Pick up Flying Circus or Rise of Flight

[Mo74]

 

Hi all,
Long-time original Il-2 fan here, but been playing GB for a year after I found out my laptop could play it Never had a computer til now that could run Rise of Flight - so I'm tempted to finally pick it up for some WW1 flying.
My quandary now though is I see Flying Circus V1 is out for Great Battles. I've done research on both titles and watched vids, but stuck between getting perhaps a more complete title in RoF because of its development time and DLC, or just go for FC V1 and enjoy the more modern module. Also wondering if it's better to pick up FC V1 to support further developmemt. I am just playing single-player while getting back into Il-2 at the moment and have dabbled with PWCG. I fully appreciate also I am asking this question on the Il-2 forum and not the RoF one; just interested in your views on whether a returning player should go for FC V1 or pick up RoF and explore a classic. Thank you for your time and thoughts, particularly I suppose if you have both.

[cardboard_killer]

I have most of RoF and just bought FC. I confess I've not played much of either for a long time. You've listed the basic positives and negatives of each, so only you will know the right way to jump. I think that you might try RoF with it's two free planes without paying anything and see how you enjoy it--either plane is one of the best scouts in the game (Spad 7 and Albatross Va). Then, the decision gets even harder, as FC has those scouts too, so RoF is really about getting the early war planes and other theaters.

 

But RoF isn't going to be updated aside from FC, so I bought FC to encourage development, although I did wait for it to go on sale . . .

[Stoopy]

As you infer, you are likely to get very subjective responses to this but the major benefits to FC in my opinion are:

1. Integration into the Great Battles baseline, no need to launch or run it separately. This is also a major advantage when you feel like flying online, pick a WW1 or WW2 server as you wish.  
2. Ongoing support and improvements as the baseline product continues to receive updates from the dev team.
3. Common control and key mapping
4. Support for newer capabilities such as VR (and like others, 6 months ago I said I'd never need or want that but would never give up my headset now, particularly for Flying Circus ).

 

 

[40plus]

FC does not have a very robust single player content set as of yet and is focused more on teh Multiplayer scene for now. There is no career but there are now two scripted campaigns to play.

[RNAS10_Oliver]

I've not been back to Rise of Flight since getting Flying Circus. I do not miss the career as after a little while migrated to using PWCG instead. I consider the AI are a little better here also, I mean sure they are no match for the player and continue to do some dumb things, but in the earlier game when engaged their sole defensive manoeuvre was to circle down to the deck. The visuals are better here and (though this must sound strange) the feeling of flight seems better to me also. There's never going to be any further development in Rise of Flight or patches for any issues (including I believe one exploit discovered where players could override some difficulty settings and for example give themselves icons on in icons off servers). Here there is perhaps at least the chance of more Flying Circus content, and as its integrated with the other modules does see development to the game engine and patches for issues.

 

The things I do miss looking back are some aircrafts and the features to import/export key bindings and etc.

 

That said, as @cardboard_killer suggests, in Rise of Flight there are three aircraft (Russian Nieuport 17, SPAD 13, Albatross DVA) that you gain for free (the latter two are used by some squadrons in the career). So go ahead and try the game out without paying anything and see what you think of Rise of Flight.

Edited June 2, 2020 by Oliver88

[Varibraun]

40 minutes ago, pfrances said:

FC does not have a very robust single player content set as of yet and is focused more on teh Multiplayer scene for now. There is no career but there are now two scripted campaigns to play.

 

Based on his post I think OP is aware, but just in case regarding SP in FC:

...and this thread:

 

 

[JGr2/J5_Baeumer]

Yes, purchasing FC will support future development.   RoF is rich solo play content.   FC has some solo play content now bundled into the package. 

 

I am sure you saw this thread here but if not, here it is:

 

https://forum.il2sturmovik.com/topic/55853-new-flying-circus-players-faq/

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 2020 by J5_Baeumer

[Cynic_Al]

2 hours ago, Mo74 said:

My quandary now though is I see Flying Circus V1 is out for Great Battles. I've done research on both titles and watched vids, but stuck between getting perhaps a more complete title in RoF because of its development time and DLC, or just go for FC V1 and enjoy the more modern module.

 

You know you're going to end up with both, so come the next sale just choose one.

[Cybermat47]

You should buy Flying Circus, but also pick up Rise of Flight because it’s free  

 

https://riseofflight.com

[Trooper117]

Rise of Flight has a vast area of WWI aviation for you to explore, much, much more than FC... If you can't afford to spend money on both then it has to be RoF.

Yes, you can download RoF for free, but you will only be able to fly two aircraft, the Spad XIII and the Albatros DVa... (those two aircraft are in FC  anyway).

RoF has regular sales as well, so you can pick up aircraft for a small amount of money.

Quick Mission, Custom Single Missions, Campaigns, the Career mode and the Channel map are also available in RoF, as well as a ton of modifications you can purchase for any aircraft you have.

 

I will add that FC is worth a look as well and should not be over looked if you can afford it at a later date. 

 

These remarks are only my opinion... I have everything that was produced for RoF, I also own FC of course  

 

Edited June 2, 2020 by Trooper117

[NO.20_Krispy_Duck]

Depends on what you're looking for. There is no "best" simulator for WW1. If you're used to the wide array of WW2 planes and offerings, you may find the WW1 genre sparser. The fan base is smaller, so it has kind of become a secondary market for developers.

 

If your interest is multiplayer-only, then get FC. RoF is second. FC has more players on "mission nights". ROF still has some players, online on a fairly regular basis, but it's smaller. I will admit I still play both online, depending on where the action is on a given night. FC has the chance of future updates whereas RoF kind of "is what it is" at this point.

 

If you are more interested in the 1916-17 planes battles, RoF is the stronger offering. FC is currently a 1918-oriented game with limited aircraft and one map. It may include a Volume 2 eventually, but we don't know when or what it will include for sure yet. If you are interested in early battles like 1915-16, Wings Over Flanders Fields Plantinum is also worth considering.

If you find you absolutely must fly in VR, get FC. That's fairly straightforward.

 

If your interest is historical immersion and single player career mode, then Wings Over Flanders Fields Platinum is the strongest offering. Basically this is where you want to create a pilot and fly with a unit day-in, day-out during the war. The simulation physics engine is quite dated now, but nothing captures "being in the war" as well as WOFF does.

 

The hardcore WW1 people will have all of the games, because it's just not that big a genre. But if you're doing the "one game only" thing, then my recommendations are above. No silver bullet here.

Edited June 2, 2020 by Krispy_Duck

[BMA_Hellbender]

You need to go and buy this right now:

 

https://riseofflight.com/store/aircraft/hanriot-hd1/

 

It's not about money, it's about sending a message.

[Cybermat47]

7 hours ago, Trooper117 said:

Yes, you can download RoF for free, but you will only be able to fly two aircraft, the Spad XIII and the Albatros DVa... (those two aircraft are in FC  anyway).

Three aircraft. SPAD XIII, Albatros D.Va, and Dux Nieuport 17.C1.

[Enceladus828]

If you want to have a lot of fun with a WW1 flight simulator, get Rise of Flight, or Flying Circus.

But for now, a new user will have the most amount of fun in Rise of Flight.

Edited June 3, 2020 by Novice-Flyer

[Mo74]

Hi guys, thanks so much for all the responses and taking the time to reply. Well, I just picked up FC in the sale and will hopefully be running with the PWCG shortly. 

As you advised, I also picked up Rise of Flight with the free planes before this - this is also on sale of course at 75% off so I'm tempted to pick up some planes and retrospectively explore that sim in tandem with my Il2 play time. I know this is obviously the FC forum, and I have bought FC to further support the development of this, but what Rise of Flight DLC would you recommend for a single player type of person in the meantime? Is there a DLC that offers the biggest bang for buck? I'm a bit tempted to get the Birth of Warbirds DLC because it's the early part of the war. Extra question: have any of you experienced problems recently with buying RoF DLC and getting them installed? I see some worrying reviews on Steam (which is the version I have). Many thanks for any replies chaps!

[JGr2/J5_Klugermann]

Try to avoid Steam. Purchases not compatable with  those from webstore. 

Edited June 29, 2020 by J5_Klugermann

[NO.20_Krispy_Duck]

If you have FC, I'd get the early war stuff for ROF for variety sake. Overall, ROF is the stronger offering at this point, but it's good to have both.

[Dutch2]

6 hours ago, Krispy_Duck said:

If you have FC, I'd get the early war stuff for ROF for variety sake. Overall, ROF is the stronger offering at this point, but it's good to have both.

 

You are absolute right on this and do not forget “Wings over flandersfields” at http://www.overflandersfields.com/  because the whole WW1 niche does need every support.

But choices can be very simple if wanting VR then FC1 is the leading choice. ? 

 

 

[jollyjack]

FC1 for graphics. A pity it seems not to be upgraded etc, them planes are more fun than the others in the BoX Circus.

 

But indeed Rise of Flight has far more variety. Water planes, and that Miromet flying chicken pen. And that Roland C1 plane is a nice one.

There's a sale on now if you want the whole caboose, tip: get the channel map too BTW.

 And Steam, that's the gaming mafia, once in, never out, only way is feet first after Bugs Malone got your ass.

Edited July 2, 2020 by jollyjack

[Redwo1f]

ROF almost invariably  ends up in low left turning circles...over and over again... horible horible AI.

[Mo74]

Hello again chaps,

 

Thank you all for taking the time to reply; I will certainly enjoy exploring some WW1 flying, which I am new too - to the point I didn't know you aren't able to trim some of the planes, heh!

 

Mo.

[BMA_Hellbender]

5 hours ago, Mo74 said:

Hello again chaps,

 

Thank you all for taking the time to reply; I will certainly enjoy exploring some WW1 flying, which I am new too - to the point I didn't know you aren't able to trim some of the planes, heh!

 

Mo.

 

Have fun and welcome!

 

To be honest I flew the Bristol for years without realising that it had an adjustable stabilizer. It doesn't really need it. Some planes that could have greatly benefited from such a system (looking at you, Fokker Dr.I), sadly didn't. Of course that's what makes these old machines unique and exciting.

 

If you get the chance: take a look at the Fokker Eindecker in Rise of Flight. That wing warping is something else!

[Zooropa_Fly]

17 minutes ago, J5_Hellbender said:

looking at you, Fokker Dr.I

 

Not to mention the DXII.

 

18 minutes ago, J5_Hellbender said:

That wing warping is something else!

 

Yes - Inefficient !