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Ace Combat Zero is tied to Ace Combat 8 on Steam and cannot be launched as a standalone game.
Developers cite licensing and platform limits, while early store wording fueled the backlash.
A separate Steam app is under review, but no release date or final decision has been confirmed.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve has set a new Steam record for the series. GamingBolt reports a peak of 48,687 concurrent players. Yet the biggest problem at launch is not the game itself. It is a pre-order bonus.
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War comes with eligible purchases. On Steam, it cannot be started alone. Players must install Ace Combat 8 and open the classic from there. That gap has turned a strong launch into an argument over licensing, platform limits, and what buyers expected.
Pre-orders on any platform include a copy of Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, according to Kotaku. Inven Global lists a playable F-14A among the Steam pre-order bonuses. The older game first appeared on PS2 in 2006. Many fans rank it among the best in the series.
The Deluxe Edition added early access from September 28. Kotaku lists its price at USD 90.
The developers say Zero is tied to pre-orders, as licenses with jet manufacturers have expired. Current reports describe it as a pre-order perk, so late buyers should read the store page before paying.
Kotaku reports that an early Steam page called Zero a standalone application. The page was later changed to show that it works as DLC. Many negative reviews point to that change.
The wording set one expectation. The product delivered another. One reviewer quoted by Kotaku was shocked that a game of about 4GB needs an install of roughly 140GB. That gap explains the tone of the reviews.
Ratings shifted as well. Kotaku saw mixed reviews during early access. Insider Gaming later reported Mostly Positive. Reviewers have praised how the game plays, although GamingBolt also notes crashes and performance issues. The anger centers on delivery and description more than on gameplay.
Project Aces has apologized to Steam owners. Automaton reports that players were unhappy about having no way to install and play Zero alone. The team says it is talking with platform partners and looking at other launch options.
An earlier Steam post, covered by Insider Gaming, said a standalone Steam release was not possible. The team cited licensing restrictions and platform considerations. The sources reviewed give no further technical detail.
Players see a file size problem, and the developers point to a rights problem. Both can be true. The expired jet licenses are a likely link. Aircraft rights usually run for set periods, and a game with lapsed rights is hard to sell again. Bundling it with a fully licensed new title may be the safest route. That is my reading, not a developer statement. The team has not said why Zero is packaged this way.
JEU.VIDEO reports that a Steam post dated October 2nd, 2026, said the team is considering a separate app. It is reviewing the details and the schedule. The post confirmed nothing and gave no date.
The two posts send different messages. The first ruled out a standalone release, while the second leaves the door open, and the sources do not say what changed. Automaton adds one limit: even if the launch problem is fixed, Zero would not become a separate purchase.
Also Read: Ace Combat 8 Arrives Next Week: New Campaign, Aircraft Customization, More
Pre-order buyers have the game included, but they must install Ace Combat 8 to play it. Anyone short on storage will need to clear space first. Players who want a separate app can follow the official Steam announcements for updates.
Also Read: Ubisoft Reveals Major Combat Changes in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced
Publishers keep bringing older games back to modern platforms. Each revival rests on rights that may expire before the work is done. The next launch that handles this well will likely state its limits on day one.
1. Can Steam players launch Ace Combat Zero without Ace Combat 8?
No. On Steam, The Belkan War can only be played by installing and launching Ace Combat 8, according to Automaton. Console players on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5 can start it separately, as reported by Insider Gaming.
2. Why is Ace Combat Zero tied to Ace Combat 8 on Steam?
The developers say a standalone Steam release is not possible. They cite licensing restrictions and platform considerations. They have not explained the technical setup, so the exact reason is unclear.
3. How much storage does Ace Combat 8 need?
Automaton reports that the main game needs at least 150GB of free space. A reviewer quoted by Kotaku put Ace Combat Zero at about 4GB. That figure is a player claim, not an official number.
4. Will a standalone Steam version of Ace Combat Zero be released?
It is not confirmed. JEU.VIDEO reports that it is October 2nd, 2026. The Steam post said the team is considering a separate app. The post gave no decision and no release date.
5. Can late buyers of Ace Combat 8 get Ace Combat Zero?
Current reports describe it as a pre-order bonus. The developers say jet manufacturer licenses have expired, which is why it is limited to pre-orders. Automaton adds that a launch fix would not make it a separate purchase. Buyers should check the store page before paying.
