Aces of Thunder brings real dogfights back to VR

GAMING NEWS AlexP - 3 hours ago

VR has been a bit quiet lately. Fewer big releases, fewer reasons to dust off the headset, and a lot of players wondering when the next “must-play” experience would show up. Aces of Thunder feels like one of those rare games that actually gives VR fans a reason to come back. It doesn’t try to reinvent everything, but it focuses on doing one thing really well: putting you inside a fighter plane and letting you feel every second of a dogfight.

This is very much a game built for VR first. You can play it without extra gear, but it really shines when you’re in a headset with a joystick or flight stick in your hands. Looking around the cockpit, tracking enemy planes with your own head movement, and physically lining up shots make a huge difference. It’s the kind of experience where a flat screen just wouldn’t hit the same way, and the game doesn’t pretend otherwise.

Inside the cockpit of Aces of Thunder

So what is Aces of Thunder about? In simple terms, it’s all about air combat set during World War I and World War II. You fly classic fighter planes, take part in intense dogfights, and learn to manage speed, altitude, and positioning rather than relying on arcade-style assists. It leans more toward realism than pure action, but it never feels like homework. The goal is tension, immersion, and that rush when you finally outmaneuver an opponent.

In terms of modes and content, the game offers a solid mix:

Single-player missions and campaign-style content
Online multiplayer dogfights against other players
A selection of WWI and WWII aircraft
Detailed cockpits designed specifically for VR play

When it comes to how it plays, the flying itself feels great. Controls are responsive, combat has weight to it, and battles can get intense fast. That said, you might run into some technical bumps, especially with joystick keybinds or setup quirks, depending on your hardware. These issues can be annoying at first, but they’re not deal breakers. They feel like the kind of things that can be cleaned up with future patches rather than deep design flaws.

If you’ve been waiting for a strong reason to jump back into VR, Aces of Thunder is worth a serious look. Before you take off, make sure to use our price comparison tool to find the best prices for Aces of Thunder and get the best deal possible.