Ace Combat 8 pre-order bonus bait-and-switch draws Steam backlash

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve is facing negative Steam reviews due to a pre-order bonus bait-and-switch, with players angry that Ace Combat Zero is packaged as DLC rather than a standalone app as originally described. Bandai Namco changed the store description before launch, and the bundled Zero requires installing the full 140GB of Ace Combat 8 to play its 3.2GB content. The Steam version also lacks separate achievements and cloud saves that console players receive, fueling further frustration. Some defend the change citing aircraft licensing restrictions, but critics note console versions package Zero separately and point to workarounds like Hitman 3’s unlisted access pass. The backlash may fade as non-pre-order reviews arrive, but the controversy has dented the launch’s reception.