Ace Combat 8 is a great time for fighter jets dogfighting with arcade intensity. But the $70 price tag might seem steep for a first try. There is a much cheaper way to get the same thrill: Project Wingman, and it is on sale right now.
The game is an Ace Combat-inspired indie project that started as a portfolio piece for its developers. It graduated to a Kickstarter that nearly tripled its funding goals and launched on Steam in December 2020. It is now on sale for $12.50 during the Steam Autumn Sale.
What Project Wingman Does
Project Wingman takes the excess of its spiritual predecessors and pushes it further. The game draws on the missile-heavy tradition of its inspirations, but it adds its own twist: a roguelike Conquest Mode.
In Conquest, players battle for territory against enemy squadrons. The funds earned from completed missions can be used to build out personal airfleets. It is more than a simple imitation. It is a distinct game built around the same spirit.
HOTAS Support That Works
One of the biggest differences between Project Wingman and Ace Combat 8 is hardware support. The newer game had to issue an apology for its lackluster flight stick support. Project Wingman, by contrast, boasts comprehensive HOTAS compatibility.
That matters for the kind of player who wants to feel the fight in their hands. The game supports flight sticks and other controllers out of box, without the need for patches or apologies.
VR Support Too
Project Wingman also comes with native VR support. For players who want to feel the high-G turns in person, that is a real selling point. Whether your stomach can handle it is another question entirely.
The Numbers Behind It
The game has a strong reputation on Steam. It holds an Overwhelmingly Positive rating, with 93% of more than 22,000 reviews marked as favorable. That is a solid track record for a game that started as a small idea.
A Personal Review From 2020
The writer, Lincoln, reviewed Project Wingman back in 2020. His verdict was marginally less enthusiastic, citing an unsated hunger for a more hardcore flight sim experience. He was writing from the perspective of someone who had spent years in World of Warcraft, freelancing for sites like Waypoint, Polygon, and Fanbyte before joining PC Gamer as a full-time News Writer in 2024.
Even so, his review acknowledged that the game delivers on its promises. It is a worthy entry point for anyone curious about indulgent jet jousting.
Why the Price Matters
At $12.50, Project Wingman is a fraction of the cost of Ace Combat 8. It offers a similar experience, better HOTAS support, and a mode that rewards repeat play. For someone who wants to see if they enjoy the genre, this is the cheapest way to test it.
The sale runs on Steam, and the price is the headline. If you have been waiting for a moment to jump into aerial combat, this is it.
The Bottom Line
Project Wingman is not Ace Combat 8. It is its own game, with its own identity. But for players who love the genre, it is a close cousin with a stronger controller setup and a more forgiving price.
The Steam Autumn Sale price of $12.50 is a low barrier to entry. It is a great time to try it.
Quick Comparison
| Game | Price | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Ace Combat 8 | $70 | Arcade dogfighting |
| Project Wingman | $12.50 | HOTAS support, Conquest Mode |
The sale is live now on Steam. If you have been putting off trying aerial combat, this is the moment to stop. The price is right, the hardware support is strong, and the reviews speak for themselves.
Source material: “If Ace Combat's too pricey, this excellent indie alternative is on sale for just $12.50,” PC Gamer.
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