IL-2 Sturmovik

Here�s the disappointing reality--regardless of how many computer game critics rave about this combat flight simulator (and justifiably so), IL-2 Sturmovik will likely collect dust on store shelves. Why? Not only is the flight sim genre not terribly hot right now, but the name of this product isn�t mainstream enough to grab attention of the casual gamer and it concentrates on a lesser-known WWII brawl between the Russians and Germans.

In a nutshell, IL-2 Sturmovik is a stunning and accurately-modeled flight sim game allowing players to climb behind the controls of over 31 types of Russian and German aircraft, such as the IL-2 and Bf-109E-4 "Emil" planes, respectively. There is an appearance from a U.S.-based P-39, as well. The action includes air-to-air dog-fighting or escorting missions as well as many air-to-ground search-and-destroy bombing objectives.

From the main menu, the player has the chance to run though the very comprehensive tutorial (teaching everything from basic controls to offensive/defensive maneuvers to combat to emergency procedures) or jump right into the solo or multiplayer missions.

On the single-player side, gamers can choose to play individual missions (select aircraft, mission type, etc.) or the �Pilot Career� campaign mode where the outcome of each mission directly affects the pilot status, ranks and awards. The campaigns in the game are right out of WWII history (from 1941 in Smolensk to 1945 in Berlin).

The difficulty can be adjusted for all game modes, which alters the aircraft handling, choosing the arms for the aircraft, and so forth.

Alternatively, players can create their own scenarios with the easy-to-use �Quick Mission Builder�, or download additional missions from the game�s web site or load/edit a .trk �track� file, which is a recorded mission from the full game or the free demo.

While the artificial intelligence is quite good (i.e. very tough at times!), IL-2 Sturmovik. pilots can log online for free via the bundled ubi.com software and play a cooperative for up to 16 players or competitive game against up to 32 players. It was a breeze to set-up--it took about 15 to 20 seconds to register my name, password and log-in name before playing, and was then immediately dropped into a lobby to find players. Before playing, pilots can customize their aircraft with home-made decals, paint and number schemes, squadron nose art and national markings.

It�s tricky to talk about �realistic� flight handling in a simulation because most of us have not sat or flown in a real IL-2, MiG-3, Yak 1-B or Bf-109F-2 "Friedrih" as a point of reference. Nevertheless, each aircraft felt real for what it�s worth, complete with the effects you�d expect from stalling, climbing, pitch, yaw and barrel rolls (especially with a force-feedback tactile flight stick!). Some flight sims feel too arcade-y but not this game.

Graphically, IL-2 Sturmovik is absolutely beautiful. As seen in these screen shots, each of the planes are meticulously detailed and decorated, not to mention the realistic 3D landscapes, volumetric clouds and weather effects, water, explosions and smoke, and other eye-candy such as tanks, boats, buildings and so forth.

The audio in the game is also very realistic, be it the pilot speech in Russian and German, the creaks and cracks of a plane in combat or the sounds of a falling aircraft with its wing ripped off. Unfortunately, there is no English voice-overs at all, and sometimes it�s difficult to read the mission objectives and messages written in red or yellow, against a sun-lit sky.

That said, for combat flight sim enthusiasts, IL-2 Sturmovik is a dream: there are countless solo missions, a meaty historical campaign, smooth and easy to set-up multiplayer options, customizability up the wazoo, accurate handling and graphics to die for. Quite simply, this is a must-have flight simulator for war buffs or flight sim nuts alike, and will surely remain as a resident on your hard drive for a long, long time.

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