This is the second announcement/apology from the Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve team in as many days, and the pre-order bonus bundle and the way it’s been handled is the subject, following its update on the ongoing PC issues.
This one’s all about how Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, a title from the franchise’s illustrious past that’s been very well liked over the years, is only playable inside Ace Combat 8 on Steam, making it inconvenient for players who want to play the classic for nostalgia’s sake (and without downloading 150 GB). That’s a fair ask, especially since the older game is a standalone download on consoles.
However, the team has come back to tell us that “licensing issues and platform-related considerations” have forced their hand this time around, and while there are “discussions” to find an agreeable solution, you’re better off holding your breath on the PC version being made as good as the version that other platforms currently have.
It’s a little annoying, to be sure, but the team’s sincerity and commitment to clarity are something we’d like to highlight and compliment, aside from the fact that it’s given us a game for the ages for free. As for Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, it’s out on October 2nd for Standard Edition owners on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
