Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve - Trailer Looks Back on 30 Years of the Series' History

Bandai Namco has released the “Strangereal Evolution Episode 1” trailer for Ace Combat 8—a look back at three decades of aerial combat history. It’s amazing how far the graphics have come.

Thirty years is a long time. With the new “Strangereal Evolution Episode 1” trailer, Bandai Namco shows just how far the Ace Combat series has come since its beginnings: The first installment was released in 1995 under the name Air Combat, before the series took on the name Ace Combat, by which it is known today. The clip chronologically journeys through all the main entries in the series, from Ace Combat 1 to Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, impressively showcasing the graphical leap the series has made over three decades. Toward the end of the trailer, the focus shifts to the present—with first impressions of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, which is set to be released in 2026.

Anyone familiar with the series knows what to expect: not much in the way of flight simulation, but fast-paced arcade-style dogfights, an impressive arsenal of weapons, and missions that send you, as elite pilots, into spectacular battles amidst dynamically rendered clouds. Between missions in Ace Combat 8, you’ll build relationships with your squadron members, while cinematic cutscenes from a first-person perspective tell your pilot’s story. The game is being developed by Project Aces—the experienced studio behind the entire series.