Ace Combat 8 pits a 450-meter land battleship against skyscrapers — launches October 2, 2026

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve received its official trailer during State of Play along with a release date. The game launches on October 2, 2026 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Its Steam page is already live.

The trailer’s biggest talking point was a colossal land battleship, roughly 450 meters long, tearing through skyscrapers in the capital city of Theve and turning the entire metropolis into a battlefield. The sequence immediately sparked heated discussion among longtime fans of the series.

In the campaign, players will lead Joker Squadron, a three-pilot unit consisting of Baxter, Tasha, and Coster, as they fight against the invading forces of the Republic of Sotoa in the Strangereal universe. The story is written by Sunao Katabuchi, who also worked on previous entries in the franchise. Expect missions focused on destroying land and naval targets, as well as intense dogfights against elite enemy aces. The campaign features more than 30 aircraft, squadron command mechanics, and large-scale boss battles against massive war machines.

All in-game cutscenes will be presented from a first-person perspective, allowing players to freely look around the cockpit and inspect their surroundings. The game is built on Project Aces’ proprietary engine, and the visual leap is immediately noticeable: ground environments no longer resemble flat textures, while clouds now affect both visibility and aerial combat mechanics.

In addition to the campaign, Bandai Namco confirmed online multiplayer, with more details to be revealed closer to launch.

Pre-order bonuses include a port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War — available outside the PlayStation 2 for the first time — as well as access to the F-14A. The Deluxe Edition grants early access beginning September 29, 2026, alongside cosmetic items and the Premium Ace Pass Plus.

The giant land battleship has already become one of the community’s most divisive reveals. Do you think this level of spectacle enhances the identity of Ace Combat, or is it starting to feel like too much?