearly aware that, with its production values, it may well be the first dogfighting simulation for many players, and it does a brilliant job of giving them a game they can love.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a very good flight-combat game. Its story has surprising depth while still delivering the series' signature dose of action. The arcade-focused controls remain approachable, and additions such as wingman commands, midair refueling, and takeoff and landing sequences give simulation fans a few more mechanics to appreciate without making the game significantly more intimidating. The lengthy campaign is complemented by a multiplayer mode with plenty of staying power, even if its rotating game types can be frustrating. Add in the excellent presentation, strong audio, and impressive visuals, and Wings of Theve delivers an experience that should keep Ace Combat fans occupied until the next entry arrives.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is yet another brilliant entry in the Ace Combat series, with a lengthy campaign and fun multiplayer. There are some minor annoyances, but once you're in the air dogfighting, they're easy to overlook.
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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Review in Spanish | Read full review
A very competent entry for one of the most respected arcade air combat game series. Particularly of note is the inclusion of choices in gameplay and squadro customization.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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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Review in German | Read full review
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a triumphant return for one of gaming’s most enduring aerial combat franchises, delivering an exceptional package that excels across nearly every category. Longtime fans will simply relish this moment, and newcomers stepping into the cockpit for the first time are in for a hell of a ride. Its heartfelt war story, memorable cast of characters, exhilarating arcade-style flight mechanics, deep aircraft customization, and varied mission design come together to create an experience that is both accessible and rewarding. More importantly, it never loses sight of what has made Ace Combat special for decades: the thrill of taking to the skies and emerging victorious against overwhelming odds.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is one of the biggest surprises of the year, delivering exhilarating aerial combat alongside an unexpectedly emotional story, memorable characters, varied missions, satisfying aircraft management, gorgeous visuals, and an outstanding soundtrack. A late tutorial, initially confusing Aircraft Tree, one overly drawn-out boss encounter, and occasional crashes hold it back slightly, but the sheer joy of flying and the strength of its campaign make this a fantastic return for the series.
Review in Czech | Read full review
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is, in many respects, the most accomplished version of a series formula that has worked for decades.