Is Cliffs of Dover Blitz worth buying

[TheGreatDaltini]

I have some questions regarding Cliffs of Dover Blitz before I spend my money on it.

 

1. Are the planes detailed? (Flight Models, Graphics, etc.)

 

2. How big is the community? (Are servers populated?)

 

3. How much does content Blitz have compared to the original Cliffs of Dover?

 

4. Are updates coming out on Cliffs of Dover Blitz?

 

Thank you for the answers

[Trooper117]

Yes, for me it's another 'must have'...

The next version from Team Fusion will have an Afrika/Med theatre, new aircraft, more tweaks and fixes, more importantly, AI overhaul and command menu improvements.

[TheGreatDaltini]

Yes, for me it's another 'must have'...

The next version from Team Fusion will have an Afrika/Med theatre, new aircraft, more tweaks and fixes, more importantly, AI overhaul and command menu improvements.

What about the Community? That is my main concern. Are the servers populated?

[19//Moach]

1:  Planes are incredibly detailed, graphically very pleasing (metal looks superb) and systems modelling is superior even to BoX series. Engines are realistically implemented such that all gauges in the cockpit play their duly important roles.  Damage models are equally intricate, with many fantastic ways in which one can get shot down.

 

2:  The community is small, and server population does vary heavily depending on time of day. This can be troublesome for those close to the pacific time zones, due to a phenomena known as the "Pacific Gap".  Otherwise, especially during weekends, ATAG is usually full with 50~100 players.  The individuals you'll meet there are top-notch, friendly and welcoming beyond the best of any other gaming community anywhere.  Best MP crowd in the internet, hands down.

 

3:  Nothing has as much in terms of 'sheer bulk' as the original 1946 game.  Except perhaps that "other game which isn't really a simulator and does not merit attention".  CloD has fewer types than BoX, but there are many variations of those types.  And each is detailed in such depth as to make up for any lack of "breadth" to the fleet.   Still, given it's BoB focus, you'll find all the major types present in that battle are featured.  Others are available as AI assets.

 

4:  Updates are now finally returned to the CloD scene.  With the release of TF4.5, there have been a couple of minor updates already and a larger patch is currently under testing to work out the assorted "teething issues" which inevitably came with such a large update.  TF had since asked for the opinions of players and it was largely agreed upon that smaller, more frequent updates would be preferable to a new delay as long as the one leading to 4.5 

 

Nevertheless, TF has committed itself to prioritizing fixing issues with 4.5 before any new major steps are undertaken.

 

 

 

In short, CloD is quite easily the best multiplayer experience you'll find in any flight simulator series today (and for the foreseeable future) - An unusually high ratio of proverbial 'bang for your buck'

Edited February 8, 2018 by 19//Moach

[DickDong]

CLOD community is top notch, if you buy it for that reason Id say its a wise purchase, if its for the broken game itself which has plenty of other sims which do it better, stay away. 800 hrs in cliffs,after new update.... start game and aircraft starts rotating on deck into the wind, oh guess they didnt care sbout the basics, uninstall. Like I said, the community over there is the best, more mature typically than this one.

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

The good

• Excellent visuals (detailed models and large textures)
• Many aircraft systems modelled
• Most comprehensive Battle of Britain portrayal

The bad

• No VR support
• Many small inaccuracies remain in systems and flight models

The ugly

• Many incomplete/broken features and small bugs (fortunately none are game-breaking)

Compared to BoX, Cliffs of Dover is more ambitious but lacks polish. It’s certainly worth the price unless these problems bother you.

Edited February 8, 2018 by Mitthrawnuruodo

[Jade_Monkey]

I like some of the graphics better than BOX, especially the cockpit lighting and textures.

 

However, i dont get the same feel of flight and the gun sounds and the look of tracers are still pretty annoying for me.

[Sokol1]

3. How much does content Blitz have compared to the original Cliffs of Dover?

 

In true only the Beaufighter and some Tiger Moth and other planes variations is a new contend, the rest is the same game and now with (IMO) worse effects that previous versions.

 

Obvious with dozen of "under hood" fixes accumulated relative CloD original game release, but still dozen of fixes to be done, the lack of some really impairing the SP experience (AI behaviour, commands...).

 

From MP perspective no big issue - unless maybe that "mehh" ground behavior of original game that remains unchanged, but can live with this.

 

Are big expectation with 5.0 Tobruk, but if it is "built" over the actual "base" without the still needed fixes has the risk that result in just another "CloD" (half done).

 

Worth the ~ $25, but be prepared to deal with several annoying "small issues" and workarounds.

Edited February 8, 2018 by Sokol1

[katdog5]

If you haven't flown in there yet and are not VR only yet, it's a must have yes. 

 

and the community is phenomenal: https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com

[WitchyWoman]

A heck of a lot more planes and all are free unlike the newest game. So yes its worth buying but imho neither game can surpass Il-2 1946's (with Bat mod) greatness

Edited January 6, 2020 by WitchyWoman

[cardboard_killer]

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/necropost

 

[keeno]

Hell yea...... but with exactly what Sokol said a few comments ago. It could have been and still could be gold but it does have some awful bugs and half finished elements. Hopefully though TFS can turn the rough diamond into the jewel it could and should have been all along.

 

cheers

[Lusekofte]

On 2/8/2018 at 4:00 PM, 19//Moach said:

1:  Planes are incredibly detailed, graphically very pleasing (metal looks superb) and systems modelling is superior even to BoX series. Engines are realistically implemented such that all gauges in the cockpit play their duly important roles.  Damage models are equally intricate, with many fantastic ways in which one can get shot down.

 

2:  The community is small, and server population does vary heavily depending on time of day. This can be troublesome for those close to the pacific time zones, due to a phenomena known as the "Pacific Gap".  Otherwise, especially during weekends, ATAG is usually full with 50~100 players.  The individuals you'll meet there are top-notch, friendly and welcoming beyond the best of any other gaming community anywhere.  Best MP crowd in the internet, hands down.

 

3:  Nothing has as much in terms of 'sheer bulk' as the original 1946 game.  Except perhaps that "other game which isn't really a simulator and does not merit attention".  CloD has fewer types than BoX, but there are many variations of those types.  And each is detailed in such depth as to make up for any lack of "breadth" to the fleet.   Still, given it's BoB focus, you'll find all the major types present in that battle are featured.  Others are available as AI assets.

 

4:  Updates are now finally returned to the CloD scene.  With the release of TF4.5, there have been a couple of minor updates already and a larger patch is currently under testing to work out the assorted "teething issues" which inevitably came with such a large update.  TF had since asked for the opinions of players and it was largely agreed upon that smaller, more frequent updates would be preferable to a new delay as long as the one leading to 4.5 

 

Nevertheless, TF has committed itself to prioritizing fixing issues with 4.5 before any new major steps are undertaken.

 

 

 

In short, CloD is quite easily the best multiplayer experience you'll find in any flight simulator series today (and for the foreseeable future) - An unusually high ratio of proverbial 'bang for your buck'

Cod was a endeavor with huge ambitions. When it was planned to get published ( about 10 years earlier than it did) there where no hardware ti run it. When it came I already had bought a new rig fir this. Boy these planes are beautiful. 

What cod does better is usually things we complain about here. And what GB does better well it is prized on this site. 
The complexity in systems and damage model is from another world compared to GB. You will find 2 or 3 full servers online in the start, slowly decreasing to one is my guess after a while. 
They do not support VR at time being, abd that is a bummer for me. I have to rearrange my setup for flying it. For a bomberpilot like me cod is superior, for fighter it is more like a matter if taste. 
 

[Avimimus]

1. The overall approach is a bit different. Planes are modelled with clickable cockpits, lighting is different but excellent... systems modelling is good... Graphics are slightly more dated in other ways (e.g. grass, lack of control surface animation blending) and the damage model doesn't communicate as much to the player (but is still detailed)... AI is quite different and has its own strengths and weaknesses.

 

Overall the fidelity is higher than any sim other than BoX and DCS (and rivals them in some areas)... but the approach is different... a different brush.

 

2. No idea about the online scene.

 

3. Blitz fixes numerous areas and adds new aircraft (e.g. flyable Beaufighter)

 

4. The big update is TFS 5.0 "Tobruk"... it is payware - but it will add new terrain, new features, and numerous additional aircraft...

 

It is definitely worth getting on-sale as one of the best flight simulators ever developed (and the most detailed Battle of Britain sim)! I'll be order Tobruk on day one as well since it is the first sim to seriously take a crack at modelling combat in the Mediterranean!

Edited January 7, 2020 by Avimimus

[Avimimus]

Okay - the simple truth: Pick up a copy because of how head motion and gee forces are done... it is interesting... definitely worth it for comparison and as an experience...

[Barnacles]

31 minutes ago, Avimimus said:

Okay - the simple truth: Pick up a copy because of how head motion and gee forces are done... it is interesting... definitely worth it for comparison and as an experience...

I personally love clod but hate that head shake mechanism. It's like being a goldfish and having your bowl sloshed around. I wish the servers would turn that off. I reckon it'll put off more people who dip their toe in the water when 5.0 comes out than it will attract. It's not even objectively realistic. Once a steady rate of roll is achieved there's no longer a physical force acting laterally on the pilot's head, yet clod still holds your pilots cheek on the side window.

[Avimimus]

1 hour ago, 71st_AH_Barnacles said:

I personally love clod but hate that head shake mechanism. It's like being a goldfish and having your bowl sloshed around. I wish the servers would turn that off. I reckon it'll put off more people who dip their toe in the water when 5.0 comes out than it will attract. It's not even objectively realistic. Once a steady rate of roll is achieved there's no longer a physical force acting laterally on the pilot's head, yet clod still holds your pilots cheek on the side window.

 

I assumed it represented shifting inside the seat straps (there is a 'loosen straps' toggle afterall)...

[Barnacles]

58 minutes ago, Avimimus said:

 

I assumed it represented shifting inside the seat straps (there is a 'loosen straps' toggle afterall)...

Maybe they should implement being able to tighten them.

[Blitzen]

Bit I have to add to my yes , that it will be especially worth it when the big v 5.00 update eventually shows up after a long time in development...

[Buzzsaw]

On 1/8/2020 at 8:42 AM, 71st_AH_Barnacles said:

I personally love clod but hate that head shake mechanism. It's like being a goldfish and having your bowl sloshed around. I wish the servers would turn that off. I reckon it'll put off more people who dip their toe in the water when 5.0 comes out than it will attract. It's not even objectively realistic. Once a steady rate of roll is achieved there's no longer a physical force acting laterally on the pilot's head, yet clod still holds your pilots cheek on the side window.

Don't use it... turn it off.

 

There is no requirement for this to be active... it is not a server side setting.

[Barnacles]

3 hours ago, Buzzsaw said:

Don't use it... turn it off.

 

There is no requirement for this to be active... it is not a server side setting.

Sorry Buzz, I had managed to convince myself that it was a server setting. I'll try again.

[=X51=VC_]

On 4/19/2020 at 6:40 AM, Buzzsaw said:

Don't use it... turn it off.

 

There is no requirement for this to be active... it is not a server side setting.

 

It absolutely is a server side realism setting. I turned it off in single player because I read this comment and was relieved. Soon as I went online it was back because the server had it on.

 

Apparently if you have TrackIR or similar it doesn't affect you anyway, so just the no-tracking plebs are forced to endure it. Nice and fair that.

Edited June 6, 2020 by =X51=VC_

[Nic727]

Should I get Cliffs of Dover Blitz?

 

I have IL2 1946 and GB, but I'm not sure if I should get Blitz.

 

1. How well does it run?

2. Is there people online?

3. How difficult it is compared to flying in IL2 GB?

 

Thank you

[Dagwoodyt]

1 hour ago, Nic727 said:

Should I get Cliffs of Dover Blitz?

 

I have IL2 1946 and GB, but I'm not sure if I should get Blitz.

 

1. How well does it run?

2. Is there people online?

3. How difficult it is compared to flying in IL2 GB?

 

Thank you

Only you can answer your first question. Why would Blitz not run on your machine if Il-2 GB runs acceptably? TF 5.0 seems aimed  at a MP audience so there must be an existing MP base and that base would likely expand after a TF 5.0 release. In terms of difficulty level vs Il-2 GB, flying is flying. OTOH "user experience" will be markedly different. I consider Blitz' user interface to be primitive by comparison. Reviews of Blitz from newcomers will help others so I hope you will give us your review after flying it for a while. Stating your system specs would also be helpful.

[=X51=VC_]

3 hours ago, Nic727 said:

Should I get Cliffs of Dover Blitz?

 

I have IL2 1946 and GB, but I'm not sure if I should get Blitz.

 

1. How well does it run?

2. Is there people online?

3. How difficult it is compared to flying in IL2 GB?

 

Thank you

 

I bought Blitz fairly recently when there was a sale and I would say absolutely yes. I thought I wouldn't like it because in GB I only fly VR, but actually I was so impressed by Cliffs I am flying it a lot even though I am stuck on the flat screen. Of course the interface is ancient and can put people off, but in some ways I think it's actually better than GB. If it had VR support I would fly it a lot more.

 

1. If you can run GB I don't see why Cliffs should run badly. It's an older game, less graphically demanding, but still looks very good in my opnion
2. The online community feels very small to me at the moment which is a bit disappointing, never seen more than 10 people in a single server at the times I usually fly, but I really hope it grows with TF 5.0 because I enjoy the game but lack of populated MP is a bit sad for me.
3. I would say it's a little more difficult, but depends what planes you are flying. Partly it's because the types of planes flying in the Battle of Britain were earlier versions that needed a lot more engine management. Bf 109s are the biggest difference, from the "just throttle easy mode" of the F and G in Il2 GB to full manual prop pitch is quite a shock. I also think it's harder to aim in Cliffs of Dover. Overall I find the flying to feel very good though and it's very rewarding. To be honest this is partly why I have played it so much already, practicing in single player to actually reach the same level of skill and confidence I have in GB.

Edited June 10, 2020 by =X51=VC_

[Semor76]

6 hours ago, Dagwoodyt said:

 TF 5.0 seems aimed  at a MP audience

I hope you´re wrong here. If not, I and many others would be gone in no time.

[56RAF_Stickz]

9 hours ago, Nic727 said:

Should I get Cliffs of Dover Blitz?

 

I have IL2 1946 and GB, but I'm not sure if I should get Blitz.

 

1. How well does it run?

2. Is there people online?

3. How difficult it is compared to flying in IL2 GB?

 

Thank you

Personally I would say yes, unless you already are short of hours in a day

1.  I have a fairly old machine, amd 965 phenom2 processor, 8G memory DDR3, radeon rx570 graphics. It runs fine on mine (as does GB although probably at little lower setting than some).

2. There are people on line, but its does depend on your location, European times seem more populated. But not as full as GB, except for occasional events.

3. Its different, no engine timers, but can be unforgiving to overrev for too long or not watch your temps - you do not get warnings. But its no more difficult to fly, you possibly need to be a little more familiar with a cockpit layout than GB and be able to read a compass (particularly British planes).

[Dagwoodyt]

36 minutes ago, Semor76 said:

I hope you´re wrong here. If not, I and many others would be gone in no time.

How many and detailed have been discussions of TF 5.0 game play? Previews seem to me to invariably focus on FX and a profusion vehicles: air, land & sea. Will those vehicles appear in stock offline campaigns or will they show up only if you become a mission editor "hobbyist"? I see TF 5.0 as aimed at those who run, create missions for or populate online servers. If you have reason to believe otherwise please tell why.

[Cybermat47]

1 minute ago, Dagwoodyt said:

I see TF 5.0 as aimed at those who run, create missions for or populate online servers. If you have reason to believe otherwise please tell why.

Making single player content is my job in the development of 5.0.

[Rei-sen]

1 hour ago, 56RAF_Stickz said:

Its different, no engine timers

This is a HUGE plus! Way more realistic that those fantasy timers and all that crap.

[Enceladus828]

1 hour ago, [Pb]Cybermat47 said:

Making single player content is my job in the development of 5.0.

That's pretty good Cybermat47. I greatly enjoyed your Blood in the Skies that you released, and I'll look forward to the SP content that you make.

 

Cheers mate.

[Semor76]

6 hours ago, Dagwoodyt said:

How many and detailed have been discussions of TF 5.0 game play? Previews seem to me to invariably focus on FX and a profusion vehicles: air, land & sea. Will those vehicles appear in stock offline campaigns or will they show up only if you become a mission editor "hobbyist"? I see TF 5.0 as aimed at those who run, create missions for or populate online servers. If you have reason to believe otherwise please tell why.

Well, I´m not a Developer so I didn´t own the tools to measure this. But as a Flightsimmer for over 30 Years, I can assure you, that vast majority of customers for the "classic" combat flight sims like CoD and IL-2 GB are single players. The Multiplayer crowd may be loud and vocal in the forums but they are still and will be in the minority for this kind of flight sims.

IMHO, it would be a potentially financial desaster for every Developer not to aim for this customer base.

CoD had always good SP content, made by the comunity. Unfortunately, many of them has left the sim over the past years. I hope this will change to the better with the release of TF 5.0.

 

16 hours ago, Nic727 said:

Should I get Cliffs of Dover Blitz?

 

I have IL2 1946 and GB, but I'm not sure if I should get Blitz.

 

1. How well does it run?

2. Is there people online?

3. How difficult it is compared to flying in IL2 GB?

 

Thank you

Best place for more and detailed infos about CoD is the ATAG forum: https://theairtacticalassaultgroup.com/forum/

[OBT-Mikmak]

On 2/8/2018 at 3:22 PM, TheGreatDaltini said:

2. How big is the community? (Are servers populated?)

Here is a screenshot of futur potential in a multi player server:

 

[Raven109]

12 minutes ago, OBT-Mikmak said:

Here is a screenshot of futur potential in a multi player server:

 

 

What? 17 FPS average? Sorry, couldn't help myself. Hopefully servers will stay that way, i.e full.

Edited June 11, 2020 by Raven109

[=X51=VC_]

When is any MP server in Cliffs ever that full? I fly at European afternoon and evening hours and have never seen more than 10 people on either ATAG or TWC.

[Raven109]

15 minutes ago, =X51=VC_ said:

When is any MP server in Cliffs ever that full? I fly at European afternoon and evening hours and have never seen more than 10 people on either ATAG or TWC.

 

I haven't played in a few months, but usually Saturday/Sunday evenings EU time.

 

There are also organized events, which are announced on the ATAG forum. The events usually take place on Saturday evenings.

[=X51=VC_]

22 minutes ago, Raven109 said:

 

I haven't played in a few months, but usually Saturday/Sunday evenings EU time.

 

There are also organized events, which are announced on the ATAG forum. The events usually take place on Saturday evenings.

 

I'll keep an eye out. Hopefully 5.0 brings even more.

[DD_Arthur]

8 hours ago, Semor76 said:

CoD had always good SP content, made by the comunity.

 

Er.....one of CLoD's many problems has been the almost non-existent single-player content.  It does not even have a Quick Mission Builder. Because of the scripting requirements the actual amount of content made by the community was around.....zero, or thereabouts.  Good luck to Cybermat as he's certainly got his work cut out!

 

Team Fusion's greatest achievement was making multiplayer actually work in a reasonable way but that was now some seven years ago. 

 

18 minutes ago, =X51=VC_ said:

 Hopefully 5.0 brings even more.

 

https://steamcharts.com/app/754530

 

If you examine the Steam charts above you'll notice that the release of TFS 4.5 effectively killed off the game in terms of player numbers.  As CLoD is a Steam only game there is no ambiguity in these figures.  They represent everyone actually using the game whether SP or MP.  Interestingly,  CLoD has managed to buck the trend of other games that have gained in user numbers during Covid lockdowns.  CLoD numbers have actually declined in these times.

 

However, that does mean the only way is up.......hopefully.......possibly.......er........    

[Semor76]

18 minutes ago, DD_Arthur said:

 

Er.....one of CLoD's many problems has been the almost non-existent single-player content.  It does not even have a Quick Mission Builder. Because of the scripting requirements the actual amount of content made by the community was around.....zero, or thereabouts. 

 

 

Ehhm....are you serious? ? with the rest you´re right. CoD is more or less dead....

 

 

Edited June 11, 2020 by Semor76

[=X51=VC_]

25 minutes ago, DD_Arthur said:

 

https://steamcharts.com/app/754530

 

If you examine the Steam charts above you'll notice that the release of TFS 4.5 effectively killed off the game in terms of player numbers.  As CLoD is a Steam only game there is no ambiguity in these figures.  They represent everyone actually using the game whether SP or MP.  Interestingly,  CLoD has managed to buck the trend of other games that have gained in user numbers during Covid lockdowns.  CLoD numbers have actually declined in these times.

 

However, that does mean the only way is up.......hopefully.......possibly.......er........    

 

Ouch. Wonder what happened with 4.5.