Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve får höga kritikerros inför lanseringen

In just a week, the new entry in the iconic flight combat series, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, launches on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The review embargo has already lifted, so we can see how critics rated the new project from Bandai Namco Aces.

The first reviews for Ace Combat 8 are almost unanimously positive, with no sharply negative scores so far. On Metacritic, the game holds 87 points based on 52 reviews: 51 positive, one mixed, and none negative. The Xbox Series X version scores highest at 90, though that figure is based on only four reviews. The PS5 version sits at 87 (54 reviews), and the PC version at 86 (28 reviews). On OpenCritic, the Top Critic Average is 88, and 100% of 37 critics recommend the game. The highest score came from the Brazilian outlet Omelete (100/100). The lowest so far came from Saudi Gamer (4/5), along with TechRaptor, CGMagazine, and Gamefa (8/10 each).

Reviewers most often praise the aerial combat, the spectacular campaign, the soundtrack, and the surprisingly strong story. Critics also highlight the sense of speed and the massive explosions, which make the fights feel more physical, as well as the wide selection of fighter jets. The main complaints concern the storytelling: some outlets feel the story needed a bit more editing, and the cutscenes sometimes break up the pacing. Below are reviews from some of the best-known outlets.

Omelete – 100/100:

The reviewer believes Wings of Theve takes the series to a new level. The game offers a spectacular campaign that combines high-octane missions with relevant themes. Still, according to the critic, the game's real "ace" remains its gripping, hard-to-put-down dogfights.

Game Rant – 9/10:

The outlet notes that Ace Combat 8 could have soared even higher if its story had gone through another edit or two. However, the rest of the game is of such high quality that it is hard to complain. The game rewards those who dig into the finer points of its flight and combat mechanics without overwhelming the player. The author calls it one of the most elegantly designed interactive blockbusters they have ever played.

GamesRadar+ – 9/10:

According to the outlet, even with cutscenes that occasionally slow things down, Wings of Theve delivers intense battles that barely give you a moment to breathe. The critic singles out the thrilling encounters, the excellent music, and the surprisingly strong story, calling it one of the best entries in the series.

Forbes – 9/10:

The reviewer writes that Ace Combat 8 remains the same impeccably crafted flight combat game fans love, but the battles now feel physical: from powerful explosions to the moments when you break the sound barrier again and again. The author also hopes players will come to sympathize with the nomadic Sotoans, despite all the destruction they have caused.

Hardcore Gamer – 4.5/5:

The outlet believes the game lived up to every expectation. The critic praises the much longer, compelling story campaign, the wide selection of fighter jets, and some of the best combat in any air combat game.

• The Outerhaven Productions – 4.5/5
• TechRaptor – 8/10
• CGMagazine – 8/10
• Gamefa – 8/10
• Saudi Gamer – 4/5
• ACG – Buy

Ace Combat 8 continues the story of the Strangereal universe. The player becomes an ace pilot and leads the war against the Sotoans to its conclusion. At launch, the game will feature more than 30 aircraft divided into four classes. Judging by the reviews, Bandai Namco Aces has managed to create a worthy successor to Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, released in 2019.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve releases on October 2 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Deluxe Edition owners can start playing as early as September 28 (3:00 PM PDT) thanks to three-day early access.