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Project Wingman: Frontline 59 is the best game to play after Ace Combat 8 if you want another fast, mission-based flight-combat campaign with fictional-war drama. It offers the closest arcade match, a separate Conquest mode, broad aircraft selection, HOTAS support and optional VR on PlayStation 5. Choose War Thunder instead for an ongoing online aircraft game, or STAR WARS: Squadrons if you would rather fly first-person space fighters through a story campaign.
Which game is most like Ace Combat 8?
Project Wingman: Frontline 59 is the closest direct substitute. The underlying Project Wingman is described as an Ace Combat-like combat flight-action game, so its appeal is immediately familiar: an arcade-oriented flying model, mission-based progression and a dramatic fictional conflict rather than a strictly realistic flight simulator. Frontline 59 is the PlayStation 5 edition and adds six missions plus optional virtual-reality support.
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That recommendation has a clear limit. Project Wingman is an indie production with a smaller scope than a major Ace Combat release. The available information confirms its campaign, Conquest mode, aircraft variety, HOTAS support and PS5 VR option, but it does not establish a current multiplayer population. If a busy, continually updated online ecosystem matters more than a self-contained campaign, War Thunder is the better fit. If you want a story but are happy to trade atmospheric jets for spacecraft, STAR WARS: Squadrons is the alternative.
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| Game | Best for | Campaign | Arcade similarity | Multiplayer model | Controls and platforms | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Wingman: Frontline 59 | The closest Ace Combat-style replacement | Yes; Frontline 59 adds six missions | Highest match in this group | Conquest mode is confirmed; current multiplayer population is not established | PC, Xbox and PlayStation 5; reported comprehensive HOTAS support; optional PS5 VR | Smaller indie scope than Ace Combat 8 |
| War Thunder | Ongoing online aircraft battles | A campaign equivalent was not established | Less directly comparable because the focus is persistent online play | Live online aircraft combat with continuing updates | PC, Mac and Linux clients are listed officially | Progression and monetization require tolerance for a live-service structure |
| STAR WARS: Squadrons | First-person space dogfights with a story | Yes, a single-player campaign | Arcade flight instincts carry over, but the setting and vehicles are different | First-person multiplayer space dogfights | PC, PlayStation and Xbox | You fly spacecraft rather than atmospheric jets; current online-service health is not established |
Why Project Wingman: Frontline 59 is the natural follow-up
It preserves the arcade-first feel
Ace Combat works because it turns jet combat into an immediately readable action game: you can concentrate on positioning, targets and dramatic set pieces without learning a complete real-world flight syllabus. Project Wingman occupies that same broad category. Calling it an Ace Combat-like combat flight-action game does not mean it is identical, but it does identify the important expectation: this is an action-oriented jet game, not a study-level simulator.
#1 Best Overall
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That makes it the safest recommendation for someone whose question is simply, “What should I play after Ace Combat 8?” You do not need to change genres, learn a new kind of progression or accept a space setting. You can remain in a fictional military campaign built around aircraft missions.
The campaign is the primary reason to choose it
Project Wingman includes a campaign, and the Frontline 59 edition adds six missions. Those extra missions make the PS5 release particularly relevant to players who want a substantial follow-up rather than a short demonstration of the flight model. The available information does not provide a mission-by-mission synopsis or a comparative campaign length, so it is more accurate to treat the six additions as extra content than to promise a specific number of hours.
Its smaller indie scope is part of the trade-off. Expect a focused alternative built around the core flight-combat idea, not a claim that it matches every production value, cinematic scale or feature count associated with Ace Combat 8.
Conquest adds a second way to play
Separate from the campaign, Project Wingman has a roguelike Conquest mode. That matters once you have finished a story route and want repeatable runs with changing goals or pressure rather than simply replaying the same missions in order. “Roguelike” describes the mode’s repeat-run structure; it should not be read as a promise of a particular progression system beyond what the available descriptions establish.
Rank #2
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Conquest is therefore the deciding feature for two kinds of players: anyone who wants more replay value from a primarily single-player purchase, and anyone who prefers self-contained runs to a persistent online ladder. It does not turn the game into a confirmed competitive multiplayer replacement, and no current multiplayer population is established.
Frontline 59 on PlayStation 5: what the edition adds
Six additional missions
The PS5 Frontline 59 edition adds six missions to the Project Wingman package. That is the clearest edition-specific reason to select it over another platform when you already own access to the base game elsewhere. Check the regional PlayStation Store listing before buying, because storefront availability and pricing can change.
Optional VR
Frontline 59 also supports optional VR on PS5. “Optional” is important: VR is an additional way to experience the game, not a requirement for the campaign. If you do not own compatible VR hardware or do not enjoy cockpit play in a headset, the standard display mode remains the relevant way to evaluate the game.
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Rank #3
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- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
HOTAS and control choices
Who should use a HOTAS?
Project Wingman is reported to support comprehensive HOTAS input. That makes it the strongest option here for a player who wants a dedicated flight stick and throttle instead of a conventional controller. A HOTAS setup can make throttle management and cockpit-style control feel more deliberate, although it is not required to enjoy an arcade flight game.
Buy the control hardware only after checking the game’s current platform and device compatibility. “HOTAS support” describes the input method; it does not guarantee that every model, button layout or console adapter will work identically. On PC, confirm that the device is recognized by the operating system and that the game exposes the axes and buttons you need. On console, verify compatibility with the specific console edition before spending money.
Controller is still the sensible starting point
If you are new to flight-combat games, begin with the standard controller. It removes hardware troubleshooting from the first session and lets you decide whether the game’s arcade handling suits you. Move to a HOTAS only when you know you want finer throttle and stick control. This order also prevents a common mistake: blaming unfamiliar hardware for a learning curve that actually comes from the game itself.
War Thunder: the choice for continuing online battles
What it offers
War Thunder is the recommendation for readers who want an aircraft game that remains active through continuing online content rather than a finite story campaign. Its official site lists clients for PC, Mac and Linux, and it continues to receive aircraft updates, including the September 2026 Sky Odyssey update. Those facts make it the most clearly live-service-oriented option in this comparison.
Rank #4
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The platform spread is useful if your household or group does not use the same operating system. Before installing, check the current system requirements and account rules for your chosen client; the platform listing alone does not establish identical features or progression across every version.
What you give up compared with Ace Combat
The available information does not establish a campaign equivalent to Ace Combat 8’s mission-driven story. War Thunder should therefore be selected for its online aircraft battles, not as a guaranteed replacement for a cinematic single-player narrative.
Its progression and monetization structure also require tolerance for a live-service game. That does not make it unsuitable, but it changes the decision: you are accepting an evolving online ecosystem, ongoing unlocks and the possibility that the balance, available aircraft or purchasing options will change. If you want to buy once and play a defined campaign at your own pace, Project Wingman is the cleaner match.
Who should choose it?
- Choose War Thunder if repeat online matches matter more than a scripted campaign.
- Choose it if PC, Mac or Linux support is a deciding requirement.
- Choose it if you are comfortable with live progression and monetization rather than a self-contained release.
- Do not choose it solely because you want “another Ace Combat”; its central experience is different.
STAR WARS: Squadrons: a story campaign in space
Why it belongs on the list
EA describes STAR WARS: Squadrons as offering first-person multiplayer space dogfights and a single-player campaign on PC, PlayStation and Xbox. It released on October 2, 2020. The campaign answers the reader who wants a narrative mode, while the first-person cockpit perspective preserves some of the immediacy that makes flight combat appealing.
Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
How it differs from an Ace Combat-style jet game
Squadrons uses spacecraft rather than atmospheric jets. You are therefore changing setting, vehicle behavior and combat context even though the game remains a first-person flight-combat experience. Treat it as a strong adjacent recommendation, not as a direct aircraft substitute.
The available information does not establish the current health of its online service. If multiplayer matchmaking is the reason you are considering it, check the present platform status and player availability before purchase. The confirmed single-player campaign makes it less dependent on that question than a multiplayer-only title, but it does not remove the need to verify current online conditions.
Who should choose it?
- Choose Squadrons if a structured story is essential and a science-fiction setting is welcome.
- Choose it if first-person cockpit dogfights appeal to you more than realistic aircraft identity.
- Skip it if the specific appeal of Ace Combat 8 is atmospheric jets and fictional military aviation.
Choosing by the feature you care about most
| Your priority | Best choice | Reason | What to verify first |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closest arcade jet-combat feel | Project Wingman: Frontline 59 | It is the direct Ace Combat-like alternative with a campaign and aircraft-focused action | Edition and platform availability |
| More campaign content on PS5 | Frontline 59 | The PS5 edition adds six missions | Regional storefront listing |
| VR cockpit play | Frontline 59 on PS5 | Optional VR is supported | Compatible PS5 VR hardware and comfort preferences |
| Dedicated flight controls | Project Wingman | Comprehensive HOTAS support is reported | Your stick, throttle and platform compatibility |
| Persistent online aircraft battles | War Thunder | It has continuing aircraft updates and online play | Current progression, monetization and service details |
| PC, Mac or Linux access | War Thunder | Those clients are listed officially | Requirements for your operating system |
| Story-driven space combat | STAR WARS: Squadrons | It combines a single-player campaign with first-person space dogfights | Current online-service status if multiplayer matters |
Platform and purchase checklist
Availability, pricing and live-service conditions are time-sensitive. Use this checklist immediately before buying rather than relying on an old store page, video or recommendation.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →- Match the edition to your hardware. For PS5, look specifically for Project Wingman: Frontline 59 if you want the six added missions and optional VR. For PC, Xbox or another PlayStation version, confirm which Project Wingman package is listed and which features it includes.
- Confirm the input method. A controller is the low-friction starting point. If you plan to use a HOTAS, verify the exact device and platform, not merely the game’s general HOTAS support.
- Check regional price and stock. Prices and storefront stock can change by country and date. A previously advertised sale is not a standing price.
- Separate campaign needs from online needs. Project Wingman and Squadrons have confirmed story campaigns. War Thunder is the online-first choice, while current multiplayer population is not established for Project Wingman or Squadrons.
- Review current service information. Live updates, matchmaking and account requirements can change after release. This is especially important for War Thunder and for anyone buying Squadrons primarily for multiplayer.
Practical ways to avoid a bad fit
You want Ace Combat’s tone, but buy an online game
The most frequent mismatch is choosing War Thunder because it contains aircraft and then discovering that its core appeal is ongoing online progression rather than a scripted campaign. Decide whether you want a story first. If the answer is yes, start with Project Wingman or Squadrons.
You buy a HOTAS before learning the game
A dedicated stick and throttle can add immersion, but it also adds setup variables. Play a few missions with a controller, then map the HOTAS once you understand which axes and buttons you actually use. If the device is not detected, test it at the operating-system level, reconnect it before launching the game and check the platform’s compatibility notes.
You assume VR is mandatory
Frontline 59’s VR option is optional. Do not purchase a headset solely to access the campaign. Evaluate VR as an immersion feature, then account for comfort, available space and your tolerance for longer sessions in a headset.
You assume every multiplayer recommendation has a healthy population
No current population figure is established here for Project Wingman or Squadrons. War Thunder is the safer recommendation when active online play is the priority because its official information documents continuing updates, but you should still verify the service’s current condition in your region.
Quick Recap
Recommended order for an Ace Combat player
- Start with Project Wingman: Frontline 59 if you want the closest atmospheric-jet campaign and play on PS5. The six added missions and optional VR make that edition the most feature-complete choice described here.
- Try Conquest after the campaign if you want repeatable runs instead of moving immediately to another game.
- Add a HOTAS only if the game earns longer sessions. Its reported comprehensive support makes the upgrade meaningful, but a controller is the sensible baseline.
- Move to War Thunder when your priority changes from authored missions to an evolving online aircraft game, and accept its progression and monetization model.
- Choose STAR WARS: Squadrons when you want a story campaign and first-person dogfights but are happy to fly spacecraft instead of jets.
Bottom line for each type of player
- “I want another Ace Combat.” Buy Project Wingman: Frontline 59.
- “I want more PS5 campaign content and optional VR.” Choose Frontline 59, subject to regional availability.
- “I want to use a flight stick and throttle.” Project Wingman is the clearest fit because comprehensive HOTAS support is reported.
- “I want aircraft battles that keep updating.” Choose War Thunder and review its live-service progression before committing.
- “I want a story but do not need real jets.” Choose STAR WARS: Squadrons.
- “I need a guaranteed active multiplayer population.” None of the available descriptions provides a current population guarantee; verify service conditions at the time you play.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
