Gamescom 2026 First Look: Mission 4 - Fall of the Numbered Fleets

Get ready to take to the skies at Gamescom 2026 with first hands-on in Europe for ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE. 

Visitors to the Bandai Namco booth will be among the first pilots to experience a high-stakes mission from ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE that puts players at the center of the FCU’s desperate fight to reclaim their lost homeland.

First Look at a First Flight

If you can’t join the crowds at Gamescom, here’s a recap of what’s playable at the Bandai Namco booth. Attendees can fly the fourth mission from the ACE COMBAT 8 campaign mode “The Fall of the Numbered Fleets.”  

Players take on the role of REX, an FCU pilot who has inherited the title of “Wings of Theve” after the death of the original “Wings,” another FCU pilot by the name of Jan Cope. Cope’s accomplishments were used as a morale booster for both the military and civilian population, therefore the “Wings of Theve” must keep flying no matter what. 

Mission Name: The Fall of the Numbered Fleets

The objective is bold and high stakes. Joker Flight must launch a surprise attack on enemy fleet and forces stationed on Newfield Island, marking the first concrete push toward liberating Theve, the occupied capital of the FCU. REX will be leading Joker Flight’s assignment to execute an ambush on the 3rd and 5th enemy fleets positioned on the island’s far eastern tip.  

Since Newfield Island seceded from the FCU in the midst of this war, it is also defended by the “Sharks” flight squadron, which is composed of pilots who formerly belonged to the FCU.
It’s a wide scale mission, with a challenging objective. Joker Flight has only four jets to go up against two full fleets, ground defenses, and an opposing flight squadron, but Operations believes that REX’s performance so far, combined with the element of surprise, can turn the odds in the FCU’s favor. 

Before the mission begins, players are encouraged to choose aircraft, equipment, and weapons carefully, kit out their wingmen, and prepare for a tricky sortie where you’ll face both surface-to-air and air-to-air defenses. The rest of Joker Flight is available at the touch of a keypad to provide support or defense at REX’s command. 

Time to Sortie – The Ambush Begins

As the squad approaches the targets, the skies are bright in the mid-afternoon. Scattered clouds limit visibility and double as cover for the ambush.

Unfortunately, the secret doesn’t stay secret for long, and just off the southern end of Newfield, the 262 fighter squadron arrives to defend the port. It’s Shark Flight, led by Webb, an experienced pilot who is one of your squadmate’s former compatriots. The Sharks are flying deep with 4 MIG-29As, 2 F-14Ds, and a quartet of SU 33s, all ready to engage against your team of four.

With that, a furious dogfight begins!

Players can choose to eliminate the Sharks before attacking the fleet, or dive in and use crossfire from the surface guns to create friendly-fire obstacles for the defenders. If they can slip between the AA Guns of the frigates and the SAMs tracking their every move, Joker Squad can pierce the iron veil of defense and take down the fleets.

Pre-Order for Early Access

If this mission synopsis has gotten you fired up to leap into the cockpit, ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE will be launching on October 2nd, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X | S, and Steam. If you purchase the digital version of the Deluxe edition, you’ll receive 3 days of Early Access starting September 29, 2026. 

There are several other exciting additions available with the Deluxe edition like the playable F-14A, PREMIUM ACE PASS PLUS Voucher, customizable cosmetics set, and the exclusive ported version of ACE COMBAT ZERO: THE BELKAN WAR.

There’s so much more to reveal about ACE COMBAT 8 and other missions you’ll fly as the Wings of Theve. After locking in your pre-order, follow us on social media to stay prepped and ready for the scramble.