New to Game - Is it like the games of Old days

[ChilledGameZone]

Hi

i wanted a modern day combat sim. I havnt played one for over 15 years. But im not a noob to them.

I used to play f19 stealth fighter on my amiga and gunship 2000 then lock-on modern air combat.

Is DCS world like this? Where you get mission and then you go and fly those missions, maybe join a campaign? or is DCS is just where you can fly a few combat planes like msfs2020 without any mission/career mode.

[SSerponi76]

Originally posted by ChilledGameZone:

Hi

i wanted a modern day combat sim. I havnt played one for over 15 years. But im not a noob to them.

I used to play f19 stealth fighter on my amiga and gunship 2000 then lock-on modern air combat.

Is DCS world like this? Where you get mission and then you go and fly those missions, maybe join a campaign? or is DCS is just where you can fly a few combat planes like msfs2020 without any mission/career mode.

F-19 and Gunship are just toys compared to DCSW: is the evolution of LOMAC but much more complex.
The nice thing is that the base game is free, so download it and give it a try: you can freely use Su-25T (simple module) os TF-51 (full fidelity module, but unarmed).

If you feel you can handle it then next step is to choose the module to buy.

P.S. Hope you have a at least a simple joystick whith throttle and rudder support (or at least a pad): you can play with M+K but is not advisable.

[Emme]

DCS comes in modules which are usually aircrafts and new maps. And yes it's a full simulation of modern, as well as ww2 and cold war era air combat.

You'll have scripted missions and you can play dynamic missions made from the community. You'll also be able to create your own missions by using the mission editor.

And of course you can play online on public servers or fly in full realism flight units. All in all DCS is an air combat simulation sandbox and it's on you what you want to get out of it.

A fully dynamic campaign is planned for the future. Currently there's like a community 3rd party software called "DCS Liberation" a campaign generator which will give you a full dynamic experience, as well as community made dynamic missions you can download.

[startrekmike]

So as was already said above, DCS World is going to feel pretty different since the focus is on much, much more detailed system operation than older sims. There are still bits and piece of 'Lock on' in the form of the lower fidelity Flaming Cliffs 3 aircraft but everything else is going to be a lot more "hands on" than those older titles. It will reward those who are actually willing to learn how these planes work and how to employ them properly and generally leave those who want to find shortcuts around the learning process behind the curve.

As far as how the missions work, DCS has a few different "flavors" in that regard. The first is the built in missions. DCS has a quick mission generator that (while not very great) will get you in the action with the aircraft of your choice. It is probably as close as you will get to the older sims in terms of "hop in and go".

The next is the campaigns. Some modules have campaigns that come with them and there are also campaigns you can buy (usually with pretty solid production value). I know a lot of folks like these so they are worth a look.

The mission editor is another avenue. With that, you can make whatever mission you wish and to be honest, the editor itself is pretty easy to learn and use. You don't really NEED to use any of the scripting stuff and it is quite possible to make a realistic, interesting mission using only the simple trigger system that is built in to the editor. You can also use this to make campaigns if you wish.

Next up is the public server scene. Some will try to pressure you to go this route since they want people in servers but keep in mind that the the nature of public servers requires a certain kind of mission design and that design isn't exactly going to be realistic or always terribly interesting.

For me personally, I tend to use DCS as a sort of realistic "single sortie simulator". I try to make missions that really get into the proper procedure and doctrine of a given aircraft. So far, DCS has enabled that quite well.

[ChilledGameZone]

hi thanks for replys.

Im not into creating my own missions. Yes ofc i want to learn how to fly these realistically first.

Is there like a war campaign anyone can recommend. A middle eastern one or a russian one? will they have a mission such as "goto xyz coordinates and take out a bridge and return to base" or a series of missions i can work through.

Im just looking to learn how to fly the plane with missiles etc and hopefully SAMs shooting at me i can flare and then hit a bridge and back to base. Just like them fun games back in the day. I understand its a simulation but i want that war flight sim feeling too.

[startrekmike]

Originally posted by ChilledGameZone:

hi thanks for replys.

Im not into creating my own missions. Yes ofc i want to learn how to fly these realistically first.

Is there like a war campaign anyone can recommend. A middle eastern one or a russian one? will they have a mission such as "goto xyz coordinates and take out a bridge and return to base" or a series of missions i can work through.

Im just looking to learn how to fly the plane with missiles etc and hopefully SAMs shooting at me i can flare and then hit a bridge and back to base. Just like them fun games back in the day. I understand its a simulation but i want that war flight sim feeling too.

I would suggest you look at the various campaigns that are on offer. Keep in mind that some campaigns are going to be based around specific aircraft modules and even maps so buying just the campaign may not be enough to actually play it.

It is important to keep in mind that this is very much a sort of military aviation sandbox in that you have a variety of playable aircraft modules, AI assets, and maps that you can work with to create whatever kind of combat scenario you wish. Some of the campaigns will have more of a "game story" feel to them but at its core, DCS is a realistic combat sim so you will need to adjust your expectations accordingly. Unless you stick ONLY with the Flaming Cliffs 3 style low fidelity aircraft, it will not play or feel like the older sims you mention. It is much more focused on learning, understanding, and properly using the aircraft, systems, and weapons to complete missions.

[ChilledGameZone]

hi

yeh i just want a full simulation with the aircraft modelled better then back in the day AND be able to play a game story war missions online campaigns. I just dont want to fly combat planes around the sky with nothing to do.

I have msfs2020 for that.

what other games would anyone recommend too?

[Sandhill]

Originally posted by ChilledGameZone:

hi
I just dont want to fly combat planes around the sky with nothing to do.

No worries about that. There are tons of YouTube for every available aircraft, so you can see what sort of thing can take place.

[startrekmike]

Originally posted by ChilledGameZone:

hi

yeh i just want a full simulation with the aircraft modelled better then back in the day AND be able to play a game story war missions online campaigns. I just dont want to fly combat planes around the sky with nothing to do.

I have msfs2020 for that.

what other games would anyone recommend too?

As I said, there are missions you can fly, there are campaigns you can play (and some you can buy), and you can create your own missions. You can shoot stuff, bomb stuff, blow stuff up, fight other aircraft. All that stuff. I am not sure where you are getting that this is like Microsoft Flight sim where you don't do anything.

[Gamerdoc7]

F18, F14, A10 and Mirage 2000 are probably the most complete at the moment. A10 and Mirage modules are used by USAF and AdA to train their pilots, so you can get an idea how complete these modules are.

I am an older simmer as well, just started with DCS after 20+ years break from sims ( I came back after playing MSFS). DCS really gives you that old kiddie in the candy shop feel with everything you can do with your favourite plane. And yes there are a plenty of combat operations you can fly in all of these modules.

Campaign-wise, I haven't played it but Raven One campaign for F18 is supposed to be really good. It's based on a bestseller book and requires a full understanding of F18 weapon system and avionics, I understand.

[ZeroReady]

the f14 comes with a great single player campaign if you want air to air stuff. if you want to ground pound, get the a10c-2 and the enemy within campaign. honestly learning the a10c and completing the the enemy within should keep you entertained for at least a year.

[ChilledGameZone]

great stuff thanks

[Northy]

Play with the free stuff... dont buy into DCS unless you feel the need.

[Sandhill]

Originally posted by Northy:

Play with the free stuff... dont buy into DCS unless you feel the need.

need for a plane that you want to fly, or a map that you would like to fly on, or a campaign you'd like to do, or...
Free is the way to see if you like the game at all, of course...

[Gamerdoc7]

Originally posted by Northy:

Play with the free stuff... dont buy into DCS unless you feel the need.

Except Su25 isn't really overly fun plane nor is it representative of the rest of the lineup in terms of fidelity. Full fidelity Mustang is not combat variety too...

I would start with FC3 instead. You get more fun F15 and Su33. If you want something more in depth, F18 is apparently the best place to start. I started with Mirage and having a blast.

[Noobiecanoobie]

I played some of those old games also. I think you will love DCS.

Do try the bundled planes just to check your PC performance.
Don't try them for fun unless they interest you. I tried them and was so put off by lack of clickable cockpit, non English labels and being aircraft I didn't care for, or unarmed, I abandoned DCS for a few years.

I personally would also not recommend starting with Flaming Cliffs 3 modules. Instead get a HOTAS and use HOTAS + clickable cockpits for a solid full module.

As suggested, grab one plane you really like from: F18, F14, A-10, Mirage 2000, AV-8B Harrier and you will have a lot of fun. First learning to fly and land, then fight. Some, like Mirage have excellent single player campaigns (All the above have bundled missions and campaigns but I can only speak for some and love Baltic Dragon's work.)

Edit: I forgot... If you love choppers, the UH-1 Huey is great fun, and KA-50 Shark is a bit Gunshipy, though perhaps its bundled missions and campaigns neglected. More choppers coming this year.