Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Review Scores and PC Info
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launched October 1, 2026. Metacritic scores, PC price, features and Steam reception from the first days.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve arrived on October 1, 2026, more than seven years after the previous main entry, and it has landed among the best-reviewed games of the year. It is out on PC and consoles, and it is the first big launch of a very busy October.
Launch details
The game is developed by Project Aces within Bandai Namco and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. PC Gamer lists the expected price as 80 dollars, or 55 pounds in the UK. A Deluxe Edition on Steam adds a customizable cosmetic set and a Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher. Steam lists the game as supporting online and co-op play, with in-game purchases.
One note for PC buyers: PC Gamer reports that the game is not verified for Steam Deck, and its reviewer tested on a Radeon RX 6600 with a Ryzen 7 7700X and 32 GB of RAM, a mid-range setup, for the review.
What critics are saying
GamesRadar reports that the PS5 version holds a Metacritic score of 87 from 52 reviews. That ties it for second-best in the series, ahead of Ace Combat 7 at 86 and behind only Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies at 89. Across all platforms there are only two Mixed reviews, both 7 out of 10, while six outlets gave full marks, including The Guardian and MonsterVine. GamesRadar's own review gives it 4.5 out of 5, praising the intensity of the encounters, the music and a story it calls shockingly good.
PC Gamer's review is even more enthusiastic. It opens with how heavy the aircraft feels, with the F-18C's controls compared to the reins of a mustang. The reviewer describes the game as arcade flight action taken to a new level and says the new handling and weather systems lift the dogfights well above earlier entries.
What is new in the sky
- A dynamic weather system that matters mechanically: clouds offer cover from missiles but blind and disorient you while enemies try to exploit it
- Handling changes that reduce reliance on the high-G turn spam of Ace Combat 6 and 7
- Enemy ace squadron The Shadows, from the Republic of Sotoa, who announce themselves by broadcasting traditional hunting songs
- Online airbase lobbies where players appear as customized pilots
PC Gamer says the writing is the strongest the series has had to date. GamesRadar notes the story is influenced by Metal Gear, and some critics say cutscenes can slow the pace. The only genuinely negative notes we found concern pacing.
The pre-order controversy
Not everything is smooth. Ace Combat 8 includes a new port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, but GamesRadar notes it is only available as a pre-order bonus. PC Gamer reports that Steam reviewers were upset that the bonus is not delivered as a standalone application. Steam's user rating currently reads Mostly Positive, at 78 percent positive out of about 3,457 reviews at the time we checked. That is lower than the critics' average, and it shows how much storefront scores can move in the first days.
Is it worth buying on PC now?
If you like flight combat and have waited more than seven years for a new main entry, the reviews say yes. PC Gamer reviewed it on a mid-range Radeon RX 6600, and the Steam page lists the full requirements, which you should check before buying. If you are indifferent to arcade flight games, the user score and the 80 dollar price are fair reasons to wait for a sale. Keep in mind that scores can shift as more critics publish and that the Metacritic figures quoted here are snapshots from the first days.
FAQ
When did Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve release?
October 1, 2026, on PC and consoles.
Is Ace Combat 8 good?
Reviews are strong. The PS5 version has a Metacritic score of 87, tied for the second-best in the series, and PC Gamer called it a masterpiece of arcade flight action.
Does Ace Combat 8 work on Steam Deck?
PC Gamer lists the game as Not Verified for Steam Deck at the time of its review.
