IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds Of Prey (IL2)

Based on the demo: It was very simple, yet very addictive and fun. The controls are easy to master and very simple to use if you're new to flying games. This game has 3 difficulty levels, arcade is for the people who actually don't want to see the simulation side of this game, and therefore the stall is turned off (thank god). Realistic is the difficulty where you spend 5% of the time shooting down planes, and spending 95% of the time stalling, because it's so damn hard to get out of a spin. Simulation is roughly the same as realistic. The damage system allows you to take heavy damage and let you see the wounds (bullet holes), and it's also very fun to see if you can shoot both wings of an enemy fighter (possible). But I keep hearing people compare it to HAWX, and I just don't know why, because HAWX has all that fiddly modern nonsense which distracts you from realising that your actually playing a video game, not an encyclopedia. But these games are in different time-zones with different technology, so it would be a fool's errand to try and compare them. The graphics in this game are the best I've ever seen in a flying game, and the settings are very detailed. Very good game, would recommend people to download the demo before buying just in case you like playing encyclopedias. Worth buying for the price, very fresh, very simple, very good game.

Got this the other day and I think it's great. Graphics are spot on and the missions have a bit of variety (unlike Hawx). It's great to get a flight sim that is close to a PC version instead of it having some crappy cartoon story line (like Hawx). You actually get to land the bloomin plane which makes a change from the usual console flight sims. The only reason I haven't given 5 stars is due to the harder difficulty levels just being a bit too tricky. The plane just stalls and forget about trying to pull it out of a spin! Don't get me wrong I might master it but I think it will take some doing. Arcade mode is good fun and the game is well worth £29.99.

This game is stunning! If you like any sort of aerial combat game then this is one for you. Free of the tech heavy HUDs and control systems of games like HAWX - Birds of Prey really puts you in the hot seat, in terms of control it's all down to you. You have the option of playing three settings; Arcade; Realistic and Simulation, each being closer to a 'real' flying experience and thus all the more difficult. The realism in the game is greatly assisted by the incredible graphics, and in the air they really are superb. Closer to the ground buildings and fine detail suffers, but this is truly a minor complaint given the sensation of beauty when you're flying around and looking down on the environs of Europe during WWII.
Not just that, but combat itself is very satisfying. From the thunder of your guns to the tearing and exploding of your enemy aircraft, IL*2 really puts on a fine show. Depending where your shots land can greatly affect your opponent planes, from exploding their engines to slicing off their tail sections, you'll find yourself trying to get as close as possible and snipping of a wing and watching them tumble to the ground! And you really have to look around as well while flying around, as while you may be blowing nazi flyers out of the sky, a few well placed cannon rounds can cut a wing or tail off of your plane too and send you hurtling to a firey death!
The detail applied to the planes and damage models is second to none, bullet holes appear in real time as you take a hammering and the skin of your plane will start to get damaged too, revealing the exposed airframe and affecting your controls.
The story element is solid and there are a vast amount of planes. The in game encyclopedia is also very good offering solid historical insight into the battles you're engaged in.
All round one of the finest games for PS3 there is, and if you're a flight combat fan a must buy! I'll be buying a flight stick just for this game, the sixaxis controls are fantastic, but this game deserves a good stick! (the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X being my choice!)
Great Price! Great Game! Buy It!

My wife bought me this game last Saturday and it's been hard to stop playing it. So much so I told the missus I'd come to bed at 10:00pm and didn't end up joining her until 12:45am, oooops! The aeroplane graphics are superb as is the landscape views, especially when dogfighting over the white cliffs of Dover. There are loads of storyline missions to complete and also added are single missions aswell which really adds to the variety. I'd would have given the game a 5 star rating but for the online gameplay. When I first went online and tried to join a game a message kept coming up that no games were available, so eventually I ended-up setting-up my own game and waiting for others to join in. It didn't take too long to do this and for others to join in my game but it can be frustrating if you just want to quickly go online and join in an already set-up game.

Ok this review is based on the demo.
I found the controls quite simple and easy to master, graphics were great, not the best but nothing to complain about really. The gameplay is where it is let down, a major let down. It just doesnt feel right. I preferred the game HAWX but maybe thats just me. 3Stars.