Ace Combat 8 soars onto the Sony State of Play with a new release date trailer

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve was announced at Sony’s State of Play livestream, with the fighter jet action game set to launch on October 2, 2026, for PlayStation 5 and PC. The announcement included a new trailer featuring cinematic visuals and an orchestral soundtrack, showcasing high-flying combat against other pilots, ground targets, and superweapons.

The campaign centers on a pilot who adopts the “Wings of Theve” designation—a fabricated heroic legend—while serving aboard the aircraft carrier Endurance in a war to retake the region of Usea. The game promises an expanded focus on story and character development compared to previous entries in the long-running series, alongside varied mission-based gameplay.

Notably, pre-orders for Ace Combat 8 include a significant bonus: a remastered, in-house developed port of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, the acclaimed PS2 classic from 2005. This marks the first time Ace Combat Zero will be available on PC. The port is exclusive to pre-orders and will not be sold separately. Unlike some retro ports, this version was developed internally by Bandai Namco rather than using third-party emulation solutions.

Ace Combat 8 soars onto the Sony State of Play with a new release date trailer

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