Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will be Included as a Gift with Pre-Orders

After a long period of silence, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve, which was announced recently, is back in the spotlight with new leaks as its release date approaches. Updates to the game’s SteamDB page suggest that Bandai Namco may be preparing special content for pre-ordering players, bringing with it a strong possibility that will excite long-time fans of the series.

What Will the Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve Pre-Order Bonus Be?

According to details noticed on SteamDB, the game files contain references to Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. This strengthens the possibility that this classic game, originally released for PlayStation 2 in 2006, may return to modern platforms. The fact that the references are directly linked to Ace Combat 8 ​​suggests that this return could be offered as a pre-order bonus.

Bandai Namco is known to have tried this approach before. The inclusion of Ace Combat 5 in the Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown pre-order package showed the company’s willingness to offer nostalgic games from the series alongside new releases. Therefore, the similar reintroduction of Ace Combat Zero is seen as a continuation of the importance given to the series’ past.

The leaks don’t stop there. The same updates also revealed traces of a closed-network test for an online mode believed to be connected to Ace Combat 8. This test is speculated to be an early preview of the series’ new PvP-focused online experience. While there’s no official confirmation yet, it’s speculated that the multiplayer aspect could be more ambitious this time.

Currently, Bandai Namco hasn’t made a clear statement, but all signs point to a new announcement soon. It wouldn’t be surprising if Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve’s pre-order bonuses and online mode details are officially revealed at a major presentation expected in mid-February. It looks like this year will be quite eventful for fans of the series.

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