As if giving us one trailer this week to announce the release date for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve wasn’t enough, Bandai Namco and Project Aces has dropped another one. Today, the studio and publisher gave us a nearly 10 minute game play trailer, showcasing many details about the games aerial combat.

With the new trailer showing off many of the elements that made players, myself included, fall in love with Ace Combat it is hard not to get even more hyped for Wings Of Theve. Part of what makes Ace Combat so good is how accessible it is, whether you are a novice to aerial combat or a seasoned expert.

Ace Combat 8 is no different in that. Infact at first blush it looks a lot like Ace Combat 7, which is certainly a good thing. Wings Of Theve will have easy to understand controls and weapon systems that are all fully customizable depending on the type of mission you sortie on. With options to bring more surface-to-air or surface-to-ground missiles, you should never feel like you are struggling if you set things up right.

Additionally players will be able to unlock various real life fighter jets to use throughout the campaign using Ace Combat’s in game currency, MRP. Earning MRP during missions will allow you to purchase new weapons and aircraft, allowing for more replay-ability as you unlock more.

Wingmen also make a return to Ace Combat 8 allowing you to use them tactically. Send them off to attack a certain group of enemy aircraft, or ask them to cover your six so you can focus on a dogfight with another ace.

Superweapons & Chain Reactions

Superweapons have long played a major role in Ace Combat, and Wings Of Theve will continue that tradition. Superweapons are usually large planes or missiles that act as boss fights and require you to hit many different spots in order to take the plane or object down. These tend to take dozens of missiles to bring down rather than your typical 1 or 2 that can take down most fighter jets.

For the first time ever in an Ace Combat game, you will be able to damage these superweapons outside their typical target points. Fire your machine gun and missiles and hit any part of the superweapon to damage it. This works against you as well however as the superweapons will now be able to target you even outside their typical range, adding another layer of tactics and keeping you on your toes.

Another new component of Ace Combat 8 is the new chain reaction mechanic. Shooting down another fighter jet could lead to it hitting another fighter jet and taking it down as well. Blowing off a wing of a superweapon could lead to that wing or debris hitting an enemy and bringing them down as well. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in game play. It sounds cool, but I remains skeptical for now on how it will actually work.

Overall today’s trailer just built even more excitement for me around Ace Combat 8 and I wish it was September already. Ace Combat 8:Wings Of Theve will be available for Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5 and Steam on October 2nd 2026. Those who pre-order the deluxe edition will receive the game a few days earlier with early access opening up on September 29th.