Air combat games?

Narj · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:30

Hi all,

I fancy a decent flight combat game. I don't mind a sim, as long as it's not *too* hardcore. I'd be playing with either Mouse+KB or Pad... I'm not really up for spending a fortune on a flight yoke and all that stuff.

What's out there and what's worth the cash?

Cheers!

chid76 · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:38

Wings of prey is on steam at the moment for £2.49

Narj · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:41

Bargain! Bagged that, cheers!

More recommendations welcome... Especially anything that lets you do online dogfights with friends.

Qel · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:43

Well there is Wings of Prey in the Steam sale currently for £2.49, I've not played it personally but it has a demo if you want to check it out.

One game I can recommend is Rise of Flight which is a First World War sim but beyond a reasonable joystick (I use a second hand Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 from ebay cost me about £10) you don't need to spend loads on equipment. It has a good community and is quite hard at first but feels great when you improve and pull something off, especially in multiplayer.

It has a free version you can download which is basically all of the game's features but you can only fly 2 of the planes.

The rest you have to buy to fly but really you'll probably find one or two you like and specialise so you by no means need to buy much. They also have sales at various times throughout the year so if you did get into it you could pick up a few for very little and they also sell editions of the game with some planes packaged.

If you do enjoy flying games though, definately invest in a joystick. It doesn't need to be anything super expensive but will improve the experience quite a bit.

Narj · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:45

Qel said:
If you do enjoy flying games though, definately invest in a joystick. It doesn't need to be anything super expensive but will improve the experience quite a bit.

I used to play Crimson Skies online quite a bit and used an old SideWinder FF Pro at the time which was great, if a bit builky. What would I be looking at stick wise these days?

chid76 · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:45

Dogfighter is on there for £2.38 or Buy a 4 pack for you and your mates for £7.13?

d_brennen · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:46

Dog Fighter on Steam, four pack only £7.13

http://store.steampowered.com/app/42500/

Ooh, snap

Narj · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:47

chid76 said:
Dogfighter is on there for £2.38 or Buy a 4 pack for you and your mates for £7.13?

d_brennen said:
Dog Fighter on Steam, four pack only £7.13
http://store.steampowered.com/app/42500/

Does this let you pad out the numbers with AI opponents?

chid76 · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:48

d_brennen said:
Dog Fighter on Steam, four pack only £7.13

http://store.steampowered.com/app/42500/

Ooh, snap

Good shout my man

Qel · 16 Jul 2012 at 23:58

PianoBasher said:
I used to play Crimson Skies online quite a bit and used an old SideWinder FF Pro at the time which was great, if a bit builky. What would I be looking at stick wise these days?

Well like I said, I'm using a second hand Sidewinder FF 2 which didn't cost much from ebay, still a great stick and works fine for me on Windows 7 and with every game I've used it on.

If you did want a newer stick I don't have one I'd specifically recommend as I haven't used them... but if you read some reviews/find one you like the look of I think you could get a decent stick for occasional gaming from someone like Saitek, Logitech or Thrustmaster for around £30.

chid76 · 17 Jul 2012 at 00:01

PianoBasher said:
Does this let you pad out the numbers with AI opponents?

I just loaded it up and yes it does.

Narj · 17 Jul 2012 at 00:07

chid76 said:
I just loaded it up and yes it does.

Brilliant, looks like I could have some fun with LAN play with this then! Thanks!

opstrat · 17 Jul 2012 at 03:35

There is the hawk games. 1st was better IMHO.

MartynB85 · 17 Jul 2012 at 08:05

Are there similar games with helicopters?

Hicks · 17 Jul 2012 at 08:06

Admittedly it was a long time ago but for me IL2 Sturmovik was fantastic back then.
I think there are about 3 expansions for it now. It was a good mix between sim and 'arcade' and perfectly playable on my Cyborg Evo with a few keys. Haven't really played any new ones to be able to compare to be honest.

RevBillyG · 17 Jul 2012 at 08:08

Dogfighter's so good but no one plays it

Server's full of bots only.

Qel · 17 Jul 2012 at 08:25

Cloudstomp said:
Admittedly it was a long time ago but for me IL2 Sturmovik was fantastic back then.
I think there are about 3 expansions for it now. It was a good mix between sim and 'arcade' and perfectly playable on my Cyborg Evo with a few keys. Haven't really played any new ones to be able to compare to be honest.

I think it would be packaged as IL2 1946 now, probably includes all the expansions.

There is also IL2 Cliffs of Dover but from what I remember that was a complete disaster on release but whether it has improved enough to be worth purchasing or not I don't know.

Hicks · 17 Jul 2012 at 08:28

Qel said:
I think it would be packaged as IL2 1946 now, probably includes all the expansions.

There is also IL2 Cliffs of Dover but from what I remember that was a complete disaster on release but whether it has improved enough to be worth purchasing or not I don't know.

So it is

http://store.steampowered.com/app/15320/

robmol · 17 Jul 2012 at 08:30

chid76 said:
Wings of prey is on steam at the moment for £2.49
youtube snip

What kind of settings is that on? Looks a bargain for the price graphics but he's just using rudder and spraying a million rounds into them, are there any more realistic servers online??

Narj · 17 Jul 2012 at 09:36

RevBillyG said:
Dogfighter's so good but no one plays it Server's full of bots only.

Good opportunity to get a load of ocukers playing???

I just bought a 4 pack. I'll give one to my cousin and if anyone's interested in playing online then I can raffle off the other 2.