# Help recommend a WWII combat sim **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 11, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-recommend-a-wwii-combat-sim/244689 "2004-05-11T20:14:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-recommend-a-wwii-combat-sim/244689/1 "2004-05-11T20:14:08Z")
I’m looking for a good WWII combat flight sim PC game. I’ve been considering _MS Combat Flight Simulator 3_, \*Il-2 Sturmovik Gold \* (Forgotten Battles + Aces expansion pack), and _European Air War_. Of the three, I’m leaning towards Il-2 based on the reviews I’ve read. I’m open to suggestions, which of the three would you recommend, and why? Thanks for your assistance. ---
**Author:** ![Jet\_Jaguar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jet_jaguar/32/3562_2.png) [@Jet\_Jaguar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jet_Jaguar)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2004, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-recommend-a-wwii-combat-sim/244689/2 "2004-05-11T20:16:52Z")
I just want to add that I’m looking for more of a realistic, hardcore sim, rather than an action shooter. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-recommend-a-wwii-combat-sim/244689/3 "2004-05-12T01:42:48Z")
I have IL-2, and it’s ridiculously accurate, in a similar vein to Falcon 3.0. As in, you damn near have to be a pilot to do well. I quit playing it because it wasn’t fun. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Long\_Road](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@The\_Long\_Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Long_Road)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-recommend-a-wwii-combat-sim/244689/4 "2004-05-12T02:26:33Z")
Have you ever played Aces over Europe and Aces over the Pacific? They are from the Mid 90s and free off the web. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Long\_Road](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@The\_Long\_Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Long_Road)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-recommend-a-wwii-combat-sim/244689/5 "2004-05-12T02:28:29Z")
> [@The Long Road](#): > > Have you ever played Aces over Europe and Aces over the Pacific? They are from the Mid 90s and free off the web. Mistake: It’s Aces of the Pacific ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [May 12, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-recommend-a-wwii-combat-sim/244689/6 "2004-05-12T02:42:11Z")
_IL-2 Sturmovik_, and its associated expansion packs, is the reigning King of WW2 Sims, IMO. You get: -Great graphics. -A huge selection of well-modeled aircraft. -Realistic play, though you can nancy it if you like. I _love_ a good hardcore flightsim. -Pretty much limitless single-player campaign play. -STUKAS! Ain’t nothing like rolling over the docks at Leningrad and hitting that siren… -Fantastic, free, online play. -A dedicated developer (Oleg and his crew), along with a large online community. This means timely updates and all sorts of little perks. (Great online manuals, discussion boards, etc.) The same company is working on a Battle of Britian sim, which looks to be only product that will take that crown away from IL2.