One of Ace Combat 8's Hardest Missions Was Inspired By Godzilla

Ace Combat is already known for being one of the stranger video game franchises narratively, but it has still tried to remain as grounded as possible in its gameplay, particularly when it comes to the design of its aircraft and their mechanics. Each entry has featured a wide range of authentic aircraft, and even its fictional jets usually look like something that could belong in the real world if military technology were pushed just a little further than it currently is. That balance is part of what makes the series work, and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is continuing that tradition with a version of near-future warfare that feels just believable enough to accept, even when it's asking players to go up against something as ridiculous as a land battleship tearing through a city.