Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is off to a strong start with critics, with early reviews placing it among the highest rated games released in 2026.
The game currently holds an 88 Metacritic average for the PlayStation 5 version, which places it 20th among the highest rated games of the year at the time of reporting.
Most early reviews are clustered around 8 out of 10 or higher, with only one 7 out of 10 score noted in the source. Critics have highlighted the aerial combat, presentation, music, campaign design, and story, while some have pointed to pacing issues and occasional rough edges.
| Detail | Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve |
|---|---|
| Current Metacritic score | 88 |
| Metacritic platform | PlayStation 5 |
| 2026 ranking at time of report | 20th |
| Standard Edition price | $69.99 / £64.99 |
| Standard release date | October 1, 2026 |
| Deluxe Edition early release | September 28, 2026 |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X and S, PS5, PC |
Early reviews are consistently strong
The first wave of reviews shows broad agreement that Ace Combat 8 delivers a strong entry in the long running flight combat series.
One publication awarded it a perfect 5 out of 5, while another gave it 92 out of 100. Several other reviews landed at 9 out of 10, 8.5 out of 10, or 8 out of 10.
The most commonly praised elements include fast aerial combat, large scale encounters, strong presentation, music, and its cinematic approach to storytelling.
Critics also noted that the campaign offers variety and that multiplayer has more depth than in previous entries.
That combination appears to have helped the game stand out during a particularly busy release period.
Critics still found some weaknesses
The reviews were not completely uniform.
Some critics mentioned that cutscenes can slow the pace, while others pointed to dialogue that becomes overly dramatic at times.
There were also complaints around target selection and a few design choices that can interrupt the flow of missions.
Even with those issues, the overall critical response remains strongly positive.
The source notes that most scores are currently around 8 out of 10 or higher, with only one 7 out of 10 review identified so far.
Xbox specific reviews are still limited
One limitation of the early review picture is the lack of dedicated Xbox coverage.
Most of the current Metacritic data comes from the PlayStation 5 version, so there is not yet enough evidence in the source to say whether Xbox Series X and Series S performance or presentation matches it exactly.
The strong PS5 reception is still encouraging for Xbox players, but platform specific differences will need to be judged separately.
Standard Edition arrives October 1
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches on October 1, 2026 for the Standard Edition.
The Xbox Store price is listed at $69.99 in the US and £64.99 in the UK.
Players who purchase the Deluxe Edition can access the game earlier on September 28.
The game is also available on PlayStation 5 and PC, with the Xbox version releasing for Xbox Series X and Series S.
A strong launch in a crowded release window
Ace Combat 8 arrives during a busy period that also includes releases such as The Witcher 3: Remastered, Minecraft Dungeons 2, and early access for Gears of War: E-Day.
That could make visibility more difficult, but its early critical reception gives it a strong position.
The current reviews suggest that the game succeeds by refining the series' familiar arcade focused aerial combat rather than radically changing its formula.
For players who already enjoy Ace Combat, the early response points to one of the stronger entries in the franchise. For newcomers, the reviews also suggest the game offers enough accessibility to serve as an entry point without losing the spectacle and high speed combat the series is known for.
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