Ace Combat 8 Launches on PS5 October 2

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will release on PlayStation 5 on October 2, 2026. The announcement came during today’s State of Play, with Deluxe Edition holders receiving early access on September 28 at 3:00 PM PDT.

Ace Combat 8 launches on PS5 with a new campaign in the Strangereal universe. The trailer reveals all-new boss battles and glimpses of allies and rivals ahead in Campaign Mode. Campaign Mode has become synonymous with the Ace Combat series as a single-player experience immersing players in the Strangereal world.

This shared fictional world appears across Ace Combat 3, 4, 5, ZERO, X, 6, 7, and 8. Written by Sunao Katabuchi, the game invites players to earn their wings as an Ace pilot and lead the war against the Sotoans to its resolution.

Giant weapons and varied combat scenarios define the single-player experience. Players encounter air-to-air combat with dogfights against enemy aircraft. Ground attack and anti-ship missions let pilots destroy ground and naval targets from above.

The most unique combat involves giant weapon battles against weapons only found in Strangereal. The Land Battleship is a massive vehicular weapon that holds the key to the story and can bring an entire country within main gun range.

Over 30 aircraft span four distinct roles for mission flexibility. Players can pilot more than 30 different aircraft including real-world fighters from across the globe and original fictional models. These aircraft fall into four categories: fighters, attack aircraft, multi-role aircraft, and electronic warfare aircraft.

Pilots must select the optimal aircraft for each mission to gain the upper hand in battle. This lineup supports the fast-paced aerial combat that defines the franchise.

Players command Joker Squadron and build bonds with named wingmen. At the start of the journey, the player serves as commander of Joker Squadron. During missions players determine the composition of their squadron’s fighter jets and issue commands to wingmen in combat.

Success depends on both personal actions and leadership of the team. Several named pilots fill out the squadron with distinct backgrounds and roles.

Key Joker Squadron members include veterans with specialized skills. Ellington Baxter, known as “Professor,” flies Joker Squadron Aircraft No. 2 as a Major. The calm and knowledgeable former university lecturer holds the squadron together and is called “Teach” by Tasha.

Tasha Seversky flies Aircraft No. 3 as a Second Lieutenant. She previously served as a star pilot in Yuktobania’s acrobatic team Zvezda and remained on the Endurance after war broke out during a publicity shoot.

William Coster, nicknamed “Noise,” is Aircraft No. 4 and holds the rank of Captain. The skilled wingman keeps pace with Tasha’s extreme maneuvers and brings a compact music player into the cockpit as a diehard rock music fan.

Kate Evans, callsign “Little Bee,” is Lieutenant Commander and leads Queen Flight aboard the carrier. The cool and collected pilot protects lives across both flights, covers her battle scars with bandages, and maintains a positive attitude.