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Il-2 Birds of Prey Official Thread of "Tally ho and chocks away!"

Z

Zenith

Banned
qs7428.jpg



Il-2 Birds of Prey
Genre: Flight Sim, Developer: Gaijin Entertainment
Xbox 360, PS3
Europe release date: 04/09/09 | US release date: 08/09/09

Official site: http://www.il2game.com/

360 Demo: http://marketplace.xbox.com/en-GB/games/offers/0ddf0001-0000-4000-8000-0000464f87d5?cid=SLink
Ps3 Demo: http://www.us.playstation.com/PSN/Store/40218#{%22__s%22%3A{%22id%22%3A%2240207%22}}

Trailers: http://www.gametrailers.com/game/il-2-sturmovik-birds-of-prey/9548

Next-gen flight simming lands on consoles for the first time. Choose between Arcade, Realistic and Simulator modes. Ultra-detailed damage model. Fully realised terrain. Over 50 planes on screen at one. Six theatres of war: The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily, the Battle of the Bulge and Korsun. Four different multiplayer modes for up to 16 players.

Edge Review 8/10

From the patchwork fields of the Dover coastline to the forgettable sight of Berlin burning in the pouring rain, the carefully characterised locations are as integral to the experience as its encyclopedic line-up of planes. Missions are spread evenly between ground and air targets, some require white-knuckle flying, others the escorting of giant bombers.

While the spectacle of missions is restrained by it's historical setting - there's none of Ace Combat 6's flying into giant cannon muzzles, for example - the range and creativity of tasks is more than enough to sustain interest over the 20 core campaign missions. After that, there's a huge assortment of one-off single missions, not to mention the generous number of online modes for players of all skills. It's here that the game's true longevity will be found - providing it manages to attract a large enough dedicated community of ace pilots. In this regard, Birds of Prey should have no problems, and only partly thanks to of the dearth of competition.
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PSM3:
The Killzone 2 of WWII flight sims.
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http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=220245

360 joystick: http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/av8rxboxv2.htm

saitek_aviator_360_g.jpg


PS3 joystick: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001DMUCAC/

41CZvE1G9XL._SL500_AA280_.jpg



Flight school:

Hammerhead

2enxo47.png


This maneuver was known as “Immelmann” in WW-I, named so after a famous German ace Max Immelmann. Whether he was really the first pilot to carry out this maneuver is open to question, but what is beyond doubt is that he could perform it to perfection. However, since then the terms changed and Immelman in WW-II is something completely different.
Click to expand...

Immelmann

nohdaf.png


These days the term ‘Immelmann’ is generally used to refer to a maneuver also known as a ‘half-loop’. This also involves trying to change the plane’s direction by 180 degrees in as little time as possible, but the pilot achieves this in a different way, flying an upwards half loop instead of the maneuver described above.
Click to expand...

Loop

wh1vo4.png


This well-known maneuver is perhaps the least useful of all in combat – at least that’s probably the answer you would get if you could still ask Manfred von Richthofen, the famous ‘Red Baron’, for his esteemed opinion of looping. Some pilots, however, just cannot get enough of this tactic. There are indeed good reasons not to carry out this maneuver during an air battle, particularly because it takes a good deal of time and also requires sufficient speed and altitude to complete a loop fully. However, you should certainly be acquainted with this particular trick, if only so that you know how to react should an opponent in front of you decide to try it out himself.
Click to expand...

High and Low Yo-Yos

a1nxg5.png


A high yo-yo should be used when pursuing a plane slower than yours. You bleed speed by gaining altitude and are able to swoop down on your target.
Click to expand...

28v3cs2.png


A low yo-yo is a suitable option if the opponent flying in front of you is quicker than you are, as it may enable you to catch up with him and attack him. Gain speed by allowing your plane to descend. This also takes you underneath your adversary, whose view of you will then be impaired or even obscured completely. Once you have been able to get close enough and the enemy is almost directly above you, pull your aircraft right up. You should have enough surplus speed to be able to get into a firing position before your plane slows down too much and perhaps even stalls.
Click to expand...

High and Low Yo-yos: Banking

34yeclg.png


A yo-yo maneuver can also be deployed during banking in order to stay behind an adversary whose plane is more maneuverable than yours. Again, the trick here lies in using space as efficiently as you can in order to make up for any comparative disadvantages which your plane may have. Pursue an adversary flying ahead of you and turn at the same time as he does. But instead of trying to follow him directly, pull back on the stick, thus lifting you above your target for a moment. Watch out though: you will probably lose sight of him temporarily. Now roll your plane into a slightly tighter turn, thus moving yourself more sharply into the radius of your opponent’s turn. When he has turned a bit further, you will be able to use your height advantage to pounce on him from above and should land right behind him.
Click to expand...

2r4ly74.png


Follow the opponent ahead of you into the turn, and push forward on the stick to make your plane descend. Cut back on the throttle so as not to gain too much speed. Then fly a longer distance before cutting into your enemy’s tighter turn radius. Pull back on the stick as you are doing this, lifting your plane straight up. With a little practice you should land right behind your enemy and thus in a good firing position.
Click to expand...

Finally, a film that really got me in the mood for a WW2 flight sim was the movie "Sky Crawlers". Its atmosphere was second to none and it conveyed the speed, fragility and force of prop planes perfectly. However on reading reviews the film seems to be pretty polarising, so here are the action scenes for those who don't want to watch the whole 2 hours. Be warned, the last (and by far the best) scene in the second link gives away the ending to the movie.

zplayer-2009-03-18-22-06-34-921.jpg


Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFnnivSgH0Q
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llqoqei-k1Y
 
Evolved1

Evolved1

make sure the pudding isn't too soggy but that just ruins everything
Can't wait for this game!!!

Btw... those youtube vids were cool as shit.
 
R

RavenFox

Banned
Love this series. Love classic aircrafts and proud aviation grad. Also, skycrawlers isn't for everyone but the combat and planes are superbly done. Chocks away indeed and F the tare weight lol. All aboard:D
 
L

Llyranor

Member
Thanks for the maneuvers! My friends and me yell 'Immelmann turn!!!' whenever we try to perform it, even when it ends up with us stalling and crashing.

IMMELMANN TURN!

Are we making a silver 360 account and adding people to the list?

Anyway, GT: Plutobux.
 
D

DeepFriedMuppet

Neo Member
I haven't really played a flight sim since Tornado on the PC way back when, but the demo definitely got me excited to try this. I liked that on the easiest setting you basically can't fail, so you can get into it, but ramp it up to simulation and it's no joke, giving you something to aspire to.

Does anyone here have any experience with that Saitek stick, because a lot of Amazon reviews are complaining about getting them and finding buttons which don't work.

Also, I love those flight diagrams in the OP. They remind me of Dogfights on the Discovery channel which is an awesome programme to watch if anyone is into this sort of thing and doesn't already know about it.
 
S

speculawyer

Member
Flight Sims used to be one of the greatest genres is gaming.

And then they died. Too complicated for the masses.

Nice to see someone carrying the torch.
 
G

ghst

thanks for the laugh
LQX said:
Is a PC version coming in the future?
Click to expand...

no, you can either play the original or wait for the sequel (the battle of britain centric "storm over war"). the original is a far fuller, but less accessible experience. and of course it doesn't look nearly as pretty.
 
A

Air Zombie Meat

Member
Nice, this is probably the game I'm looking forward to most this year. I'm interested in getting the aviator stick for the 360 but I'm worried about the fact that the demo only has one control scheme and doesn't have customisable controls. Don't suppose anyone knows if the full version will?
 
L

Llyranor

Member
The demo detects your controller type and changes the controls accordingly (though it doesn't look like you can customize). They fit really well with the Ace Edge flightstick, though I can't personally attest for Saitek's (but some people are recommending it, so it should be good).
 
A

Asmodai

Banned
Hell yeah! The demo itself was the best combat flight sim I've ever played.

Xapati said:
Does the Flight stick work with Ace Combat?
Click to expand...

The Aviator and Ace Edge do for the 360, and there's some kind of flight stick on the PS3 that works too. Not sure what it's called.
 
A

Asmodai

Banned
Hmm, Futureshop and Best Buy don't have the 360 Saitek Aviator. Does anyone know where I could find one for a reasonable price in Canada?
 
S

Sew

Member
Loved the demo, bought the stick, can't wait for the full game to land. I just hope we can customise controls, or I'll be modding the stick.
 
B

Billen

Banned
Tried the demo on 360 aswell as on the PS3. What really bugged me was a feeling that the 360 version seemed to outperform the PS3 version.
 
D

DenogginizerOS

BenjaminBirdie's Thomas Jefferson
Billen said:
Tried the demo on 360 aswell as on the PS3. What really bugged me was a feeling that the 360 version seemed to outperform the PS3 version.
Click to expand...
I got that feeling too. Which stinks because I prefer the DS3 for flying games over the X360 controller.
 
S

spwolf

Member
DenogginizerOS said:
I got that feeling too. Which stinks because I prefer the DS3 for flying games over the X360 controller.
Click to expand...

apperantly PS3 retail version does not have fps/tearing issues as demo (someone commented in original thread)... demo was really bad.
 
D

DenogginizerOS

BenjaminBirdie's Thomas Jefferson
spwolf said:
apperantly PS3 retail version does not have fps/tearing issues as demo (someone commented in original thread)... demo was really bad.
Click to expand...
That is great news. I am still going to wait now until I hear more impressions, but thanks for that tidbit.
 
Hari Seldon

Hari Seldon

Member
I already ordered the PS3 joystick, but I should have waited for comparisons between 360/PS3. I haven't tried the PS3 demo yet though.
 
B

Beer Monkey

Member
Public Service Announcement.

IL-2 BoP has been added to the Xbox 360 Buy-one-get-one-at-half-off deal at bestbuy.com (in-store pickup available).

I just ordered it with Borderlands, got the former at full price and IL-2 for $25.
 
E

Enron

Banned
Just a word of warning: The Saitek av8r stick blows. Avoid. Unless you absolutely HAVE to have a stick for this game. Hell, even then, id find an ace edge bundle at a best buy and plunk down the 100 bucks. Far superior stick.
 
U

UncleScr00ge

Member
I've had no problems playing both the demo of IL-2 and HAWX using the Saitek av8r, and actually like the joystick a lot. Each to his own, I suppose.

Having said that, the 100 dollar clearance bundle at Best Buy for AC6 is gone in most stores, but if you get lucky and see one you should buy it immediately :D
 
A

Asmodai

Banned
Enron said:
Just a word of warning: The Saitek av8r stick blows. Avoid. Unless you absolutely HAVE to have a stick for this game. Hell, even then, id find an ace edge bundle at a best buy and plunk down the 100 bucks. Far superior stick.
Click to expand...

Where did you find the AV8R for 360/PC? Bestbuy and Futureshop don't have it at my area, they don't even show it on their website.
 
E

Enron

Banned
UncleScr00ge said:
I've had no problems playing both the demo of IL-2 and HAWX using the Saitek av8r, and actually like the joystick a lot. Each to his own, I suppose.

Having said that, the 100 dollar clearance bundle at Best Buy for AC6 is gone in most stores, but if you get lucky and see one you should buy it immediately :D
Click to expand...

I already own it, but the best buys here in atlanta still have some on the shelves. I just saw one yesterday at the south Buckhead location.

Asmodai said:
Where did you find the AV8R for 360/PC? Bestbuy and Futureshop don't have it at my area, they don't even show it on their website.
Click to expand...

I got it at gamestop when HAWX released. Took it back the next day.
 
A

Asmodai

Banned
UncleScr00ge said:
I've had no problems playing both the demo of IL-2 and HAWX using the Saitek av8r, and actually like the joystick a lot. Each to his own, I suppose.

Having said that, the 100 dollar clearance bundle at Best Buy for AC6 is gone in most stores, but if you get lucky and see one you should buy it immediately :D
Click to expand...

Do you know of a good place to find the AV8R in Canada? The only place I could find it was NCIX's online store.

Enron said:
I got it at gamestop when HAWX released. Took it back the next day.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check the gamestops in my area.

It is heresy to speak of HAWX, that arcade abomination in the official IL-2 thread! Soon we shall not have to suffer ace combat, hawx, or any other watered down 12 year old targeted flying game, for we shall have IL-2! So hyped.
 
E

Enron

Banned
Asmodai said:
It is heresy to speak of HAWX, that arcade abomination in the official IL-2 thread! Soon we shall not have to suffer ace combat, hawx, or any other watered down 12 year old targeted flying game, for we shall have IL-2! So hyped.
Click to expand...

Dude, the very fact that we are speaking of a console IL-2 should clue you in that this is going to be more of the same, likely. Maybe not quite as watered down, but Falcon 4.0 this ain't.
 
Z

Zenith

Banned
Enron said:
Dude, the very fact that we are speaking of a console IL-2 should clue you in that this is going to be more of the same, likely. Maybe not quite as watered down, but Falcon 4.0 this ain't.
Click to expand...

I prefer flight action games over flight sims but HAWX makes Comanche 4 look like Black Shark.
 
G

GodofWine

Member
Oh....how can I resist finally going back to the genre that I cut my teeth on...Red Baron on my MAC...Battle of Britain on my Amiga....

Its times..I need that stick too for my PS3..damn this ain't gonna be a cheap fall, I was hoping to hold off on all things till MW2.
 
A

Asmodai

Banned
Enron said:
Dude, the very fact that we are speaking of a console IL-2 should clue you in that this is going to be more of the same, likely. Maybe not quite as watered down, but Falcon 4.0 this ain't.
Click to expand...

Are you saying that IL-2 BOP is anything like HAWX or ace combat? Haven't you played the demo?

The simulation mode is just as hardcore as anything I've played on PC. The fact that it's a console game doesn't automatically condemn it to be watered down.
 
J

Jim

Member
Wasn't familiar with the series before the PS3/Xbox 360 version, but the demo was really great.
Totally interested now.
 
S

Sysgen

Member
Just ordered it for $25.00 in the BB deal. Not sure that I'm going to be playing on Sim so maybe I'll hold of on the j/s for now.
 
A

Asmodai

Banned
Sysgen said:
Just ordered it for $25.00 in the BB deal. Not sure that I'm going to be playing on Sim so maybe I'll hold of on the j/s for now.
Click to expand...

Arcade is stupidly easy, it's not the same game at all if you play it on that mode. Realistic and Simulator have the same flight characteristics, so they're basically identical.
 
B

Beer Monkey

Member
Enron said:
Dude, the very fact that we are speaking of a console IL-2 should clue you in that this is going to be more of the same, likely. Maybe not quite as watered down
Click to expand...

There's no way you played the demo on realistic or sim if you are spouting this horseshit.
 
C

Curufinwe

Member
Asmodai said:
Are you saying that IL-2 BOP is anything like HAWX or ace combat? Haven't you played the demo?

The simulation mode is just as hardcore as anything I've played on PC. The fact that it's a console game doesn't automatically condemn it to be watered down.
Click to expand...

It can't be quite as hardcore as PC flight sims that people only play with proper joysticks and throttles, but it's great to hear that it's a long way removed from the Ace Combat style of flight model.
 
A

Asmodai

Banned
beermonkey@tehbias said:
There's no way you played the demo on realistic or sim if you are spouting this horseshit.
Click to expand...

Well, this guy did buy HAWX and ace combat. I don't think anyone who has ever flown a real aircraft could play either of those games without retching.

Curufinwe said:
It can't be quite as hardcore as PC flight sims that people only play with proper joysticks and throttles, but it's great to hear that it's a long way removed from the Ace Combat style of flight model.
Click to expand...

There are flightsticks for the PS3 and 360. Not many of them, but they're perfectly functional as it is.
It's more than realistic enough for me. If I want more, I'd go fly a real aircraft. Actually, I was flying this last week

l39_landing.jpg


Very fun to fly. Surprisingly well built for a Soviet aircraft, too.
 
L

Llyranor

Member
Hey, I like Ace Combat and HAWX! But they're action games, not flight sims. Just like Armed Assault and Modern Warfare can coexist.

Yeah, this isn't Falcon 4.0. But maybe that's because this isn't a freaking modern aircraft flight sim. This retains the exact same flight models as the PC game, which many fans of the genre will argue as being the best WW2 flight sim out there.

In this case, yes, it's a console game, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of the small little touches are cool, but I don't find most of them adding that much to the game. Flying around for 10-15 before getting into the action certainly doesn't add anything to the game for me, even if it is more realistic. In this case, going for a more condensed/tighter experience, while - and this is the important point - retaining the flight sim model as is, really appeals to me.

It's really too bad there isn't co-op, but the PvP should be a blast.
 
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