Ace Combat Zero gets its own standalone app on Steam, freeing it from the 136GB install of Ace Combat 8
Bandai Namco is addressing a significant distribution complaint by releasing Ace Combat Zero as a standalone Steam application. The 2006 remaster, which was previously bundled as a mandatory component within Ace Combat 8’s launcher, will now be available separately.
Previously, players who wanted to play the free pre-order bonus needed to download it through Ace Combat 8’s launcher, despite the 3.2GB game being only a fraction of AC8’s massive 136GB installation. This distribution approach contributed to negative feedback at launch, despite the game itself being recognized as a series fan-favorite by players.
Ace Combat 8 itself has received critical acclaim, with PC Gamer awarding it a 92% review score. The core game is experiencing strong performance overall, but the bundling of Zero into the launcher created friction for players who either wanted to play the older title without the modern game, or who faced unnecessary storage requirements.
The decision to separate Zero into its own Steam app represents a practical solution to what was described as an inexplicable design choice. This allows players to independently manage their downloads, decide whether to install either or both titles, and gives the 2006 port better discoverability on the Steam platform.