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IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
This Flight Sim Needs 120 Graphics Cards Just To Get Off The Ground
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InsidiousTuna
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
I'm stoked. I love WW2, I love flight sims, and I'm glad to finally have the Il-2 Sturmovik experience on my HD consoles. I've had to make do with Blazing Angels and Secret Weapns Over Normandy over the past few years. It'll be great to have a serious sim. See you fuckers in the unfriendly skies.
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thegreatfratsby
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
This game's predecessors were... fascinating. I remember I was going through a serious flight buff phase right around then, which would terminate in an eye exam at the Naval Academy (conclusion: you got gamer eyes, bro).

This was quite possibly the most realistic thing I've ever encountered apart from actually being at the controls of a Cessna. But realism doesn't always translate into enjoyment, especially when you're battling the joystick just to stay in formation, or the engine flames out because you forgot to kill war power and it overheated.

The core problem with the old games is that they put you in the pilot's seat all but literally, without the benefit of the month(s) of training those WWIII pilots got. And as a result, most people suffered the same fate as most WWII pilots--kaboom.

That was long-winded, but basically let me say that the game may look beautiful, but no matter what 1C might say, this is a pickup for serious flight buffs, the kind who wash out of naval flight school.
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Torgen got 99 problems but the PAXFlu ain't one
07/21/09

@thegreatfratsby: This is, in effect, what I think the problem is with people asking for 1:1 motion controls. Does perfect accuracy in swordfighting make a game fun (or playable) if you're not already an expert fencer?
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dd528
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
Huh. I previously knew nothing about this game, and I haven't played a flight sim in earnest since X-Wing vs Tie Fighter, but I am suddenly very, very interested. The fact that it is drop dead gorgeous might have something to do with that, but on reflection, I have a feeling that I might actually quite like gameplay like this.
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Tomeeboy
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
There are never enough good flying games released. Hopefully, this one is decent and somewhat enjoyable (it certainly LOOKS good). The assist mode aspect of H.A.W.X. made that game terrible for anyone wanting to submerse themselves in some kind of enjoyable flying experience. Ace Combat 6 and Blazing Angels 2 are probably the best flight games that have come out in the current generation of consoles.

However, I still think all flying games since Crimson Skies have paled in comparison when it comes to controls, fun-factor, and online play. Hopefully, we'll see a sequel to that game one day which lives up to the original... and perhaps a worthy StarFox or StarLancer sequel, for the space-flight fans out there.
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Slothboy
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
I have been waiting for this game for a long time. I knew it was in development for consoles but for almost a year the developer hasn't said "boo." I wasn't sure it was even still a project. So I'm really glad to hear it is finally hitting shelves, and with a demo no less! I'm very excited.

Between this and my Battlestations: Midway and Pacific I can totally feed my compulsion to play with realistic ships and planes.

NEEEERRRRROOOOOOMMMM! PEW PEW PEW!

Oh, are you still here? Sorry.
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trixareforchumps
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
These graphics are so gorgeous that, for a second there, the thought crossed my mind that flight simulators were actually interesting.
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ryan2107
07/21/09

@trixareforchumps: They require patience, something that the majority of gamers don't possess.
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trixareforchumps
07/21/09

@ryan2107: I don't know about you, but I don't see how flying through empty skies makes for an enjoyable gaming experience. Sure, you'll encounter an enemy every once in a while, but it's kind of like walking through your mother's field of petunias barefoot. It's not exactly exciting, until you step on a bee that is feasting and you get stung in the foot.
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Dangeresque (Kojima-san doesn't have to make Metal Gear any more)
07/21/09

@trixareforchumps: I tell you what, I hate flight sims, pretty much all kinds- only the most arcadey stuff in the world do I enjoy. I'm the infamous Battlefield 1943 "unintentional kamikaze" (though at least I have learned this, and generally stay away from planes now). But playing the original IL-2 Sturmovik at a friend's insistance, it took me an HOUR to get to where I could take off, and do some casual flying around and stuff without crashing, and it was INCREDIBLY rewarding.

It's not like flying a Cessna, nor like a Tomcat- you're flying a craft that is carefully designed to barely stay airbourne under the weight of its own weapons and armor. They do NOT handle well, they are not especially fast, and because of that, when you do something cool, you get super excited.

Course, then I tried online, and I never shot a single person.
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Jim Topoleski
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
FINALLY!

I have been waiting for decades for a true WWII flight sim for a console.
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Hey_Blinkon
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
IL-2 is nothing without CD25.
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IvanDashSmith
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
My favorite planes in IL-2 were the WWI biplanes. I hope they are in this as well.
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ryan2107
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
I LOVE the original and followup on the PC. I just hope this one stays true to its roots. Multiplayer was some of the most fun I ever had with any videogame (pants on or off).

Any mention of a mission editor and ability to share user generated missions?
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MrToblerone
07/21/09

In reply to IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful
Some of these shots actually look real, that's pretty boss
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n00b_pwner
06/11/09

In reply to This Flight Sim Needs 120 Graphics Cards Just To Get Off The Ground
They should have a few of them plugged in to ave some multiplayer.

Hyper-realistic Team Deathmatch anyone?
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Luke Plunkett
06/11/09

@n00b_pwner: They can do that. Watch the vid, it explains how it supports MP!
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Venix
06/11/09

In reply to This Flight Sim Needs 120 Graphics Cards Just To Get Off The Ground
I' still waiting for Skynet to become self aware
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karl_hungus
06/11/09

@ArJay: you can bet your ass if it were, it never would have allowed terminator salvation to see the light of day...
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ReconToaster misses garnett :(
06/11/09

@karl_hungus:

Amen
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Hinkuto
06/11/09

In reply to This Flight Sim Needs 120 Graphics Cards Just To Get Off The Ground
Holy....wow, I'm guessing this will be the year 2042 for consoles to give this kind of experience.
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SansSanity
06/11/09

@Hinkuto: or 2048
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KamikazeSim
06/11/09

@Hinkuto: If 1989 gave us Sonic....

If 1999 gave us Dreamcast....

If 2009 gave us a prototype of Project Natal....

I say by 2020 this will be possible...graphics wise, not the surrounding fuck-your-eyeballs simulation.
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ReconToaster misses garnett :(
06/11/09

@KamikazeSim:

What the hell does natal have to do with visual fidelity?

Wait until the the comes out to judge the level at which it changes ANYTHING.
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Cennus
06/11/09

In reply to This Flight Sim Needs 120 Graphics Cards Just To Get Off The Ground
Where do I sign up?
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Pikadrew
06/11/09

@Cennus: There are recruitment centers everywhere, but I'm not sure it's going to be what you think it is.
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Str8_Jihadin
06/11/09

@Pikadrew:

I was just going to say the same thing!
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IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Preview: If You Think Planes Are Beautiful

This Flight Sim Needs 120 Graphics Cards Just To Get Off The Ground

Palm Sweat Begone! MetalStrike Joystick With Built-In AC

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