DCS or Falcon BMS
- Thread starter gasdoctor
- Start date
I have the following: DCS, Falcon 4 (with BMS) IL2 Sturm, IL2 CLOD, FS 2020, Xplane 11.
My thoughts are:
- IL2 Sturm: VR capable. Fairly easy PC requirements. Plenty of aircraft and a good multiplayer scene. Unfortunately, you can't control buttons within the cockpit, all have to be mapped. Good flight model (FM). Has a number of maps now and covers both east and western fronts in WW2. Nothing for the pacific so far, but it's bound to be on the way. Also has the option of a "tank sim" module and a WW1 experience.
Despite having nearly all the maps, it's not even currently installed. Don't know what it is, but I just don't get sucked in by it.
IL2 CLOD/Tobruk: Now VR capable. Fairly easy PC requirements. CLOD is dirt cheap, and worth having a look at. Again, lots of aircraft, but only 2 maps. I prefer this to IL2 Sturm. Good FM.
- Falcon 4: No VR, though there are rumours that it "might" happen. As with the BMS download, this is being done by the community, so it'll take time. Also dirt cheap for Falcon 4, and BMS is free. Focused on newer jets and within that, includes a wide variety of versions of the same jet (unlike DCS). Good FM. The bad news is that it's based on a 20+ year old graphic engine. Sure, that's been overhauled and very much improved, but it still looks "old". Has what is still considered the best "dynamic campaign" of any of the combat sims, where you are simply a single cog within a wide ranging "campaign". The lack of VR is what kills it for me, but if you want things cheap and want to shoot jets, it's worth a look.
- DCS: My "go to" flight sim. VR capable, but really needs a bit of a monster of a PC, and even then some good tuning to get it to run well. Seriously expensive to buy all the modules, but frankly, it's probably better to focus on just a few aircraft. The aircraft modules make other sims look rather 2nd rate from the perspective of their complexity. I find it MUCH more immersive than other flight sims. It's a free download to check it out, post which it's just a decision on which module you wish to fly. There are loads on online videos on how to learn and some great reading material. As it's basically top of the pile for combat sims, it's also well supported on hardware.
Visually, IMO it's roughly on par with FS2020. I feel that FS2020 has better lighting and colours, but prefer the look of the aircraft in DCS.
There are 2 free maps, the rest are pay for.
- Xplane. VR capable. Has more complex aircraft and IMO better FM than FS2020. However, the graphics are now miles behind and it's hard to recommend, as FS2020 is getting better every update.
- FS2020. VR capable. No combat, but it's hard to argue with as a civilian sim. Beautiful lighting, great looking aircraft, models the whole world, real time weather and lots of aftermarket extras, e.g. enhanced scenery, aircraft. For the price, it's really good, with a wider variety of aircraft out of the box.
The bad parts are that it still runs like a dog (for me, even worse than DCS, despite DLSS etc) and I don't find the FM and aircraft as "immersive" as DCS. I did recently buy one of the "hi-def" warbirds, i.e. the P38. Nope, it's not as good as say the Mosquito in DCS (even regardless of the ability to blow stuff up in DCS), but I do enjoy flying it and am currently on a bit of a "world tour" with it. With the amount of funding for FS2020 and it's massive user base, it's almost certainly going to get better. It's also possible that as MS previously did "combat flight sim" for the old version, that they might do one for FS2020.
For someone new to flight sims, a few basics:
- Assume that it'll be expensive if you seriously get into it. VR and the associated PC won't be cheap.
- It's quite possible to get "cheap" flight controllers. However, they are cheap for a reason. The more expensive ones are definitely worth more, in just the same way that say the racing sim kit is
- You're not obliged to go VR. Another option is to use a "head tracker" and your monitor. It's a really good cheap option. Decent units can be had for £50, and it requires a far less beefy PC to run. Sure, it's not anything like as immersive, but it's a great way to test things out
- Don't feel obliged to pick just a single sim. Nothing wrong with flying in more than one. DCS is free to check out. IL2 CLOD, IL2 Sturm (first map) and Falcon 4 are all really cheap. You could pick up both the IL2s and Falcon 4 for under £20 in total. Why not have a scan at them all to see what grabs your attention the best.
My thoughts are:
- IL2 Sturm: VR capable. Fairly easy PC requirements. Plenty of aircraft and a good multiplayer scene. Unfortunately, you can't control buttons within the cockpit, all have to be mapped. Good flight model (FM). Has a number of maps now and covers both east and western fronts in WW2. Nothing for the pacific so far, but it's bound to be on the way. Also has the option of a "tank sim" module and a WW1 experience.
Despite having nearly all the maps, it's not even currently installed. Don't know what it is, but I just don't get sucked in by it.
IL2 CLOD/Tobruk: Now VR capable. Fairly easy PC requirements. CLOD is dirt cheap, and worth having a look at. Again, lots of aircraft, but only 2 maps. I prefer this to IL2 Sturm. Good FM.
- Falcon 4: No VR, though there are rumours that it "might" happen. As with the BMS download, this is being done by the community, so it'll take time. Also dirt cheap for Falcon 4, and BMS is free. Focused on newer jets and within that, includes a wide variety of versions of the same jet (unlike DCS). Good FM. The bad news is that it's based on a 20+ year old graphic engine. Sure, that's been overhauled and very much improved, but it still looks "old". Has what is still considered the best "dynamic campaign" of any of the combat sims, where you are simply a single cog within a wide ranging "campaign". The lack of VR is what kills it for me, but if you want things cheap and want to shoot jets, it's worth a look.
- DCS: My "go to" flight sim. VR capable, but really needs a bit of a monster of a PC, and even then some good tuning to get it to run well. Seriously expensive to buy all the modules, but frankly, it's probably better to focus on just a few aircraft. The aircraft modules make other sims look rather 2nd rate from the perspective of their complexity. I find it MUCH more immersive than other flight sims. It's a free download to check it out, post which it's just a decision on which module you wish to fly. There are loads on online videos on how to learn and some great reading material. As it's basically top of the pile for combat sims, it's also well supported on hardware.
Visually, IMO it's roughly on par with FS2020. I feel that FS2020 has better lighting and colours, but prefer the look of the aircraft in DCS.
There are 2 free maps, the rest are pay for.
- Xplane. VR capable. Has more complex aircraft and IMO better FM than FS2020. However, the graphics are now miles behind and it's hard to recommend, as FS2020 is getting better every update.
- FS2020. VR capable. No combat, but it's hard to argue with as a civilian sim. Beautiful lighting, great looking aircraft, models the whole world, real time weather and lots of aftermarket extras, e.g. enhanced scenery, aircraft. For the price, it's really good, with a wider variety of aircraft out of the box.
The bad parts are that it still runs like a dog (for me, even worse than DCS, despite DLSS etc) and I don't find the FM and aircraft as "immersive" as DCS. I did recently buy one of the "hi-def" warbirds, i.e. the P38. Nope, it's not as good as say the Mosquito in DCS (even regardless of the ability to blow stuff up in DCS), but I do enjoy flying it and am currently on a bit of a "world tour" with it. With the amount of funding for FS2020 and it's massive user base, it's almost certainly going to get better. It's also possible that as MS previously did "combat flight sim" for the old version, that they might do one for FS2020.
For someone new to flight sims, a few basics:
- Assume that it'll be expensive if you seriously get into it. VR and the associated PC won't be cheap.
- It's quite possible to get "cheap" flight controllers. However, they are cheap for a reason. The more expensive ones are definitely worth more, in just the same way that say the racing sim kit is
- You're not obliged to go VR. Another option is to use a "head tracker" and your monitor. It's a really good cheap option. Decent units can be had for £50, and it requires a far less beefy PC to run. Sure, it's not anything like as immersive, but it's a great way to test things out
- Don't feel obliged to pick just a single sim. Nothing wrong with flying in more than one. DCS is free to check out. IL2 CLOD, IL2 Sturm (first map) and Falcon 4 are all really cheap. You could pick up both the IL2s and Falcon 4 for under £20 in total. Why not have a scan at them all to see what grabs your attention the best.
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Soldato
- Joined
- 11 Sep 2013
- Posts
- 12,742
Well, some actual air forces (including the USAF, apparently) do sometimes use DCS as a systems and tactics trainer because it has a higher fidelity than professional systems.
If it's good enough for the real life pilots.....
If it's good enough for the real life pilots.....
Amazing post thanks so much!
Just waiting for new PC to arrive.
I have an old x52pro, Logitech pedals and track IR, which I used previously with ww2online( that has the best campaign) just bit lacking visually hence wanting to have something better. Eventually VR.
If the stick doesn’t work will look for a replacement.
Looks like DCS…can’t wait
Just waiting for new PC to arrive.
I have an old x52pro, Logitech pedals and track IR, which I used previously with ww2online( that has the best campaign) just bit lacking visually hence wanting to have something better. Eventually VR.
If the stick doesn’t work will look for a replacement.
Looks like DCS…can’t wait
Have you decided what to start with?
If you done mind older graphics Falcon BMS is better than DCS world for single player due to it having a dynamic campaign better AI and wingmen that actually work.
DCS is nice but the ai needs a lot of work,
I feel that DCS is good for online, but it's more of digital cockpit simulation rather than digital combat simulator.
I recommend trying both and downloading DCS world from thier website, so you can try out planes and maps for free for a two weeks.
I highly recommend downloading the free community mod A4E Skyhawk.
If you going down the WW2 route IL-2 great battle series is the best, you get so much content for your money and the online is busy.
DCS is nice but the ai needs a lot of work,
I feel that DCS is good for online, but it's more of digital cockpit simulation rather than digital combat simulator.
I recommend trying both and downloading DCS world from thier website, so you can try out planes and maps for free for a two weeks.
I highly recommend downloading the free community mod A4E Skyhawk.
If you going down the WW2 route IL-2 great battle series is the best, you get so much content for your money and the online is busy.
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IL-2 is a good sim but does not have a clickable cockpit, you still have to manage your engines and throttle so your plane does not overheat or breaks down. When it comes to multiplayer its great you can fly on any map even though you don't own the expansion for it.
The single player is also good it has scripted campaigns or you can choose a squadron to join and do a campaign. WW2 on DCS online is pretty much dead, you also have to buy the plane, a map and assets.
I love both games but for WW2 IL-2 smashes DCS, their is a reason why DCS warbirds is dead online.
I'm looking forward to phantom its made buy a good developer, I can't wait to fly it on enigmas cold war server! Defiantly check that server out if you getting a cold war plane. The F-15 Strike eagle is coming out soon that plane will be beast in the modern air combat and ground attacking roles, but I said to myself i will only buy the phantom and Eurofighter next.....
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Soldato
- Joined
- 25 Sep 2009
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- 10,327
- Location
- Billericay, UK
That's all true, Ukrinaian pilots have been practicing flying the A-10 Warthog in DCS in preparation of being sent to the US for full combat training on such aircraft.
Associate
- Joined
- 20 Jul 2011
- Posts
- 128
- Location
- London, UK
DCS is a bit disjointed, the selection of planes and maps don't seem to gel well. The closest DCS comes to a unified set of aircraft and related maps are the Southern England & Normandy maps in conjunction with the WW2 aircraft: Spitfire,P-51,P-47, BF-109,FW-190.
If I recall correctly the original hi fidelity A-10C module was developed for a contract for the US Air National Guard to provide cockpit/systems training.
A plus for DCS is you can trial all the modules for free for a fortnight (and come back and try the same module again after a six month period) to see which ones you like,
If I recall correctly the original hi fidelity A-10C module was developed for a contract for the US Air National Guard to provide cockpit/systems training.
A plus for DCS is you can trial all the modules for free for a fortnight (and come back and try the same module again after a six month period) to see which ones you like,
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In addition to the above, the French AF have been using the Mirage 2000 module, which will almost certainly have helped the financial side of Razbam and additionally resulted in refinements to the accuracy of the operating systems within the jet.
This. A family member is stationed in Florida working on the F-35 project and we've chatted about how good DCS is...
He's not a PC gamer
Can neither confirm nor Deny he's seen it at work
Brazo
Brazo
All good stuff said so far.
For me when I want to have some fun I load up il-2 online and it’s awesome.
When I want to do some serious or enjoyable flying then it’s DCS. The il-2 ww2 models whilst can appear sim like in isolation are positively arcady when compared to DCS. Any ww2 plane prop plane can be taken off with ease in il-2 just by slamming throttle to 100% and hanging on, do that in DCS and you’ll never get off the ground.
For me when I want to have some fun I load up il-2 online and it’s awesome.
When I want to do some serious or enjoyable flying then it’s DCS. The il-2 ww2 models whilst can appear sim like in isolation are positively arcady when compared to DCS. Any ww2 plane prop plane can be taken off with ease in il-2 just by slamming throttle to 100% and hanging on, do that in DCS and you’ll never get off the ground.
I can guess that they maybe using Prepar3d. Big push in the Military Simulation & Training world for augumented reality training and more classroom-based synthetic devices. Not enough aircraft and saves fuel if a trainee can practise navigation, Instrument approach landings or basic formation familiarisation on VR/AR equipment. Even pancake screen training is getting ramped-up, provided that they can get some sort of training quality time, despite software limitations.This. A family member is stationed in Florida working on the F-35 project and we've chatted about how good DCS is...
He's not a PC gamer
Can neither confirm nor Deny he's seen it at work
Prepar3d maybe ugly compared to FS2020, but as a training tool, it's light years ahead. Has Instructor-based operating interface, mission creation, video debriefing capability and multi image generation capability, for multiple screen display (akin to 360 degree domes).