DCS: Black Shark

 PC
User Score
8.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 62 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 55 out of 62
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 62
  3. Negative: 6 out of 62
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  1. Kestrel
    Dec 27, 2010
    10
    I do not normally write reviews for anything but DCS Black Shark was so good I have to tell someone. Eagle Dynamics have gone all out in simulating the Russian attack helicopter the KA-50. Black Shark is aimed specifically at the people who are hardcore flight simmers as it is simulating a single seat gunship where you do the job of both the pilot and gunner. The game allows for the levelI do not normally write reviews for anything but DCS Black Shark was so good I have to tell someone. Eagle Dynamics have gone all out in simulating the Russian attack helicopter the KA-50. Black Shark is aimed specifically at the people who are hardcore flight simmers as it is simulating a single seat gunship where you do the job of both the pilot and gunner. The game allows for the level of realism to be played down but if you buy this game you clearly aren't in the mood easy street-although i do recommend starting there. However, due to a slight problem with the game not being able to un-pause for me on easy mode, I had to have it set to hardcore simulation. After several tutorials and many pages from the instructional pdf I was finally firing my first missiles at an LAV 25-with success. The game gets more and more enjoyable as you play it. Black Shark's graphics are well done but the true beauty of Black Shark is in the intense flight model and attention to detail when it comes to making this flight sim. I love this game and I fully recommend this game to anyone who is interested in a true gunship simulator.… Expand
  2. [anonymous]
    Jan 5, 2010
    10
    The best helicopter sim since Longbow 2 and the best overall sim of 2009. Yes, it does use Starforce, but not the version that installs malware on your PC. It simply uses online activation which seems to be the norm these days. The learning curve is brutal, but if you stick with it it's highly rewarding.
  3. IliasS
    Jan 7, 2010
    9
    This is one of the best sims in the market. Great graphics, great level of realism! A Combat Flight Sim fun would appreciate it 100%. It intergrates a mission/campaign editor and the community is always up to something. Starforce is a necessary evil but it caused me no problem at all! The game was at a very friendly price (28euros) given its quality. If you are a sim fun its a must buy! This is one of the best sims in the market. Great graphics, great level of realism! A Combat Flight Sim fun would appreciate it 100%. It intergrates a mission/campaign editor and the community is always up to something. Starforce is a necessary evil but it caused me no problem at all! The game was at a very friendly price (28euros) given its quality. If you are a sim fun its a must buy! and if you aren't keep away since you 'll quit before even launching your first missile.… Expand
  4. autul
    Jun 20, 2011
    9
    A military-grade flight simulator available for you! That's not a marketing gimmick. It's a fact!

    A military grade, historical (important milestone for hardcore simulation genre) flight simulator. As a trivia I'll add that DCS Black Shark allows difficulty and realism settings customization using which user can virtually change it to an arcade game. So what it so special about DCS    A military-grade flight simulator available for you! That's not a marketing gimmick. It's a fact!

    A military grade, historical (important milestone for hardcore simulation genre) flight simulator. As a trivia I'll add that DCS Black Shark allows difficulty and realism settings customization using which user can virtually change it to an arcade game. So what it so special about DCS Black Shark?
    DCS Black Shark by Eagle Dynamics (ED) is a part of ED's planned policy of developing simulators for military and commercial (private) customers in parallel giving the private customers an opportunity to lay their hands on a product of practically the same quality as military customers. Apart from providing flight modeling, physics/damage modeling, systems modeling and replication of performance of real machines as realistically as it gets it also guarantees that ED's DCS series features only those aircrafts which the company have access to full documentation and people who professionally work around chosen aircrafts. No wild guesses and no aircrafts not actually in service. I do realize the text is not easy to read without formatting but it may be worth it. So, a 'military grade' description should said it all but here's a few additional thoughts about DCS Black Shark:

    - get to know DCS BS by starting from viewing these
    features and official site: http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/index.php?scr=default&end_pos=950&lang=en
    video demonstrations:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyctBKipmCI
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3PDnloKbs4
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q_XNf4elAI
    FAQ: http://forums.eagle.ru/showthread.php?t=33527

    - people who don't like helicopters or who flown Falcon 4.0 series exclusively enjoy DCS Black Shark, started tempted by all mentioned above

    - there are videos, tracks (in-game replays) and articles presenting how some un-cut missions look like and what is to be done

    - multiplayer missions for DCS Black Shark are often populated by ongoing air battles between human controlled fighter jets due to DCS BS multiplayer compatibility with Lock On Flaming Cliffs 2

    - a system with 3.2 GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 3 GB of RAM and GF9600GT graphics card allows to play DCS Black Shark with FPS (frames per second) in 35-70 FPS range (!), when properly configured (medium to high settings)

    - DCS BS runs better on dual core processors under Windows 7 and Vista and also features a special implementation of Vertical synchronization (Vsync) which allows higher frame rates when vsync is enabled

    - DCS BS supports multi-monitor setups

    - AI controlled helicopters seem to fly almost like they were human controlled rather than being thrown around the sky by an invisible 'hand' like in most other games

    Believe me, there's a lot more! I just don't feel like writing essays :) Issues:
    The most serious one I've found during over a year of playing is wingmen AI. They have to be commanded in a really strict and involving manner to keep them alive with us.    … Expand
  5. Subby
    Sep 8, 2011
    10
    An amazing simulation that has reignited the genre. Beautifully made and a pleasure to experience. This is as real as it gets, has never been so true.
  6. njhuiz
    Nov 1, 2012
    10
    In my opinion still the best helicopter simulator today (2012). Even if you do not like combat, the detailed systems and damage model allows for a much more realistic experience than any civil simulator I know of. The current version is "Black Shark 2", which is not available on some platforms like Steam. The update costs roughly 20 bucks, so in most cases you should avoid to buy the old version.
  7. KarlL
    Aug 9, 2009
    0
    Paid $80 for this. Starforce wont accept my cd key. I cant play the game, And the store wont accept returns. I'd advise against buying this game, because there is a good chance your just going to be ripped off.
  8. Mastiff
    Jan 19, 2015
    0
    Worst customer service. Do not fix bugs that have been around for over 2 years now.

    Forum etiquette is by far Nazi regime style bans, when ask or state questions they ban you.

Awards & Rankings

27
#27 Best PC Game of 2009
63
#63 Most Shared PC Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Multiplayer.it
    Nov 22, 2011
    85
    The DCS Ka-50 Black Shark 2 reaffirms the ability of Eagle Dynamics to create deep and complex simulations. Better graphics, scalable difficulty levels and the anticipated compatibility with the form A-10, makes it a great buy for new and old fans.
    Read full review
  2. IGN AU
    92
    We're confident in saying that the flight simming genre has been given a second lease of life almost singlehandedly by this one developer. Kudos to Eagle Dynamics and its beautiful rendition of Kamov's deadliest chopper.
    Read full review
  3. Total PC Gaming
    70
    An excellent flight combat sim, with a lack of polish in key areas.
    Read full review
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