IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey

[Manny M]

With not having heard anything about this in the lead-up to its release (8 Sept in the states... PALGN claims 1st of Dec for us), I stumbled upon the video review on Gametrailers, and it looks pretty good. For those who also haven't heard anything about it, it's a WWII flight sim that seems to tread a fine line between arcade shooter and flight sim.

After taking to a good spot of dogfighting since the brilliant Crimson Skies, I was very disappointed with Blazing Angels, which I was hoping to be this gen's answer. But luckily it looks like IL-2 may be it.

I've grabbed the demo and had a brief run through the tutorial, and it plays nicely, with easy and intuitive controls and a few views and targeting modes. What i've also seen so far looks beautiful as well, with a surprisingly large amount of detail on the ground a great draw distance.

Unfortunately I haven't decided whether i'll be buying it yet. With my recent PS3 purchase my hands are pretty full, but chances are I will be... especially if other forumers are in for some dogfighting action.

So who else is interested in this release? Reviews are fairly strong for the title.


Gametrailers Video Review (http://www.gametrailers.com/video/review-il-2-sturmovik/55410) - Standard Def... HD also available.

Pics:

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/102/1020377/il-2-sturmovik-birds-of-prey-20090901103932273_640w.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/989/989914/e3-2009-il-2-sturmovik-brids-of-prey-screens-20090602045101276_640w.jpg

http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/978/978850/il-2-sturmovik-birds-of-prey-20090501113931483_640w.jpg

http://xbox360media.ign.com/xbox360/image/article/971/971145/il-2-sturmovik-birds-of-prey-20090408012927096_640w.jpg

[JC Henderson]

Getting some good reviews this game and I am very keen for it. Although I have heard that sim mode is ridiculous and immposible with a controller.

[TrinityJayOne]

The game looks nice (especially the detail they put into the terrain) and it has a few pretty cool features, such as the picture-in-picture view of the target you're firing on, but the controls seem all wrong. When you yaw to the left, the whole cockpit moves to the left as if the pilot's neck is made of jelly, then snaps back when you straighten out. Now I'm no Messerschmitt master, but I don't think this is an accurate representation of the G-forces a WW2 fighter would generate during such a relatively tame manoeuver. The lack of an option to tone it down coupled with the horrid FPS when you're tailing a plane and/or firing your guns make it a very difficult game to enjoy for me.

Gets a solid thumbs up for the visuals (FPS issues aside) and sound, but the gameplay lets it down imo.
This is actually part of a long-running PC series, and to be honest that's probably where it belongs (if you want to use sim settings).

[Lazlow]

Old timey flight sims are awesome, I remember sinking a lot of time into Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe.

9eosVhMLr1A

[Manny M]

Although I have heard that sim mode is ridiculous and immposible with a controller.

I tried it out earlier, and it is ridiculous! Even on 'Arcade' mode it can be very touchy.

I know the demo has hit the PSN already, but any word on if it's hit XBL?

[Lazlow]

Getting some good reviews this game and I am very keen for it. Although I have heard that sim mode is ridiculous and immposible with a controller.

Pretty much. Burnt through the demo on arcade, skip to Simulation and I was tailspinning towards the ground in about 4 seconds. No 3rd Person Camera either.

Realistic is a good middle ground though. Not as crazy uncontrollable as Sim, but no where near as forgiving as arcade. Speeds are realistic, and recoil affects your aim.

Still not many people will even touch that mode; especially without any alternative controllers.

[Manny M]

If 'mastering' the harder modes gives you advantages in combat, then they may... but I really doubt it and everyone will just be on arcade mode when dogging it out online.

Hated the lack of a 3rd person camera in sim mode also.

[HiredMan]

Yeah, demo's been up on Live for a couple of weeks now. I'm sorely tempted to pick this up as I loves me WWI and WWII (hell, any) flight sims but I think you'd need a stick to even come close to being able to play it on Simulation difficulty.

If a few people are getting the 360 version I'll probably cave and pick it up.

[Lazlow]

I'll probably get it. After playing the demo, I picked up Blazing Angels as a freebie from EB. Its okay, but not as good.

[TrinityJayOne]

You know what was a freaking sweet flying game? Sky Odyssey on PS2.

[HiredMan]

So JB are selling this today. Might hold off until next pay so I can purchase a flight stick to go with it. If anyone gets it today let me know: I might grab it thisarvo for some multi.