Bandai Namco has officially announced Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The next chapter in the long-running flight combat series will arrive in 2026, and it is being developed by Project Aces, the team behind the franchise’s most popular titles.
The new game promises the classic high-speed action fans love, but with a deeper story and far more detailed skies thanks to next-gen hardware.
Ace Combat 8 brings a renewed focus on cinematic storytelling and large-scale battles. The campaign features dynamic cloud layers, dramatic weather shifts, and sweeping sky vistas. The studio says players will feel the speed and intensity of aerial combat more than ever, with fast arcade-style dogfights and powerful weapons that push the action forward.
The game will also mix cockpit combat with first-person story moments. These scenes will show the personal struggles, decisions, and relationships of the pilots. Between missions, players can interact with their squad and see how the war shapes each character.
The game is set in July 2029, after the Republic of Sotoa launches a sudden invasion on the Federation of Central Usea (FCU). Most of the FCU has collapsed, and the remnants of its navy are scattered.
You play as a pilot rescued at sea by the Endurance, an old aircraft carrier that is now filled with refugees and soldiers trying to survive far from the front lines. To boost morale, the crew gives you the callsign “Wings of Theve”, a name linked to a legendary ace from the capital city of Theve. But the legend itself is a lie—created only to keep hope alive.
Now you must carry that name for real. With a small team of three new comrades, you return to the skies to fight back and reclaim your homeland.
Bandai Namco has not shared gameplay footage yet, but the announcement suggests a bigger, more dramatic Ace Combat entry built for modern consoles.
