Ace Combat 8's verdict: an 87, and the series' best reviews in 25 years

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve isn't out until later this week, but the reviews are, and they're the best the series has had in a quarter of a century.

It's scored 87 on Metacritic and 88 on OpenCritic. The only entry rated higher is Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies from 2001, at 89. It's also the first mainline game in seven years, since Ace Combat 7 in 2019.

What's confirmed

What critics praised

The campaign. Reviewers kept coming back to the single-player story, the cinematic presentation, and the dogfights themselves. GamesRadar+ said it "soars thanks to thrilling dogfights and a genuinely gripping Metal Gear-like story." Another review summed it up as elevating "the franchise to new heights with a spectacular campaign." The soundtrack gets singled out too.

The complaints

Two stand out. The first is readability: one review said it "comes tantalizingly close to perfection" but that the action "still lacks clarity and visibility." The second is what happens after the campaign, with that same review pointing to "a distinct lack of endgame content." Some critics also had issues with the story and with multiplayer, though neither dragged scores down much.

Should you buy it

Yes, if you liked Ace Combat 7 or you want a big, cinematic single-player campaign. That's where every review puts the game's strength.

Maybe wait, if you mostly play for multiplayer or want something to keep playing for months. The campaign is the draw, and several reviews say there's less to do once it's over.

It's a crowded week. The Witcher 3 Remastered landed today, and Gears of War: E-Day opens early access on 1 October.