Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches October 2 for Xbox Series X|S. The game brings a new campaign, more than 30 aircraft, expanded customisation, and a squadron-focused story to the long-running flight combat series. The game features fighters, multi-role aircraft, attackers and electronic warfare planes, giving players different options for approaching missions. Players can also upgrade aircraft using credits earned during the campaign.
Alongside the combat, Ace Combat 8 introduces a new approach to storytelling, with the members of Joker Flight playing a larger role in the campaign and story sequences taking place from a first-person perspective. Ace Combat 8 is still all about flying planes, and the campaign includes over 30 planes. It features aircraft such as the F-14 Tomcat and A-10 Warthog. One change in Ace Combat 8 is the expanded role of the player’s squadron, Joker Flight. Ace Combat 8 also uses new cloud technology to change the appearance of the skies during missions. The game is scheduled to launch on October 2 for Xbox Series X|S and is currently available for pre-order through the Xbox Store.
The game also adds new environments, cloud technology and large-scale combat scenarios. You can spend the credits you earn in missions to unlock more planes and upgrades through an aircraft tree. Optional objectives award extra credits, which you can use to expand your aircraft collection and upgrade existing aircraft. The aircraft are divided into four categories: Fighters, Multirole, Attackers and Electronic Warfare. Each category has a different role, from air-to-air combat and ground attacks to support functions. Before each mission, players can select their aircraft and upgrade areas such as manoeuvrability, acceleration, and targeting. The campaign features different mission types, including escort operations, bombing runs and air-to-air battles. Some missions also involve larger objectives, including attacks on land battleships and protecting carrier fleets. Instead, combat focuses on speed and position control, not just pointing your weapons at enemies. It also has training missions that increase in difficulty to teach players how to use flight controls and combat systems. The carrier Endurance serves as the campaign’s primary home base. The game also features detailed environments, including buildings, trees, canyon terrain and the carrier’s interior and exterior. The group includes Professor, a veteran pilot; Tasha, a civilian-turned-pilot; and Noise, a musician. Players can issue commands to the squadron during missions using the directional pad. These include forward attack, dispersed attack, support and special weapons clearance. The squadron also features more prominently between missions. Instead of relying primarily on briefing maps and conventional cutscenes, the game uses first-person sequences built with the in-game engine. Players can interact with squadron members, explore the carrier and see activities taking place between missions. Ground environments have been developed with greater detail, while large maps include varied terrain and structures.
The Deluxe Edition will offer early access from September 28 and includes a copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, which will be available on Xbox Series X|S for the first time. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.