Any reviews ?

[Stiffmeister]

Searched a little but pretty fruitless...

 

Refused to buy the game early due to CLOD eroding trust...was going to take up the BF offer but thought i'd see how it's going.

 

I can't find any critique on the forum, whats good/bad, what they got right/wrong...the SP/MP experience.Any issues with development direction....concerns/lack of etc,absolutely nothing!

 

So is it a case of simply brilliant, everyone's happy...or is there heavy moderation concerning anything negative at all ?

 

I don't need to take up cheaper offers...but i'd like more info on what i'm buying into.

 

 

Any feedback would be appreciated

 

[Stiffmeister]

..it's okay, I've found some on metacritic...disenfranchised/disillusioned ex- forum patrons by what I'm reading thus far.

 

Check back in when BoM appears....

[Sokol1]

Heinkill - a know CFS player - review for SimHQ (BoS Release version):

 

http://www.simhq.com/air-combat/il-2-sturmovik-battle-stalingrad-review.html

 

Others - by CFS players:

 

http://combatace.com/topic/84589-the-combatace-review-il-2-battle-of-stalingrad/

 

http://www.mudspike.com/il2-battle-of-stalingrad-single-player-campaign/

 

Others - be "gamer" pages -  some lack in depth view:

 

http://www.wargamer.com/Article/10089

http://www.pcpowerplay.com.au/review/il2-battle-of-stalingrad,401237

 

Users reviews like on Metacritc or STEAM on dont worth look because most or are "blind" hatters or "blind" fanboys.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Sokol1

[Stiffmeister]

Hey thanks, will check them out now.

 

I'm reading complaints about FM/DM , dumbing the sim down to appeal to casual arcaders ( me really lol..)  but I bought RoF for the sim quality after playing BF4 and WT... and Dev threats, forum nazi's atm.

 

I'll spend a few more mins complaint's before I move on to whats good.To get a better picture.

 

Any Requiem critique ?  have to new tab to YT.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Stiffmeister

[-TBC-AeroAce]

Just remember to check the date of when the review was written as the game has been constantly updated therefore some things people have complained about are fixed ........

 

 

All in all if you are a combat flight simmer you will want to get this game 

[Stiffmeister]

Oh deffo...that's what I bought RoF for, only my trackIr is the 3 version and not great.....more emphasis on sim as BF4 and warthunder were 2 arcade for me.

 

The reviews are older, so thanks for that. 

 

You know how it is with the net...I've been sidetracked into reading about Team Fusions efforts for CLOD. Going to check their forum as tbh not enjoying what I'm reading about BoS.

 

At this point I'll probably just buy some more RoF planes. A biggy for me , is have they sorted the FM/DM with BoS ?  Because i'm reading they get pretty trashed on ?

 

and just so i don't repeat myself..thank you for replying

Edited December 3, 2015 by Stiffmeister

[SCG_Tzigy]

just about the best money i HAVE EVER SPENT

 

there were also reviews in PCPILOT

[LukeFF]

..it's okay, I've found some on metacritic...disenfranchised/disillusioned ex- forum patrons by what I'm reading thus far.

 

Check back in when BoM appears....

 

Steer clear of what's been written on Metacritic. 

[Finkeren]

Some of the criticism from back then still holds up, some of it has been adressed, some of it was never valid to begin with.

 

The important point is: in the year since release, a lot has happened, and there is almost universal consensus, even amongst the more critical members of the community, that pretty much all of it has been positive, and that the sim is in much better shape than it was at release and is now pretty good value for money.

[216th_Lucas_From_Hell]

Here are some reviews gathered over the past year by people who play it regularly, with comments: http://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/11927-rate-it-now-it/?mode=show

 

487 votes collected, some left a comment too.

[Reflected]

Mate, some objective review for you:

 

Pro:

- The game is continuously improving, the devs keep fixing stuff

- best FM out there. Second to none. Most realistic feeling of flight

- Most realistic ground physics and handling.

- Quite good DM. Visually not the best out there, but it's dynamic, and very detailed.

- Runs quite well on lower end machines - like mine

- New maps have been introduced, new planes coming every month

- We have player controlled tanks now. Sounds arcade, but they are actually pretty cool and fun.

- 3rd party campaign generator has just been released (PWCG)

- Good QMB

 

Con:

- Not much variety if you don't like the Eastern Front

- Some planes' performance still needs to be fixed. The community presented some tests/ evidence, but not everything has been sorted out yet.

- Because of the complex FM there are still some debatable anomalies (propwash/ flap behavior)

- If you don't have the premium edition you still have to grind the campaign mode to get the unlocks

- Campaign pretty dull and arcade

- Still a lot to be optimized performance-wise. Especially with many planes/ ground units around. Then again, we get constant support.

 

I'd say go for it. I've been trying to go back to CloD, but it didn't feel right anymore. Same goes for DCS. But it's just my two cents.

Edited December 3, 2015 by Reflected

[Mikey]

Oh deffo...that's what I bought RoF for, only my trackIr is the 3 version and not great.....more emphasis on sim as BF4 and warthunder were 2 arcade for me.

 

The reviews are older, so thanks for that. 

 

You know how it is with the net...I've been sidetracked into reading about Team Fusions efforts for CLOD. Going to check their forum as tbh not enjoying what I'm reading about BoS.

 

At this point I'll probably just buy some more RoF planes. A biggy for me , is have they sorted the FM/DM with BoS ?  Because i'm reading they get pretty trashed on ?

 

and just so i don't repeat myself..thank you for replying

You are wise for being cautious...I bought this game without doubt, that was a $100 mistake. I would have not bought it if I did the research you have done, or I would have waited until a sale.

[J2_Trupobaw]

Here's my attempt at "impartial" review, written a full year ago. Many of parts I criticised back then are improved already, while good parts obviously stayed. It's fun to read it now and see how much the sim has moved (and where all the bad blood came from).

http://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561197970521889/recommended/307960/

Changes since then:
-The good parts are still good.
-Of the bad parts: The sim still uses complex modelling, so it's still not going to have tens variants of each plane created by moving few sliders in plane editor. But we have 15 flyables now, 5 more coming, an AI-only plane and controllable tanks. The campaign improved only slightly, but PWCG  - free, full blown third-party career mode - is already playable and developing. Player limit in MP has been rised few times.

-Of the ugly parts: The dreaded graphics presets are not strictly gone, but freedom to customize graphics options is back so we can work around them. Owners of premium version (all ten planes) can now get rid of dreaded unlocks with click of the mouse. Owners of regular BoS have to go through the campaign, which was fiddled with but likely makes as bad first impression as I described year ago. In short, the ugliest elements the devs were "stubborn" about year ago have been tamed in last 12 months.


 

[SharpeXB]

 I'm reading complaints about FM/DM

This is the case with every flight sim. If you avoid buying flight sims because of this you would never buy any!

[Finkeren]

About FM and DM:

 

There are a handful of FM issues that are legitimate or at least warrant a closer examination. Chief among them are the Yaks behaviof flaps-down and the Fw 190s performance at certain altitudes. None of them break the game, and they are isolated instances, the FM overall is rock solid.

 

The DM is by far the best in any combat flight sim, period. The only real criticism that can be levied against it is in the visuals, some of which don't look quite right - the worst being the pixelated bullet holes in the airframe.

[SharpeXB]

- Campaign pretty dull and arcade

Have you tried the new campaign chapters?

Maybe it's my imagination but they seem more lively than before. Plus there are custom missions added in addition to the generated ones. Overall action in it is very good. I am actually not a fan of the typical flight sim static campaign, like what was in RoF and CoD. They just push long repetitive missions on you and they're just not approachable since if you can't finish them you're just stuck. The random generated campaign in BoS is more like the RoF career mode minus the pilot career but it's provides an endless variety of situations. Now that they livened it up with some custom missions it's really quite good. The long and short mission selection is a real plus. And I don't mind winning stuff in it like skins and unlocks, that's actually fun. I think that breaking the mold in this regard is one of the better things BoS does.

 

There is also the Pat Wilson Career Campaign coming soon which will be excellent. The holy grail of flight sim SP gaming so to speak.

So the SP aspect of this game is going very well.

[J2_Trupobaw]

Oh wait, I can edit these changes into my steam review, but can't edit them out of BoS forum post ...

[Finkeren]

Have you tried the new campaign chapters?

Maybe it's my imagination but they seem more lively than before. Plus there are custom missions added in addition to the generated ones. Overall action in it is very good.

 

One huge step forward is the inclusion of premium and BoM aircraft in the campaign. Much greater variety in missions. If only there was a very simple career option build on that system, we'd hardly need PWCG.

[Y-29.Silky]

I'm reading complaints about FM/DM , dumbing the sim down to appeal to casual arcaders ( me really lol..) 

Early on there were quite  a few trolls that went so far as to say that War Thunder had better FM/DM's, really wasn't fair in my eyes.

[SharpeXB]

One huge step forward is the inclusion of premium and BoM aircraft in the campaign. Much greater variety in missions. If only there was a very simple career option build on that system, we'd hardly need PWCG.

The premium BoS aircraft have always been in the campaign but yes the additional BoM planes are a nice add.

 

It would seem to be a relatively simple change to the BoS campaign to make it like the RoF career, there's a 3rd party app around here that does just that. But now that PWCG is coming there's probably no need.

Edited December 3, 2015 by SharpeXB

[Stiffmeister]

Steer clear of what's been written on Metacritic. 

Never...

 

Community opinion is very important IMO. Censoring such opinion is deplorable.Even on official forums.Value the criticism,address it,stand by your product and improve.. is where I sit.

Today I read the threatening and unethical developer response to their met score.Not good.I'm not going to invest time into seeing if it's from the dev that abandoned CLOD.As I wasn't a fan of combined devteams from the start.

 

Anyways, loads of replies..much appreciated.May just get the standard version ( I don't mind unlocks and can get the hard copy for £14) after I've bought and tried the CLOD TF mod.Lot's of good opinion on a game I originally wouldn't touch because of community feedback.

 

Hope to maybe see you soon in the skies...

 

Stiffy out.

 

 

ps ..my old CS pro pedals are pulling to the left.Any quick fix ? can i change some sensors about etc

Edited December 3, 2015 by Stiffmeister

[Finkeren]

The premium BoS aircraft have always been in the campaign but yes the additional BoM planes are a nice add.

 

Actually no. you could fly the premium aircraft yes, but they never appeared as AI aircraft outside of your own flight. If, for instance you flew German you'd never end up against La-5s and vice versa for the Fw 190.

[SharpeXB]

Actually no. you could fly the premium aircraft yes, but they never appeared as AI aircraft outside of your own flight. If, for instance you flew German you'd never end up against La-5s and vice versa for the Fw 190.

Aha. I guess I never noticed. I just assumed it was like RoF where that's the norm.

[SharpeXB]

Community opinion is very important IMO.

 

Well it has to be considered that "Community opinion" is very often just the views of a very very small minority.

Look at Metacritic. Now the "critic" review score there of 74 is fair, for the time. But the user score is pretty much bogus. It's the aggregate of 239 votes. Steam alone shows 25,000 owners and this forum has 68,000 members. So the sample size there is just not valid. Then you need to consider that much of those reviews are in fact a deliberate attack on the product. That's a fact. And that's what triggered the devs response to people that were actively trying to destroy their endeavors. For whatever reason there's a batch of people who always have an axe to grind and sites like Metacritic just give them a venue. Unfortunately the flight sim community can be its own worst enemy at times and that was certainly the case when this game launched. Its just mad rantings of a very small but very vocal minority. But with so few votes cast that small group can easily tip a score like Metacritic.

 

PC Pilot gave BoS a 90 in its review.

Edited December 3, 2015 by SharpeXB

[Finkeren]

If you want the current "community oppinion" (that is: the oppinion of people who actually play the game) just read through the last handful of discussion threads for updates and development diaries.

[LLv24_Zami]

Have you tried the new campaign chapters?

Maybe it's my imagination but they seem more lively than before. Plus there are custom missions added in addition to the generated ones. Overall action in it is very good. I am actually not a fan of the typical flight sim static campaign, like what was in RoF and CoD. They just push long repetitive missions on you and they're just not approachable since if you can't finish them you're just stuck. The random generated campaign in BoS is more like the RoF career mode minus the pilot career but it's provides an endless variety of situations. Now that they livened it up with some custom missions it's really quite good. The long and short mission selection is a real plus. And I don't mind winning stuff in it like skins and unlocks, that's actually fun. I think that breaking the mold in this regard is one of the better things BoS does.

 

There is also the Pat Wilson Career Campaign coming soon which will be excellent. The holy grail of flight sim SP gaming so to speak.

So the SP aspect of this game is going very well.

+1

 

Missions in campaign are pretty good and fun these days. I just got shot down by a P-40. That firepower surprised me 

[ShamrockOneFive]

We did a review over at Battlefields UK: http://www.battle-fields.com/2014/12/il-2-battle-stalingrad-review/

 

There was a bit of aa [Edited] storm early on due to some players hating the unlock system (which has been partially changed since release) and there are some criticisms of both the single player campaign and the lack of available players online in multiplayer but those things are slowly changing too. The FM and DM are spectacular and while there are some weird spots they are overall quite stunning IMHO.

 

It requires a top end PC to really get the best performance out of it but its pretty great on the whole. It's not quite IL-2 1946 yet in terms of depth of experience but its a great start. It's not CLOD.

[Rjel]

I'd also suggest, if you've been around the flight sim community for any length of time, to focus on some of the more senior members opinions in regards to BoS. Not all are positive, but most are well thought out. As far as censorship of this forum, I think that's a broad view. 

[-TBC-AeroAce]

My earlier points still stands IMO. 

 

Simply If you are into combat sims you cant ignore this game and need to get it!!!

 

Yes there are problems here and there but at the end of the day there are about 2-4 combat sims that are being currently worked on and this is up there.

 

I dont know everyone cash situation but if you compare combat simmer to a general gamer that has 30  games and only play 20% more than once! U will not regret getting this and will likley get years of different and improving game play even if you only stop in once in a while.

[II/JG17_HerrMurf]

Never...

 

Community opinion is very important IMO. Censoring such opinion is deplorable.Even on official forums.Value the criticism,address it,stand by your product and improve.. is where I sit.

Today I read the threatening and unethical developer response to their met score.Not good.I'm not going to invest time into seeing if it's from the dev that abandoned CLOD.As I wasn't a fan of combined devteams from the start.

 

Anyways, loads of replies..much appreciated.May just get the standard version ( I don't mind unlocks and can get the hard copy for £14) after I've bought and tried the CLOD TF mod.Lot's of good opinion on a game I originally wouldn't touch because of community feedback.

 

Hope to maybe see you soon in the skies...

 

Stiffy out.

 

 

ps ..my old CS pro pedals are pulling to the left.Any quick fix ? can i change some sensors about etc

The problem with MetaCritic is there were some hardcore trolls who were particularly non-objective and defamatory. These "critics" went so far as to spam Google and even a bicycle forum. (Google deleted their spam as it violated their user agreements as well.) Then the Dev's stepped in to ask users for positive MetaCritic reviews which backfired badly as well. MetaCritic is not a legitimate resource in this instance.

 

BOS has made major steps forward on many of the original issues and is a work in progress - which is a good thing. It still has a few warts but is solid for the most part. The Devs communicate well for the most part and often. Work continues on both titles. Improvements made to the future title have been filtered back to BOS with consistency. I have confidence BOM will be well received.

 

There are a few issues with the current patch. Mostly stability and frame rates for some users. This is more of a patch issue as opposed to a title issue. If you buy it today with an average rig you may or may not notice it. It has happened once or twice before with new patches but the hotfix is usually not far behind. I expect a new hotfix any day now.

 

The game is really solid now. The SP content is still lacking somewhat but has improved. FM/DM and graphics are among the best in the business. (I still hate the external damage decals, personally.) It is well worth your money. Lastly, there is no heavy moderation in these forums. The rules are well laid out and enforced. There are many critics here, including me, and you can voice your opinion as long as you stay within the boundaries.

 

Buy it now. It is well worth it.

*Also,

 

New icon Fink or just an old crush?

Edited December 3, 2015 by [LBS]HerrMurf

[Lusekofte]

Heinkill - a know CFS player - review for SimHQ (BoS Release version):

 

http://www.simhq.com/air-combat/il-2-sturmovik-battle-stalingrad-review.html

 

Others - by CFS players:

 

http://combatace.com/topic/84589-the-combatace-review-il-2-battle-of-stalingrad/

 

http://www.mudspike.com/il2-battle-of-stalingrad-single-player-campaign/

 

Others - be "gamer" pages -  some lack in depth view:

 

http://www.wargamer.com/Article/10089

http://www.pcpowerplay.com.au/review/il2-battle-of-stalingrad,401237

 

Users reviews like on Metacritc or STEAM on dont worth look because most or are "blind" hatters or "blind" fanboys.

The last statement is so true .

I find myself in a limbo loving and hating at the same time. Fantastic feel of flight, but a constant feeling it could have been so much more. Considerable lower ambitions than COD but better in some ways and badder in so many others. If you think of old IL 2  with 4% of content and 1% maps and objects ,with modern graphic but not compatible with Directx 11. I can simply not turn down a ww2 cfs and in my point of view its worth every penny. It seems to improve  every patch. They did a major mistake turning their back on the existing community and put their bet in new players and wt players, this was a policy they put quite a lot of energy doing. In one hand I can understand it, knowing the history of feuds within this community and the impossible task to make it satisfied. 

Overall a game with possibilities to feel the real thing, if you forget its limitations or ignore them. Bad online capabilities and fair but improving online capabilities with a active growing community

[SharpeXB]

They did a major mistake turning their back on the existing community and put their bet in new players and wt players, this was a policy they put quite a lot of energy doing. In one hand I can understand it, knowing the history of feuds within this community and the impossible task to make it satisfied.

 

It's a much more sound strategy to go after new customers then attempt to placate a certain segment of this community who will just never accept anything new. There are exponentially more potential new players then there are old ones.

There are 4 million WT players, I hope a bunch of them buy BoS

Edited December 4, 2015 by SharpeXB

[Stiffmeister]

 They did a major mistake turning their back on the existing community and put their bet in new players and wt players, this was a policy they put quite a lot of energy doing. In one hand I can understand it, knowing the history of feuds within this community

Overall a game with possibilities to feel the real thing, if you forget its limitations or ignore them. Bad online capabilities and fair but improving online capabilities with a active growing community

 

It's quite common now but wasn't convinced it would be overly influential in this genre. 

It's biggest attraction to me (even though i was new blood and quite crappy)was because it was a sim.I want the skill 

I was around at the beginning but didn't invest blindly.Everyone was on board and it's weird reading comments how the bankroll are now the trolling enemy.

 

I'm going to read more and watch some vids....cheers everyone

[SharpeXB]

It's quite common now but wasn't convinced it would be overly influential in this genre. 

It's biggest attraction to me (even though i was new blood and quite crappy)was because it was a sim.I want the skill 

I was around at the beginning but didn't invest blindly.Everyone was on board and it's weird reading comments how the bankroll are now the trolling enemy.

 

I'm going to read more and watch some vids....cheers everyone

There are 14,000 founders of this series, the players who bought into EA. And I'm sure the vast majority of those are not a trolling enemy.

[VBF-12_Stick-95]

... only my trackIr is the 3 version and not great.....

 

An OT comment.  Still using my TrackIR v3 with 6DoF expansion and software v5.1.3 and I find it still quite good.

[Sokol1]

Well it has to be considered that "Community opinion" is very often just the views of a very very small minority.

 

 

But the active online "community" opinion - even if minority or biased in one extreme or another - is what one have to read to draw his conclusions

. 

Why matter if "Ching Ling"  and his 99 friends in Tibet enjoy the game, but he don't post your opinion  (or post only in Chinese traditional in QQ groups)? 

Edited December 4, 2015 by Sokol1

[CIA_Yankee_]

Oh deffo...that's what I bought RoF for, only my trackIr is the 3 version and not great.....more emphasis on sim as BF4 and warthunder were 2 arcade for me.

 

The reviews are older, so thanks for that. 

 

You know how it is with the net...I've been sidetracked into reading about Team Fusions efforts for CLOD. Going to check their forum as tbh not enjoying what I'm reading about BoS.

 

At this point I'll probably just buy some more RoF planes. A biggy for me , is have they sorted the FM/DM with BoS ?  Because i'm reading they get pretty trashed on ?

 

and just so i don't repeat myself..thank you for replying

 

The game has undergone substantial improvements on many levels since then, and is definitely worth the money IMO.

 

On top of that, we're now getting a full dynamic campaign engine through PWCG (see the dedicated third party add-on forum for more info), and a tank warfare simulator in the same package. Things just keep getting better.

 

Concerning the FM complaints... to be fair I think those are endemic of any serious Sim community. FM can never be 100% accurate, and there is such a strong subjective factor that there are always issues.

 

In any case, I strongly suggest getting BoS, if you're at all into warbird sims.

[SharpeXB]

But the active online "community" opinion - even if minority or biased in one extreme or another - is what one have to read to draw his conclusions

Sure. Forums like this one are a good place to get user feedback and contrary to what many might think, the devs do actually listen.

 

But here's another funny statistic on how small the vocal minority is even here.

There are 68,274 members. If you sort them by the number which have even made a single post. The result is 4,264

That's 0.6%!

 

And there are only 14 other people out of 68,274 who have as many posts as you or I. ;-)

 

Now I feel really small... Like a single blade of grass on the steppes...

Edited December 4, 2015 by SharpeXB