Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. This game, however, is not for the lighthearted or for those with no flight experience, as even on the easiest of settings pilots will find it very difficult to keep enemies in their sights long enough to shoot them down.
  2. Antagonist
    89
    Hardcore sim fans may find it a little weak, but if you've ever wanted to get into combat sim games but were turned off by the complexity, this is the game for you!
  3. CheckOut
    90
    Amazing sound, strong research, beautiful graphics and varied missions ensure a long shelf-life.
  4. Cincinnati Enquirer
    88
  5. CNET Gamecenter
    80
    While it would've been nice to re-create some of the truly significant aerial engagements of the war, such as the Battle of Midway and the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot, Combat Flight Simulator 2 is nevertheless an excellent game.
  6. Enemy AI is solid-indeed, absolutely unshakeable on higher difficulty settings—and you'll certainly know it when there are enemy aces in a mission. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for your wingmen.
  7. Daily Radar
    88
    It's a must have for casual WWII air buffs and the hardcore as well, and fortunately has the distinction of being well worth having.
  8. The Pacific based action in CFS 2 includes stunning locations that really show that the battleground was truly a tropical paradise, and well-detailed aircraft to take to the skies. This is really one title not to be missed!
  9. One of the game's greatest strengths though is quite simply the Pacific Theatre setting - there is next to no competition here, and the game does a lot to teach you how it feels to turn in for that critical run at the enemy carrier.
  10. Looks outstanding, plays well, has authentic sounds, and is fully customizable to fit your flight sim needs. It's not perfect, but it's likely the best World War II era flight sim available.
  11. Overall, the game is clean and reminds me of the old "Pacific Strike" from Origin, though more playable and it doesn't crash my computer.
  12. The linearity of its game play combined with its lack of multiplayer options dent what would have otherwise been an outstanding game.
  13. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the game, though, is the way in which it gives a real sense of what war was really like for pilots in the Pacific.
  14. Due to its attention to detail and wide range of features, Combat Flight Simulator 2 has something to offer almost every simulation enthusiast.
  15. 90
    Gorgeous aircraft models painstakingly rendered down to the smallest of details.
  16. One very beautiful, but very difficult, flight simulator. Real life physics are tough, even with a slider bar that allows a bit of control.
  17. Featuring powerful graphics and intense gameplay, CFS2 makes up for all the mistakes of its predecessor, and then some.
  18. 82
    CFS2 has the most realistic plane models I've ever seen in a game.
  19. PC Gamer
    78
    A solid improvement over the original, though still not up to the standards of prior classics. [Jan 2001, p.137]
  20. High immersion factor; some innovative touches; good multiplayer and the Pacific Theater. If you're a fan of WWII era combat flight sims this one is irresistible.
  21. Spank!
    60
    You can't fault the simulation, but there's not enough here to recommend it to anyone who isn't a die-hard fan of old-style aerial combat.
  22. 90
    An incredible technical achievement in visuals, depth and realism. CFS2 is a technically excellent game, though somewhat lacking in heart.

Awards & Rankings

User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 10 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 10
  2. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. SamM.
    Feb 10, 2004
    8
    My first foray into the field so to me it 's aok.