Appreciation thread for the Moscow map

[Finkeren]

With all the hype of the last update, which brought us the Ju88, the BoM campaign and the move to 64bit all at once, I feel we have neglected to talk about the one thing that has taken by far the most amount of effort from the devs: The Moscow map.

 

Most of the discussion of the map has been a debate back-and-forth about the fact that the Moscow area is closed off, and that has made us miss the bigger picture: The fact, that the Moscow map is representing a big step forward for the sim in terms of quality of modeling and design work - At least I think so.

 

So this is the thread for discussing the new map. What do you like/dislike about the map? What can still be improved etc?

 

Also, feel free to share screens showing off the beauty of the map.

[6./ZG26_Gielow]

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[Saurer]

The only negative thing I really noticed about the Moscau map is that the ground around railroads that run  through forests doesn't look good

[No601_Swallow]

Moscow winter map, clear weather, late afternoon - the city sprawling in the distance looks so so convincing. The city looks huge - it looks life-sized in fact.It's an amazing achievement. I think because it's actually made up of 3-d objects, it's far more convincing even than FSX photo-based scenery packs (in my humbles - although it['s been a few years since I last few FSX).

 

(By the way, if you still have the itch to overfly the city itself, just load up a map in the ME and then place in a city tile or two - they look amazing from a distance and from altitude. But close up, the textures are like those from Half Life (one!), and anyway, the blocks have no hitzone thingies, like CloD trees! ;-)    But viewed as intended, they really really do the job. In any case, if you really want to bomb St Basil's, you kind-of can with the ME - sort of.)

Edited April 8, 2016 by No601_Swallow

[Turban]

Don't have much to say about what could be improved ..

I love it It's beautiful, it's smooth, the new airfields are awesome... yeah I don't know .. it's just been a real pleasure so far !

[Brano]

The most outstanding features for me are open airfields, forests,water reservoirs,mist and unique buildings.

On the other hand I miss rolling out my new MiG from Zavod nr.1 and take off from Khodynka airfield. It is now right behind flyable area. So much russian aviation history is connected to this place.

[SCG_Space_Ghost]

The Moscow map is brilliant. I really like flying low above the reservoir - the soft light reflecting off of the gentle waves is very relaxing.

[Jade_Monkey]

I still need a lot of time to familiarize myself. In Stalingrad i feel like i can get around with no problem as long as i have a compass.

 

I feel like a large part of the stalingrad map has little use (eg the most western 1/3 of the map), but it looks like the Moskow map will be able to squeeze more action out of it.

 

Also, the tiny region of the lakes in the north east of the BOM map is actually huge once you fly over it. So the scale of the map is pretty nice.

 

Overall im very excited to get to know this map better.

[6./ZG26_Emil]

The map is simply gorgeous. After flying on it all week we went back to DED and flew over Stalingrad in summer and you really notice the difference.

 

The devs should be really proud of their baby especially the map but also the cool plane set. 

 

If I had one wish it would be that the Moscow map was a bit bigger, extending a little more West and South towards Smolensk and personally I would not have minded if we didn't get Moscow or the northern sector. 

[183_IAP_Baranov]

Being new to the Eastern Front......I must say that I'm quite impressed with this map so far. On another note, I would like to see the Moscow Map be added to the IL-2 Map Ruler feature for the purpose of planning navigation cross country flights etc.

 

Keep up the good work Devs !

Edited April 8, 2016 by II./KG76_Stadler

[Rjel]

I'm very impressed by the new maps. I've seen some bridges that are more detailed and are placed on the map in a more realistic way than anything I've seen previously in BoS. The ground fog looks great and has been something I've missed from the earlier IL2. The winter BoM map looks good too but I haven't explored it enough to really see the differences from what we have in BoS. I do like being able land on the frozen rivers and lakes. It's been a while since I last tried. When did that happen? Last time I tried I sunk thru the ice.

[curiousGamblerr]

 

 

On another note, I would like to see the Moscow Map be added to the IL-2 Map Ruler feature for the purpose of planning navigation cross country flights etc.

 

If someone has a high resolution copy of the Moscow map, I want to add it to my tool here, I just don't know where to find the map 

[183_IAP_Baranov]

Gamblerr...thanks for this tool ! Very nice ! It is saved to my favorites..

[LLv24_Zami]

Map is awesome.

All the little details, bridges, buildings, airfields etc. It's been enjoyable to fly on it, both autum and winter alike.

[ShamrockOneFive]

Great thread topic! Yep, the Moscow map is spectacular and yet easily overlooked in all of the excitement.

 

I think the thing I'm most impressed with coming from Il-2 1946 is the unique feeling on the two main maps we've seen from the team. Both gave unique tone and texture to them thanks to some really excellent detail work. Little things like village layouts, types and orientations of the fields, railways, forests, and so on... These things all contribute to the aesthetic. I know I'm on the Moscow map instantly.

 

Some of that is lost on the winter version but not as much as I thought.

[Jade_Monkey]

Also dont forget that they havent added conifers yet. Not sure how different the forests will look after they add them, but it could look even more distinct.

[Elem]

Frankly, it is nothing short of magnificent! The dirt airfields in  particular are superb. A massive thumbs up for Jason and the 777 team.

[No601_Swallow]

I am led to believe that after the wonderful V-Luki map, Zeus joined the devs. Obviously, I have no idea who's responsible for what. Nonetheless: all hail the mighty Zeus and the rest of the map team.

 

Oh, and completely unrelatedly, I think Malta would pose interesting and enjoyable map-building challenges. 

[LLv24_Zami]

For the record, I also really like the Stalingrad maps. Map team has done a marvelous job all the way from the beginning!

Edited April 9, 2016 by Zami

[Finkeren]

For the record, I also really like the Stalingrad maps. Map team has done a marwelous job all the way from the beginning!

 

Indeed. The Moscow map just pushes the envelope of something that was already great (if not entirely free of issues)

[seafireliv]

I`m still in early days yet. Haven`t even seen Moscow (it`s closed off?)

 

But one thing I did like was when I was returning to land on an airfield thinking `Where`s the airfield?` and realising it was just a big open field. It was nice and a little nerve wracking. I was used to a defined strip.

 

Oh, yea, rain. Never saw rain in Stalingrad, I hope the Devs do not ignore Stalingrad now. It needs more done to it.

[Finkeren]

Rain was always there, though low overcast and rainy weather seems more common in the BoM campaign than in BoS.

 

Moscow is off limits unfortunately. It has been explained why in the recent DDs. All we can do is admire it from a distance and fly over the very detailed suburbs.