Bandai Namco has revealed new details about Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, including two aircraft control options. Standard allows turning left and right with the left stick, while Expert uses it for banking and pitching, enabling more complex maneuvers.
Pilot is recommended for newcomers and those who haven't played the series in a long time. Rookie reduces difficulty and allows for less damage from environmental collisions to focus on the story. Veteran is for long-time fans: enemies become more aggressive, have more health, and missile lock-on is harder to shake off.
On Elite, Bandai Namco requires “understanding the battlefield and effectively prioritizing targets,” as “split-second decisions determine victory or defeat”.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will be released on October 2, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.