Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Thieve Looks Like It’s Going Full MMO

I’ve been quietly excited for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Thieve ever since it was first revealed. For me, there’s something incredibly freeing about flying in video games, and this series has always pushed that to the limits without getting as bogged down in the minutiae of tiny buttons.

However, when Bandai Namco showed off the multiplayer features for what I thought would be this purely frenetic single-player affair, I was as shocked as I’m sure you are that it looks like a fairly comprehensive MMO. There’s a social space and everything!

Ace Combat 8: Wings Of Thieve Might Just Be Your New Go-To Multiplayer Game

Right off the bat, I want to be clear that all of these multiplayer options are described as endgame content, designed to be enjoyed after you’ve completed a playthrough of the main game and are hungry for more. Knowing that I have a wealth of activities to dive into even after having a great time soaring through digital skies at high speed while blasting enemies with missiles gets me excited because not only do I love to get a lot of bang for my buck, I just barely need an excuse to fly more.

All of these multiplayer offerings are being generously lumped together as Ace Combat Online. In it, you start from scratch as a mercenary pilot at a brand new air base. The very first thing you’ll do is create your avatar, your presence in this digital world whom everyone can see. There’s a plethora of cosmetic options to choose from, and loads more to unlock by playing. I can’t emphasise enough how much I can’t wait to grind for the silliest jumpsuits possible.

The airbase can host a staggering 100 players at any time. Let that settle in for a moment. 100 players in what’s basically a jet fighter simulator game. Imagine roaming around your airbase, hanging out with dozens of pilots at a time doing star jumps, giving muscly hugs, or high-fiving each other. It sounds like pure, joyful chaos. Just imagine showing off your horrendously-coloured fighter jet while random people from around the world discuss the merits of its camoflague, or lack thereof, and how the lines might make it faster in a dogfight.

You’ve got two core game modes that bring PVE and PVP to life. In PVE, you’re competing as a team to defeat AI enemies for points, while in PVP, you’re trying to take down other real players for the same goal. This is the bulk of what you’ll be playing when you jump in, extending that flight time you hopefully enjoyed in the base game.

If that all sounds a little basic, don’t worry. Limited time events can and will occur, drawing you and your fellow players into battles against colossal aircraft or highly-skilled squads. There are going to be limited-time PVE and PVP events, so everyone’s covered no matter who they like to play against.

We all know what we’re really excited for, though, right? Yes, of course, it’s the cosmetics. Those juicy, delightful, shiny new skins, aircraft, sunglasses, and whatever other bits and pieces the developers have decided to throw our way. I can’t get enough of this stuff, and regularly run five or so live-service games just to make sure I have as many as possible.

Ace Combat Online is going to be jam-packed with enough aircraft to fill your home county, and then some, and that’s just what you can unlock at launch. There are going to be seasons and battle passes moving forward, bringing even more cosmetics and collectibles into the fray. If you’re in any way into fighter jets, military warfare, or flying, this really is the online game for you.

Just as GTA Online does for GTA V, Ace Combat Online drags out the base game’s core experience and makes it something that’s always growing and feels fresh. There are even arcade games to play, a jukebox to listen to, and places you can simply hang out with other players to chat about whatever’s going on in life. This multiplayer mode is expansive, a third space to bring players together, and I think that’s something truly special when you consider most multiplayer games are just funnels to target your money at more digital goods.

Maybe this isn’t your cup of tea, and that’s completely fine. The single-player experience in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Thieve is almost certainly going to be good enough by itself to justify your time. As a game that’s offering a multiplayer element to complement its core content, I think this is one that stands above the rest and will be running along nicely even when GTA VI rears its head. If you’re looking for a new online world to invest your time in for the foreseeable future, maybe you should give this one a go.

About the Author

Jamie Moorcroft Sharp

Editor

Jamie adores the indie games that you don’t hear about until you’re on a video essay binge at 3AM and suddenly the sound of them changes your life. He’s played games all his life and loves looking at the intricate details that make them magical and different. If there’s a wierd list, embarrassing feature, or something else far too out there on Bonus Action, there’s a good chance he wrote it. But that’s not all! He’s also an absolute fiend who never knows when to stop when he puts on his dirty robes and takes on his D&D persona as a Mud Warlock who acts on that tiny voice in your head when it wonders what would happen if you did something really dumb right now. He’s easy to beat in a TGC, though, just keep an eye out for his crazy card combos.

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