We Love It's Guide to…
Pilot WWI and WWII aircraft from the cockpit, flying solo missions or online dogfights with VR, HOTAS, or gamepad controls.
Released 03 Feb 2026
WWI Biplane Dogfights
WWII Cockpit Combat
Fly With VR Controls
Experience the thrill of aerial combat with Aces of Thunder, the ultimate flight simulation game with high fidelity graphics that looks perfect both with and without VR HMDs.
Developed by Gaijin Entertainment · Published by Gaijin Network Ltd
Take the pilot’s seat in aircraft from World War I and World War II, flying combat missions across historical theaters of war. Battles are presented from the cockpit, with a roster that includes fighters such as the Fokker Dr.I, Spitfire, and P-51 Mustang.
Fly solo missions or join online battles, dogfighting enemy aircraft and attacking ground targets. The game also offers free flight and maps representing the Western, Eastern, and Pacific fronts, along with World War I settings.
Control your aircraft with VR controllers, HOTAS hardware, or a gamepad. Flight and damage systems shape how aircraft handle, while cockpit controls include functions such as the stick, throttle, landing gear, and flaps. Between missions, you can walk around the hangar to view aircraft.
Players who enjoy Aces of Thunder often praise the immediacy of its VR flying and dogfights, along with the feel of the aircraft and their damage models. Some also appreciate the detailed cockpits, WWI planes, and a middle ground between arcade action and deeper simulation. Experiences vary, and many reviews criticize the menus and control setup, limited cockpit interaction, sparse online matches, or thin mission selection.
Experience the thrill of aerial combat with Aces of Thunder, the ultimate flight simulation game with high fidelity graphics that looks perfect both with and without VR HMDs.
The game's physically accurate flight and damage models derived from the popular War Thunder military action game ensure a high level of realism. The battles take place exclusively from the cockpit view to provide ultimate immersion and fully supports HOTAS controls. Aces of Thunder features a set of the most legendary WW1 & WW2 aircraft available to hop in and fly right upon purchase.
Perfect selection of WW2 aircraft
Fly 20+ carefully recreated iconic aircraft of World War II, such as the American P-51 Mustang and P-63 Kingcobra, the German Bf 109 and Fw 190, the Soviet Il-2 and Yak-9T, the British Spitfire and the Japanese A6M3 Zero.
A rare chance to fly Great War machines
Iconic fighters like the Fokker Dr.I, famously flown by the Red Baron himself, or the SPAD S.XIII, the favorite aircraft of René Fonck, Allies’ most decorated ace, will have authentically detailed cockpits and historically accurate weaponry.
All key theaters of war
Aces of Thunder battles will see you fighting across the world and getting a better idea of where the fate of war was decided. Visit 15 beautiful maps representing three key theaters of World War II: Western, Eastern and Pacific Fronts, as well as signature World War I frontlines.
Intense dogfighting
Fight online against the best virtual pilots from all over the world in multiplayer mode, or master your aircraft in exciting single player missions.
Full immersion
Jump right into one of the highly detailed interactive cockpits, literally controlling the aircraft with your own hands! Aces of Thunder will also allow you to walk around the hangar between missions to get a closer look at your favorite aircraft.
Made specifically for VR
Thanks to native use of OpenXR, a wide range of VR devices is supported. Put on your HMD, take your VR controllers and grab virtual HOTAS (or use your hardware sim rig or gamepad) and join the fight!
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 35 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller support | Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| DLC / extras | 5 listed on Steam |
| Content notices |
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| Website | Official website |
