Ace Combat 8 channels Top Gun: Maverick's jet-powered thrills

2019's Ace Combat 7 felt like the breakthrough the series needed, and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve leans into that momentum by channeling Top Gun: Maverick's jet-powered spectacle. I spent time with the opening missions and came away impressed by a clearer onboarding process and an upgrade to dogfights that demand real teamwork alongside a squad.

The game is set 10 years after Ace Combat 7, with the protagonist rescued by the FCU Endurance and stepping into the mantle of the legendary Wings of Theve to rally Joker Squad. Conflicts on the continent of Usea escalate as invading armies seize territory and rival forces deploy unknown super weapons, while the story leans harder into character moments between missions.

Gameplay keeps familiar Ace Combat pillars but adds more player choice and progression. The Aircraft Tree returns, squad members now affect commentary and performance, and augments let you tune handling and damage.

ace combat, top gun, maverick, usea, joker squad, fcu endurance, dogfights, aircraft tree, augments, player progression