• Publisher: Ubisoft
  • Release Date: Jul 26, 2005
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 553 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 98 out of 553
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  1. Carl
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    Initially, I had serious stability issues in Win2k and 98SE. After installing XP and a shader-equipped video card, all performance/stability issues disappeared. This game is fantastic, truly reminiscent of the "golden oldies" such as Falcon3 and Torando. Well done ED/Ubi!
  2. PILOTA-1
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    I have'nt had 99% of the problems people list below, runs great on my winXP system, I dont have a completely top of the line PC but with settings on mostly medium, runs great and considering the graphics and details its the closest thing you'll get to flying a combat jet (and not just 1 but several!) A patch ot two should fix the problems people are having and theres NO pc game I have'nt had 99% of the problems people list below, runs great on my winXP system, I dont have a completely top of the line PC but with settings on mostly medium, runs great and considering the graphics and details its the closest thing you'll get to flying a combat jet (and not just 1 but several!) A patch ot two should fix the problems people are having and theres NO pc game that has'nt needed a patch soon after release. Eagle Dynamics should be congratulated for breathing life into an all but dead genre..what else is out there..Jetfighter 5 or that hack which is Falcon5. Expand
  3. JackS.
    Dec 16, 2003
    3
    If Ubi/ED hadn't pumped up this sim for so long, I would feel better about it. But with all the promises and hype (3 years?) this program should work better than what it does. Runs poorly on box specs, or even worse on high octane machines. I know it's been built for the future, but what good is it if it runs poorly now, or not at all. Bug ridden...and the manual is an obscene If Ubi/ED hadn't pumped up this sim for so long, I would feel better about it. But with all the promises and hype (3 years?) this program should work better than what it does. Runs poorly on box specs, or even worse on high octane machines. I know it's been built for the future, but what good is it if it runs poorly now, or not at all. Bug ridden...and the manual is an obscene joke. Wait til they fix this thing before you consider buying it...you'll be really disappointed. Expand
  4. Brian
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Very great flight modelling and graphics, plays very smoothly on my mid-end system (once effects are set to low or none). My only complaint is that they only included a handful of missions--only 7 for A-10 for instance. Yes you can build your own missions, but then they aren't too fun to play. The lack of missions knocks this game down from a 10 to an 8.
  5. MathewR.
    Dec 16, 2003
    6
    LOMAC is destined to be a good sim in the long-run, assuming the developer follows through with their promises, which I have confidence in. I'm really enjoying it already, but can't give a high score until the overall program code is more refined and stable. I look forward to that taking place. Regarding complexity, I had expected LOMAC to be very challenging to learn the LOMAC is destined to be a good sim in the long-run, assuming the developer follows through with their promises, which I have confidence in. I'm really enjoying it already, but can't give a high score until the overall program code is more refined and stable. I look forward to that taking place. Regarding complexity, I had expected LOMAC to be very challenging to learn the controls and flight, and as it turns out, it's a lot easier than I expected. I somewhat hope there's an enhancement to the difficulty, later, once they release the more important fixes. A dynamic campaign system would be great, especially if it worked for Multiplayer. Expand
  6. KristofferR.
    Dec 16, 2003
    7
    Very nice game, well done but eats a lot of your pc's performance.
  7. Luis
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    Best flight sim ever..with the right equiptment...ofcourse....
  8. JohnM.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Il2 with modern jet combat. Requires a superlative video card to make the most of its graphics, some of which can't be run on the fastest of todays PCs, however - the best of it genre.
  9. V.D.
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    This is just a new Simbenchmark and a whole new Flightsimexperience, don´t miss it...
  10. JamesKnight
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    This game is definatly the new benchmark for modern flight sims. Move over Falcon 4!
  11. Zembla
    Dec 16, 2003
    7
    The game is known to bring even the best platforms to its knees, reason for this is the complexity of the game. A rather unpleasant side effect of this is the prone-ness to bugs, simple logics. Unfortunalty the the game currently is far from bug-free, even though the designers spent lots of time debugging the product some evident bugs have slipped through to the "gold disc". Additionally The game is known to bring even the best platforms to its knees, reason for this is the complexity of the game. A rather unpleasant side effect of this is the prone-ness to bugs, simple logics. Unfortunalty the the game currently is far from bug-free, even though the designers spent lots of time debugging the product some evident bugs have slipped through to the "gold disc". Additionally the creators have done little or nothing to improve compatibility with common hardware such as for example the GeForce 4MX line of graphical cards. Eventhough they have made improvements in that regard, the effort seems a little sloppy through some evident bugs that are connected with this compatibility. One would wonder what's the best suitable system for Lo-MAC? I don't know, I'm able to run it on my P4 2Ghz 768MB PC2100 and my GF4MX460 pretty fine (part from the bugs). Of course if you're used to FPS framerates you'll be disappointed when seeing the FPS readouts. The game itself is magnificent in every way, perhaps the lack of a dynamic campaign is a little disappointing, but the gameplay and realism make up for this, this realism however is something that's not entirely bug-free - BUT don't start saying they're biased in their 'accurate' modeling of softicitated military hardware. The graphical beauty is endless. Get's a 7 from me... Expand
  12. BrettF.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    This game was meant to push hardware to the limits like so many other flight sims in the past.. F4, F18, etc..etc.. Each are still being played today. If you want a fun smooth arcade game, go back to a XBox. You want to simulate a flight experience in a smooth enviroment (medium setting will do just fine for most people), then this game is for you. 2 bad points. 1. UBISoft's This game was meant to push hardware to the limits like so many other flight sims in the past.. F4, F18, etc..etc.. Each are still being played today. If you want a fun smooth arcade game, go back to a XBox. You want to simulate a flight experience in a smooth enviroment (medium setting will do just fine for most people), then this game is for you. 2 bad points. 1. UBISoft's cheapskate tendencies showed up with a manual that is barely readable. (tho this has been rectified with a higher res version on the website) 2. Some game play bugs that effect most older hardware/OS users. These are being address in the first patch, which is expected before this year's end. Like F15, F18, F4 and others, they were as buggy if not worse in some instances during their intial release. Instant gratification types (XBOX PS2 types) need not apply with this game. I enjoy it immensely and have the time of my life with it. Expand
  13. MJ
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Needs work, but has the potential to dethrone Falcon 4. Steep Hardware requirements, but third party hotfixes to tweak FPS are out already, a patch to squash some bugs mentioned earlier is on it's way. A must for fans of Migs and SU's.
  14. Drummerwhosaidthat
    Dec 16, 2003
    6
    Going to be a great game but not yet. The bugs and the lack of a decent written manual by the publishers [UBI soft] mean I give it a 6. Now maybe in six months when the bugs have been addressed in a patch or two....I would love to revise this score.
  15. JohnS.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    If you are an avid flight sim nut then you appreciate the beauty of LockOn. It is great currently but has some few growing pains. One thing to remember is all the best flight sims had growing pains. Be patient, get the patch when it comes out and watch your 6.
  16. DarthMaul
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    A very nice game. The Flanker roots are still there. Same Mission Editor witch is good. The interface is very easy to use. Only some small bugs,Missiles should be more efficient(all missiles Blue or Red). It is working on modes computers like mine.(XP2000/256Mb/Gf2MX).
  17. EricM.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Very good game, too many bug in the relase :(
  18. ElyP.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    A very good game for you modern day simulator freaks. It will take some tweaking to get to run at full effeciency though, and it will take a pretty powerful system. Nevertheless, a very good game that I'd recommend if you've waited for a A-10 simulator for a long time.
  19. FelixE.
    Dec 16, 2003
    10
    Great Game!
  20. AndyM.
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    great game, I realy dont have any problems running it at all. Ok ive got a high spec computer but if you want to run a high spec game like this then you need the hardware to run it. I some times have to reming my self that its only a sim, the graphics are that good. I know there are some problems for some people but hopefully the up comming patch should sort those problems out.
  21. BrandonH.
    Dec 16, 2003
    7
    I think after a few patches this game will be a 10.
  22. MattD.
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    Stunning, no other word for it - the best flight and combat simulation yet. The attention to, and breadth of, detail is astounding. Somehow they have manged to make you feel part of a war, it is a difficult feeling to describe but it is truly a sublime experience watching the world around you unfold as you play your part. There is also a fantastic multiplayer capability, that 'feels Stunning, no other word for it - the best flight and combat simulation yet. The attention to, and breadth of, detail is astounding. Somehow they have manged to make you feel part of a war, it is a difficult feeling to describe but it is truly a sublime experience watching the world around you unfold as you play your part. There is also a fantastic multiplayer capability, that 'feels like' the single-player game - Lock On will grab your attention and not let go whether you want single or multiplayer action. To see it at it's best, you will need a top-end machine, but the game is scalable in terms of what graphics settings it will run on and you should be able to find a happy balance between beauty and performance. I should add that the game is also scalable in terms of difficulty, so it will appeal to novices and experienced simmers alike. Some reviewers have given this game an unjustly hard time. There are a couple of _minor_ bugs (don't all games have them?) but they'll be fixed. It is truly a gem and the most impressive game I've seen for years, right up there with Doom 3 and Halflife 2. Additionally, it will only get better and better - just like IL-2 and IL-2 Forgotten Battles have. The community is also a great resource for new missions and aircraft 'skins', not to mention being very supportive. There is even an additional, leather-bound, manual available at extra cost. It's well worth getting as it has a wealth of extra information in it. Ultimately, if you want to be able to fly a great range of aircraft, feel a fantastic level of realism, have great multiplayer and single player games and marvel at jaw-dropping visuals - there is simply no other choice. Lock On is THE BEST flight and combat sim around. Go and buy it now, you won't be dissappointed. Matt. Expand
  23. PhilipC.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    A very good combat sim! Excellent graphics and very realistic!
  24. AnonymousMC
    Dec 16, 2003
    7
    ED/UBI know how to make a flight sim. Graphicly LOMAC will amaze you with it's level of detail. Each of the flyable aircraft have a distinct look and feel. Some people say it's a survey sim but they are wrong. You will have 100s of hours of gameplay as you become proficient with each aircraft. The mission editor is probly the best ever seen in a flight sim. The campaignED/UBI know how to make a flight sim. Graphicly LOMAC will amaze you with it's level of detail. Each of the flyable aircraft have a distinct look and feel. Some people say it's a survey sim but they are wrong. You will have 100s of hours of gameplay as you become proficient with each aircraft. The mission editor is probly the best ever seen in a flight sim. The campaign unfortunatly is not dynamic. Multiplayer runs well and is a good time when you can find a game you want to join. There are some things that prevent the game from getting a higher score...lack of printed manual, poor quality PDF manual, varius bugs that can range from slight annoyances to very frustrating...and what has been the biggest problem with the LOMAC community...the VERY hefty system requirements to see the game run with much, if any of the graphics set to high. LOMAC has some problems but the game is still amazing and you will be blown away by the sence of flight, the weapons, and the landscapes. For any flight sim enthusiast this game is a must have that will only get better as patches are released as UBI/ED is currently to working on patches for the game. Expand
  25. McCallaway
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    The game is beautiful, deep, fun to play, but it is a simulation, and it will need the gamer to wish to go in deep. A big computer is needed to fully appreciate it though, and some issues REALLY need a patch. Overall, if you like jets, go get it :)
  26. RudiVanZyl
    Dec 16, 2003
    0
    Had to install it 3 times before the multiplayer worked. Whenever me and my friend fly against each other, and one is shot down, both of us are thrown out of the game. Biggest fault i have made with this game is buying it.
  27. J.Williams
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Great game that needs polishing. Needs a lot of bug fixes to really be solid. It seems that regardless of your machine specs this game has a difficult time running at 30 fps. Excellent graphics and flight models. Waiting for a patch before beginning the campaign mode is good advice. Even with the bugs, and fps performace, this is a stand out product.
  28. ErichH.
    Dec 16, 2003
    5
    While I see the potential I find it very lacking. The publishers charge teh same amount $39.99 and give you a game with no manual but do place it on the CD if you want to kill 168 pages and dry up your print cartridge. The interface is easy enough and the training missions are ok. With the amount of lag though due to graphic drains even on high end systems, locking on with Mavricks is While I see the potential I find it very lacking. The publishers charge teh same amount $39.99 and give you a game with no manual but do place it on the CD if you want to kill 168 pages and dry up your print cartridge. The interface is easy enough and the training missions are ok. With the amount of lag though due to graphic drains even on high end systems, locking on with Mavricks is best saved for auto. The layout and key commands are very clumky and not very well laid out. I recommend spending about an hour going in and reassigning all of the key funtions for not jsut your keyboard but you stick as well. A HOTAS setup with save you lots of time but with the lack of a mouse selectable cockpit there are to many functions that asre basically jsut for fine tuning radar settings etc. BEing able to use the mosue and have an interactive cockpit control enviroment would have really helped. Again though to get decent frames I had to turn many of the eye candy off and I am running a AMD2800+ with 1GB of PC3200 on a GeForce FX5900 256Mb card! Still fun to tool around in though but I am waiting on a patch to see if this simm can then shine. Expand
  29. Aceman
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    Game has great potiential. Remember falcon 4 how terrible it was at release look at it now. Enough Said!
  30. ChrisD.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Very good sim, NOT FOR CONSOLE ARCADE GAMERS. A few compatability issues that have to be worked out, but runs fine on my system. The documentation should have been more comprehensive so as not to frustrate flightsim newcomers. Quick System Specs: SOFTWARE: OS: WinXP Pro DIRECT X: 9.0b VIDEO DRIVER: nVidia ver52.16 HARDWARE: MB: Asus A7N266c PROCESSOR: AMD XP2000 @ 1.6GHZ RAM: 1GIG 2100 Very good sim, NOT FOR CONSOLE ARCADE GAMERS. A few compatability issues that have to be worked out, but runs fine on my system. The documentation should have been more comprehensive so as not to frustrate flightsim newcomers. Quick System Specs: SOFTWARE: OS: WinXP Pro DIRECT X: 9.0b VIDEO DRIVER: nVidia ver52.16 HARDWARE: MB: Asus A7N266c PROCESSOR: AMD XP2000 @ 1.6GHZ RAM: 1GIG 2100 DDR VIDEO CARD: nVidia Ti4400128 SOUND CARD: Creative SB Gamer Live CONTROLLERS: HOTAS1: Saitek X36 HOTAS2: TM Cougar (down for mantenance) RUDDER PEDALS: CH Pro Pedals USB VOICE COMMAND: Shoot 1.6 VIEW CONTROL: Track IR2 Expand
  31. KuleM.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    This is a very good simulator at the moment and has the potential to outstrip any other flightsims in the very-near future. I didn't give it a 10 because, at the moment, there are quite a few serious bugs. Bug the developers MUST have known about before releasing the game. For example, the Microsoft Force-Feedback 'return-to-centre' bug. Having said that they are working This is a very good simulator at the moment and has the potential to outstrip any other flightsims in the very-near future. I didn't give it a 10 because, at the moment, there are quite a few serious bugs. Bug the developers MUST have known about before releasing the game. For example, the Microsoft Force-Feedback 'return-to-centre' bug. Having said that they are working hard on the first patch and have said that it certainly won't be the past. Which simplt means that they are going to continue to work on it over and over again until it's as good as they can get it. As far as performance issues go, I think many users just don't meet the minimum requirements e.g. having a GFX card that runs DX 8.1. You may have DX 9 installed but if you're card doesn't support 8.1 officially, you're outside the minspec. Plain and simple. I do think that the game has been over-engineered to futureproof it but again I believe that this just means that it will still look fantastic in two or three years. Gameplay is second-to-none so if you're serious about simming you will buy this game. Expand
  32. Ola
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    The new benchmark
  33. HughA.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Very very good, a bit buggy but I can run it quite well on my 3 yr old machine P4 1.5 GHz GeForce 2 MX 400 786 RAM.
  34. StuartF.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Great sim with lots of features to keep idle hands and minds at work for countless hours. Does need some tweaking and an above average machine to get good performace out of it, but not too much, the community will help you out there. There are also a few bugs that need ironed out, but its a veteran development team with great customer interaction so they will be sorted eventually. Great sim with lots of features to keep idle hands and minds at work for countless hours. Does need some tweaking and an above average machine to get good performace out of it, but not too much, the community will help you out there. There are also a few bugs that need ironed out, but its a veteran development team with great customer interaction so they will be sorted eventually. Fantastic visuals, high fidelity flight and systems modeling and an absorbing level of detail makes this sim the new benchmark for modern combat flight sims Expand
  35. 195th_HollywoodLeMieux
    Dec 16, 2003
    9
    This game is very promising.. Although with its bugs that game has GREAT potential.. By far the best flight sim made...
  36. PaulH.
    Dec 16, 2003
    5
    Me being a die hard Falcon 4 flyer, I can honestly say that this game has much potential. The graphics are suberb, the FM's are awesome, sounds quality explosive. Not to mention that you can fly other planes with it's own characteristics. The things that I did not like are: No dynamic campaigns Cockpits lack realism in functionality In time, I feel that the furture releases may Me being a die hard Falcon 4 flyer, I can honestly say that this game has much potential. The graphics are suberb, the FM's are awesome, sounds quality explosive. Not to mention that you can fly other planes with it's own characteristics. The things that I did not like are: No dynamic campaigns Cockpits lack realism in functionality In time, I feel that the furture releases may enhance these experiences and be a truely great sim. Expand
  37. MikeH.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Rushed out the door, but still a worthy and solid "8". Had the patch been out, and some of the bugs worked out radar and otherwise- It would rate much higher. Lock On is a deep sim, and is worth getting and learning on even before the patch is due to be released (soon). Add this one to your Christmas list folks.
  38. SeanW.
    Dec 16, 2003
    8
    Great game that needs a few patches to be the greatest survey sim yet.
  39. Bohunk
    Dec 14, 2003
    9
    An outstanding air combat simulation that is not for the individual that wants an arcade experience. This is a very detailed and capable product, yet it is accessable for a novice user. The only reason I did not give it a 10 is for the poor job the publisher, Ubi Soft did in testing the final version and for not including the key command card in the first batch to hit the shelves. This is An outstanding air combat simulation that is not for the individual that wants an arcade experience. This is a very detailed and capable product, yet it is accessable for a novice user. The only reason I did not give it a 10 is for the poor job the publisher, Ubi Soft did in testing the final version and for not including the key command card in the first batch to hit the shelves. This is the best air combat sim I have ever played. A patch is reported to be pending release which will solve most of the problems, including the Win98 buts. Make no mistake, this is a demanding product hardware wise, but it is stunning how detailed and how beautiful the graphics are in this game. Don't listen to the crybabies, if you are interested in the subject of modern air combat then this is the one for you. Give it a decent chance. Expand
  40. [Anonymous]
    Dec 5, 2003
    4
    It deservers more than this but with all the bug issues that they have to work out it doesn't get much. I shouldn't have to go out and get top of the line pc for one game.
  41. Chris
    Dec 5, 2003
    1
    This game is still a beta. I've tried it with Win98SE and Win2K with DX9. Both are unstable. Using my GF4, 512Mb RAM and a XP2000+ uP, there are various graphics anomolies, freezes and crash-to-desktops. This game is a very poor relation IL2-FB. Don't make my mistake and buy it - at least yet. Maybe if it goes through a few patch releases things will be different - however, at This game is still a beta. I've tried it with Win98SE and Win2K with DX9. Both are unstable. Using my GF4, 512Mb RAM and a XP2000+ uP, there are various graphics anomolies, freezes and crash-to-desktops. This game is a very poor relation IL2-FB. Don't make my mistake and buy it - at least yet. Maybe if it goes through a few patch releases things will be different - however, at this time I feel totally duped. Expand
  42. MikeG.
    Dec 2, 2003
    9
    Why would you rate this game if it didn't work for you? Everyone should have Win XP these days anyway. The developers worked long and hard to bring this game to the sim community, and you go and bash it because you're running an ancient system. So please if you havn't played the game, DON"T REVIEW IT!!! Anyway, i love this sim, sure it has it's fare share of bugs and Why would you rate this game if it didn't work for you? Everyone should have Win XP these days anyway. The developers worked long and hard to bring this game to the sim community, and you go and bash it because you're running an ancient system. So please if you havn't played the game, DON"T REVIEW IT!!! Anyway, i love this sim, sure it has it's fare share of bugs and it does require a monster system to have all the graphics turned up but every plane has it's own FMs and radar which are very complex. The graphics are incredible and are probably the best i've ever seen, when on a good system that is. So if you like Hardcore Sims, and you have a good system pick this game up it's a treat. Expand
  43. YourDaddy
    Nov 27, 2003
    1
    Beware dont buy this game if your not running windows XP even though the box says 98/ME it doesnt work. be sure to check their website before buying.
  44. Werner
    Nov 23, 2003
    3
    Gets only three points from me, because the full version doesn't work with Windows ME. Major issue and a strange thing because the demo worked. There is no key overview card in the package, most of the manual is only available als Acrobat PDF. Some graphic bugs, complicated and confusing menus and mission planer, poor performance especially when flying over city, crashes somethimes Gets only three points from me, because the full version doesn't work with Windows ME. Major issue and a strange thing because the demo worked. There is no key overview card in the package, most of the manual is only available als Acrobat PDF. Some graphic bugs, complicated and confusing menus and mission planer, poor performance especially when flying over city, crashes somethimes with bluescreen. Looks overall very unfinished. X-MAS is coming. SO RUSH RUSH Hope the fix the major issues soon, I don't want another "Strike Fighters-Project 1" in my shelf! But even then LOMAC will be far from being perfect! Expand
  45. Ferdy
    Nov 23, 2003
    4
    + Realistic flight modelling (some of the best ever!) + Great graphics would be a 9 of 10, but... - riddled with many bugs e.g. missing radio communications between US airplanes and some graphical glitches e.g. planes dissapearing - Doesn't even start under Win 98SE/ME on three different PCs! - CD recognition problems with some drives - rebooting system problems - blue screen of + Realistic flight modelling (some of the best ever!) + Great graphics would be a 9 of 10, but... - riddled with many bugs e.g. missing radio communications between US airplanes and some graphical glitches e.g. planes dissapearing - Doesn't even start under Win 98SE/ME on three different PCs! - CD recognition problems with some drives - rebooting system problems - blue screen of death - un-user friendly menus (same als Flanker 2.0/2.5) - un-userfriendly battle planner (same as Flanker 2.0/2.5) - small printed manual, ok at least a big one is on CD. - NO keyboard keycard included! - serious framerate/performance problems even on state-of-the-art systems so the best it can get in the current state is 4 points. Expand
  46. BrianY.
    Nov 21, 2003
    9
    Great flight sim, upholds the high standard of IL2, and Flanker. Steep learning curve, and poor manual are the only pitfalls to this masterpiece.
  47. JuanL.
    Oct 29, 2003
    10
    Awesome.
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Our favourite is the A-10 Warthog – cruising at 50 feet, on the prowl for enemy tanks, it’s one of the most exhilarating missions available in any recent simulator.
  2. Computer Gaming World
    70
    Detailed terrain, buildings, water, and effects lend an unprecedented feeling of speed to low-level flight. [March 2004, p.82]
  3. It has great graphics, fairly simple controls, great scenery, a decent choice of planes, and a great editor. Although the sounds easily get on your nerves, it will be the load times and need for a computer upgrade that will have you pulling your hair out.