Having finally got a really nice, powerful PC I suddenly realized I could buy all those flight sims I used to want but couldn't run )or only run in really low graphic mode)...
Just wondering whether any of you other dMw guys are into combat sims?
I have looked around and I like the look of IL-2: Forgotten Battles - yes, I know it's not new, but I always looked at the box in 'Game' enviously when I had a crap PC!
ALSO...
Thinking on flight sims I realized I would like to get a good joystick to play 'em - but what IS a good joystick these days?
I used to have a nice Saitek - but what is teh mid-range stick to get these days?
Ta.
I used to love IL2: Forgotten Battles. Haven't played it for ages now though. It is very much a sim, so be warned if total realism isn't your thing. You'll need to be prepared to put a lot of effort in to it. IIRC you can only fly as Russian, German, Hungarian, or Finnish Airforces. So if you want some Spitfire immersion, you'll have to buy the Aces Expansion Pack as well.
Joystick wise, you can't go too far wrong with Saitek. Depends on whether you want a HOTAS (Hands On Throttle And Stick) setup, or just a stick combined with the keyboard.
For HOTAS I'd go with the Saitek X45 Flight Stick (http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/x45.htm). More controls than you can shake a stick at (pardon the pun), although a little pricey around the £70 mark.
Stick-only, I'd probably go Saitek again. Any variation of the Cyborg Evo (http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/cyborg_evo.htm) would probably do, base model coming in around £30.
Not taking my own advice, I currently use a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/GB/EN,CRID=2221,CONTENTID=6954). Not ideal, but I've had it kicking around for a while now. If I were to get back in to flight sims again, I'd probably splurge on the Saitek HOTAS setup.
My advice would be to get down PC World (*shudder*) and just try a few for fit. Then spend your money at a better retailer ;).
Thanks for that Cadaver...Very helpful...
Yes the 'sim' thing does woryy me a bit - I used to be more of an intermediate combat flight game player...
Back in the day 'European Air War' was my favourite.
I actually fancy playing the Russian and Finish forces though. Been there and done that with the whole RAF/Spitfire thing! ;)
The P40 and Brewster Buffallo are two of my favourite planes - so its tempting to get IL-2:FB just to 'fly' them!
(Or maybe the newer 'Pacific War' - which means I can try some of the Japanese planes too.)
Again, thanks for the responce - I will take your advice with the joystick.
Cheers, R
There's that Pacific Fighters game by the same people too (I think). I'd check it out but I don't have the patience for flight sims these days.
Falcon 4 (the most accurate flight sim ever) has just been overhauled and updated. Reviews give it good marks and it is cheap (und er £20 from Amazon)
Gamespot Review (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/falcon4alliedforce/review.html)
As for Joysticks the Saitek X52 is much better than the X45 so does anyone want to buy my Saitek X45?
If you haven't got IL Sturmovitch and want it I have a copy sat around somewhere you can have. :)
I used to check on the cga.gamers forums alot and they used to play it in squads as |TG| plays CSand BF2 on their servers.
You might want to check them out if you want to play it online (CGA that is).