Unveil the truth behind the Wings of Theve as Bandai Namco shares Ace Combat 8’s prologue and a bit of its first chapter

We’re a little over a week away from returning to the world of Strangereal where military budgets are unlimited and you can’t throw a rock without hitting a super weapon. In anticipation for this next journey into the fictional realm where the Ace Combat 8 (and frankly most of the series except 1 and 2) takes place Bandai Namco has released a new clip showcasing the upcoming title’s opening sequence.

The Republic of Sotoa has declared war against the Federation of Central Usea and has its foe on the back foot. We start the clip out at sea as the only survivors of a downed helicopter. Fortune smiles upon you as a rescue chopper ferries you to the FCU Endurance, one of the nation’s last ships. With resources stretched thin, you are teamed with Jan “Rex” Cope while waiting to be medically cleared, so you can fly your own jet. Cope is a bit of a legend, a man who shot down twelve jets during the opening of the war which allowed evacuees the chance to escape. Dubbed the Wings of Theve, he gives the citizens of the FCU hope that this war can end in their favor.

As you fly towards your latest escort mission, Jan confides with you that the Wings of Theve is merely propaganda generated by D.D. a representative of the corporation Enso Order to give false hope to the populace. After this confession to a person that he literally just met, things take a turn for the worse for the duo as planes from the Shadow Squadron make their appearance and shoot down your plane. You manage to escape, but Jan does not. As you awake back on the Endurance, you have now been conscripted to take up Jan’s mantle as The Wings of Theve…how this turn out? Well that’s for you to find out in the full game.

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will craft a new legend when it takes off on October 2nd 2026 on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.