Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve – Annihilation Battle mode confirmed, story trailer revealed

Today, we are excited to share with PlayStation players the first look at our Wings of Theve story trailer, giving a glimpse into the tranquil daily lives of the crew aboard The Endurance and their time together amidst an ongoing war. From fierce battles against formidable enemy Sotoan ace squadrons to colossal superweapons that pose a threat to the Federation of Central Usea, players will face new threats and learn what secrets lie ahead in Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve.

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Let’s deep dive into the story and be sure to stick around to the end for an exclusive reveal on a fan-favorite mode that is confirmed in the franchise’s next release!

Dogfights are notorious within the Ace Combat series as you engage in exhilarating dogfight against daunting rival aces. Today’s trailer showcased a head-to-head battle between the Leader of the Elite Sotoan Air Force Shadows Unit “Shadow 22” and the Joker Flight led by the “Wings of Theve”.

In addition to threats in the skies, you will also be forced to face off against numerous superweapons that dominate the ground or overwhelm the distant skies. It is up to you to lead your squad to victory and save the Federation of Central Usea (FCU).

This is what you’ll find in the heart of our next mission reveal!

A fan-favorite mission in Ace Combat

In this mission, you are tasked with a counterattack against Sotoan forces where you must destroy every enemy and targets in sight.

Not only will you have the chance to experience the full thrill of flight shooting, but fans will also be able to experience a franchise favorite mode, Annihilation Battle.

The freedom of Annihilation Missions

In this Annihilation Battle, you’ll face key enemy facilities―including a solar power plant, an oil tank, an air base, and an ammo dump ―all while making good use of supply lines where you can replenish your own weapons during the mission. The gameplay offers a high degree of freedom within the time limit, allowing players to devise their own strategies―such as deciding which enemies to take down and in what order, as well as when to return to the “return line” to reload their weapons.

“I believe this mission category best embodies the core pillar of the Ace Combat series: the player’s ability to eliminate enemies based on their own judgment.” Manabu Shimomoto, the game’s producer, shares his thoughts on why Mission 7 will be appealing to Ace Combat 8 players.

New ways to enjoy Annihilation Battles in Ace Combat 8

Just like the large transport aircraft Podarge we introduced in previous trailers, you can enjoy chain destruction in the Annihilation battles for this newest installment in the series.

Shimomoto-san notes, “For example, if you hit a flammable object―such as an oil tank at an enemy base―and cause an explosion, you can also cause a chain reaction that destroys surrounding buildings.”

In addition, structures located near where downed enemy aircraft crash may also be destroyed.

The production team had this consideration when developing the mission as it adds depth to the strategy regarding the order and timing of players’ attacks.

Formidable foes threatening the Federation of Central Usea Forces

Outside of the Annihilation Mission, you’ll face numerous enemies or have to evade their threats. Here are just a few that you can look forward to battling:

Megafloat Fatsia

The Megafloat Fatsia, situated off of the west coast of the Republic of Sotoa, is a marine megafacility in the form of an artificial island. It serves as an arms factory for the Sotoan military as well as a supply station for landing invasions. It was constructed as part of a national project to develop coastal waters and provide future housing to compensate for land lost to desertification.

The Megafloat extends a full six kilometers and has multiple layers, with a 2,000-meter runway on its top deck that allows for even large transport aircraft to land and take off.

The central block contains a power plant that uses Sotoan cold fusion technology. Deuterium is harvested from seawater as fuel to provide the various parts of the structure with electricity, from arms factories to synthetic fuel plants. Surplus power is used to create fresh water via desalination and deliver it to the mainland via pipeline.

For defenses, each area is equipped with automated systems linked to multifunction radar. Weaponry include CIWS, SAM batteries, and railguns linked in cooperative engagement capability (CEC) to defensive aircraft, allowing the Megafloat to attack targets over the horizon. UAVs fly around the structure, acting as sensor nodes that expand its defensive range to a 400 km radius.

Attack satellite Tonitrus Spear

“Tonitrus Spear” refers to a Sotoan satellite weapon, a kinetic weapon based on a project conceived of by the Yuktobania during the Cold War as a strategic alternative to nuclear strikes.

From a platform stationed at a low-orbit altitude of 500 km, the Tonitrus Spear employs mass and gravitational acceleration to launch dense metal rods using pure kinetic energy, destroying targets in a wide radius without the drawbacks of radioactive fallout.

Aces will need to use their wit to slip through its attacks and dodge this weapon!

In addition to these formidable foes we’ve shared here, you’ll be able to find more unidentified enemies when you play the campaign mode. Be sure to see for yourself what these other threats are all about and get ready to take to the skies when Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve launches on PS5 on October 2, 2026.