Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve sports melodramatic story and excellent action
The latest entry in the Ace Combat video game series, Wings of Theve, combines arcade-style dogfighting with a melodramatic, anti-war narrative. While the gameplay is praised, the story is noted for its over-explained plot beats.
Why it matters
Highlights the evolution of long-running gaming franchises and their ability to integrate complex social themes into entertainment.
If Top Gun ever made you want to strap into a fighter jet and chase glory across impossible blue skies, Ace Combat is its videogame counterpart. The series built its reputation on blistering arcade dogfights, absurdly dramatic anime-style storytelling and the kind of military melodrama that would not feel out of place in a Hideo Kojima game. Wings of Theve keeps that formula intact, but wraps it in some of the most breathtaking skies the series has seen, while slipping a surprisingly pointed anti-war message beneath all the missiles, heroics and high-altitude spectacles.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in