While Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve offers tight controls, thrilling missions, and impressive visuals, its most remarkable achievement is its soundtrack. Polygon is calling it potentially one of the best video game soundtracks of all time.
This high praise builds on the Ace Combat series' long-standing reputation for exceptional music, largely thanks to composer Keiki Kobayashi. For Wings of Theve, Kobayashi collaborated with Ryo Watanabe and Mitsuhiro Kitadani to deliver what may be the series' finest score yet. The main theme, "Everflow," exemplifies the epic scope, featuring powerful choirs and sweeping strings that evoke a sense of grandeur and emotional depth, comparable to the blockbuster scores of the Metal Gear Solid series.
A standout element is the use of musical motifs. The rival Lux Lunae squad is announced by a distinct chant that composers expertly weave into larger compositions, culminating in the impactful track "Hortus Regis Alti." This integration of thematic elements enhances the narrative's emotional weight.
Beyond the orchestral compositions, Ace Combat 8 incorporates energetic rock tracks from a fictional in-game band called Purple Magic. Songs like "Time Are Changing" are used to amp up the player during missions. The soundtrack particularly shines in how seamlessly these rock songs are integrated with the orchestral score, a technique that Polygon describes as executed to perfection. This fusion creates a unique soundscape that elevates the player's experience.
Even for those not playing the game, the full soundtrack is recommended for its ability to capture the emotional journey of the Sotoa-Usea War, offering a rich auditory experience without the intensity of the gameplay itself.