Burger brings over two decades of series experience to his review, dating back to playing Ace Combat 4 at a friend’s house on a massive CRT television. That moment—realizing what video games could achieve visually—sparked a lasting passion for the franchise.
Going into Wings of Theve after the lengthy gap since Ace Combat 7, Burger found himself “incredibly impressed.” The campaign delivers what he considers “probably the best plane combat that the series has ever had,” complemented by a stellar soundtrack he’d happily purchase on vinyl.
The Complete Ace Combat Package
When asked what makes the Ace Combat formula work, Burger emphasizes that it’s the seamless integration of all elements. Great dogfighting alone isn’t enough—it requires mission design that keeps players invested despite the inherently repetitive nature of shooting down planes.
The story serves as the crucial connective tissue, providing context for why players are completing objectives. Ace Combat 8 continues the series tradition of withholding explicit objective markers, forcing pilots to listen to radio chatter and piece together what needs to be done. This creates organic moments where missions evolve unexpectedly—what starts as a straightforward operation can suddenly become a desperate fight for survival.
Combat Refinements That Matter
A significant gameplay improvement in Wings of Theve addresses a long-standing frustration: players no longer need to hit specific parts of enemy planes to register damage. This quality-of-life change dramatically improves the dogfighting experience.
The game also excels at conveying the distinct feel of different aircraft. Whether piloting an F-22 or a basic starter plane, each handles differently—though Burger notes you could complete the entire game with the starting aircraft if you choose.
Memorable set-piece battles elevate the action, including encounters with massive “land battleships”—essentially battleships mounted on tank treads firing rail guns into the sky. One standout mission requires following laser guidance systems through cloud cover to locate invisible airships, all while under attack and racing against a time limit.
A Story Rooted in Modern Realities
Wings of Theve distinguishes itself with a narrative reflecting our current era’s relationship with social media and propaganda. Players take on the role of a pilot for the Federation of Central Eusia, fighting a losing war against Sotoa. To maintain morale, the military creates a mythical ace called the Wings of Theve—with fabricated kill counts and embellished stories serving as propaganda.
After the previous Wings of Theve is shot down, players step into the legend, tasked simply with surviving and returning. The reality of war, however, demands active combat participation.
This setup creates a compelling exploration of propaganda versus truth and its effects on wartime morale. While Ace Combat has always leaned into melodrama, Burger argues this actually enhances the experience—war stories are inherently dramatic, and exaggerated elements like land battleships become genuinely horrifying when witnessed tearing through civilian areas.
Time Spent Beyond the Cockpit
The campaign also includes sections set on the ground and aboard the aircraft carrier serving as home base. These moments build rapport with squadron mates and crew members while reminding players what they’re fighting for. With many civilians displaced by the war and living aboard the carrier, these sequences humanize the conflict beyond pure military objectives.
Technical Excellence
Visually, Burger calls Wings of Theve “one of the best-looking games I’ve ever seen.” Details like water droplets clinging to the cockpit during cloud cover and moving in response to flight inputs showcase impressive attention to detail. A particularly memorable mission involves following contrails of enormous radar-invisible planes through clouds, requiring players to distinguish between contrails and natural cloud formations.
The soundtrack receives equally high praise. Elite enemy squadrons announce their arrival by vocalizing over comms—a musical cue that signals combat is about to intensify. Fellow pilots occasionally play songs over the radio, creating in-universe music that enhances storytelling while reminding players of the world beyond their cockpit.
What’s Left to Evaluate
The campaign spans approximately 20 hours across 30 missions, ranging from 10 to 40 minutes each. Burger played on both PC and Xbox using a controller, noting excellent performance on both platforms. He recommends expert controls over standardized schemes for the full flying experience.
The temporary score of 9 reflects the campaign alone, with multiplayer evaluation pending. Burger wants to assess progression systems, 100-player lobby stability, and the new time-limited missions. Given Ace Combat 7’s multiplayer issues that only emerged over extended play, this cautious approach seems prudent.
Wings of Theve stands as self-contained enough for newcomers while offering additional depth for series veterans. Based on the campaign experience, Burger enthusiastically recommends the game for single-player alone—calling it one of the best games he’s played this year. A final score incorporating multiplayer impressions will follow in the coming weeks.