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. BlitzPuppet
    Jul 4, 2023
    10
    Updated 2023:
    Game has come a long way since my initial review. It's definitely worth playing now and feels like a true successor to the original IL2. Shame they can't implement 4 engine bombers, but maybe the next iteration will.
    Multiplayer is where it's at. Original Review: I've played flight sims all my life, ranging all the way back to my parents Packard Bell with    Updated 2023:
    Game has come a long way since my initial review. It's definitely worth playing now and feels like a true successor to the original IL2. Shame they can't implement 4 engine bombers, but maybe the next iteration will.

    Multiplayer is where it's at.

    Original Review:
    I've played flight sims all my life, ranging all the way back to my parents Packard Bell with Microprose's Flying Fortress, Lucasart's WWII additions, all the way through all of the Jane's games, Falcon 4.0, and the IL2 series. You name it and I've probably played it....as long as it was categorized as a "simulation".

    When I first heard BoS being marketed as the true simulation replacement to IL2:1946s I got excited. 1946s was dying out as the game was so old and was no longer attracting any new blood...this was exactly what we needed, a new game! I was one of the early adopters and jumped right into the "alpha premium" just to be able to fly this "future of flight sims" game. While I was happy with what I saw at first I was quickly brought back in reality once the development continued.

    I'm not going to get into any of the forum drama or anything of that sort, but my main problem was that the Devs didn't seem to listen to what their early adopters/playerbase were wanting and expecting out of the game. They had their own ideas and were sticking to them. Hardcore sim fan? Sorry, you're not our target audience.

    Everything seems dumbed down and really does remind me of IL2:Birds of Prey (which I could not stand). While pretty it just didn't seem real at all and seemed to throw out all that made IL2:1946 so good and fun. I am in no way talking about the lack of maps/planes but more of a focus shift from individual plane components to what now seems like an overall "plane". I'll compare it to some car racing games that use green bars that have static performance levels for easy interpretation rather than relying on the skill of the driver. Don't even get me started on the FW190...

    The game is gorgeous but unfortunately is still plagued by the DX9 "plateau" that some developers can't seem to get past. The flight models seem a little wonky and I can't understand why the pitch input in the axis planes seems to "wander" after input (regardless of speed) where as the russian planes do not have this issue. This makes gunnery/overall flight aggravating since I don't remember seeing this input in any other game series (DCS and Cliffs of Dover don't suffer from this)

    All in all I was utterly disappointed by the game. I may check back in a year or two to see if things have improved, but for right now...there are MUCH better games out there if you are looking for a true flight sim experience. If you're looking for a step up/above from War Thunder then BoS may be for you.

    I give this game a solid 4.0. It's pretty, the sounds are awesome, and it has potential....but the devs come off as hostile/apathetic and I just don't have any patience for that. I wish them good luck!    … Expand
  2. ICDP
    Jul 9, 2021
    9
    I backed this sim back in 2014 during early access expecting it to be a sim. At release it was aimed at the WT crowd but offered them nothing to switch because WT is free and has more content. It was touted as the next step in the IL2 series fro the hardcore sim crowd but it came nowhere close to delivering on that claim.

    My how things have changed since 2014. At some point after my    I backed this sim back in 2014 during early access expecting it to be a sim. At release it was aimed at the WT crowd but offered them nothing to switch because WT is free and has more content. It was touted as the next step in the IL2 series fro the hardcore sim crowd but it came nowhere close to delivering on that claim.

    My how things have changed since 2014. At some point after my initial review there was a change of management and subsequently the sim moved more towards sim and away from arcade. It was a massive shift in direction and the changes and improvements have been a complete transformation.

    There are well crafted and presented single missions as well as a very immersive career modes for the single players. More maps to fly on and more planes to fly in.

    If you love WWII aviation history then this is the best Sim out there for you.

    Recommended for hardcore simmers.

    Pros
    Good graphics
    Good sound
    Great in VR
    Great FMs
    Excellent career mode for single players    … Expand
  3. sermen1987
    May 4, 2018
    10
    + Very good audio/visual engine being upgraded with every major patch.
    + Great physics and flight modeling. The best ground collisions among flight games.
    + Very good idea with consolidating all parts into one game. It's enough to have just one part and you can play multiplayer and receive all new patches. + Very good contact between community and developers. + The game is developing    + Very good audio/visual engine being upgraded with every major patch.
    + Great physics and flight modeling. The best ground collisions among flight games.
    + Very good idea with consolidating all parts into one game. It's enough to have just one part and you can play multiplayer and receive all new patches.
    + Very good contact between community and developers.
    + The game is developing constantly.
    + One of the best Virtual Reality implementation i've ever seen.

    - Before 04.2018 generated range of view was too small.
    - Until Battle of Bodenplatte (2019) there is no western front.

    Overall: By far the best WW2 flight simulator ever created.    … Expand
  4. Gazych
    Jul 31, 2020
    10
    Кто бы, что бы не говорил, это лучшая игра. Это классика - которая никогда не умрёт.
  5. Karaya13
    Jul 13, 2020
    0
    Hello, I've been with this game since the first hour (2013).
    I have to say that this has steadily deteriorated to the detriment of the luftwaffe side.Why is that - maybe because the game comes from a Russian developer house and they want to see the Russian / allied aircraft more well - the name of this game is, for example, the il2. The developers of this plane meant it particularly well    Hello, I've been with this game since the first hour (2013).
    I have to say that this has steadily deteriorated to the detriment of the luftwaffe side.Why is that - maybe because the game comes from a Russian developer house and they want to see the Russian / allied aircraft more well - the name of this game is, for example, the il2. The developers of this plane meant it particularly well with this plane. The il 2 is more agile than some fighters in the game and can simply stand upright in the air and shoot you from below. Apart from that, the il2 and the pe2 can take an incredible amount of bullets .. much too much ... unrealistic.Even il2 and pe2 are incredibly agile even at high speeds, more agile than some Luftwaffe fighters ..... despite a much higher weight ....
    We stay with the pe2,their reargunner starts to shoot from a distance of 1 kilometer ....... and it hits, even if you fly past it at 200kmh or more it always hits you. Your plane is in most cases junk. These are just a few examples, and there are still a lot more ...
    if you address the problems in the forum there will be no reaction, probably because it is not wanted If you look at the multiplayer servers on which il2 is played, you will find out that only the allied side actually wins. Why, because the allied side is preferred by the developers.
    Just look at the results on the server pages, that speaks a clear language.

    ...
    I always hoped it would get better, but it never became.
    My recommendation: do not buy if you love the luftwaffe planes.

    P.S. Never forget,as an luftwaffe player 1C 777 is not interested in you but in your money.    … Expand
  6. SamppaS72
    Jan 27, 2020
    10
    Absolutely the best WWII flight sim! Buy new maps and planes, especially when they are on sale on Steam or Il-2 Sturmovik's own website. Now there are maps also in western front. Remember, if you buy it on Steam, you have to buy the Stalingrad first.
  7. Pielstick
    Jun 3, 2019
    8
    Five years on from my original negative review, it's time to revisit it...

    On original release this one took a lot of flak from the online flight sim crowd. It looked like the developer was trying to catch both the original IL-2 Sturmovik crowd and the War Thunder players... but missed both. I believe the company divested itself of the original lead developer who was doubling down on    Five years on from my original negative review, it's time to revisit it...

    On original release this one took a lot of flak from the online flight sim crowd. It looked like the developer was trying to catch both the original IL-2 Sturmovik crowd and the War Thunder players... but missed both.

    I believe the company divested itself of the original lead developer who was doubling down on some really poor game design decisions and has taken a much healthier direction under Jason Williams.

    From the initial missteps this one has matured into a very solid WW2 flight sim. Very decent graphics which don't require a supercomputer to get decent framerates from combined with a very convincing flight modelling make it a very enjoyable experience. The developers have added more single player oriented content, and I hope more is to come, especially by way of historical campaigns.

    Thus far the expansions have all been set on the Eastern Front, with the first Western Front expansion under development. Whilst this title doesn't even begin to approach the scope of the original IL-2 Sturmovik (and especially the 1946 edition with mods), it's probably fair to say no other flight sim will ever achieve the same scope as that landmark title. However, I do hope the developers continue to explore more WW2 theatres.    … Expand
  8. rulezcz
    Jan 24, 2019
    10
    I do not usually write reviews but all the zeroes I saw here well...come on guys this game does not deserve a zero. This is a proper game with great dev support and hopefully even better future (because no one else will create such an immersive WWII combat sim for us hadcores).
    I guess most of the zeroes date back to 2014. I don¨t know how did the game looked back then I only bought it 6    I do not usually write reviews but all the zeroes I saw here well...come on guys this game does not deserve a zero. This is a proper game with great dev support and hopefully even better future (because no one else will create such an immersive WWII combat sim for us hadcores).
    I guess most of the zeroes date back to 2014. I don¨t know how did the game looked back then I only bought it 6 months ago.
    This is a simulation masterpiece combining all the good from all the classic sims (i.e single player career) and I have played them all since the old Red baron 20 years ago.
    I play on Oculus Rift and I must say that there is no way back to flat screen for me any more.
    The devs have lot of experience and I can feel it in the game.
    The game also gets updated constantly so it gets better over time (hence the zeroes from 2014 ?)
    There are a few planes you can buy at extra cost if the stock planes are not enaugh. In the end you will buy these just out of curiosity how beautiful the cockpits are in VR :-). But hey...8 euros for a plane if you wait for a sale ? That is less than a cinema ticket to watch a 90 mins movie and it will take you longer just to learn how to fly the plane properly.    … Expand
  9. mrmertz
    Oct 20, 2018
    10
    You have to wonder why someone would give a game a big fat zero simply because their computer will not install it correctly. Anyways...

    I run all of the IL modules and have never had any issues with installing any of them, let alone the gameplay. The studio devs have come out with numerous updates and patches since it’s original release so earlier reviews are now pretty much void given    You have to wonder why someone would give a game a big fat zero simply because their computer will not install it correctly. Anyways...

    I run all of the IL modules and have never had any issues with installing any of them, let alone the gameplay. The studio devs have come out with numerous updates and patches since it’s original release so earlier reviews are now pretty much void given the years it’s been out now. The updates serve to address things such as improving and tweaking the already outstanding FM’s even further, however slight, and it’s all done in the name of accuracy - not game balancing.

    I have it running on a 4K 42” screen and it’s gorgeous. The planes are built in high fidelity detail, both visually and in the flight models. Each variant within a model is faithfully represented. With the looming of the Pacific theater coming down the pipelines and the western front being in the works as well it will just add to the playability of the sim.

    Yeah, “sim”. Once you’ve gone the War Thunder route and World of Warplanes, to the casual gamer the arcade games are fine until you come over to IL and discover infinite loops aren’t the norm and no, you really can’t take a Stuka and just ram the throttle forward and leave it there. This is where I believe the arcade player becomes quickly annoyed with trying to fly a good representation of it's WW2 counterpart in IL and simply gives up trying to take a few extra minutes before hand to read the flight perimeters before flying, then dumps a low score on here. This is where also you may read about things like “Well, War Thunder has a bazillion planes to fly and it’s free too” - hmm, unless your 10 years old wouldn’t that perhaps say something about the quality you’re getting? Don’t get me wrong, other software outside of the IL series has its fans, of course, but to come over from an arcade game and then knock how bad a flight sim is that consistently strives to model its FM’s accurately as possible and on top of that actually has the nerve to charge you for it (since the devs and the studio itself shouldn’t be getting paid at all), is to live in a land of unicorns and rainbows. You pay for what you get, in the real world and it’s no different in the competition of the software industry.

    So for all those interested in jumping into a vintage WW2 machine and to fly as close as you’ll get without developing a time machine, this is it. Also as a note, with their new engine running now they are also doing a total redo of their WW1 sim, Rise of Flight, now called Flying Circus. Two huge thumbs up, especially considering all they are taking on now.    … Expand
  10. jugger_dk
    Jun 12, 2018
    0
    Really looking forward to the feel of playing a FlightSim again.

    Started the game after initial install. The game was windowed with resolution 1280x720, if I recall correctly. Changed to my native resolution: 3440x1440, restarted game.

    After that no menus, no text, just a turning 3D-model of a Il-2.

    Esc, quit, uninstall.
  11. Aladdin718
    Apr 8, 2018
    0
    The game pretty much requires a joystick in order to play it. The other input option is using the mouse, which is experimental. Buyer beware.
  12. Lealison
    Mar 22, 2018
    4
    hello, not sure i d buy this game again. bads and goods version 3.01

    -there is good things that fan boys tell you so i ll talk about what they dont feel important you to know -good graphics if you got powerful system, 3G vram or less wont, if you can even start the game -lower graphic setting from high to medium can make game ugly very fast, specially clouds, and shimmering, without    hello, not sure i d buy this game again. bads and goods version 3.01

    -there is good things that fan boys tell you so i ll talk about what they dont feel important you to know
    -good graphics if you got powerful system, 3G vram or less wont, if you can even start the game
    -lower graphic setting from high to medium can make game ugly very fast, specially clouds, and shimmering, without giving good performance boost.
    -many new player complaint cause game crash, not start etc...
    -need internet connected to play single player career,
    -after a mission done you can have a message internet failed and your stats does nt count
    -even with walk around, some user got in game stutters with card as 980 and stronger
    -even if good fps, clouds often stutters (like 1 fps) immersion breaker
    -planes in front of clouds are often barely visible, look like 800 x 600 resolution (z-buffer thing
    problem) only sim i know with this problem, since long time they say it may stay like that, not realistic
    -SP flight leader wont wait for you and you may have to fly combat power all the time
    -saw some reports ai take some much time to take off, that flight leader doe s nt have enough fuel for all the mission because the waiting
    -fighters flight don t use formation , for a sim, it is not realistic, 1946 and COD do better
    -almost no communication between leader and wingman, or what it is said is useless, again 1946 and COD you have many option to communicate with AI,it is less realistic than older games, again
    -
    -track ir, open track problem in update 3.01, many got the problem just right after the update, the
    tread on forum got around 2000 view and Dev keep saying they did nt do this
    -critics on forum are welcome if you also say you like the game, dev works hard, you like them
    etc.. go see by yourself if i m lying
    -veterans on forum are fast to say to new guy s to stop talking about something already discuss by
    them years ago, but new guys with problem thread are not very popular, again see your self on the
    forum
    -i just talked about few problems from many others i remember just now, i think a part of the problem is they listen too much a group a few people who play online and it s not representing the majority who play alone in peace at home after work or else, i really wish you go on their forum, you ll learn a lot about the game .

    i do play the sim with a free 3rd party campaign generator , PWCG so i can make use of almost the 200$ spent in this game, i dont say i regret but i live in the hope they will fix things, last update is a big disappointment for that, i m lucky i can play it, i seen comments that people leave the game a time in hope the game will be fixed and they will be able to login ... well they have more patience than me.
    I really hope they slow down with the rig with the new theaters, it s time to stop, adjust and fix everything that a consider the basics, AI behaviors , AI communication , missions correctly done graphic optimization etc.. only way to me to be the best and stay in business for always    … Expand
  13. dinin70
    Mar 16, 2018
    9
    Please don't read the old reviews. Not because the people is lying but because the game changed a lot since then.

    No more unlocks and mostly there is now a real career mode where you create your character and go through various missions, earn medals etc. AI is not great through, it feels more like a "training bot" than anything else but it's a pleasure to drive any plane, who feels    Please don't read the old reviews. Not because the people is lying but because the game changed a lot since then.

    No more unlocks and mostly there is now a real career mode where you create your character and go through various missions, earn medals etc.

    AI is not great through, it feels more like a "training bot" than anything else but it's a pleasure to drive any plane, who feels totally unique (each plane is extremely different. You need to take care of different things in a BF109 than in a FW190 that himself is the total opposite of a MC202 =) and laserbeam AI.

    Multiplayer is well populated but I find a bit unforgiving... There are only aces out there.

    The price is steep I agree, but it's frequently on sales and it's extremely worth it. There are maybe less planes than in IL2 1946 for examples but the attention for each plane is totally unique.

    I'm taking a point down because they should really provide additional planes... ME262 is lacking (to be coming with Battle of Bodenplate, but yeah... Again full priced game...) and this is something leaving a bitter taste :(

    Bodenplatte will be very good since it will be in Occidental Europe. I didn't buy Kuban for instance (no new plane, only variants, and... Again... In Russia. I'd like to see the sea, the boats the mountains something different than the huge plains of Russia). I'll probably take Bodenplatte but on sale. Price is WAY TOO STEEP.

    I advise for a newcomer to take Stalingrad or Moscow on sales (depending on which plane you prefer most) and then wait for a sale on Bodenplatte in god knows how many decades...

    Totally worth it on sales!    … Expand
  14. metaMetaMetaMe
    Feb 12, 2018
    9
    Wow, people are ruthless on metacritic. First of all, let me clear something up. This IS a combat flight simulator. Do not listen to the haters tell you otherwise. War Thunder is a game, DCS is often a study-level sim, and the IL-2 "Battle Of" series falls somewhere in between, but it's still very much a sim. You won't have to read a bunch of plane manuals like in DCS, but you will stillWow, people are ruthless on metacritic. First of all, let me clear something up. This IS a combat flight simulator. Do not listen to the haters tell you otherwise. War Thunder is a game, DCS is often a study-level sim, and the IL-2 "Battle Of" series falls somewhere in between, but it's still very much a sim. You won't have to read a bunch of plane manuals like in DCS, but you will still have to learn specifics of planes to get anywhere and you'll have to manage the engine to not blow yourself up (reading old plane manuals won't hurt though). It's the perfect balance of sim and fun.

    As for the flying itself, the flight models are seriously excellent quality. It "feels" like you're flying more so than any other sim/flying game I've ever played. People who fly IRL say that this is the most accurate "feeling" of flight. If that's not a simulation then I don't what is. The damage models are also much better than most other games/sims I've played and people have said that VR in this game is amazing.

    Really, the only negative that I can think of is that the campaign isn't great (also not terrible), but they're about to release a new version which will include a brand new dynamic campaign with several new types of missions (along with a ton of new content). There's also user generated content that you can play while you wait, like scripted campaigns etc and a lot of it is good quality and there are mission builders out there.

    PROS
    * Amazing flight and damage models.
    * It looks beautiful.
    * Actually feels like flying.
    * Combat is insanely fun.
    * Enough user generated content for when the campaign gets dull, a mission builder etc.
    * Very active development and a team that's communicative with their audience.

    CONS
    * The campaign isn't "great" but it's not terrible either and it will be changed in the next few weeks anyway so this point won't be valid for much longer.
    * UI/menus can be improved, but honestly I don't care that much when I'm just trying to get into a plane and fly.
    * A bit on the expensive side, but it's worth it to me. Flight sims are kind of a niche genre so supporting the teams you like is worth it. I want these guys to continue and have no problem supporting them.

    Oh and btw, this is NOT the same team that put out CLoD. It's a mix of some of the old IL-2 guys and the team that did Rise of Flight. Haters will hate.

    Being that I've played nothing but this for the last 2 months, it's an easy 7-8. I'll give it a 9 to offset the haters. This will easily be a 9-10 for me once the campaign improves.    … Expand
  15. AstroCat
    Dec 1, 2017
    9
    Fantastic deep flight simulator with dedicated developers. The game keeps improving and getting expanded over the long haul. Lot's to offer for the flight and ww2 enthusiast. Single players needs some love but my understanding as of the time of this review a new career mode is just around the corner. Highly recommended.
  16. mpdugas
    Mar 4, 2017
    10
    The BoS/BoM/BoK series is such a significant change from the original series that they have become the best flight simulation series available at the moment. I say this in the context of multiple aircraft fighting in a realistic setting; the single most accurate flight simulation for a given aircraft must certainly be the BMS-Falcon 4.0 code.

    The various available aircraft are correct    The BoS/BoM/BoK series is such a significant change from the original series that they have become the best flight simulation series available at the moment. I say this in the context of multiple aircraft fighting in a realistic setting; the single most accurate flight simulation for a given aircraft must certainly be the BMS-Falcon 4.0 code.

    The various available aircraft are correct for the historical period, the simulation itself is very approachable, with varying degrees of player involvement, and everyone should be able to find a setting arrangement that suits their evolving play style, from mouse controls to multi-control setups.

    The simulation also includes very stable multiplayer code, which allows human players to occupy the same airplane and fly/fight as a team, something which DCSW is still 'talking' about. Thus, you can play as a flight crew on board a Russian or German multi crew airplane, such as the PE-2 Peshka or the Heinkel He-111; you can be pilot, bombardier or one of the several on-board defensive gunners, all with your friends or multiplayer teammates.

    There are a couple of well-designed multiplayer servers available for PvP combat, so you can still choose to fight human players instead of game AI combatants. This simulator will even allow you to take control one of several tanks from either alliance, so that you can enjoy ground combat while the rest of the multiplayer crowd carries on with bombing, strafing and air-to-air combat. Some of these tank scenarios have been made available as single-player scenarios withing the main game itself, as well.

    There are the usual quick missions, several canned single-player missions, and quite a few scripted campaigns to enjoy, some of which are commercial, some of which are community contributions for free. While on the topic of community contributions, many different aircraft 'skins' are available, both from the developers and community members, so you can display the colors of your aircraft choice within the historically correct era, or even fanciful designs available.

    One of the best, most comprehensive player contributions has to be the Paul Wilson Campaign Generator which allows you to create single-player campaigns as you wish to, rapidly and with little player input save to pick out which significant variables you wish to employ; it has a simple simple interface, and voila!, you have new campaigns to play.

    The game feels like it has a cohesive setting in which to engage in WWII aerial combat, The aircraft seem to perform, relatively, the same way their RW counterparts did. You can relax and feel that you really are on the Eastern Front or Great Patriotic War. The visuals, with the new DX11 graphics engine, are compellingly good, and VR support appears to be ready for use at about the the time when the VR technology is likely to mature; neither are quite ripe for prime time yet.

    You can dispute flight models and damage schemes all you want, but what the simulator offers makes for a very realistic and playable setting. 1C Games and 777 Studios are relatively small Russian developers, and they have the same sort of relationships to the western commercial world as many of their counterparts in other simulators have, which is to say they do not have the same approach to customer service as do western companies; not bad, mind you, just palpably different.

    There is plenty to do, and lots of ways to actually play the simulation, so much so that, with the new segments evolving for our enjoyment, there will be soon something for every one. Most of what currently exists is a handful of aircraft from Russian and German stable, subtle variants of similar types, and a couple of foreign players, such as the Italian Macchi202 and the American P40-E1, to add variety and spice things up a bit, even though these aircraft are not the best-of-breed by any means.

    It does not have the incredible variety of aircraft which Rise of Flight, its sister-simulation has, however, but it is slowly evolving into a simulation that will have a much wider range of choices as the developers move into the Pacific theater with carrier operations in the new Midway segment. Battle of Kuban will bring new aircraft types like the venerable and respected Spitfire, and the less-well-know Airacobra P-39, among others.

    What is occurring, behind the scenes, is the melding of the best elements of Rise of Flight with the new "Battle of X" series, including a carryover of the career mode, which hearkens back to Red Baron of old.

    What is NOT needed are clickable cockpits, while such are delicacies for BMS and DCSW, because, with VR looming, such will be very hard to implement while not adding a great deal to the genre: a mouse on my PC screen clicking various cockpit buttons is less immersive than a HOTAS mapped correctly. However, if VR can get my virtual fingers to do the same task, then that is the real game-changer for me!

    More to come!    … Expand
  17. Zoltann
    Feb 10, 2017
    9
    IL2 BoX revisited!

    The game has significantly matured, and many of the silly initial restrictions (notably silly unlocks) are cancelled. I own BoS, BoM and was happy to be a backer of BoK (Battle of Kuban). If youre in to flight simming, if you like old warbirds, if you like MP flying you cant go wrong with this Gem.. The enhanced "old school" SP experience is being totally    IL2 BoX revisited!

    The game has significantly matured, and many of the silly initial restrictions (notably silly unlocks) are cancelled.

    I own BoS, BoM and was happy to be a backer of BoK (Battle of Kuban).

    If youre in to flight simming, if you like old warbirds, if you like MP flying you cant go wrong with this Gem..

    The enhanced "old school" SP experience is being totally overhauled, and will be released (with BoK I think it was).

    Constant improvements are being made and are implemented for the whole range of the series, so the first one, Battle of stalingrad (BoS) is just as current as the last one Battle of Moskow (BoM).

    However, BoS comes with a special offer of some 50% discount regularily, so try it out and see for yourself...

    Highly recommended! Zoltann.    … Expand
  18. davison
    Nov 5, 2016
    0
    Wish i could get my money back, plane stalling out at 120+ MPH in the P40 if i pull back on the stick, this thing cant even manage a simple turn fight with a fricken early war german 109, which it was designed to be able to defeat. This games physics suck for something claiming to be geared towards hardcore simmers. I have years of experience with DCS, and have even flown smaller propWish i could get my money back, plane stalling out at 120+ MPH in the P40 if i pull back on the stick, this thing cant even manage a simple turn fight with a fricken early war german 109, which it was designed to be able to defeat. This games physics suck for something claiming to be geared towards hardcore simmers. I have years of experience with DCS, and have even flown smaller prop planes in real life, im not a bad pilot, but this game sure makes me feel like i cant do anything, even when trying to perform basic combat maneuvers, if you pull all the way back on the stick the plane **** flops about, not to mention they feel sloppy, no matter how well i try to tune my axis on my thrustmaster warthog, i dont feel like im flying, but i do feel like im riding a bull that i have no control over, but am still uselessly trying to control… Expand
  19. VR_Stick
    Sep 13, 2016
    10
    I spent many years with the original IL2 series. At the time it was THE combat flight sim. I also spent many hours with IL-2 CloD and Rise of Flight. I now play both IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad and Moscow exclusively as they are superior flight sims. Although separate products, they merge into one sim as will all future releases. The feel of flying is simply the best on theI spent many years with the original IL2 series. At the time it was THE combat flight sim. I also spent many hours with IL-2 CloD and Rise of Flight. I now play both IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad and Moscow exclusively as they are superior flight sims. Although separate products, they merge into one sim as will all future releases. The feel of flying is simply the best on the sim market, and yes, I have flown actual aircraft. Each plane has its strengths and weaknesses. Air combat and ground pounding are both challenging. Visuals are beautiful. Multiplayer continues to expand including dynamic campaigns. In single player mode there is the ability to fly with easier controls while you learn. A third party single player campaign is available and extremely well done. The sim is continuously supported by the devs. New technologies are coming such as DX11 and VR support. New campaigns have been announced as well. As you can see the original release of BOS received many negative reviews and maybe rightfully so. That is old news now however and the sim is top notch. IL-2 BOS/BOM is THE combat flight sim now. If you love WWII aircraft, you don't want to miss this new series.… Expand
  20. 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.
  21. MustisTheCat
    Aug 17, 2016
    8
    This review would look very different if I wrote it a year ago.
    The game came was released in barebones status but a lot of work was put into it since then. You can even say that it received multiple upgrades, all free. There have been some mistakes however, though most of them were changed or are oficially announced to be changed. Still, it is immediately recognizable that people who    This review would look very different if I wrote it a year ago.
    The game came was released in barebones status but a lot of work was put into it since then. You can even say that it received multiple upgrades, all free. There have been some mistakes however, though most of them were changed or are oficially announced to be changed. Still, it is immediately recognizable that people who made this game are experienced combat flight sim creators.

    Now I want to make it as short as possible so I`ll just say that the single best thing in the game is the aircraft and the feeling of flight. In those terms Battle of Stalingrad is a true successor to IL2 Sturmovik. When you fly`em you really get the ‘nextgen’ impression, even if the game is still in Dx9 (soon to be Dx11).

    Cockpits look great, especially bomber interiors deserve a commendation. I very much like the flight model. Each and every flyable aircraft flies different, for example you easily can tell the 109F4 and 109G2 apart. There are some design flaws but nothing your average sim pilot could get crazy about.
    I also very much like the concept of custom loadouts, meaning that every plane has some field mods available (different windshield, added outer wing cannons, different types of gun in the propeller hub etc.).

    Damage model is standard stuff I suppose, nothing really new here. Though be sure that even the smallest caliber rounds can break a plane if struck the sweet spot. It is entirely possible to blow off a part of a wing, disable weaponry or wound (kill) one of the crew members.
    Engine management is not exactly state of the art. Again, I would describe it as a standard in such games. Change prop pitch/RPM, manage throttle and supercharger. What is questionable is that all engines have the same 1 minute overrev limitation whereas in real life some planes obviously had more or less durable engines and could go well above factory specs (the P40 for instance).

    The weakest part of the title is the multiplayer. There is no coop mode available to date, mostly you just have to fly in a open map on a free hunt. It is possible to setup organized missions though it is faaaaaar too much hassle to do and needs serious streamlining. Still a work in progress though.

    The graphics and sounds are good, at times very good. It has to be noted that it was a conscious development decision in order to make the game friendly for low spec PCs.

    Also the dev team has finally removed options that had to be unlocked through grinding and that is a big plus.

    8/10 from me.

    Pros :
    - engaging and challenging flight model
    - damage model
    - engine management
    - graphics
    - sounds
    - detailed maps
    - user interface
    - compatibility and low spec accessibility

    Cons :
    - lackluster multiplayer
    - limited and repetitive single player
    - bad AI
    - Dx9 and other game engine limitations
    - some minor flight model quirks.    … Expand
  22. avatarka
    Aug 15, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Даже на этапе "Раннего доступа" игра выглядела очень достойна, сейчас, когда игра вышла в в релиз, я могу сказать - это Шедевр!

    Ты сидишь за штурвалом и это действительно "Я сижу за штурвалом, черт возьми!".
    Для симулятора важны ощущения, важен реализм, хорошая визуализация и реализация звука. Игрок должен не просто играть в пилота, он должен кончиками пальцев, всеми органами чувств ощущать себя пилотом, он должен стать им на время игры и всё это даже на данной стадии разработки есть в избытке!
    "Я не играл в пилота, я им был!" - вот, что я могу сказать...
    Внимание разработчиков к мелочам ощущается с первых минут игры. Очень красиво, аутентично, атмосферно и очень динамично...
    Глядя на зимние пейзажи становится даже зябко...
    Временами во время пикирования становится реально не по себе! Непередаваемые ощущения и опыт...

    Когда ты заходишь на самолет противника, когда вы идёте параллельным курсом и ты видишь лётчика Люфтваффе - "Вот, он - гад!", когда крылья ваших самолётов едва ли не касаются друг друга, а потом вы расходитесь чтобы сойтись буквально лоб в лоб! Да, от этого дух захватывает! Увлекает так, что в запале схватки, не задумываясь ни о чём, идёшь на таран!
    Или... "Вот, ты... а, вот, я... но хоть мой ЛаГГ в решето, но я не горю, а ты горишь, и я у тебя, фриц, на хвосте! А теперь получи, и на землю, тварь! На землю! Потому что, это наше небо и нам в нём летать, а ты, гадина, рождён, чтобы ползать! А по сему... на землю!".

    Как передать ощущения, когда уже не враг, а а ты у него на прицеле и снаряды его пушки рвут на части обшивку твоего самолета, и оглядываясь, ты видишь, что ты горишь!.. Это не описать словами, это надо почувствовать... Звуки пробиваемой обшивки... "Бам!", "Бам-бам... Бам-бам-бам..." и, вот, твоя ласточка на скорости в 300 с лишним киллометров в час, бешенно вращаясь входит в какое-то немыслимое пике и ты покидаешь самолет, выпрыгиваешь из него с парашютом... Вот, он летит к земле, дымя, сгорая, теряя куски обшивки, разваливаясь на части... а в стропах твоего парашюта поёт ветер... Такое можно лишь ощутить! Эти эмоции невозможно передать!

    Рекомендую ли я эту игру? Вне всякого сомнения!

    Разработчикам удачи, успеха и наши лучи поддержки! Будем ждать дополнений!    … Expand
  23. TylerGM2
    Jul 1, 2016
    2
    Has promise, however the Devs are nickle and diming the players for every cent they can. Buy IL-2 1946 if you want a WWII flight sim, this has no content at the moment and charging another $20 for two planes is absurd. Not to mention an entire campaign is a DLC, why nickle and dime me after I paid $60 for your game?
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. Blues1968
    Feb 4, 2016
    3
    Si vous aimer les jeux d'arcade d'aviation (mode réaliste) en ligne 1 contre 1 et gonfler votre égo se jeux est parfait pour vous. Dû au manque de contenu,les développeurs ont davantages miser sur la beauté graphique les explosions la physique très bonne simulation au niveau du plan de vol et surtout sur les difficultés aéronotique extrême,décollage sur glace verglaçante,pilotage dans desSi vous aimer les jeux d'arcade d'aviation (mode réaliste) en ligne 1 contre 1 et gonfler votre égo se jeux est parfait pour vous. Dû au manque de contenu,les développeurs ont davantages miser sur la beauté graphique les explosions la physique très bonne simulation au niveau du plan de vol et surtout sur les difficultés aéronotique extrême,décollage sur glace verglaçante,pilotage dans des conditions nul,atterrissage peu rassurante et difficile ,vu des avions ennemis demande un télescope....se type de simulateur sadomasochiste devient frustrant et pénible et beaucoup trop lourd à la longue à des années lumière,du plaisir et du contenu dans il2 1946 ou ROF.En linge Clodo est Super .Si vous avez une bonne cinquantaine d'heures à mettre pour maitriser des atterissages parfait sans faire de patinage artistique se simulateur sadomasochiste conviendra au pur et dur seulement,le problème est que piloter un avion réel est aussi à des années lumière d'un simulateur de salon.Amusez vous donc et aller voir ailleurs ....Bos un beau un simulateur de misère sans contenu.… Expand
  27. IJG2_Bouma
    Jan 5, 2016
    1
    This is all but a flight sim. I flew all sims since CFS to DCS World.
    -outdated engine full of shelter
    -FMs are completely fantasist
    -Graphics are not much better then the old IL 1946
    Save your money and go for DCS World or IL2 Cliffs of Dover with TF mode
  28. 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
  29. Erich_Hartmann
    Nov 8, 2015
    10
    I just read a post saying this title had a bad critic here, and can't believe what i am reading. As there's a lot of Russian flight games and simulators out there, i wouldn't be impressed if, for example, Gajin, the most unprofessional company someone can imagine, making accounts just to bash this awesome title to make kids think his arcade and bs of game is better than the best simulatorI just read a post saying this title had a bad critic here, and can't believe what i am reading. As there's a lot of Russian flight games and simulators out there, i wouldn't be impressed if, for example, Gajin, the most unprofessional company someone can imagine, making accounts just to bash this awesome title to make kids think his arcade and bs of game is better than the best simulator one can fly.

    And as i can see here, there are a lot of kids, that looks that were expecting an easy game, like warthunder, and awesomly expecting better graphics. Maybe they just have potato pc's because i can't understand how someone can talk bad about the looking of this sim. And this sim looked perfect even when i had a potato pc, so i don't understand what they are saying...

    Let's focus on the important. A comercial pilot student, friend of mine, recommended me the IL-2 Cliffs of Dover as the best sim he has ever flown. Then we saw Battle of Stalingrad and bought it instantly as he told me wonderful things about it.
    And he can't be more right. This title has the best physics i have ever tested in a flight simulator. Amazingly accurate stalls, airflow flight models, and landing gear physics. It has he best damage model i have ever seen. Awesome graphics, from terrain, to models, to even smoke, chemtrails, and fire effects and explosions.

    I have flown flight simulators since a lot of years now. With decent peripherals as the Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog and saitek rudder pedals with Track IR can be. Flown from the FSX on the old days, to DCS World and a lot of the IL-2 titles.

    And all i can say is, 1C Game Studios have done the best flight simulators i have ever flown.

    FSX is outdated af. Complex integration of the comercial planes internal systems, with interactive cockpits, but too simple physics, and graphics that are harmfull to the eyes.

    DCS World has decent flight models, simple but decent. Miles away from IL-2. The good point are the interactive cockpits, the third party companies doing modules, and therefore more varety of planes. But then you have the problem of having some planes, without their rivals of the era. An important fact here is that this is focused as a modern jet flight sim, and not as a WW2 flight sim as IL-2 is.
    The graphics? Well, even with the 1.5 update, they still have the explosions and fire effects from Lock-On, a sim from 2003. And the damage model is bs. P-51's laughing at half of a 30mm Bf 109 K-4 mag. This simulator is focused on dominating the systems of modern jets, not for doing dogfights. Also each module costs around 60€, that is what Battle of Stalingrad cost on release.

    IL-2? Well, i said already the most important things. Best physics i have ever flown. Looking on pair with DCS World 1.5, with fire and explosions miles from dcs. The best damage model i have ever seen, come on search videos on youtube about the damage model of this game, you will go crazy. Wings bending, parts flying, planes breaking in 1000 pieces...
    IMHO this sim could just be improved by adding interactive cockpits, but as kids today just want easy games, this would limit the market. And also, maybe more planes, although the most used ones are implemented, and to add more planes they should add more factions like the Brits or the US, and wouldn't make sense on the Battle of Stalingrad, as thos nations weren't involved in this battle. They are close to the release of Battle of Moscow, where they are adding appart from more planes to the german and ussr factions, an american p-40 for the allies, and a italian MC-202 for the germans.

    I would love to fly the Spitfires again on a more updated 1C Game Studios engine, and also americans like a P-15 or thunderbolts, along with germans on for example the Battle of the Ruhr. I would be the happiest man of the world.    … Expand
  30. 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 !
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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.
    Read full review
  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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