It’s been a long time since I enjoyed a flying game this much. Here we are, though.
ACE Combat 8: Wings of Theve from Bandai Namco Aces Inc. is a wonderful flight simulator that delivers high-flying physics, a solid storyline, and some of the most stunning visuals a flight sim can offer. Packed with fun missions and an enormous online mode that isn’t for the faint of heart, the game has plenty to love.
Let’s get right into it.
The story of ACE Combat 8: Wings of Theve is simple. The main character takes over the Theve squadron after two back-to-back missions end in crashes. To prove themselves and set things right, the main character must not only earn the trust of the new squadron they have been placed in, but also complete missions and stay alive. Together, they hope to take down the bad guys and bring hope to the world.
Dramatic? A little, but it works for this fast-paced action thriller game. It does enough to deliver a solid story and give players a strong reason to take on other enemies in the sky. Plus, the story is surprisingly rich in character development and hits its highs and lows with a multi-act narrative like a champ. This feels like a Call of Duty campaign, but with more variety and fewer gimmicks (CoD has a lot of gimmicky campaign levels from release to release, which is part of its charm). I was caught off guard by how engaged and enthralled I was with this story/campaign, and how everything felt like a true action film. It hit its marks and made the entire experience more than just another flight sim. The gameplay helped, too.
ACE Combat 8: Wings of Theve splits gameplay between campaign missions and online play. While the latter will certainly be the reason for this game’s longevity, the former is a solid training ground backed by an excellent story. All of which is accessible to new players of the series. Honestly, that last part might be the most important, since flight sims typically get more realistic as the series releases go on, even to the point of drowning out any chance of a newbie coming into the fold. Late-series simulators tend to do that well and leave a good chunk of new players out of the equation.
Thankfully, ACE Combat 8: Wings of Theve has a slow, steady learning curve. It walks players through the basics and lets them slowly dip their toes into more complicated missions as they go. For example, learning basic movements is easy and early in the game. Next, you learn to shoot down targets. After that, the player gets access to more complicated weaponry and eventually lands on an aircraft carrier (though they don’t have to, which is great because no one needs another Top Gun game). My point is that the game holds the player’s hand, lets them try things out slowly, and eventually ramps up the difficulty to 11 when the player is ready. That’s a great way to lead people into a new series and show them all the bells and whistles it offers. In other words, if you’re new to the series, the game’s design will help you fit in smoothly. It’s an easy pick-up-and-play experience.
Of course, that brings me to the game’s handling. The controls might be the best-designed flight sim controls I have felt since Chuck Yaeger’s games back in the 80s. The planes, fights, and overall movement and strategy all click well within ACE Combat 8: Wings of Theve’s gameplay design. Controlling a plane in the midst of a dogfight feels intuitive, natural, and well-designed. The game’s smooth controls add a bit of good flair to the gaming process, as flying after enemies, dodging missiles, or even just getting from point A to point B is so damn seamless. It doesn’t require hours of flight training to understand, but it’s not so easy that it isn’t exciting. It’s exactly what you would want from a dogfighting flight simulator experience. It’s so easy to get into and enjoy.
Speaking of enjoyment, the gameplay pairs well with the narrative. The missions feel meaningful, the crew feels close-knit and well-developed, and the stakes feel impactful during gameplay. This is like if Bandai Namco made a Robotech: The Macross Saga, where each mission keeps the characters from being just NPCs and actually asks players to build a good relationship with them. Teamwork makes the dream work. Anyway, the integration of team bonding into the gameplay is well placed and executed. Again, it builds the stakes properly and creates a stronger connection to the gameplay. Thus, making it more than just a simple flight simulator.
As for the missions, they come in a variety of flavors. Each one leans heavily on story while making time in the air more than a wash-rinse-repeat type of gameplay. There is always something to do that feels different. For example, early in the game, the first mission is to hunt down enemy fighters. The second mission is to escort a carrier that starts taking fire from all directions. Each mission brings new problems and opportunities for the player. It keeps upping the ante and asking more and more from the player, while introducing them to more and more. In short, the missions are fun and interesting. They keep the content grounded but exciting.
As for the graphics in ACE Combat 8: Wing of the Raven, it’s probably one of the most gorgeous flight sim games on the market. Getting into the skies and seeing the girth of the space players fly in is something to behold. It’s gorgeous, from the textures to the models; it’s a visual marvel to enjoy. Probably one of the best-looking games to come out of the Bandai Namco family in some time.
Beyond good missions, a great story, and solid gameplay and graphics, it also has an online mode for those who want to take down other players or go on co-op missions. It’s a neat mode packed full of potential and content, nothing to sneeze at, and, as I mentioned earlier, it’s probably the main reason for this game’s longevity. Just ask War Thunder how that is working out for them. It’s working quite well.
Anyway, on that sweet note, let’s wrap up this review.
Conclusion
ACE Combat 8: Wings of the Theve from Bandai Namco Aces Inc. is a marvelous, beautiful dogfighting flight simulator. It offers a solid storyline with real stakes, a good variety of missions to keep the game engaging and fun, and accessible gameplay that should satisfy both newbies and veterans of the series.
