PC Flight Simulators

[Goblin]

It's been many years and computers ago since I invested any real time with flight simulators. Recently I have gotten the bug and think I may to try to really do it right, buy the realistic flight stick and throttle control. I'm don't to interested in traditional cessna yokes, more along the lines of a flight stick for the F-16.

So what Simulator is currently the best, and what sticks/throttle do you recommend. Do you do anything special with your set up, dual/tripple monitors, special seat etc? [If you are this hardcore, I want pictures.]

[Leo_A]

For starters, a flight yoke (Like airliners, bombers, and P-38's used) isn't the same as a joystick (Like most fighter planes use which is what you're after).

Sounds like you want something along the lines of the Saitek X-52 flight control system or anything from CH Products like the Fighterstick USB. Avoid Logitech in my opinion.

I use a X-52 flight control system with TSW racing pedals set to combined axis for rudder control. When I'm flying something like a Handley Page Halifax or other large airplane I'll hook up my CH Products flight yoke (Along with the TSW racing pedals hooked up through my TSW wheel for rudder control). Nothing particularly special, but that's about 1000$ worth in PC game controllers right there if I include the wheel, gets the job done and then some. You can get by with the X-52 for about 100 dollars, and if you don't like the twist function for rudder controls, invest in a set of CH Products rudder pedals for 150$. Along with this I use a Logitech headset with attached mic for online gaming (Using TeamSpeak), it's necessary to effectively defend something like a B-25 with a full crew of gunners in Pacific Fighters, and adds a lot to the realism of online play for a very small cost.

As for the best flight simulations, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight (Otherwise known as FS9 to everyone that flies it) is the best simulator for everything non military related. Has lots of freeware quality airplanes, lots of nice mods, and a lot of really nice add-on airplanes that can be purchased. Is cheap as well, 20-30$ everywhere now.

For military stuff, go with Falcon 4.0:Allied Force and Lock-On Modern Air Combat for modern military jets. For WWII, go with IL-2 Sturmovik: Forgotten Battles along with the Ace Expansion Pack, as well as Pacific Fighters (All from the same company, will keep you busy for years).

[hydr0x]

for fighting flight sims you have to get Falcon 4.0 Gold, it's from like 1998 but it's still the best

helicopter war would be Comanche 3 i guess, civil flight of course the MS Flight Sim (you might give Flight Unlimited by Looking Glass a try, very old game though)

my favourite WWII flight-sim would still be European Air War, released in 1998 i think, great game, others would be the even older Wings of Fury, Dawn Patrol and Red Baron 1+2

[Lothars]

Yeah I agree fully

I've still heard that Falcon 4.0 is the only game for sims to get

especially with all the changes that have been done to it, still one of the best games.

[Leo_A]

Don't get what they suggested, get Falcon 4.0 Allied Force.

Is a rerecent rerelease of the original with many fixes and improvements made. No need to install dozens of add-ons and patches to get Falcon 4.0 working halfway decent anymore.

As for the other suggestions, they're all nice, but be prepared for dated graphics and physics, and a hassle getting them to work with XP. European Air War should see some activity now that the source code was just released at least.

[hydr0x]

Don't get what they suggested, get Falcon 4.0 Allied Force.


that's what i meant with Falcon 4.0 Gold, i think it's called Gold over here

[Jorpho]

you might give Flight Unlimited by Looking Glass a try, very old game though

It had two sequels, y'know.

[heyricochet]

Screw all those other games, all you need is some Chuck Yeager.

[Leo_A]

Sorry about that hydr0x, over here Falcon Gold was a rerelease of the original Falcon 4.0, and not the remade version that recently came out.

I liked the first Flight Unlimited a lot due to its atmosphere, but simulation it was not. How were its two sequels?

[boatofcar]

Up from the depths....

Anybody try the new version of Microsoft Flight Simulator?

[YoshiM]

Up from the depths....

Anybody try the new version of Microsoft Flight Simulator?

I've got the demo but haven't gotten around to playing it yet. I heard (PC Gamer magazine's podcast) that the game does take up about 15GB of hard drive space. It's a lot but Microsoft took satellite imagery and pretty much rendered the freakin' planet.

What I'd like to know: how detailed does this thing get? Can I fly by my local Sheboygan County Airport in this sim and possibly buzz the United Bank building downtown? Even if it's not full detail (generic buildings) it'd still be pretty sweet.

[Leo_A]

You'll see major buildings, like the state office building in Watertown NY for one example, not just the famous ones like the Empire State. But I doubt you'll find your local bank unless the building is really prominent in your town. You can fly to the airport however.