INFO: check MagzTV, Requiem or other il2 streamers before buying

This is a game for people who love to fly. It has everything you need for that and if you like WW2 props it's a must have title. BoS is probably best WW2 avia sim available on the market. It is also a niche game and it demands a lot from you.

This is not the Ace Combat in WW2 setting campaign wise, and this is not a War Thunder multiplayer wise. This is a serious and historically accurate sim. You can jump relatively easy on the plane but it is very hard to master it, especially in multiplayer where you can encounter skilled players and teams who will not give you even a ghost of the chance.

But if you want to get into WW2 era props, learn about air tactics and engineering of that era and improve your knowledge of practical aerodynamics then this game is probably the best thing which can happen to you.

Regarding DLC - each big DLC is a new map, new campaign and new plane set, think of them as a major expansions. Devs spent at least one year on each of them (I have everything and I fly since early access). For me they are totally worth the price. I will defend developers here for another reason - this model ensures that anyone can play with anyone regardless of the DLC. If you have BoK and your friend has BoM you can still play together in COOP and multiplayer. It also ensures that improvements made for new DLCs are available for old DLCs and base game as well.

I read that someone said that DLC planes are better. Well, yes and no. Each DLC follows specific operation or moment in WW2. For example Battle of Kuban historically was later than Battle of Stalingrad and obviously the plane set there consists of better planes. Another DLC Battle of Moscow actually precedes Battle of Stalingrad and has less powerful planes. But again, the main aspect of this game is accurate simulation and reconstruction of historical battles. I like to fly early war I-16 as much as I like late war Me-262.

Multiplayer wise it is responsibility of server owners to limit plane set on the specific map. Some server owners for example not only limit planes available for pilots but also modifications available for them in order to prevent late war mods during earlier time battles. Most importantly - find a squadron for MP. Without it you will be just an easy target. As for premium planes - all of them give you a flavor, not a plain advantage over other planes in the same plane set. If anyone would say that Ju 52 is pay to win then I don;t even know what to say...

A lot of the negativity comes from the price of this game and actually most of ranting people are pissed of because their whining is cut down from forums. Actually devs are really nice and honest guys to whom you can speak freely on forums.

Cons:
- Price. Still nothing horrible in my opinion. It's on par with many top level games with DLC. Also, DCS is more expensive (and provides even more detailed planes, so decide for yourself).

Mixed:
- Campaign is based on dynamic missions. Okayish, but could be better. Since story is not a vital part of the simulator I can forgive devs for that
- Limited amount of planes but it's quality over quantity. You will spend a lot of time mastering each of them. I mean really, each plane is unique so you need to spend significant time to learn how to fly it proficiently.
- If you want immersion, you need joystick and TrackIR. Ideally, you need also pedals and rudder. WW2 era planes require much more rudder work than any modern plane, for competitive multiplayer on fighters rudder pedals is a must. Unfortunately this is inevitable price for having an accurate simulation. Good part is that you can use this equipment for basically any other sim like DCS or X Plane.

Pros:
- Planes, physics, damage model... the level simulation is one of the top in the genre.
- Really fast and stable game engine (if you have a recent hardware). I would say it is the only sim which produces enough frame rate on my machine to play in VR comfortably.
- VR is AMAZING. Especially Flying Circus DLC because of WW1 era planes.
- Scripted campaigns are diverse and really good.
- The feel of flight is just right.

WARN: Game is hardware demanding (check official il2 forum first) and flight stick (even cheap one) is highly recommended.

INFO: check MagzTV, Requiem or other il2 streamers before buying This is a game for people who love to fly. It has everything you need for that and if you like WW2 props it's a must have title. BoS is probably best WW2 avia sim available on the market. It is also a niche game and it demands a lot from you. This is not the Ace Combat in WW2 setting campaign wise, and this is not a War Thunder multiplayer wise. This is a serious and historically accurate sim. You can jump relatively easy on the plane but it is very hard to master it, especially in multiplayer where you can encounter skilled players and teams who will not give you even a ghost of the chance. But if you want to get into WW2 era props, learn about air tactics and engineering of that era and improve your knowledge of practical aerodynamics then this game is probably the best thing which can happen to you. Regarding DLC - each big DLC is a new map, new campaign and new plane set, think of them as a major expansions. Devs spent at least one year on each of them (I have everything and I fly since early access). For me they are totally worth the price. I will defend developers here for another reason - this model ensures that anyone can play with anyone regardless of the DLC. If you have BoK and your friend has BoM you can still play together in COOP and multiplayer. It also ensures that improvements made for new DLCs are available for old DLCs and base game as well. I read that someone said that DLC planes are better. Well, yes and no. Each DLC follows specific operation or moment in WW2. For example Battle of Kuban historically was later than Battle of Stalingrad and obviously the plane set there consists of better planes. Another DLC Battle of Moscow actually precedes Battle of Stalingrad and has less powerful planes. But again, the main aspect of this game is accurate simulation and reconstruction of historical battles. I like to fly early war I-16 as much as I like late war Me-262. Multiplayer wise it is responsibility of server owners to limit plane set on the specific map. Some server owners for example not only limit planes available for pilots but also modifications available for them in order to prevent late war mods during earlier time battles. Most importantly - find a squadron for MP. Without it you will be just an easy target. As for premium planes - all of them give you a flavor, not a plain advantage over other planes in the same plane set. If anyone would say that Ju 52 is pay to win then I don;t even know what to say... A lot of the negativity comes from the price of this game and actually most of ranting people are pissed of because their whining is cut down from forums. Actually devs are really nice and honest guys to whom you can speak freely on forums. Cons: - Price. Still nothing horrible in my opinion. It's on par with many top level games with DLC. Also, DCS is more expensive (and provides even more detailed planes, so decide for yourself). Mixed: - Campaign is based on dynamic missions. Okayish, but could be better. Since story is not a vital part of the simulator I can forgive devs for that - Limited amount of planes but it's quality over quantity. You will spend a lot of time mastering each of them. I mean really, each plane is unique so you need to spend significant time to learn how to fly it proficiently. - If you want immersion, you need joystick and TrackIR. Ideally, you need also pedals and rudder. WW2 era planes require much more rudder work than any modern plane, for competitive multiplayer on fighters rudder pedals is a must. Unfortunately this is inevitable price for having an accurate simulation. Good part is that you can use this equipment for basically any other sim like DCS or X Plane. Pros: - Planes, physics, damage model... the level simulation is one of the top in the genre. - Really fast and stable game engine (if you have a recent hardware). I would say it is the only sim which produces enough frame rate on my machine to play in VR comfortably. - VR is AMAZING. Especially Flying Circus DLC because of WW1 era planes. - Scripted campaigns are diverse and really good. - The feel of flight is just right. WARN: Game is hardware demanding (check official il2 forum first) and flight stick (even cheap one) is highly recommended.