“ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE” Earns High Overseas Review Scores for Polished Aerial Combat, Cinematic Story

"ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE" is the latest installment in Bandai Namco Entertainment's dramatic flight shooter series.Developed by PROJECT ACES, the studio behind the entire series, the game offers a flight-shooting experience where you can soar freely through the skies, as well as the story of an ace pilot brought to life through highly immersive cinematic scenes.

・TrueAchievements: 100/100 (Xbox Series X)

Is that enough praise? There’s still so much more to say, but I think the best thing to do at this point is to play it yourself. *ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* is a truly epic video game unlike any other, and it will surely stay with me for the rest of my life.

・MonsterVine: 100/100 (PS5)

*ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* embodies the essence of “high-flying action,” taking it to a whole new level while also offering options that allow new players to ease into the game smoothly.Personally, I recommend taking the plunge and giving it a try. The experience of crashing into the ground a few times will surely boost your confidence. For anyone who wants to enjoy an action game set in a vast 3D world, loves jets and airplanes, or is already a fan of the series, *ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* is a masterpiece of the genre.

・DualShockers: 95/100 (PS5)

*ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* is a true love letter to fighter jets as a whole. It portrays aircraft as entities that bring both death and salvation, yet does so from a sincere and human perspective.

・PC Gamer: 92/100 (PC)

A must-play for aviation fans, this game takes arcade-style flight action and anime-style melodrama to the highest level of refinement.

・GamesRadar+: 90/100 (PS5)

Although the pace slows down at times during cutscenes, *ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* delivers a thrilling flight experience filled with non-stop, intense combat. With exhilarating combat, a fantastic soundtrack, and a surprisingly excellent story, this title stands as one of the greatest masterpieces in this popular series.You definitely want to give it a try.

・Shacknews: 90/100 (PS5)

As the ninth installment in the series, did *ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* live up to expectations? I can confidently say it did. In addition to a diverse array of aircraft and beautiful skies filled with aerial combat, you’ll enjoy a compelling campaign mode, a fantastic soundtrack, and a multiplayer mode that has me eager to play with other fans.

・Game Rant: 90/100 (PS5)

“ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE” might have been an even better game if the story had been a bit more polished. However, given the exceptionally high quality of the game as a whole, it’s hard to be overly critical of the story.This game is truly breathtaking—it delivers the satisfaction that comes from delving deep into flight and combat mechanics while also giving you moments to catch your breath. The result of this dynamism is arguably one of the most polished interactive blockbusters I’ve ever played.

・Hardcore Gamer: 90/100 (PC)

*ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* delivers everything we were hoping for. It’s long enough, features a more compelling story, offers a wide variety of fighter jets, and provides one of the best combat experiences of any aerial combat game.

・Push Square: 80/100 (PS5)

*ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* is arguably the most consistently polished entry in the series’ history.It further refines the exhilarating aerial combat and places a strong emphasis on a cinematic narrative. While it has a few rough edges, with its significantly improved presentation, compelling character performances, diverse campaign, and deep multiplayer experience, it’s a sequel that has pulled off a textbook-perfect landing.

・Screen Rant: 80/100 (PC)

“ACE COMBAT” has returned as “WINGS OF THEVE.” While the campaign mode isn’t necessarily perfect, it still delivers a classic Ace Combat experience.

The second-highest rating in the series’ history!

Here is a roundup of international reviews for *ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE*.As of the time of writing (September 26, 2026), the Metascore stands at 87 for the PS5 version (55 reviews), 86 for the PC version (28 reviews), and 90 for the Xbox Series X|S version (4 reviews).

It’s also worth noting that the current Metascore of 87 ranks as the second-highest in the series’ history, trailing only the 89 scored by *Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies*.

*ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* is scheduled for release on October 2 forPS5,XBOX Series X|S, and Windows (Steam).