Is Ace Combat 8 a flight simulator?
No. It is officially described as a flight shooting game with accessible arcade-style controls and cinematic missions.
Confirmed explanation
The hands-on report says players do not need simulation-level knowledge. Lock-ons, missiles, guns, high-G turns and wingman commands provide depth while keeping the control language familiar to Ace Combat 7 players.
What is not confirmed yet
Difficulty assists, realism options and complete control presets remain to be shown.