Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve features a «deep and engaging campaign, which promises to deliver the most cinematic experience of the entire series to date.» The story is set in Strangereal, the fictional world of the saga, when the nation of the Central Federation of Usea (FCU) has been occupied and its army devastated. Players take on the role of a pilot who, after surviving an attack, takes on the role of hero and becomes a symbol of hope for all the citizens of Theve, the capital of the FCU. Our protagonist leads a squad that fights against the Republic of Sotoa.
The story of the game will be revealed through briefings and operations.
The gameplay of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve puts aerial duels at the center, but before getting on the plane to face a mission you have to prepare. The title offers a series of planes that players must choose based on the objective of the mission and their playing style. The catalog can be expanded using PRM, a currency earned in missions. The arsenal and some parts of the plane are customizable to adapt them to the demands of the mission. Once in the air, radar will be one of the great allies in locating enemies, which can also be done using visual signals.
Aerial confrontations are the great attraction of the Ace Combat saga, and in this new installment players will have to deal with enormous enemy superweapons that dominate the battlefield with great offensive and defensive capabilities. Another novelty is a strategic element that can lead downed or destroyed enemies to cause chain reactions that eliminate nearby enemies. In addition to large, heavily armed planes, our pilot will face enemy squadrons.
As squad leaders, players must pilot their ship and give commands to their teammates tailored to each situation, such as Frontal Attack or Support. The main squad is called Joker Flight, while the hero’s three companions are named Baxter, Tasha and Coster.