Poor first impressions of IL-2 1946

[iainso]

I bought this a few months ago because of the recommendations, installed it, played it once, then put it back on the shelf and have since stuck with developing my flying skills in FSX.

I was hoping someone could motivate me to give IL-2 another go, what I didn't like was:

1. The awful main application window with that tinny music - it reminded me of an 80s game on the sinclair spectrum.

2. Lack of decent instructions.

3. Generally poor graphics.

I understand it's the gameplay and realism that count, but I just couldn't get past the issues I've listed above. FSX, although not a combat sim, is just so much more polished, and I find it to be a very rewarding 'place' to spend a few hours a week (or more if the wife lets me ;-). I would like to shoot some stuff down sometimes though, and IL-2 1946 had the most recommendations as a WWII simulator.

If I give it another chance, what missions/stuff should I try in it?

[jdoon5261]

You can turn off the music in the sound setup screen. I does grate on ones nerves.
Depending on your system, graphics can be very good. Use OpenGL and set everything to max. Turn on 4xAA and 16xAnsio. Then check your framerate using fraps. then make adjustments as nessesary.
make sure you have all the patches installed. Oleg has tweaked the flight models and done some graphics updates over the years to make the sim as realistic as possible.
in order to master these planes you need to have several programable axis' available. Engine and energy management is a bear and way important if your going to succeed in this game. Realism is high.
you might want to check out hyperlobby. it's a multiplayer platform where you can brush up on your flying/fighting skills against live opponents. The AI fighters in the single player game are uber deadly.
John

[ThePlainsman]

I've owned all the IL2 sims, including the most recent IL2 1946. I've found them technically brilliant but lacking the all-important (for me) immersion factor.

Try the just released Wings of Prey, a sim-lite WWII air combat title. Much better immersion than IL2 1946 but not as hardcore in the purist sense. Battle of Britain II, especially with the 2.10 patch that cranks the graphics almost up to Wings of Prey level, is another better alternative to IL2 1946. It also comes with a dynamic campaign and a ton more immersion. But the A.I. is among the best of any air combat sim. A.I. pilots are tough to shoot down, on the highest level. Even on the lowest level it is nothing like the Turkey Shoot of IL2 1946 at lower levels.

[Gimli Glider]

I'm a big IL-2 fan. For me, IL-2, though lacking in some areas, does have a big immersion factor when flight dynamics are concerned. It has the 'feel' of a real fighter/bomber of the period, which most other sims I've tried completely lack. Even the best of the best add-ons in MSFS as far as 'feel' and flight dynamics, the RealAir series, still seem too tame.

If you don't use adequate rudder in MSFS, no big deal, you'll keep on flying sideways for hours without a problem. If you don't use adequate rudder in IL-2, it will bite you back, especially in the Mustang, notorious for high speed stalls and snap rolls. IL-2's given me some discipline as a sim-pilot and perhaps even a bit of awareness as a real pilot.

I disagree about FSX's "polish," as you put it. Everything may be visually shiny, but very buggy. The IL-2 series is, if not shiny, solid.

The menu music annoyed me too, but it can be turned off in the audio settings.

Links time:

1) Check out the unified installer available here:

http://allaircraftarcade.com/forum/

It includes a number of new flyable airplanes with appropriate cockpits, new sounds (very important for that immersion factor, the original ones were terrible), and some graphics mods for better smoke, clouds, props, and more.

2) Mission4Today

http://mission4today.com/index.php

In addition to a great skin/re-paint download section, they have a "Knowledge Base" with a number of topics to be found here :

http://mission4today.com/index.php?name=Knowledge_Base

3) Some Shameless Self-Plugs

IL-2 isn't all about shooting, I love flying warbird airshow demos and flying formation in multiplayer. These might also give you an idea about the graphic potential of IL-2.

Single Corsair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WI-Tv9tU1k8&feature=channel

P-51D Formation Flying: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8X-7pb4jSO8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAErob3iFIk&feature=channel

[Zorg_DK]

I have a mod called Ultra Pack 2.0 for Il2 1946. It's great and and improves A LOT of stuff. It's online compatible.

[munnst]

I am a big fan of the original IL2. However I purchased 1946 and thought it was rubbish. Problem is things have moved on and IL2 is starting to look dated. Hence Storm of War. IL2 is still the best combat ww2 sim but FSX is much better as a simulation now. Just lacks the combat.

[Hicks]

I also highly recommend the UltraPak addon (it includes the Unified HSFX addon so you can switch between either). Sounds, skins, flight models, and many others things are changed so it becomes a new sim. And as noted earlier, you can't just throw the planes around. You have to fly them like they were meant to fly. Most anyway. Also, you can't shoot down planes with a single burst unless you hit it where it counts. As in rw, if you don't put the rounds at the right spot you will just see pieces come off the plane you are shooting at but it won't go down. I've flown online missions where a plane behind me spent ten minutes peppering the two-engine bomber I was in and he had to give up after running out of ammo as the plane was still flying. A fair amount of damage but not out.

Graphics are dated some but the value you get for the cheap download plus the addon packages is great.

Find an online squadron and learn how to fly the thing. You will like it.

[jomni]

I hate the fact that, for such "simple" planes, there's so much button-pressing to do.
I guess IL2 strives to be realistic in the operation of the planes but it's just too much work for me.

I also don't like the scripted missions. It get's old after a while.

I like FSX because the button pressing can be done on the screen and no need to memorize key mappings.

[RFC_Stallion]

Personally I've enjoyed IL-2 and I've been flying the sim along with its many patches and now mod packs since when the sim first came onto the market. This game is the best WW II sim on the market at the moment.