Trusting me in the cockpit of a plane isn’t something I ever anticipated happening. Well, now it kind of has, albeit in a virtual one. Bandai-Namco invited me to visit their base to experience Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, the newest entry into the long-running Ace Combat series under much safer circumstances.

The team behind the game, Project Aces, have taken the series to new heights with a whole new single-player campaign and wide-scale multiplayer modes sure to challenge players, and it certainly put me to the test.

​There was an air of anticipation when the jet engines started revving on the runway before taking flight. As the F-14 gained altitude, I really began to appreciate how far Ace Combat has come from its humble beginnings back in 1995.

I was soaring through bright blue skies, above the stunning ocean and through the clouds in no time. There’s nothing quite like travelling through a dense cloud as the aircraft’s windscreen is hit with raindrops: the game’s incredible in-game scenery alongside a sweeping orchestral soundtrack is a glorious thing to behold.

​Where Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve really shines is in its aerial combat. I was unexpectedly thrown straight into the action as part of an elite squadron, with absolutely no experience and having yet to “gain my wings”.

The game wasted no time in getting me up to speed. There’s quite a learning curve to operating the plane; eventually, I was somewhat able to manoeuvre around to face enemy aircraft head-on.

It was for sure an ordeal for me to nail a smooth turn, but over time, I managed to get my bearings enough to land a hit using the craft’s mini-guns and multi-target cannons. My absolute favourite moments were landing hits on planes heading straight toward me, seeing them explode upon impact or taking down multiple targets at once.

​As a squadron leader, your role is primarily to command squad members to engage in Frontal Assaults, deploy special weapons, disperse to attack separately or provide Defensive Cover. The clever AI squad’s support definitely made a difference while I was getting accustomed to the controls.

During my time in Campaign Mode, I took on missions ranging from aerial dogfights to preventing enemies from obtaining valuable intel and defending bases from looming threats. I have some tough fights and tough choices ahead of me, but I’m looking forward to unveiling more intelligence and engaging in satisfying political intrigue.

On top of the already stacked campaign, ACE COMBAT ONLINE is launching with an online lobby Air-Base, where players can set down and interact with others between multiplayer sessions, whether they be in competitive aerial combat or alongside a squad in Co-Op missions. All of which are cross-platform compatible. I’m keen to take to the skies with my customisable pilot and aircraft alongside or against others.

From take-off to touch-down, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve had me on the edge of my virtual pilot seat. I’m quite a way off being a pro, but Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is shaping up to be a great training ground for aspiring virtual pilots.

Pre-ordering the Deluxe Edition gives eager pilots early access beginning on September 28th, 2026, customisable cosmetics, the Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher, as well as a digital copy of “Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.”

​Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is set to release on October 2, 2026, on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

Written by: Yasmin Noble