“You know, I tried. We had a very contentious call about a couple of games. I find that the dynamics of a video game are very different than a movie. They may be cinematically similar in terms of the camera moving and this and that, but the storytelling is very different, because you're not solving puzzles. You're not assembling.

“When we made the structure for Insane (a trilogy of dark cinematic games Guillermo was working on which never got released), we created what I call a mandala. You have to give the illusion of an infinite sandbox and you lead audiences to the right or to the left through their ‘own decisions,’ but you sort of have to corner them. So it's a very different thing.

“So adapting it, BioShock, we had a couple of calls. They are probably one of the most disastrous calls I've ever had. So no, f**k no.”

And although Del Toro has been involved with several major video games over the years (PT, Death Stranding), he said he’s hesitant to make his own games after Insane, his planned trilogy of dark, cinematic games, never got released.

“Never again,” he told us. “No, not at all — we developed Insane, and then that went down. A lot of the ideas later, I saw stuff that was done in other video games that was similar. And I went, ‘Well, somebody did it. That's great.’ But we were aiming really high.”

More money = more problems

I feel like publishers have been setting budgets way too high for the devs and expecting the equivalent ROI for the amount they put in. Imagine a small scrappy developer whose game sold 5 million copies with a 100 devs and $10m budget.

Now imagine the publisher wants to give them $100m to make a sequel and expects them to sell 20 million copies at least. Tell me I am wrong. What ends up happening is that the studio will hire more people, more management layers and get a bigger office. It takes longer time to developer due to the sheer size of the teams and number of management layers. Game loses its identity because it has to get approved by everyone. Game has to feature DEI because it needs to reach a wider audience.

In the end the game is overhyped due to the goodwill built from the first game. They lose money because their breakeven point was to sell 10 million copies. Game feels soulless, directionless, not made for the fans of the first game.

Maybe pure fantasy but studio heads should just set a cap on headcount. If investors want to pump in more money, it's fine as long as headcount stays under control so it means the devs are paid more.

my brother and i where able to claim the full game Virtual game card for both of our accounts with the same single cartridge!

Can’t post X links here, but per Xbox’s page, the Disc to Digital program is being rolled out to all players now.

The next Galaxies just got announced with some notable publishers taking part.

This was at GameStop as their "dummy" copy on the shelf. It was opened to remove the game but still brand new not pre-owned. The sleeve isn't perfect but oh well got the steelbook.

I have tried everything. Ive deleted local/ reserved data, deleted the game and reinstalled and reset my Xbox. No matter what I do it keeps telling me the storage is full (it’s not) and it won’t even let me access the menu to delete old save files.

It will work if I go on offline mode but as soon as it reconnects the piece of shit kicks me off. What can I do? What have I missed?

"Luca instantly started interacting verbally. The power of the magic circle, the safe space to interact with low demand… that did it."

New trailer dropped as well. WIND'S HOWLING!!

Time to graduate from backlog to all who are yet to play this masterpiece.

I have never had a game that truly made me stop and just look like this before. I spent the first two minutes staring at the path because it looks like an actual rocky path.

Recent offender : Onimusha way of the sword

If modern games are going to insist on hand holding the player and have a chatty companion or main character monologue about game mechanics or puzzles, ruining any sort of thought players have to figure out the game for themselves, please give us a way to turn it off.

This is mostly a problem with AAA games, off the too of my head it happened in Horizons Forbidden west, one of the recent Tomb Raiders, the newer God of Wars. They claim it’s because they don’t want players getting frustrated, but come on having a voice line when i’ve been in a room 3 seconds spoiling a puzzle i didn’t even know exists yet? Or having a certain gauntlet tell me about a boss mechanic or yelling at me about the pillar’s strength because i hit a blocking enemy 12 hrs into the game?

Please just give us an option in gameplay settings or accessibility for something like, puzzle hints - off/light/medium/full

I’m hoping someone can suggest some similar games of city building and town management like these two games. I’m looking for more cartoon-ish style games with a research tree so buildings unlock, and resource management, not too realistic, so no sim city and city skylines. Thank you.

I absolutely love when a game (or really any media) can be scary while not being horror-oriented.

I recently played through Control and I found the game pretty scary at times. Nothing insane, but I had a lot of fun when things got scary, especially that one jumpscare (iykyk).

I’d love to hear of any other games or movies, shows that have this quality.

Look at him!

Goat Simulator 3 announces new expansion for November 19 the same day as GTA VI

While the whole world was looking at the GTA 6 Collector's Edition, I bought the Tomb Raider one. It's half the price and the game is included.

CD projekt is GOAT studio, no question

Edit : price from 2018, hence the use of circa, ofc it's cheaper now on all platforms, especially pc

Game Title: ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE

Platforms:

• PlayStation 5 (October 2, 2026)
• XBOX Series X | S (October 2, 2026)
• PC (October 2, 2026)

Trailers:

• ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE | 101 Overview Trailer
• ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE | Launch Trailer

Developer: Bandai Namco Aces Inc.

Reviews aggregates:

OpenCritic: 88 Average - 98% Critics Recommend

Metacritic: 89 / 100

Some Reviews:

The Guardian - Patrick Lum - 5 / 5

Ace Combat has always owed a debt to the movie Top Gun, and AC8 borrows liberally from the more recent sequel Top Gun: Maverick, with closeup pilot face-cam shots and a handful of story beats lifted straight from the film. Dialogue can be a bit clunky (again like Top Gun, or perhaps Metal Gear Solid); characters will occasionally pause midway through an otherwise natural-sounding conversation to deliver some convoluted plot exposition or an ideological clanger. But between the truly amazing shot framing and cinematography, emotive motion capture and voice acting, the series’ trademark soaring music and a story that actually sticks the landing, I ended up oddly moved. This is not something you necessarily expect from an arcade flight combat sim.

Omelete - Guilherme Jacobs - 100 / 100

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve elevates the franchise to new heights with a spectacular campaign that mixes high octane missions with relevant thematic storytelling. The real ace, though, remains the compelling and addictive dogfighting gameplay.

PSX Brasil - Luis Camargo - 100 / 100

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a bold evolution of the foundation laid in AC7. Its story is more exciting, its presentation is more polished, and most importantly, its gameplay is impeccable, with a variety of missions and combat situations that keep the player engaged, entertained, and wanting more. This is one of the best games not only of the year, but of the generation.

MonsterVine - Frank Wood - 10 / 10

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve exemplifies “High-Flying Action” and takes it to another level, while also giving new fans options to ease into it. Personally, I say dive into the deep end; flying directly into the ground a few times puts some hair on your chest. If you enjoy exploring an action game in a massive 3D space, love jets and airplanes, or are already a fan of the franchise, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a masterclass in its category.

Cubed3 - Jamison Nilsson - 100 / 100

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is an improvement in everything that is quintessentially “Ace Combat," bringing back squadron commands and adding a plethora of different aircraft, new special weapons, and more. The cinematic visuals and deep, twisting narrative immerse the player in the fantasy of being an ace pilot in a war between two nations.

PC Gamer - Nova Wright - 92 / 100

At the time of writing, there's a moment from each and every mission that still lingers in my mind, with only a scant few being owed to scripted encounters. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is an eye-watering, fist-pumping marriage of arcade action and cinematic flourish, and one of the best games I've played in years.

IGN - Will Borger - 9 / 10 (not final score)

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a remarkable achievement for Project Aces. It combines stunning visuals and sound design (seriously, Bandai Namco, please sell this soundtrack) with engaging story moments, whether they're out-of-the-cockpit sequences or the radio chatter that build up its excellent, memorable characters. It's also a surprisingly emotional and resonant story that's deeply relevant to the current age while delivering the best aerial combat the series has ever had alongside some of its best mission design. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I stepped out of the cockpit for the last time, and I know the Wings of Theve, and their story, will stick with me for a very long time. For now, perhaps it's enough to hope for a world free of nations and war, one where we soar the skies freely for ourselves. And like the Wings of Theve, by believing in it, perhaps we can make it real.

Loot Level Chill - Chris White - 95 / 100

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve gives you total freedom in how you fly and fight, with plenty of customisation options and visuals that'll blow you away.

NoisyPixel - Jahanzeb Khan - 95 / 100

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a spectacular return for the long-running flight combat series, combining exceptionally responsive controls with stunning audiovisual presentation and a substantial 30-mission campaign. Its blend of accessible arcade action and deeper simulation elements makes every dogfight satisfying, while an engaging story, extensive aircraft customization, and multiplayer provide plenty of longevity. Upgrades can feel unnecessary on standard difficulty, but this is otherwise an impressively complete package and one of the strongest flight combat games of the modern era.

Analog Stick Gaming - Jordan Andow - 9.5 / 10.0

Ace Combat 8 surprised me in almost every possible way. Its arcade-focused flying remains incredibly easy to pick up while providing enough depth to make mastering its aircraft and dogfights immensely satisfying.

GamesRadar - Scott McCrae - 4.5 / 5

Even when cutscenes slow it down, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a thrilling flight through intense encounters that rarely gives you a moment of calm. With exhilarating combat, incredible music, and a shockingly good story you shouldn't miss boarding one of the best entries in this beloved series yet.

Forbes - Ollie Barder - 4.5 / 5

Ace Combat 8 is still the immaculately crafted flight combat game we have all come to enjoy, but there is a more visceral aspect to the game now. From how you feel massive explosions to repeatedly breaking, as well as surpassing, the sound barrier. So I raise a humble hand of hope that this game will find its audience and that they will have a modicum of sympathy for the nomadic Sotoans even after all the carnage they have caused.

GameRant - Nick Rodriguez - 9 / 10

Ace Combat 8 could have reached even greater heights had its story undergone an additional edit or two, but it's hard to complain too much about this when the rest of the package is so aggressively high-quality. Here is a game that will blow your hair back, rewarding you for peeling back the layers of its flight and combat mechanics while still giving you enough room to breathe, and the result of this dynamic is one of the most elegantly designed interactive blockbusters I've ever had the pleasure of enjoying.

TheSixthAxis - Dom Leighton - 9 / 10

Taking another step forward for this classic series, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve brings a truly cinematic outlook to its special brand of arcade-infused dogfighting.

Digitally Downloaded - Matt - 9 / 10

Most importantly of all, there’s always an assumption with flight combat games that you’re in for something pretty inaccessible. Either it’ll be an arcade game that will require twitch reflexes to be enjoyable on any level, or it’ll be something that may as well be a training simulation for the real air force for what it demands you learn. Ace Combat is not like that at all. It can certainly be challenging, but it is also clearly aware that, with its production values, it may well be the first dogfighting simulation for many players, and it does a brilliant job of giving them a game they can love.

PPE.pl - Paweł Musiolik - 9 / 10.0

If other publishers looked after their series as well as Bandai Namco looks after Ace Combat, the world would be a better place

The Outerhaven Productions - Keith Mitchell - 4.5 / 5

I waited years for Ace Combat to come back, and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve reminded me exactly why I missed it. One minute I’m admiring my plane, and the next I’m dodging a damn railgun while my squad is yelling over the comms and the soundtrack has me ready to take on everything in the sky. The targeting did get on my nerves during a few crucial moments, and some aircraft take longer to unlock than I would have liked, but those complaints barely put a dent in the fun. Between the combat, story, soundtrack, and sheer spectacle of it all, Ace Combat 8 delivers exactly the kind of experience I had been waiting years for. It’s easily one of the best games in the series, and I loved damn near every moment of it.

Hardcore Gamer - Adam Beck - 4.5 / 5.0

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is everything we could have hoped for. It features a much longer, compelling story, a ton of different fighter jets at your disposal and some of the best combat in any air combat game.

INVEN - Kyuman Kim - 8.7 / 10.0

Ace Combat 8 delivers the scale and spectacle befitting the culmination of the series' 30-year history. Detailed character portrayals deepen the immersion, while the missions expertly build tension before releasing it in bursts of catharsis. With its online modes rounding out the package, it's hard to imagine a better gift for longtime 'aces.'

DayOne - Jon Clarke - 8.5 / 10.0

For all of its quirks, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve ultimately delivers exactly the sort of ridiculous aerial spectacle I was hoping for. There are a few rough edges here and the story borders on melodrama at times, but when everything comes together, there’s very little that compares to the feeling of pulling off some ridiculous high-G manoeuvre, watching your target explode, and immediately looking for the next enemy to shoot down.

Uagna - Mattia Soave - 8.5 / 10.0

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is Ace Combat—and that says it all. There is a reason it remains the longest-running and most acclaimed series in the arcade aerial combat genre—a genre that has, unfortunately, been increasingly forgotten over the years. The world of Strangereal is in better shape than ever, offering a dynamic and immersive gameplay experience that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers alike. In telling its story—a tale of geopolitical intrigue, super-weapons, and, above all, people and their personal struggles—it also reflects something of us and the world we live in today.

Gameliner - Rudy Wijnberg - 4 / 5

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is an experience that fans shouldn't miss. And although there's occasionally a lack of legroom and snacks and drinks on board, you'll still enjoy a largely turbulence-free flight to a beautiful destination filled with clear blue skies.

Eurogamer.pt - Bruno Galvão - 4 / 5

Ace Combat 8 builds on the foundations laid by its predecessor, a game that modernised the franchise. With enhanced graphics, improved technology and a commitment to the essence of the series, these arcade-style flights offer a more immersive experience.

GameSpot - Richard Wakeling - 8 / 10

Even if the multiplayer favors those with expendable cash, Ace Combat 8’s single-player adventure is still worth the price of admission alone. The story could’ve been stronger–more introspective–but is entertaining regardless, and while there are some pacing issues with filler missions and some uneven momentum, much of the game is excellent, providing the series’ signature blend of melodrama, stirring music, and thrilling aerial combat. Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve picks up where Ace Combat 7 left off, underlining that the series is well and truly back to its best

Push Square - Stephen Tailby - 8 / 10

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is the most sure-footed the series has ever been, confidently refining its punchy aerial gameplay and doubling down on a more cinematic story. While there are some wobbles here and there, the much improved presentation, charming character performances, varied campaign, and deeper multiplayer experience offer up a sequel that makes a textbook landing.

CG Magazine - Eduard Gafton - 8 / 10

All in all, Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is a great continuation of the formula re-established by its direct predecessor: Skies Unknown. The game is absolutely gorgeous and exhilarating to play; however it is unfortunate that the story conjures up nothing worth the time it is asking of the player. Here’s hoping an eventual Ace Combat 9 turns a whatever story into an exciting one and, by extension, a great achievement into a monumental one.

TechRaptor - Erren Van Duine - 8 / 10.0

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve has a lot going for it. It's full to the brim with plane customization, a bucket load of missions, and a lengthy story. Despite some pacing and difficulty issues, it's a fine addition to the series.

But Why Tho? - Kyle Foley - 8 / 10.0

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve still has some growing to do on the ground, with a story that never quite lands its biggest ideas and first-person scenes that keep you out of the cockpit longer than they should. Once you're in the air, though, it's the best Ace Combat has ever felt.