New to Flight Sims

Kosmiche · 23 Feb 2011 at 13:58

Hello everyone, I want to know more about combat flight simulators, I have been playing and enjoying rise of flight and il2 1946 and would like to explore this genre further.

Perhaps I would like to explore modern simulators, I tried the lock on demo but its a bit old hat, I would like something more graphically impressive.

So then I heard about the DCS games, but there doesnt appear to be a demo available. I would like to know how hardcore is black shark, would my logitech extreme 3d joystick be enough to play this game properly? And is it popular online?

It seems to be a exciting time for flight sims with storm of war out next month, will this be a demanding game and will it struggle on my spec (see sig)?

Thanks guys, I think ive asked everything I wanted, see you in the skies perhaps.

Kosmiche · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:00

I'm definetely NOT interested in the likes of microsoft flight simulator by the way, I'm definetely wanting a combat focused game.

Ginger-Menace · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:02

HAWX/HAWX 2?

Kosmiche · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:03

I think those games are quite arcadey arent they, unless theres some aid options you can turn off, are they not similar to the ace combat games?

Ginger-Menace · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:07

not really played many flight sims, i think iirc you can turn somthing off in HAWX which made it harder lol

Kosmiche · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:09

Ah right, these games have multiplayer right?

Are there many people playing?

Albino Eatpod · 23 Feb 2011 at 14:25

The DCS: A10 Warthog sim is about as hardcore as you can get, and since it was only released yesterday there's going to be a growing online community.

Your joystick should handle it, but you might want to invest in some rudder pedals or a HOTAS system. I've just invested in the Thrustmaster Hotas Warthog - not a cheap joystick, but definitely works well with the sim.

Dano · 23 Feb 2011 at 16:37

Reckon you'll be alright for Cliffs of Dover next month

DCS A10 and Blackshark are quite complex, not just from the high fidelity simulation of flight but all the avionics and systems too, it's the main reason I don't play them if I'm honest, I just do not have the time to spend learning how to fly and fight the aircraft.

If you've not got one consider getting a TrackIR or Freetrack setup too, brings up the immersion levels by a considerable margin

Albino Eatpod · 23 Feb 2011 at 16:47

If you've not got one consider getting a TrackIR or Freetrack setup too, brings up the immersion levels by a considerable margin

Definitely - buying a TrackIR setup was one of the best additions to my system. And it's usable in driving games, ARMA, etc. too.

Bit of a pain to get the in the UK, though - I got mine shipped over from the US, and it was still cheaper than the few UK suppliers.

Wynthorpe · 23 Feb 2011 at 16:59

Also IL2 - Cliffs of Doer is released 25th March, this is THE sim to have for sure, do a search on here and you will find a thread with tons of pics and videos.

ianh · 23 Feb 2011 at 17:10

Thirdwires "wings over europe" is great as a flight-sim Lite (less than DCS, more than HAWX). Lots of free addons (NATO Fighters etc) from a large online community which bring the visual quality upto scratch.