Looking for good WWII Air Combat Game

[bpatters69]

Hello All,

I downloaded Wings of Prey - the Demo version and it is pretty good. Is there a "better" WWII Air Combat game that you can recommend? While you are at it, can you suggest a decent joystick? I am running Windows 7 64bit.

Thanks!

 

[Nintendesert]

I have a Saitek joystick that I've used for years. And I'm not sure on better ones, I still play Pacific Fighters, so you can pick up

http://store.steampowered.com/app/15320/

It's IL2 which is considered one of the best ever and it has the expansions and games like Pacific Fighters. I'm sure there are mods to make the graphics look better but I can still tolerate how it looks.

 

[clamum]

I don't have much experience with air combat games, so all I really know of is Wings of Prey and IL2 (though I haven't played the latter).

My joystick is a Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X, works great for me. I believe it's around $50.

 

[Sulaco]

IL-2 is still by FAR the best, and IL-2 1946 pack (on STEAM for $10), includes IL-2, IL-2 Forgotten Battles, Pacific Fighter, and "Ace" expansion pack.
It is, still, hands-down the best fighter sim flying experience, of any era, available.

The sequel, IL-2 CLiffs of Dover, just came out earlier this year, but was RIDDLED with bugs and issues. I don't know if those have been addressed yet, but it might be a good idea to wait and see when its on sale first.

Other than that, another relatively recent entry is Battle of Britain: Wings of Victory II, which is a good sim in and of itself, but also brings a strategic element to the game, where you can control squadrons and plan/defend against attacks on a strategic map.

Keep in mind though, these are all SIMS, whereas Wings of Prey is anything but...it's an arcade flying game.

 

[jlee]

I used to play Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator, but it's pretty dated now. I have IL2 but haven't even played it yet...so many games...

 

[bpatters69]

IL-2 is still by FAR the best, and IL-2 1946 pack (on STEAM for $10), includes IL-2, IL-2 Forgotten Battles, Pacific Fighter, and "Ace" expansion pack.
It is, still, hands-down the best fighter sim flying experience, of any era, available.

The sequel, IL-2 CLiffs of Dover, just came out earlier this year, but was RIDDLED with bugs and issues. I don't know if those have been addressed yet, but it might be a good idea to wait and see when its on sale first.

Other than that, another relatively recent entry is Battle of Britain: Wings of Victory II, which is a good sim in and of itself, but also brings a strategic element to the game, where you can control squadrons and plan/defend against attacks on a strategic map.

Keep in mind though, these are all SIMS, whereas Wings of Prey is anything but...it's an arcade flying game.

Thanks.. Question for you. What is the difference between a SIM and an arcade flying game? Basically, I want to fly around, shoot the beejesus out of enemy fighters and fly missions.

 

[shortylickens]

Be forewarned Wings of Prey has some serious issues with the freakin YuPlay nonsense. Very easy to use up those activations and then you cant play the game any more.

 

[Sulaco]

Thanks.. Question for you. What is the difference between a SIM and an arcade flying game? Basically, I want to fly around, shoot the beejesus out of enemy fighters and fly missions.

A sim (simulation) is just that, and in theory, tries to accurately recreate the dynamics of flight, air combat, and generally all the nuances involved in the era and aircraft as realistically as possible.

An arcade flying game is usually far less realistic, far easier to "pick up and play", and has far less emphasis all-around on realism.

The games I named are all definite simulations. To be clear though, there are multiple options you can configure to make the game as "acradey" as possible; such as unlmited ammo, less realistic flight models, less realistic damage, etc.
And in the case of IL-2, you can set up "instant action" skirmishes of however many planes/vehicles you want, and avoid having to play a full mission from start to finish.

The biggest hurdle initially for a new player will probably be adjusting to the very dated graphics of the IL-2 games (although, honestly, the plane models still look great, IMO), and the terrible menus and interface. But aside from Cliffs of Dover (which is gorgeous), all these games are at least 7 years old, and in the case of IL-2, 10 years old. If you can handle the dated graphics and are interested in the deeper, more realistic gameplay, you could be hooked for years. 😉

 

[NoCreativity]

Thanks.. Question for you. What is the difference between a SIM and an arcade flying game? Basically, I want to fly around, shoot the beejesus out of enemy fighters and fly missions.

Blazing angels 2 was pretty fun, though it is arcade, not a sim.

 

[abaez]

The original Red Baron on the Imagination Network all those years ago is still the most fun I've ever had in a flight sim.

 

[Remobz]

The original Red Baron on the Imagination Network all those years ago is still the most fun I've ever had in a flight sim.

The most fun and longest hours I have ever spent online with ANY multiplayer was Red Baron 3d.

I played the original Red Baron as well. I miss those games now🙁