IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad

 PC
User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 279 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 147 out of 279
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 279
  3. Negative: 97 out of 279
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  1. mrcelsius
    Oct 27, 2014
    6
    Game is great. Multiplayer is full of players if the time is right, but those servers not suitable for US/Asian users due to high ping problem.
    Downside of this game is campaign and unlock system.
    Campaign looks pretty on the outside, but it's inside is ugly. Due to engine's limitation, there's no large scale battle between you and AI, only small sized missions. About the AI, they are    Game is great. Multiplayer is full of players if the time is right, but those servers not suitable for US/Asian users due to high ping problem.
    Downside of this game is campaign and unlock system.
    Campaign looks pretty on the outside, but it's inside is ugly.
    Due to engine's limitation, there's no large scale battle between you and AI, only small sized missions.
    About the AI, they are not that challenging. But difficulty is not what I want to criticize.
    There's no communication between you and the AI.
    Of course you can order them to attack or cover, but to do that, first you need to memorize all the shortcuts.
    Also it seems like AI don't know how to attack ground targets. They use guns rather than drop bombs.
    This game force you to play campaign to unlock things(which is ridiculous), but the campaign is boring.

    This game has potential, but for now, I can only give 6.    … Expand
  2. bf109
    Dec 13, 2014
    0
    Bad game, so much flaws...

    Poor performance, bad AI, very bad ugly damage model, poor multiplayer, horrible single player...

    This game worth 10 bucks, maybe.
  3. jarhead2b
    Aug 12, 2015
    8
    With a rough start during Early Access and an unlock fiasco, the game has begun to come into its own. Scenery is vivid and flight models are well done. Only negatives are the current single player content but hopefully that will change.
  4. spleenripper
    Feb 16, 2016
    9
    Ignore the bad reviews this is a top ww2 combat sim this game really shines in multiplayer a good joystick and head tracking are essential . i own cliffs of dover and DCS and in my opinion il2 battle of stalingrad is best.
  5. Voidhunger
    Nov 1, 2015
    9
    Its time to make a new review after the new update which contains a new seasonal maps of Stalingrad and many fixes and improvements. If I leave out the lack of SP content this sim is briliant.

    I would say the only WW2 game worth your time. Excellent flight model and graphics. Good enough damage model. Im realy enjoing this game now !
  6. Penshoon
    Jun 4, 2015
    9
    BOS is a great stepping stone for people that are interested in ww2 aviation but has been off by the complexity that flight simulators are associated with. A joystick is the only requirement, no need to read into complex checklists and manuals just to get in the air and start flying. If you play in normal difficulty you only need to steer and control the throttle of the plane as the restBOS is a great stepping stone for people that are interested in ww2 aviation but has been off by the complexity that flight simulators are associated with. A joystick is the only requirement, no need to read into complex checklists and manuals just to get in the air and start flying. If you play in normal difficulty you only need to steer and control the throttle of the plane as the rest like engine management is automated for you. In expert difficulty you need to manage things like mixture settings, supercharger gear changing with altitude, radiator settings and so on but this is quickly learnt as the game does a good job telling you if you run your engine too hot/cold, too many RPM or too much throttle.

    For flight simulator enthusiasts the game has flightmodels that match the fidelity of DCS models but lacks the in-depth systems modeling from their modules. The cockpits are not clickable but most functions that are vital to combat are bindeble in the key setup menu.

    The map of Stalingrad looks great and even though the game engine has been around for a few years I still think it's the best looking flight sim to date. It's lacks the option to tune your graphics apart changing the presets from low, balanced, high or ultra along with gamma, vsync, resolution and AA setting. As with any sim a good cpu is needed to run the game smoothly but should still run ok on machines with a few years on it's neck.

    As for gameplay the devs made a "campaign" for SP players. Unfortunately it's doesn't do a good job of immersing the player into the battle. It's completely lacks historical narrative and any kind of role playing aspects. At the same time it doesn't punish the player for not doing exactly as the mission tells you. There are no fail states where you need to redo the mission all over again but you are free to make up your own mind how you will tackle the objective without the game telling you you can't do that.
    If you are looking for a dynamic campaign where you can role play your character this campaign will disappoint you though.

    The MP scene is usually quite populated although there are times during the day when very few people play but in the evening the servers usually starts filling up. When you join a server you get the option of choosing a side of the conflict, you plane, loadout and home base. You are then free to either go for any of the objectives marked on the map like destroying supply trains, convoys, tank columns, supply depots, train stations, airfields and so on. Of course you are also free to grab a fighter plane and go hunting for other players.

    The game receives regular updates from the devs and a expansion is scheduled for release Q1 2016 titled Battle of Moscow with early access starting in July this year.    … Expand
  7. Chumbuster
    Sep 15, 2015
    7
    The only thing stopping me giving this a 9 or 10 is the lack of planes. People should note that this game still has the coolest flight model, far above all other simulators for the feeling of flight. I have played them all
  8. D3schain
    Sep 30, 2015
    9
    Very good flying simulator, with advanced physics and well done airplanes, there s constant support and development, lack of good single player campaign is bit annoying but multiplayer is where the game shines, flying with wingman, experiencing ww 2 aerial combat is one of the best feelings i ve ever had ingame, however flying peripherals are must have (TIR5, joystick, rudder pedals)
  9. trademe900
    Feb 26, 2016
    10
    Don't know about the original release, but the current product is absolute astounding. Amazing flight physics, attention to detail, realism, damage, immersion- just can't say enough.
  10. JL11
    Sep 12, 2016
    10
    my initial review of this game was not positive largely due to SP campaign limitations. Now that ROF like career capabilities are going to be incorporated in to BOM and BOS (as well as future products) I am revising my score since this is otherwise and excellent flight simulator.
  11. charliereddog
    Dec 16, 2014
    0
    Absolute pile of crap and insult to the legacy of IL2.

    grinding xp to gain "unlocks", borked FM's and a laughably naïve damage model. Lack of any sort of FMB.

    This is a huge step back from Cliffs of Dover, and from the guys who stabbed Oleg Maddox's team and vision in the back.
  12. RedToo
    Dec 2, 2014
    1
    Not good. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.
  13. Pahvihousu
    Dec 18, 2015
    0
    total crap. flight models are crap. there are no players in MP and they are converting this to a tank game. save your money for better flying simulator
  14. meunomeeninguem
    Nov 25, 2014
    0
    This game is just too awful. It is a failed copy of war thunder (not reaching war thunder success) and a failed successor of IL2 series. Honestly I would never suggest this game to anyone who is looking for a combat flight simulator. They just betrayed who bought this game during pre-alpha, I find very hard to trust 777, 1c in the future, specially for how they treated their customers.
  15. Anthroban
    Jan 8, 2015
    3
    I made a huge mistake buying this. I don't see how it is any better than War Thunder except it costs $70. I was expecting IL-2 1946 v2, instead I got this steaming pile of turd. Where did Oleg go? Who wrote this flight model? Awful. Just bloody awful.

    For anyone who reads this: You're better off with War Thunder if you enjoy flight combat games and if you enjoy flight simulators then go    I made a huge mistake buying this. I don't see how it is any better than War Thunder except it costs $70. I was expecting IL-2 1946 v2, instead I got this steaming pile of turd. Where did Oleg go? Who wrote this flight model? Awful. Just bloody awful.

    For anyone who reads this: You're better off with War Thunder if you enjoy flight combat games and if you enjoy flight simulators then go with DCS. This is just.. bad. Very very bad.    … Expand
  16. Caustical
    Dec 19, 2014
    3
    Do not get fooled by the IL2 name in front of it. This is NOT a true IL2 successor but rather a repackaging of the Rise of Flight game with different planes.
    The game is OK if you just like to fly FPS style but is not even near to being able to call it self a simulator.
    Most of the "feeling of flight" praises you'll read are from artificial effects like motion blur, cockpit shaking etc.    Do not get fooled by the IL2 name in front of it. This is NOT a true IL2 successor but rather a repackaging of the Rise of Flight game with different planes.
    The game is OK if you just like to fly FPS style but is not even near to being able to call it self a simulator.
    Most of the "feeling of flight" praises you'll read are from artificial effects like motion blur, cockpit shaking etc.

    Although I gave the game a 3, I would give a -10 to the company behind it and their dirty tactics.    … Expand
  17. bigsilverhotdog
    Nov 19, 2014
    0
    IL-2 Battle of Stalingrad is basically just a scam. It was not made by the geniuses that made IL2, it was made by the Rise of Flight developer who has attempted to hide this fact by stealing the good name of IL-2, the good name of which took over a decade to cultivate with ONE core product, for THIS product. Simply shameful. Their only intention is to gouge their playerbase with expensiveIL-2 Battle of Stalingrad is basically just a scam. It was not made by the geniuses that made IL2, it was made by the Rise of Flight developer who has attempted to hide this fact by stealing the good name of IL-2, the good name of which took over a decade to cultivate with ONE core product, for THIS product. Simply shameful. Their only intention is to gouge their playerbase with expensive DLC, as they have proved for years with Rise of Flight, of which I was a day-1 player (hardcore simmer). Today, Rise of Flight currently costs $265 on Steam for the game + all DLC, and it isn't even worth half that. Rise of Flight is not high quality. It's basically just a WWI mod using the IL-2 Sturmovik (original game) engine. Many of the original problems at launch persist today. These developers care far more about money and PR than about simulator gaming, or even video gaming. Don't fund this scam. Don't fund these scammers. Stay far, far away. Besides, the original IL-2 Sturmovik 1946 + mods is still, even now in 2014, FAR better than any other WWII flight sim currently available.… Expand
  18. LosT_SouL_VL
    Dec 23, 2014
    0
    This arcade sim is overpriced, to arcade, to unfinished, slow progress and with limited planes, AI planes and ground objects, premium planes/pay to win, and for the older ones amongst us: remembering the CLOD debacle and the broken promise that BOS would be a free patch for those owning CLOD, and that part of the CLOD team is working on BOS and what not else. This game could be named CLOD2!!!
  19. Mhiester
    Mar 5, 2015
    0
    Maybe if there were actual graphics options, this could be ok. Add that to an already dead multiplayer community, this is just a pile of crap. The input lag also makes precise flying and using trackIR a joke. I thought that flight sims had hope, but this will make me put my HOTAS away for years.
  20. Buddeye
    Jan 24, 2015
    5
    IL2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad (BoS) in 10 words or less

    It’s a PC flight game being released November 2014. OK, I'll tell you more: BoS in 100 words or less It’s set in WW2, 1942, in Russia, with planes from Germany flying against planes from Russia. You can buy a version with 8 planes for 50 bucks/Euros, or with ten planes for 90 bucks/Euros. You can play in either ‘normal’    IL2 Sturmovik Battle of Stalingrad (BoS) in 10 words or less

    It’s a PC flight game being released November 2014.

    OK, I'll tell you more: BoS in 100 words or less

    It’s set in WW2, 1942, in Russia, with planes from Germany flying against planes from Russia. You can buy a version with 8 planes for 50 bucks/Euros, or with ten planes for 90 bucks/Euros. You can play in either ‘normal’ or expert mode. Normal mode is like War Thunder Arcade mode, and Expert mode is like Realistic mode, just even more realistic.

    The Stalingrad map is flat, white, and snowy, with flat, white snowy bits, and icy rivers. And snow. Great for framerates on older PCs, a bit boring after you have flown over it a few times.

    You love War Thunder/World of Warplanes, so why would you buy this?

    If you have a gaming PC, mouse and a joystick (needs programmable joystick), you have 50+ bucks burning a hole in your pocket, and are looking for a more ‘realistic’ flight game than WT/WOW, this could be worth a look.

    But buy it on sale. For what you get, it is overpriced: 8-10 aircraft and you are forced to play the crappy offline campaign in order to be able to get all the aircraft options in multiplayer. Seriously dumb idea, ruins an otherwise good flight game.    … Expand
  21. SirBenn21
    Mar 4, 2015
    6
    It's okay, but it could have been so much more.
    I can't understand why they could not have made click-able cockpits and why oh why no proper support for triple screens! The viewing system is just plain poor and had me pulling my hair out in frustration.
    Then the story is acceptable but it just does not draw you in, Like the whole staff were just developers and story tellers. You have to    It's okay, but it could have been so much more.
    I can't understand why they could not have made click-able cockpits and why oh why no proper support for triple screens! The viewing system is just plain poor and had me pulling my hair out in frustration.
    Then the story is acceptable but it just does not draw you in, Like the whole staff were just developers and story tellers. You have to draw your gamers in like a good book or a movie.
    Sorry 1C all that effort for just an okay simulator. :(    … Expand
  22. Godofredor
    Jan 6, 2015
    0
    Just an IL-2 Sturmovik wannabe that ended more like one arcadish "Wings of Prey" or "War Thunder" game. The sad thing behind this tittle is the betrayal to the true IL2 fans and that the developers are using the IL2 name this way. 1C had the best WWII simulator, now they have this mess. If you are looking for a good WWII sim you should stay with CLoD or move to DCS.
  23. LKS1990
    Jan 5, 2015
    9
    A good simulator with very good visuals. The graphics options are quite limited, but probably best for competitive online play. You have to fiddle with the control settings a little but luckily you can do that during the flight.

    The single player is good, but the Quick Missions + Campaign + Missions is a bit misleading, since they essentially offer the same scenarios. Campaign just    A good simulator with very good visuals. The graphics options are quite limited, but probably best for competitive online play. You have to fiddle with the control settings a little but luckily you can do that during the flight.

    The single player is good, but the Quick Missions + Campaign + Missions is a bit misleading, since they essentially offer the same scenarios. Campaign just gives you the option to progress with your profile, so the other two are kind of unnecessary.

    Online is a lot of fun with a good server browser and fluent gameplay. True, it needs some balancing, but nerfing the planes is not really an option for this quite realistic simulator.

    I would definitely recommend this game for people familiar with Rise of Flight or WarThunder. If DCS World is too complicated for you or you just want a quick and dirty dogfight, the game might also be an option for you.    … Expand
  24. Chris455
    Oct 24, 2014
    8
    This simulation is very immersive and enjoyable in it's release version, and has tremendous potential to become even better. What others see as shortcomings are actually features that did not make it into the release version, but can (and I believe will) be retro-fitted in later updates. A quick comparison of the original IL2 vs 1946, or even the initial release of RoF compared to theThis simulation is very immersive and enjoyable in it's release version, and has tremendous potential to become even better. What others see as shortcomings are actually features that did not make it into the release version, but can (and I believe will) be retro-fitted in later updates. A quick comparison of the original IL2 vs 1946, or even the initial release of RoF compared to the current build will reveal what I am saying- those who expect perfection (however they define it) in an initial release are doomed to disapointment. The vast majority of outright bugs have been killed with the help of the community through the early access program, which I believe will become the model for future flight sims. Many. if not most of remainder have been acknowledged as remaining "in work". The dev team was very responsive to inputs from the community. One example: the "bar" that OM failed to fix in all the years of the original IL2, was corrected within a few days by 1C/777, to the delight of the community. Unfortunately, our community remains riddled with individuals who feel that if they are not allowed to direct 100% of the activities and decision-making of the developers, they attack the final product any way they can, no matter how un-objectively. It's amazing how some people feel that a $50 investment earns them a place on the Board of Directors.
    When the smoke has settled, this sim will deserve a solid 9.5. and will take it's place right next to its famous namesake. Right now I'll give it an honest 8.
    Now, back to flying!    … Expand
  25. Remontti
    Oct 27, 2014
    8
    After a rather long break (IL2 Forgotten battles...) I got interested in flight sims again. First War Thunder, but then Rise of Flight has been keeping me busy.

    I was excepting IL-2 Battle of Stalingrad to be like Rise of Flight, but in Word War 2 era. This was the first game I funded pre-release, but ROF gave great confidence about the abilities of developers. I'm still learning to    After a rather long break (IL2 Forgotten battles...) I got interested in flight sims again. First War Thunder, but then Rise of Flight has been keeping me busy.

    I was excepting IL-2 Battle of Stalingrad to be like Rise of Flight, but in Word War 2 era. This was the first game I funded pre-release, but ROF gave great confidence about the abilities of developers.

    I'm still learning to fight in these birds, but so far I've enjoyed the ride. I've no real life experience from these planes, but they feel good. Graphics are good and it sounds good.

    Like in ROF, I play mostly multiplayer and sometimes a quick mission against AI. I've tried the campaign and that seems to be a series of random missions. I flew about 10 campaign missions to get few unlocks for the multiplayer. I would rather have this game without un-lockable content. My opinion about unlocks in general are that they are just designed to keep you hooked to the game. In a flight simulation the challenge comes from flying and fighting other humans in multiplayer. The thrill and satisfaction of shooting someone down after a hard fight is the reward I want. Learning to fly and fight better is keeping me hooked. I don't need un-lockable stuff for that.

    I would also want more customability for the graphic options and a manual but besides that I'm very pleased with the game. I'm sure we will see more maps and a better campaign system in the future.    … Expand
  26. Radikal
    Aug 26, 2015
    0
    While previous IL2 titles had excellent multi-monitor support and the developers claimed to provide it in the final release of Battle of Stalingrad; they changed their minds at the last moment (or never intended to in the first place) and failed to include it. At least they got enough of us suckers with similar expectations of previous titles to buy in early before unveiling theirWhile previous IL2 titles had excellent multi-monitor support and the developers claimed to provide it in the final release of Battle of Stalingrad; they changed their minds at the last moment (or never intended to in the first place) and failed to include it. At least they got enough of us suckers with similar expectations of previous titles to buy in early before unveiling their spectacular inadequacy. Lesson learned: NEVER believe game developers until they actually DELIVER on their commitments. No more pre-orders or early access gimmicks for this guy. I will never pay for a product with claims of a level of performance that never materialize; it's a sad trend these days.… Expand
  27. Airdrop01
    Jun 16, 2015
    3
    I've waited to write this all through early access and for a looooong time beyond. They have yet to provide any type of remotely immersive single player experience of any kind. It is indeed a shame because the game is beautiful. Save yourself the money and go to the art museum instead. This is truly pretty but truly boring. The single player is just flat out awful. I don't needI've waited to write this all through early access and for a looooong time beyond. They have yet to provide any type of remotely immersive single player experience of any kind. It is indeed a shame because the game is beautiful. Save yourself the money and go to the art museum instead. This is truly pretty but truly boring. The single player is just flat out awful. I don't need Falcon 4 or European Air War but this is truly the worst most boring single player game ever of this genre. 3.0 because it looks pretty.… Expand
  28. sncollie
    Oct 23, 2014
    9
    TL/DR Version: If you enjoy Rise of Flight, and like to see a WWII version of it...this is it.

    Longer version: I've played flight-sims since 1984. Probably the reason for my lack-luster College performance, and probably why my career's in the tank. I spend WAY too much time on them. So I've been through this dance before. The "OMG a new flight-sim is coming out, I can't wait!!"    TL/DR Version: If you enjoy Rise of Flight, and like to see a WWII version of it...this is it.

    Longer version:

    I've played flight-sims since 1984. Probably the reason for my lack-luster College performance, and probably why my career's in the tank. I spend WAY too much time on them. So I've been through this dance before. The "OMG a new flight-sim is coming out, I can't wait!!" dance...followed by the "Wow, this sucks after-all!" part. Fortunately, Il-2: Battle of Stalingrad (BOS from now on) isn't in that category.

    At it's core, it really is Rise of Flight updated to WWII aircraft and tech. And this is a good thing...mostly. Obviously the graphics are top-notch, the Flight-Models are believable, and the game-play is...well, a flight-simulator.

    Warning: I'm not a stickler for 100% accuracy...if the Me109 is 3 kmh slower than the real thing at 8K meters, I'm not gonna gripe. As long as it feels like I'm flying an WWII-era fighter, and not a UFO, I'm cool. Life is too short for that...I want a fun (but not arcade-like) sim.

    BOS feels right, looks good, sounds good, and it incredibly fun to play. Gunning down an artillery emplacement while Flak and small arms fire whizzes past your canopy is a rush. Watching smoke and fire billow out of a bomber as you pump cannon rounds into it s appropriately (or inappropriately, really) rewarding.

    Now onto the bad stuff.

    Let's get this outta the way...the Unlock system. Yeah, it's a bad design decision, yeah it kinda sucks, and yeah I wish it wasn't there. But it is not a deal-breaker...nowhere near it. In fact, I actually kinda liked it at first. But then I realized I was playing, not to have fun, but to get the next unlock that I thought would make the sim MORE fun. So I chilled, and just enjoyed playing through the Campaign.

    The Campaign does need some more work. Right now, it's very generic. No Squad name, no pilot names...just go here, blow this up, don't get killed. The missions themselves are fun, but still lack any sort of "connection" to history. What Battalion did I just attack? Which squad just saved my bacon from enemy fighters? What's my Wingman's name?

    Multi-player: not a big MP guy, so sorry can't help you there....yes I know the majority of complaints regarding the unlocks are from MP pilots...and I sympathize.

    Final verdict:
    I really wasn't sure what arbitrary number rating to give. So I just went with the fact that I'm having a really good time with this. I seriously can't wait to stop reviewing this and go play another mission. Is it worth $60? Well, I was an Early Access guy, so I paid even more. Am I still glad I paid more? Sure am. Would I do the same now that I know about the final product? Sure would.

    The end of the day it boils down to HAVING FUN. And BOS does that for me.    … Expand
  29. F19_Klunk
    Oct 24, 2014
    9
    First of all; who am I and what do I take with me writing this review?
    I am an avid simmer and have been so for the past almost 15 years. Even though I never got into flight sim games.. as a fantic... until the early days of IL2 original, I still have played titles such as Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator 1-3, European Air War, DCS titles, Rise of FLight etc etc.
    IL2 original series -    First of all; who am I and what do I take with me writing this review?
    I am an avid simmer and have been so for the past almost 15 years. Even though I never got into flight sim games.. as a fantic... until the early days of IL2 original, I still have played titles such as Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator 1-3, European Air War, DCS titles, Rise of FLight etc etc.
    IL2 original series - with following titles such as Forgotten Battles and all it's addons (Pacific Fighters et al) - really got me into the genre, and flying with a virtual squadron since 2003, this genre and IL2 titles in particular has given me lots of great gaming moments.

    When it comes to difficulty settings, I have always seen myself as Hard core even though I have never understood the joy of clickable cockpits. I do expect a lot when it comes to immersion, realistic FM/DM/weather and scenarios. I enjoy servers and missions with objectives and have a hard time finding any fun with just swirling about with no aim, shooting at stuff that moves.
    I did try Warthunder and even though it has it's benefits, the game mechanics really put me off, and I also found it too "arcadish".

    Now, IL2 Battle of Stalingrad.

    Ever since the development of this title hit then news, my expectations have been high. Even though Cliffs of Dover had it's good moments, it was never the successor of IL2 original series we all were hoping for. I enrolled quite quickly as a "founder" for BoS, meaning payed up to access early alpha. I have reguraly played this game ever since it's first open builds.

    As far as the scope, the Stalingrad area, the developer's have really made an excellent work with the environment. The map is huge (358 ? 230 km), it is depicted quite beautifully. I guess we all wondered if the developers could pull it off, making an all winter map in white and still make it vivid and interesting to fly over.. but: Well; they did it! The GFX is fanastic!

    The planeset so far with 10 flyable planes is quite enough for this (hopefully) first "iteration", even though I am hoping for more to come. The models and extremely well done and the cockpit's well up to par. The balance of fidelity and "not so demanding on hardware" is well done.
    Sound? Never had better!
    FM/DM; even though it could -and will be- improved, it is still the "best" I have even experienced. Weather effects such as wind gives an addtional challenge when flying, especially when landing.

    Multiplayer; as we are still just a few days after release, we still only have a fews standard servers, but 50+ pilots on one server with huge possibilities to make interesting scenarios bodes well for the future. I do lack the old IL2 "coops" possibilities, but we will just have to see what time might reveal; the tight time frame of development has forced the producers to keep a "feature budget" in order to deliver the title to the market in time. So far I think they have managed that task very well.

    Single player: The developers have been able to create a Campaign which is decent. The foundation is excellent but lacks a bit in "personality". The missions generated on a central server are still interesting and I look forward to how the developers continue to enhance single player as time goes by; something they plan to do.

    The thing that is most discussed these last weeks of early access is the "locked addons" such as additional armaments and skins for the available planes, and the necessity to unlock them in single player to be able to use in multiplayer. Even though I have never been a single player type of a guy; after flying the campaign to unlock them, this feature is NOT a big issue for ME; even if I do understand some of the criticism. If this is how things will work in the future I don't know....

    In essence; Yes! This is the REAL successor of IL2! I could use words such as "amazing", "fantastic" and such, but I won't (even if the title really IS fan... and ama...."). If you are an avid flight simmer; this title is a must!! The best there is on the market - and I have tried them all. I really hope this title is successful; if it is I feel there is NO limit for what this team can achieve. The price? Well, divide the sum with the amount of hours of fun you will have and compare it to any FPS you buy with no second thought, you will find that buying this title is a no-braine...

    cheers    … Expand
  30. NattyIced
    Oct 24, 2014
    8
    So many delirious reviews of this title. Yes, it doesn't have a truly dynamic campaign. Neither did Il-2 series, aside from a 3rd party that created it and was incorporated by the devs. The FM is light years beyond the original Il-2 series that had tons of issues from its inception that were slowly fixed over the course of a decade: Every aircraft had the same torque, p-factor and propsSo many delirious reviews of this title. Yes, it doesn't have a truly dynamic campaign. Neither did Il-2 series, aside from a 3rd party that created it and was incorporated by the devs. The FM is light years beyond the original Il-2 series that had tons of issues from its inception that were slowly fixed over the course of a decade: Every aircraft had the same torque, p-factor and props always rotated left hand in the FM - even Jets had prop engine physics. There was no high alt FM for years, and even when it was modified with version 4.0 the FM was still broken above 6KM. The DM was very basic, there was no chance to retain level flight with a 1/3rd of a wing shot away with aircraft that have been shown to fly level with half a wing shot away. It was impossible to taxi on one engine. There was no ground handling model. The Il-2 series previously took over a decade to get where it is today, and it still has a lot of issues that BoS does very well, and BoS performs far better in all of the FM and DM categories than the original Il-2 series.

    As far as CloD, take all of the failures above and add in it has no dynamic campaign and required a crew of individuals to come along and hack it to get it working okay. CloD is an epic failure of a WWII flight sim, so terrible that it's release caused quite the maelstrom and yet the negative reviewers here fully support it - so that should give ample evidence that the negativity is quite clearly not objective or subjective but completely in the form of a character issue.

    Yes, BoS has issues. It requires the play of Single Player to accomplish the "unlocks" which are quite simply field load outs that, in many cases, were actually standard load outs. I view this as a totally ridiculous requirement to play SP to get loadouts that were mostly historically readily available.

    The SP campaign system is okay. It's no Pat Wilson's from RoF, the beta campaign from RoF, or Starshoy's campaign (the 3rd party creator of the original Il-2's campaign system) - but it does work. There is a lot of action outside of the flight path, and a lot of alternate action going on. I was on a bombing run with a flight of Pe-2s and came across a flight of He-111s on their own mission - I attack one of the He-111s to try to shoot it down while I was en route for my objective because they were there and the Pe-2 was in fact used a bit as a heavy fighter. I damaged the He-111 but it didn't go on, and I aborted to return to my task. I had to level bomb a rail station, and I did - it worked quite well and the level bombing system works very well. It's pretty on par with the bomb sight operations of B-17: The Mighty Eighth.

    The FM and DM are very good. You can damage a plane and depending on physics damaged parts can later become separated from the aircraft based on manuevering or drag. Something neither the old Il-2 series, CloD, or DCS can claim. Aircraft can bend or break depending on collision with aircraft or ground, or based on over stress. I've flown around with a bent Il-2 fuselage, and the bend in the fuselage actually caused the Il-2 to pull up because of the angle of the horizontal stabilizer relative to the direction of motion. Again, something the other two series that are the point of praise for the negative reviewers can't do.

    There is tremendous ground handling physics with BoS. Taxiing actually requires taxiing as in the real world, not Tokyo drift across the airfield like the old Il-2 and CloD.

    There is a ton more - like great overcast or great heavy cloud features with "God Rays" peaking through that will actually light up the aircraft as it flights through them. Large moving cloud features. Turbulence below clouds.

    Quite simply, there is so much that a review can't cover it - but it is 80 to 90% positive. The negative is the unlocks. The negative reviewers here should be paid no attention.

    I have two decades of sim experience, from Confirmed Kill v.93 to today. I do know know sims, and this is one that is certainly worth at least the Standard edition.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed PC Game of 2014
53
#53 Most Shared PC Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Jun 14, 2015
    74
    Il-2: Battle of Stalingrad boldly seeks to renew the genre by adding modern game design elements to the admittedly often sterile genre of flight simulators. Unfortunately not only does the bold attempt fail spectacularly, the developers also seem to have completely forgotten what made the original Il-2 a legend. The Rise of Flight legacy shows in the rather impressive visuals and physics modeling, but strangely a lot of its nice features didn't make the cut either and the “sequel” falls short of its predecessor in many ways. [June 2015]
  2. GameOver.gr
    Feb 10, 2015
    70
    The excellent handling and the immense realism that Battle of Stalingrad offers, manages to balance out the poor single player campaign and some of its design flaws.
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  3. PC PowerPlay
    Feb 8, 2015
    70
    The lack of content and generous helping of bugs can be easily forgiven thanks to the developer's high reputation. [Feb 2015, p.16]
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