Project Aces has finally revealed more details on Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, the next mainline entry in the arcade combat flight sim series, shedding a bit more light on the narrative. For the first time, players can now experience the story scenes in first-person perspective, properly embodying their character.
As creative director, Kosuke Itomi, notes, “Up until now, the series has always taken a kind of perspective of talking about the player from a third-person viewpoint. But this time, it’s more like you have the ability to freely change that perspective. We’ve introduced this new element that allows you to advance the story from a first-person perspective.”
While that seemed obvious enough from the reveal trailer, it’s nice to finally have confirmation. It also fits extremely well with the story’s increased focus on your allies, who grow alongside the pilot on their journey. That includes interacting with them in everyday life on board the aircraft carrier, The Endurance.
“Well, the name kind of says it all,” remarks Itomi. “To endure to keep floating. It’s a place where the players can come back and feel safe, that kind of thing, so…These pilots call her ‘Mom’.” This gives the feel of “war movies inspired by historical events,” elevating it beyond a fictional world and war.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches later this year for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC. It’s the first new title since 2019’s Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, and takes place in the familiar setting of Strangereal in 2029. The story focuses on pilots aboard the Endurance battling against the Republic of Sotoa to take back the Federation of Central Usea.
Players control a new pilot who takes over the moniker of the “Wings of Theve” from a deceased legend, essentially becoming the new figurehead. They have three allies to assist during dogfights, which promise to be even more intense than either.
