The early access release of Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve for Deluxe Edition holders has been marred by controversy over how Bandai Namco has managed the game’s pre-order bonuses, particularly concerning Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
Pre-order Bonus Controversy
Ace Combat fans who pre-ordered were promised a copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. The 2006 game, initially exclusive to PlayStation 2, has yet to be released on newer platforms, creating excitement for its re-release. However, confusion arose for PC gamers expecting the game as a separate entity, similar to its availability on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. On Steam, the game has been made available as a DLC for Ace Combat 8, leading to various complications.
Challenges for PC Players
The change means users must download the extensive Ace Combat 8 game, approximately 135GB, to access The Belkan War, a significantly smaller game under 4GB. This requirement presents problems for players with limited hardware capabilities, such as those using the Steam Deck, where running a large modern game could be challenging.
A Shifting Description
Initially, the Steam listing described The Belkan War as a self-contained game separate from Ace Combat 8. However, the description was silently altered to reflect its status as a DLC requiring Ace Combat 8’s installation. The timing of this change remains unclear, but it has sparked user frustration, documented in a Reddit post and several negative reviews on Steam.
Technical Limitations
As The Belkan War functions as an add-on within Ace Combat 8, it lacks standalone features such as its own achievements and cloud saves, functions fully available on other platforms. Though technically launchable independently by accessing its .exe file within the game’s directory, having Ace Combat 8 installed remains necessary.
User Reactions
Steam’s mixed reviews for Ace Combat 8, with over 1,350 reviews, reflect the ongoing dissatisfaction surrounding these developments. Many players express disappointment, particularly those intending to use the game on less powerful hardware like the Steam Deck. The official release date on 2nd October could further influence player opinions and developer actions.
Reporting based on coverage first published by eurogamer.net.