"Ace Combat 8: Wings of the Veve," the latest installment in Bandai Namco Entertainment's flight shoot 'em up series, was released on October 2.On the same day, Thrustmaster released the “T.Flight HOTAS NEO ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Edition,” a collaborative flight stick for *ACE8*.
Since we were able to borrow the “T.Flight HOTAS NEO” flight stick itself, we’re bringing you this hands-on review based on our experience actually playing *Ace Combat 8*.
A new model featuring a mini-stick and vibration functionality, while retaining the same shape as previous “T.Flight HOTAS” series models
This flight stick shares the same basic design as the “T.Flight HOTAS” series previously released by Thrustmaster. It retains features such as the integrated or detachable throttle and stick design, the ability to connect a rudder device, hat switches, yaw control via stick twist, and seesaw-style yaw control on the throttle side.Furthermore, it features a “mini directional stick”—equivalent to the right stick on a PS5 controller—and “vibration functionality.”
It also replaces the conventional contact-type sensors with “H.E.A.R.T. (HallEffect AccuRate Technology),” a non-contact magnetic sensor on the Z-axis. This helps prevent the axial misalignment caused by wear over time—a common issue with traditional sensors—and is expected to improve durability during long-term use.
The package contents include the throttle and stick unit, a USB Type-C to Type-A cable, and a leaflet containing instructions for Thrustmaster drivers and other information.
I own the “T.Flight HOTAS 4,” which was released in 2018. When compared to the new “HOTAS NEO,” while the basic shapes of the throttle and stick are similar, there are subtle differences, such as the addition of a non-slip finish on the grip.
The addition of buttons at the base of the stick and the use of Hall-effect sensors are features carried over from the previous model, the “T.Flight HOTAS 5.”Changes in the “HOTAS NEO” relate to connectivity, such as the switch from a cable permanently attached to the unit to a detachable one, and the adoption of a USB Type-C port.
A Flight Stick That Works Well with “Ace Combat 8”
I connected this flight stick to my PS5 and immediately started playing *Ace Combat 8*, and I was able to quickly get a feel for its unique characteristics.When holding the stick and throttle, the grip feels improved—likely due to the non-slip coating—making it easy to hold even for someone like me with relatively small hands. The newly added mini-stick operates naturally and is positioned within easy reach of the thumb.
On the other hand, the button layout and feel when pressing them haven’t changed significantly from the previous model. Overall, it gives the impression of a new model that maintains the familiar usability while incorporating subtle improvements.
It works very well with *Ace Combat 8*, and there’s almost no awkwardness during gameplay. Even with early-game aircraft, it’s easy to perform precise maneuvers, and I was able to control the aircraft exactly as intended. It’s easy to handle and maneuver comfortably in both Standard and Expert control modes.
It’s particularly easy to use during close-range gunfights and when pursuing enemy aircraft at medium range. The tall stick makes it easy to make precise inputs, allowing you to move the aircraft in the intended direction while maintaining a stable attitude, which gave me the thrill of flying exactly as I intended.The throttle makes it easy to fine-tune power output, making it simple to slow down and close the distance after locking onto an enemy aircraft.
These fine speed adjustments are also useful during ground attacks. I was able to fly according to the situation—such as slowing down to the brink of stalling to target enemies—which made me feel like the gameplay had become much more versatile. However, there were times when I throttled back too much, stalled, and was either shot down or crashed into the ground.
You can adjust the stick’s resistance (weighting) using the dial on the back of the stick. Turning the dial toward the + (plus) side increases the resistance at the stick’s end, while turning it toward the – (minus) side reduces it. This isn’t a uniform change in weighting; instead, the sensation changes the closer the stick gets to its end.For example, with maximum resistance, if the force required to start moving the stick is 1, it increases to 1.3 and then 1.5 along the way, reaching 2 when the stick is fully moved. On the other hand, when resistance is set to its minimum, if the force required to start moving the stick is 1, the resistance doesn’t change along the way, and the force required when the stick is fully moved remains at 1.
The optimal rebound setting varies depending on the aircraft you’re using and your playstyle. For example, you can adjust it to suit your preferred feel—set it higher if you want to prevent your aircraft from moving too much, or lower it if you prioritize quick maneuvers.
Adjusting the rebound force was particularly helpful when closing in on enemy aircraft for a pursuit. With the rebound force set appropriately, you can make precise inputs without having to tilt the stick too far, making it easier to keep the enemy aircraft within the gun reticle and aim for a downing with machine guns.Of course, the game is fully playable with a controller, so flight sticks aren’t the only way to play. Still, I found that *Ace Combat 8* pairs well with a flight stick, making it an attractive option for players who enjoy precise maneuvers.
Although it doesn’t feature force feedback (FFB) for flight sticks—a feature that has begun making a comeback in recent years—it does include a vibration function that enhances the game’s immersion.The vibration triggers are the same as when playing with a PS5 controller—vibration occurs when the throttle is fully open or when the aircraft is on the verge of stalling. I felt that this feedback, which responds to in-game situations, enhances the sense of immersion and realism during flight.
Yaw control is handled via the tilt-lever-style rudder on the throttle side and the twist control (twist rudder) on the stick side.However, in *Ace Combat 8*, there is no fine analog control based on yaw input; even if you change the amount of twist, you cannot finely adjust the control input. This is a bit of a shame, but I hope it will be improved in future updates.
The stick side features a hat switch, a mini-stick, the L1 and L3 buttons, and the R1 trigger. On the throttle side, the basic buttons—such as □ and △—are concentrated on the front surface, while the tilt rudder and the R2 and L2 buttons are located on the back.However, when connected to games like *Ace Combat 8*, the button labels on the flight stick itself do not necessarily match the in-game control assignments. Actual controls follow the game’s specific settings.
The basic structure of the throttle has not changed from previous models, and it does not feature the ability to control the left and right engines independently, a function found in some flight sim-oriented products. On the other hand, the throttle moves smoothly and is easy to hold in the center position, making it a user-friendly design for compatible titles such as *Ace Combat 8*.
I found this device to be a lot of fun to use, as it allows you to control combat maneuvers through repeated, subtle inputs with the flight stick or maintain a constant angle without having to worry too much about sensor wear.
On the other hand, since this product is essentially an iteratively improved version of the original design from the early 2010s, the fine details of its handling feel dated. The △ button remains slightly difficult to press, and the stability of the base is still insufficient—the unit lifts off the surface or shifts when the stick is swung sharply from side to side.I also find myself wishing that the shapes of the throttle and the sticks themselves would be redesigned to better fit the human hand. These frustrations are exactly the same ones I had when I first used the previous model, the “T.FLIGHT HOTAS 4.”
One thing to be mindful of here is this controller’s connection mode. This controller is compatible with PC, PS4, and PS5, and each requires a specific connection setting.
Although the device automatically detects the connected platform, it may sometimes be recognized as being in PS4 mode even when connected to a PS5. In that case, press the MODE button on the controller to switch to PS5 mode. Please note that if the controller is not in the correct mode, the vibration function will not work properly, and the mini-stick will also become inoperable.You can identify the mode by the color of the controller’s LED: green indicates PC mode, blue indicates PS4 mode, and red indicates PS5 mode. Note that when playing PS4 titles on a PS5, you must switch to PS4 mode.
Since the available features vary depending on the connection mode, you must adjust the settings to match the game you’re playing. For example, in the PS5 port of *Ace Combat ZERO*, in addition to analog input for yaw control, you can also use the mini-stick for camera movement and the vibration feature.On the other hand, when playing PS4 titles such as *Ace Combat 7* on the PS5, the game runs in PS4 mode, so the mini-stick and vibration features are not available (some titles, such as the PS4 port of *Ace Combat 5*, are not supported). Furthermore, if you connect the controller to a PC, switching to PS4 or PS5 mode will force the controller back into PC mode.
Although the high price is a drawback, the “T.Flight HOTAS NEO ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Edition” is extremely easy to use.
Although the shape of this joystick is the same as older models, it incorporates improved, more durable magnetic sensors. Combined with the vibration function and mini-sticks, this makes it a highly responsive and durable product.
It’s particularly noteworthy that it retains the magnetic sensors from the previous model—which largely resolve the sensor axis drift that was a weakness in earlier products—ensuring it will likely last a long time even with fairly rough handling.
However, with a price of 28,900 yen (tax included)—a significant increase over previous models—it’s undeniable that the barrier to purchase has also risen.Purely from the perspective of flight sticks in this price range, the company’s PC-compatible “T16000M FCS Hotas” also comes into consideration. However, its console compatibility and vibration feature are irreplaceable advantages.
To get the most out of it, this product could serve as a great stepping stone not only for *Ace Combat 8* but also for other flight sims like *MSFS 2024* and *DCS World*.
Note that in the PC version of *Ace Combat 8*, I encountered a bug in the initial release that caused the game to crash during play.I hope this will be fixed in future updates. On the other hand, the PC port of *Ace Combat ZERO* is playable if you disable Steam input. Vibration and the mini-stick work, and analog inputs such as twist-rudder controls are also supported.
The “T.Flight HOTAS NEO ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE Edition” is currently available in versions for PC/PS4/PS5 and for PC/Xbox Series S|X/Xbox One. The price is 28,900 yen (tax included).
