Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve sees record debut despite technical issues

Bandai Namco has released Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. The title has achieved the highest debut in the franchise's history, reaching a peak of 37,214 concurrent players on Steam, nearly tripling the record set by its predecessor.

While media reviews have been highly positive, praising the refined arcade flying mechanics, stunning visuals, and expanded squadron interactions, the launch has faced technical hurdles. Players have reported optimization issues and engine crashes, leading to a 76% positive rating on Steam. Additionally, the game currently lacks multiplayer support on Steam Deck and has faced criticism regarding lackluster flight stick support.

The game features 30 campaign missions set in the fictional world of Strangereal. Players can pursue high-level achievements, such as the Ace of Aces trophy, by completing missions on the highest difficulty setting.