Ace Combat Zero gets its own standalone app on Steam, freeing it from the 136GB install of Ace Combat 8
Bandai Namco is resolving a major launch complaint about Ace Combat 8 by releasing Ace Combat Zero as a standalone app on Steam. The classic 2006 title was originally included as a free pre-order bonus bundled exclusively into the Ace Combat 8 launcher, forcing players to install the entire 136GB game just to access the 3.2GB port of Zero.
This bundling arrangement became a significant pain point at launch. Many players and reviewers criticized the arrangement because they couldn’t download Ace Combat Zero independently, resulting in negative reviews for AC8 that didn’t necessarily reflect the game’s quality. PC Gamer’s review of Ace Combat 8 awarded it a 92%, highlighting the game’s campaign as compelling melodrama typical of the series’ best work.
While Ace Combat Zero itself remains a fan-favorite among the series’ entries, the forced installation of AC8 deterred players interested in just playing the classic port. The new standalone Steam app decouples Zero from the AC8 launcher entirely, allowing players to download and play the 2006 remaster without committing to the substantially larger AC8 download.
The change represents a straightforward quality-of-life improvement addressing one of the primary frustrations that characterized Ace Combat 8’s initial release. Players can now easily access both games independently based on their preferences, resolving the accessibility issue that created unnecessary friction for the community during launch.