A honest review so far

[arnold.james223]

Ok devs.....I like it. As odd as the method is to aim and that will probably be looked upon in the future, this game has serious potential.

I like the uncertainty of pilots fully coordinated in their actions to control the plane. Historically most of the squadrons for the RAF suffered from that issue so the level of maneuvers possible gives it realism. Meanwhile the pilots that have trained for years before hand with natural pilot ability shouldn't be squandered.

AI seems to be where it should be. The Luftwaffe at this time and point was serious competition. Not invincible for sure, but they are difficult and that's what matters to me at least.

Gunnery seems pretty wild and inaccurate? Maybe its the RNG system behind or the pilot characteristics that make it unwieldy so its all over the place. It's a lot of rounds missing but I would like to see higher accuracy on shots as you got closer to the target. More hits for less would be ideal. I do appreciate the lack of hits from range, but better control of guns to prevent long range shots and conserve ammunition would be useful.

There'll be more to follow as I get more hours in, but I couldn't find a reason to stop playing tonight.

***Update***

Finally got Squadron Leader going in a good direction. Now for other thoughts and matters...

It seems after much maneuvering Spitfires and 109's lose engine strength, at or about 45 turns. If the intent to simulate engines actually overheating, as they would since most at combat power would be running hot, then this is excellently done. If this is because the pilots and their stats are tired then that also makes sense. Either or, no damage but pilots and aircraft are unable to climb or maintain speed in turns. Low altitude as a factor?

AI paths show where the enemy is assumed to go, but they often don't go in that direction. I like this as it adds a human factor the AI, as most pilots would not fly in a direction that allows for shots to be taken.

Mission generator for Squadron Leader is great. I like the unknown factors. It would be useful to get replacement pilots as special option if certain metrics are met (i.e., a successful squadron at 15 days x number of pilots given based on performance. I haven't gotten that far so I have no idea if this occurs yet or not.

[Sinjen Blackstar]

Would be nice if you could set the range you want to open fire from. Also is convergence set or is it variable?

[RAUBKATER1]

Amen to the honest review! +++

[76561198007484948]

It is OK but not sure so far. I have shot down a couple of German planes only by crashing in to them (by accident). Last fight, I lost all 3 planes, 2 of which went down without firing a shot (the pilotsblacked out) and the third rammed a Stuka after firing off loads of ammo withit directly in front but not doing any critical damage. Did this happen in Real Life?

[CellNav]

Originally posted by 76561198007484948:

It is OK but not sure so far. I have shot down a couple of German planes only by crashing in to them (by accident). Last fight, I lost all 3 planes, 2 of which went down without firing a shot (the pilotsblacked out) and the third rammed a Stuka after firing off loads of ammo withit directly in front but not doing any critical damage. Did this happen in Real Life?

When you get close then be mindful of blown off airplane parts, they can damage your plane or tear off your damage parts.

Here is a screenshot of my Spitfire that took a high deflection shot and flew straight into the aileron that blew off. It tore the wing off because it already had damage (white stripe like the right wing) :
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3359865955

[76561198007484948]

Strangely enough, I've had damage from a collision between my Spit and a Stuka bring down a 2nd Stuka. I looked it up - it did happen in RL (rarely!) so I guess it is possible here as well

[arnold.james223]

Originally posted by Sinjen Blackstar:

Would be nice if you could set the range you want to open fire from. Also is convergence set or is it variable?

Convergence would be nice, but its not there yet.

[arnold.james223]

Originally posted by 76561198007484948:

It is OK but not sure so far. I have shot down a couple of German planes only by crashing in to them (by accident). Last fight, I lost all 3 planes, 2 of which went down without firing a shot (the pilotsblacked out) and the third rammed a Stuka after firing off loads of ammo withit directly in front but not doing any critical damage. Did this happen in Real Life?

It needs refinement for sure but for release as is, I am happy with it. The scrambling of different flights needs some work for Squadron Leader. I often have the same flight go up and the other not even touched.

[arnold.james223]

Originally posted by Raven-Sharp:

Have the Devs given a roadmap? Or any plans for the future?

I haven't seen one yet.

[CellNav]

Originally posted by arnold.james223:

Gunnery seems pretty wild and inaccurate? Maybe its the RNG system behind or the pilot characteristics that make it unwieldy so its all over the place. It's a lot of rounds missing but I would like to see higher accuracy on shots as you got closer to the target. More hits for less would be ideal. I do appreciate the lack of hits from range, but better control of guns to prevent long range shots and conserve ammunition would be useful.

The airplane isn't a stable gun platform during maneuvering. Shoot when your stick is almost centered in both axis' (<25%) and the gunnery will be very accurate and not nearly as wild.

Originally posted by arnold.james223:

It seems after much maneuvering Spitfires and 109's lose engine strength, at or about 45 turns. If the intent to simulate engines actually overheating, as they would since most at combat power would be running hot, then this is excellently done. If this is because the pilots and their stats are tired then that also makes sense. Either or, no damage but pilots and aircraft are unable to climb or maintain speed in turns. Low altitude as a factor?

Check for OIL or COOLANT damage. Both will drain out in about 4 or 5 turns, then the engine takes damage (white) to finally cut off (red).

[arnold.james223]

Originally posted by CellNav:

Originally posted by arnold.james223:

Gunnery seems pretty wild and inaccurate? Maybe its the RNG system behind or the pilot characteristics that make it unwieldy so its all over the place. It's a lot of rounds missing but I would like to see higher accuracy on shots as you got closer to the target. More hits for less would be ideal. I do appreciate the lack of hits from range, but better control of guns to prevent long range shots and conserve ammunition would be useful.

The airplane isn't a stable gun platform during maneuvering. Shoot when your stick is almost centered in both axis' (<25%) and the gunnery will be very accurate and not nearly as wild.

Originally posted by arnold.james223:

It seems after much maneuvering Spitfires and 109's lose engine strength, at or about 45 turns. If the intent to simulate engines actually overheating, as they would since most at combat power would be running hot, then this is excellently done. If this is because the pilots and their stats are tired then that also makes sense. Either or, no damage but pilots and aircraft are unable to climb or maintain speed in turns. Low altitude as a factor?

Check for OIL or COOLANT damage. Both will drain out in about 4 or 5 turns, then the engine takes damage (white) to finally cut off (red).

I did not think of any of that. I'll keep an eye out for both, thanks!

[manickennel]

Originally posted by arnold.james223:

Originally posted by Raven-Sharp:

Have the Devs given a roadmap? Or any plans for the future?

I haven't seen one yet.

Coming in a couple of weeks' time

[steini.1]

Originally posted by 76561198007484948:

It is OK but not sure so far. I have shot down a couple of German planes only by crashing in to them (by accident). Last fight, I lost all 3 planes, 2 of which went down without firing a shot (the pilotsblacked out) and the third rammed a Stuka after firing off loads of ammo withit directly in front but not doing any critical damage. Did this happen in Real Life?

Sure that happened. Clashes between RAF and Luftwaffe were bloody for both sides. At some point the RAF nearly hat not planes to fight anymore.

[Sinjen Blackstar]

Originally posted by steini.1:

Originally posted by 76561198007484948:

It is OK but not sure so far. I have shot down a couple of German planes only by crashing in to them (by accident). Last fight, I lost all 3 planes, 2 of which went down without firing a shot (the pilotsblacked out) and the third rammed a Stuka after firing off loads of ammo withit directly in front but not doing any critical damage. Did this happen in Real Life?

Sure that happened. Clashes between RAF and Luftwaffe were bloody for both sides. At some point the RAF nearly hat not planes to fight anymore.

Some historians said that what won the battle of Britain was the accidental bombing of London by a German bomber crew. That triggered a retaliation against Berlin. Then Hitler ordered terror bombing instead of staying focused on airplane manufacturing and airfields. This gave the RAF the respite that allowed them to continue and eventually win.

[CellNav]

Originally posted by arnold.james223:

I did not think of any of that. I'll keep an eye out for both, thanks!

Also, when you see the AI aircraft get stuck inverted (and crashes), it most likely has wing damage (white line) with lost aileron and cannot roll back, which seems to be an AI problem because it's trying to roll the wrong way to recover.

Right Wing Damage ... Full Left stick won't help. Roll right can recover faster. I don't think the AI is maneuvering based on damage, it tears themselves apart. Here is a case for rudder control being separate.

Wing Level Button (cheat) .... If your wing is damaged, use that to roll back level, it ignores the fact you're missing an aileron with wing damaged ... :(

[arnold.james223]

There's an additional add-on of losing speed or altitude when flying level. I was under the assumption that level flight means an increase of speed without overheat and maintaining altitude.

Also, run the AI aircraft in a straight line and they slowly lose altitude and crash.