To earn every S-rank in ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE, first clear the campaign on Elite to unlock Ace difficulty and Free Mission mode. Then replay each mission on Ace with a loadout suited to its targets, balance score-building detours against the clock, and protect your aircraft when possible. Rank thresholds vary by mission, so there is no single score or aircraft setup that guarantees an S-rank.
The campaign has 30 missions, and earning an S-rank on all of them at Ace difficulty unlocks the Ace of Aces trophy or achievement, according to PowerPyx’s walkthrough. The game launched worldwide on October 2, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam, according to Bandai Namco’s launch announcement.
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Unlock Ace difficulty and Free Mission mode first
PowerPyx says completing the campaign on Elite unlocks Ace difficulty, Free Mission mode, and the FA-36 and X-40 aircraft. Free Mission lets you take unlocked aircraft, parts, and special weapons into missions, making it the practical route for replaying the campaign to improve individual ranks.
Before committing to an Ace attempt, finish the Elite campaign and check that the mission is available in Free Mission. The official ACE COMBAT 8 game page lists PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam; platform store details and editions can change.
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- DELUXE EDITION INCLUDES: Base Game, 3 Day Early Access, Premium Ace Pass Plus Voucher [Unlock the Premium Ace Pass for the Currrent Season] (includes ADFX-02 Morgan -Pixy aircraft + Ace Pass Levels [Instant Unlock of 30 Premium Ace Pass Levels]), and Customizable Cosmetic Set (includes F-4E Mobius Squadro Skin, F/A-1BC Team Zvezda Skin, Scarlet Missile Smoke, and Tasha Costume Set.)
- ACE COMBAT 8 DELIVERS HIGH-OCTANE AERIAL ACTION! Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot across stunning skies. Enter intense dogfights, eliminate threats, and rise through gripping missions to earn your wings. The game is developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed team behind the franchise.
- AERIAL WARFARE IN LIVING SKIES. Campaign Mode showcases stunning visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that capture the majesty of living skies. Feel the rush of a fast-paced arcade-style gameplay and deploy powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield.
- A VISCERAL JOURNEY FROM COCKPIT TO GROUND. Beyond the chaos in the air, breathtaking first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story through breathtaking cinematics. Experience the pressure of command, the weight of decisions, and the bonds forged in battle. Between missions, bond with your squad members, rise to meet adversity, and prove yourself as a true ace.
What determines an S-rank?
PowerPyx describes the evaluation as mission-dependent, drawing on completion time, enemies destroyed, bonus targets, and mission-specific objectives. Exact score requirements vary, so aim to combine efficient completion with worthwhile kills and objectives rather than assuming that either speed or destroying everything alone will suffice.
- Prioritize valuable targets: Named aces and other high-value targets can add useful score. PowerPyx estimates a confirmed enemy Ace kill at around 2,000 points; treat that as an approximate figure from the guide, not a universal value.
- Weigh detours against time: Optional targets and clusters may be worth attacking, but chasing them can make the sortie too slow. Favor targets that fit your route and weapon rather than pursuing every contact.
- Preserve your aircraft: PowerPyx reports a 5,000-point bonus for taking no damage. That makes avoiding hits a meaningful scoring goal, but not a reason to abandon a mission objective or lose too much time.
- Restart selectively: A checkpoint restart does not automatically rule out an S-rank in every mission, according to PowerPyx, but it generally reduces evaluation points and makes the rank harder. If a major early mistake has already cost time or an objective, restarting may be better than continuing a compromised run.
Choose aircraft and weapons for the mission
There is no universal best setup for all 30 sorties. Match the aircraft and special weapon to the target mix and route: air-to-air fights reward a different approach from ground attacks, anti-ship missions, escorts, or large enemy weapons. The game’s official materials describe these varied mission types, aircraft roles, upgrade parts, special weapons, dynamic weather, and wingman commands; see the Bandai Namco gameplay overview and PlayStation.Blog’s game overview.
Rank #2
- TAKE FLIGHT AS AN ELITE ACE — Step into the cockpit and soar through thrilling missions, intense dogfights, and high-stakes aerial combat developed by PROJECT ACES.
- AERIAL WARFARE IN LIVING SKIES — Experience stunning visuals featuring dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes, realistic weather conditions, and breathtaking skies that transform every battle.
- FAST-PACED ARCADE AIR COMBAT — Engage enemy aircraft, deploy powerful weapons, and dominate the battlefield with the signature high-speed gameplay the ACE COMBAT series is known for.
- A VISCERAL PILOT STORY — Experience dramatic first-person sequences, cinematic storytelling, squad relationships, and the pressures of command between missions.
- THE LARGEST ONLINE MODE IN SERIES HISTORY — Explore the franchise's first online lobby, customize your avatar, and sortie into online missions with pilots worldwide.
Use precision weapons where target selection matters
PowerPyx broadly recommends the X-40 with UAVT, but notes that the weapon’s precision and limited ammunition can be a poor fit for dense ground-target clusters. Consider a more suitable option when the mission asks you to clear many grouped ground targets rather than pick off individual enemies.
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For clustered ground targets, PowerPyx recommends area-effect air-to-ground weapons. The trade-off is mission-specific: a weapon that clears a group efficiently may be less useful against dispersed targets or an air-heavy encounter. Check the objective and target layout before selecting your special weapon.
Rank #3
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- 🎯 ABSOLUTE COMBAT PRECISION : Dominate the skies with 16-bit technology and 7 control axes including the Z-axis. With 16 action buttons, a rapid-fire trigger and a multidirectional hat switch, every missile launched and every maneuver executed is accurate to the millimeter.
- 💥 IMMERSIVE VIBRATION FEEDBACK : Feel every missile impact, every cannon burst and every turbulence directly in your palm, thanks to the vibration motor built into the grip.
- 🔧 DETACHABLE THROTTLE: Customize your joystick to suit your gaming style! Rest the joystick on your lap, or detach the throttle for use on a desk or table. Experience tailor-made comfort for back-to-back missions with no compromises.
- 🛫 DUAL RUDDER SYSTEM : Control your aircraft's rotation via the joystick's Z-axis or the tilting lever on the detachable throttle. Two options, total freedom to dominate every combat situation.
Factor in distance, weather, and survivability
Travel time matters when objectives are spread out, while weather and high-G maneuvering can affect how you approach combat. Use the available parts and wingman attack or cover commands where they help you reach objectives or manage threats without wasting time. These are systems Bandai Namco identifies in its gameplay overview; the ideal use depends on the sortie.
Use a repeatable approach on every Ace sortie
- Read the mission objective and target mix. Identify whether the sortie emphasizes air, ground, naval, escort, or boss targets, and note any mission-specific objective or likely time pressure.
- Build a mission-fit loadout. Choose an aircraft, parts, and special weapon for the targets and travel demands. Do not carry a precision setup into a dense ground-clearing mission just because it worked elsewhere.
- Plan the first attack route. Prioritize required objectives and valuable targets that are close enough to attack efficiently. Avoid long optional detours until you understand how much time the mission leaves.
- Keep score and survival in balance. Take useful kills, but avoid unnecessary exposure or damage. A no-damage bonus can matter, yet lost time or a missed required target can undermine the run.
- Review the result and adjust one variable. If the rank falls short, consider whether the main problem was time, missed targets, damage, or loadout fit. Change the route or equipment accordingly rather than repeating the same attempt unchanged.
Mission-by-mission route coverage
PowerPyx’s October 1, 2026 walkthrough provides detailed route advice for Missions 1–10, including target ordering and some ace appearance triggers. Its accessible page lists Missions 11–30, but the corresponding route instructions are not available in that page content. Use the linked walkthrough for its published first-ten mission guidance; do not assume an unlisted route or ace trigger for the remaining missions.
Rank #4
- PRE-ORDER BONUS: - Playable Aircraft: F-14A - ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR* *Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War” is a ported version of the original game released in 2006. Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War” is a available from launch on the 2 October 2026. An internet connection is required to access this content.
- ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE delivers high-octane aerial action! Step into the cockpit and take flight as an elite pilot across stunning skies. Enter intense dogfights, eliminate threats, and rise through gripping missions to earn your wings. The game is developed by PROJECT ACES, the acclaimed team behind the franchise.
- Aerial Warfare in Living Skies. Campaign Mode showcases stunning visuals with dynamic multi-layered cloudscapes that capture the majesty of living skies. Feel the rush of a fast-paced arcade-style gameplay and deploy powerful weapons to dominate the battlefield.
- A visceral journey from cockpit to ground. Beyond the chaos in the air, breathtaking first-person scenes reveal your pilot’s story through immersive cinematics. Experience the pressure of command, the weight of decisions, and the bonds forged in battle. Between missions, bond with your squad members, rise to meet adversity, and prove yourself as a true ace.
- The Largest Online Mode of the Series ACE COMBAT ONLINE delivers the most expansive multiplayer experience in franchise history. Step into the series’ first online lobby, explore an air base with your custom avatar before diving into multiplayer games. Sortie into online missions with pilots worldwide in a variety of modes including Co Op and cross platform play.
For the later missions, apply the scoring and loadout principles above to the objectives shown in-game: identify the required targets, select weapons for the target density, and avoid spending time on optional pursuits that compromise completion. Exact thresholds and requirements remain mission-specific.
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Best Value
- Magnetic contactless sensors provide smooth, accurate input and long‑lasting durability
- Independent throttle & brake levers offer fast, intuitive control for rapid speed adjustments during combat
- Ambidextrous, symmetrical design
- Dedicated High‑G Mode button for instantly trigger High-G turns
- Officially Licensed by Bandai Namco Entertainment and SONY
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