If you have the need for speed, flight combat game ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE is coming on October 1st from Bandai Namco Entertainment. Looks and sounds pretty damn impressive too.
While the main release is October 1, they're another developer offering Steam's Advanced Access on September 28 if you buy the more expensive Deluxe Edition that includes a cosmetic set along with a "PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher". Keeping that in mind, it's going to have a Season Pass type of system for extra rewards with 30 tiers of the first one included in that Deluxe Edition.
Additionally, only available if you pre-order that apparently will not be a separate purchase (ever?) you also get a copy of the classic ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR ported to Steam too. I find it quite weird to only include that for pre-orders.
See the trailer below:

Direct Link
More about it:
"ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE features a deep engaging campaign, promising to deliver the most cinematic experience yet in the series. The story puts players in the role of an ace pilot in an emotionally charged story of identity and duty, fighting for the survival of their homeland. Returning to the series’ legendary fictitious setting, Strangereal is now a world at war, with the nation Federation of Central Usea (FCU) occupied and its military shattered. With the prospect of war for survival as the only option, players enter the cockpit under the name Wings of Theve, taking on the role of a legendary ace with their name tied to Theve, the capital of the FCU, and becoming the symbol of hope for every citizen in their imperiled nation. Joined by a squadron of three allied pilots, theirs is a flight against all odds to repel the Republic of Sotoa’s vicious attack and reclaim their lost homeland."
They've also said it will have the biggest online mode for the series so far, with more about that to be revealed later. But they've said so far it will have an online lobby where your custom avatar can explore before diving into online play. There will be co-op and cross-platform play too.
Makes no sense they'd go to effort of porting zero and only available as a preorder, so even if I bought ac8 at a later date, I still wouldn't get zero?
Hope they make it available as seperate purchase, otherwise I guess there's always the "other" option to obtain zero
Granted, I just had to to one match, and not too well either, to earn enough to get a better plane in SP and be able to progress.
That said, I was playing on Playstation back then and I don't have PS+ any more, so if this one is structured in any way like 7... bleurgh.
Otherwise, it's one of my most favouritest game series ever.
Last edited by damarrin on 4 Jun 2026 at 1:27 pm UTC
FU Namco.



