The official release of Bandai Namco Entertainment’s *ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE* (Ace Combat 8) is just around the corner—tomorrow, October 2, at 7:00 a.m. (digital version).
Your Last Chance to Get the *Ace Combat Zero* Port
*ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR (Ported Version)*, included as a pre-order and early purchase bonus for *ACE COMBAT 8*, will not be sold separately due to fighter jet licensing issues. The only way to obtain it is through the *ACE COMBAT 8* purchase bonus, and a notice regarding this was posted on the official X account.
The eligibility criteria and deadlines for this bonus are as follows:
Digital Version: Included with purchases made by 6:59 AM on October 2
Physical Edition: Serial codes are included in the first production run
In other words, if you want to get both the digital version of *Ace Combat 8* and the ported version of *ACE COMBAT ZERO*, you’ll need to purchase the game now, before its official release.
For the physical edition, the serial code is included only in the first production run.If you want to play *ACE COMBAT ZERO*, revived in 2160p/60fps, be sure to secure your copy early. Additionally, the pre-order bonus includes the “F-14A,” a playable aircraft for the main *Ace Combat 8* game.
The latest entry in the series, which confronts a war of aggression, has received favorable reviews both domestically and internationally.
“Ace Combat 8” begins with the Republic of Sothoa launching a war of aggression against the continent of Euria. Players take on the role of the fallen hero, Lieutenant Colonel Jean Coope—known as “The Wings of Shev”—and fight to the end as a symbol of ending the war.
In Campaign Mode, set in the fictional world of “Strangerial,” you’ll enjoy a flight shooter that lets you experience the journey of a hero as you grow into an ace pilot. Online Mode features both PvE and PvPvE.
In Game*Spark’s review, the game was highly praised for its massive scale—featuring over 20 missions and requiring more than 20 hours to complete a single playthrough—as well as its story, which thoroughly explores the weighty theme of a war of aggression until the very end, and its battle balance. It was hailed as “a masterpiece representing 2026.”
Reception overseas has also been excellent. As of September 26, the Metacritic Metascores were 87 (55 reviews) for the PS5 version, 86 (28 reviews) for the PC version, and 90 (4 reviews) for the Xbox Series X|S version (the PS5 version currently stands at 88).Game*Spark also reported that the PS5 version’s score of 87 ranks second in the series’ history, behind only *Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies*.
For more details, be sure to check out our summary article on international reviews as well.
PC Version Faces Issues with Crash Reports and Flight Stick Support
Meanwhile, for the PC version currently in Early Access, users have reported frequent crashes in certain environments.
In a Steam news post, the developers explained that they are investigating the cause, noting it is highly unlikely to be attributable to specific hardware configurations alone. As a temporary workaround, they recommend updating to the recommended version of the graphics driver, ensuring at least 16 GB of free space on the SSD where the game is installed, and enabling Windows virtual memory.
In addition, the official team has addressed flight stick compatibility.
It appears that the configuration features for certain devices that were available in the previous title, *Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown*, are currently unavailable in this game. The developers state they are working to improve the game so it can be played in an environment similar to the previous title. Players planning to use a flight stick with the PC version should take note.
"ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE" is scheduled for digital release on October 2 at 7:00 AM for PC (Steam),PS5, andXBOX Series X|S. Early access is currently available for Deluxe Edition purchasers.The Standard Edition is priced at 9,790 yen, and the Deluxe Edition at 11,990 yen.
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