"Wings" Of Prey (PC). Watchout Oleg!

[Desode]

Well the first video is modern with a cam. It is the only Stuka replica flying today.
It was made built by Louis Langhurst, and a guy in maine has it now.


I wish I could take it up for a couple of hours ! It looks like good times :-P

Been thinking about building a WWI replica, I have always wanted to do that since back when I was a kid ! ROF has brought that dream back full force.

I'm still thinking about starting some kind of contest with a leaderboard for WOP's SP. It is the hardest flight game I may have ever played on Sim with Limited F&A and no retrys. I'd really like to see someone beat the entire game like that ! More and more I don't think its possible. The timed missions are just brutal ! You got to be on it and some of them are at night and that is even harder. Thats one aspect of WOP I really like, but then I like really hard games. Yes I have FSX , but I personally think Xplane 9 has the most spot on FM of any modern Sim.



DESODE

[Tempest123]

just spotted this...WOW...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mcT_giikC4


I have to say thats the best representation of real flight I have seen on a pc. I cant speak for the FM/DM etc. but as far as the feeling of actually being up in the air, hands down the best. No doubt its leaning in the arcade direction but I hope SOW of maybe even Il2 can adopt some of the smooth graphics and lighting.

[Tempest123]

Ok, just played the demo, yes the graphics are amazing and smooth. I really enjoyed the La-7 mission, to watch the whole city smoking and so many planes was really neat, really felt like you were there, great feeling of motion and realism. The flight model is def. arcade, as is the gameplay, and there is waaaayyy to much "hud" stuff going on around you (this can probably be turned off), the DM is also poor, and I didn't even know I had been hit until I looked outside and saw holes in my plane. The radio voices are very corny, english with a cheesy russian/british/you name it/ accent, and lots of repetition. The interface is kind of a pain to setup joystick and keys etc. but the cinematics and music are great. On a whole I really enjoyed *watching* the whole sim, all the little details on the ground, enemy encampments, houses, makeshift runways etc, flak everywhere etc. WoP feels much more "alive" than il2. But *actually playing* the sim was lackluster compared to Il2.
An interesting thing was that with all its amazing graphics it still runs faster than Il2 in perfect mode...(but Il2 with water=4 still has better water!). So if we could get the graphics of this with the realism of Il2, that would be great. But Il2 is still much better, I think SoW has nothing to worry about from this sim unless wop really change directions towards realism.

[=815=TooCooL]

Wow, that 262 flight scene is truly amazing. :grin:
I played the demo but I should order one at Steam.

I'd be disappointed if SOW graphic is not as good as BOPs.
BOP graphic is hands down the best so far. Feels right, scaled right.

[Dude27]

Having some real training experience in private plane and tri-axes ultralights, I can say that tinted filters apart (for me a big art mistake), this game have the best immersion graphic ever done in a video game. What is really spectacular with this game is that from one altitude to another, the change is completely flawless, every altitude is really spot on with rich details and effects that really put the player in a cockpit in a very realistic world. It's a real pleasure to do some VFR in this game especially in the bumpy GB coast or the Berlin area.

Having the IL-2 Mdv, the planes behaves in a decent way on sim mode and like in reality, you have to be easy on the stick and know the power and weakness of your plane. The combat part is challenging even with its flaws. Sure it will need some refinement but out of the box, it's pretty dam good!

The big problem of this game is, in my opinion, its original predecessor: BoP on console: this game was created with the console crowd in mind: the mainstream crowd from the 8 years old to gran pa...: little map with few or no place to land, arcade hyper scripted missions, no real career mode, simplified damage and gun accuracy,... and here is the real big tragedy for us, the PC crowd and pilot enthusiasts: That to really change the game to be a better decent simulation, devs will have to redo large part of the original code. Sure it will be easy to tweak the Damages, the MDVs, to add a quick mission editor... but what about the big things like bigger maps with airstrips or a more randomized campaign/carreer mode with more varied and common types of mission (CAP, Scramble, Defense, Escort, Fighter sweep....) ? will it be possible? Do the devs have the will to take their game a little further? I don't think so, unfortunately...

In conclusion, I don't think WoP will ever be a serious match for SoW complexity and depth... at best, it will stay as a good dog fighter simulator with decent simulation parts.

I really hope that for unknow reasons known by Oleg himself, SoW will hide its charms from us to the end, but I doubt it, I don't see it matching the fluid graphic Awesomness of WOP... unfortunately... maybe for the next generation of flying simulator...

[Ribbs67]

I to have played this demo, and its amazing how smooth it does run, with all that is going on around you...(I was playing in sim mode, with the sensitivity up about half way) I am not a real life pilot, so im not going to sit here and say something dosent feel "real". I have played quite a few flight sims though and with the Fm controls set the way they were the plane still felt on the "arcade" side...as many before me have mentioned. I loved the graphics, and the shadows in the cockpit was really well done....that being said, when i think of a great sim, i think of the immersion factor.
As an example, i will throw this out there...In the game European Air War. When you started the game, it felt like you were part of something bigger going on around you. It seems like games these days try to make the war revolve around you...if that makes any sence. In EAW you started off in a squadron, and as you progressed you got to be the squadron leader and got to make decisions that affected what was going on around you. You would feel a bond between you and your pilots that were flying with you. As good as flight sims have gotten graphics wise and FM/DM wise...i still havent gotten that feeling with any other sim. There were alot of times that i would have my engine shot up so bad ,that i would turn back over the channel only to have my engine give up half way across. Instead of ditching... i would do everything i could to glide my plane as far as i could to reach the otherside and desperately find a base to land so i could survive to fight again... :)

It wasnt my intension to turn this into an EAW post, but when i think of immersion/fun factor/realism...its not always just great graphics and realistic FM's. Correct me if im wrong, there is a reason that we are all here discussing realism or the lack there of in some cases... deep down we all wonder what these guys REALLY went through everytime they strapped into the cockpit of the fighter or bomber that they flew.
And another thing that really bothers me! In this day and age, why are we STILL piloting Pilotless aircraft! U look at any of the Racing games out right now and most of them will put you in first person mode where you can see the drivers arms and body. I cant believe this isnt more of an issue than wether the terrains color pallet is closer to Hollywood than real life...Really???
I would also like to see more campaigns in flight sims with pilot career mode, so that players could feel more attached to there pilot. Maybe implement some way of playing your pilot on the ground (after you crash land or ditch)in first or third person mode,to get back to your base safely! I realize that it sounds crazy, but instead of having a ton of flyable aircraft and diffrent campaigns to choose from... i would rather have one map like BOB with a small set of flyable plane sets and implement stuff like what i have mentioned ..how fun would that be? S!

[=815=TooCooL]

Took some P-51D video to praise the sensation of WOP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kmdwyEZ3ak

One of P-51D single mission in game.
It just feels like 'Dogfight' in history channel.
This is the scene I've been dreaming.
Korean chatter is from my squadmates so plz don't bother.
Forgot to turn off TeamSpeak. :)

[Flanker35M]

S!

More simulator added to WoP and we have another WW2 game to play :D Never too many of them, even quality can vary ;)

[proton45]

Took some P-51D video to praise the sensation of WOP.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kmdwyEZ3ak

One of P-51D single mission in game.
It just feels like 'Dogfight' in history channel.
This is the scene I've been dreaming.
Korean chatter is from my squadmates so plz don't bother.
Forgot to turn off TeamSpeak. :)

I'll agree that the game duz look cool...I'm hoping for something a bit different for "SoW", but the footage duz look pretty cool.

[robtek]

If WoP where a simulation i would be happy.

[Tempest123]

As an example, i will throw this out there...In the game European Air War. When you started the game, it felt like you were part of something bigger going on around you. It seems like games these days try to make the war revolve around you...if that makes any sence. In EAW you started off in a squadron, and as you progressed you got to be the squadron leader and got to make decisions that affected what was going on around you. You would feel a bond between you and your pilots that were flying with you. As good as flight sims have gotten graphics wise and FM/DM wise...i still havent gotten that feeling with any other sim. There were alot of times that i would have my engine shot up so bad ,that i would turn back over the channel only to have my engine give up half way across. Instead of ditching... i would do everything i could to glide my plane as far as i could to reach the otherside and desperately find a base to land so i could survive to fight again... :)


I'll second that, I used to play Red Baron II a lot and created many new aircraft 3d models for the game, one of the best features was the immersion factor. The enemy fighters scrambling as you overflew their base, the random patrols and the dangers of getting shot down over enemy territory all depended on where you were and what strategy you chose. Also you always had the ability to manage more detailed aspects of your squadron and aircraft. I guess the best point is that FM and DM are only two parts of a whole list that make a great flight sim, Il2 is my fave sim but yes it lacks immersion, the dynamic campaigns are too sterile esp. when compared to RB3d, EAW and others.

[zakkandrachoff]

The Bf 109 G-6 is ten times best that the Mustang P51D in WOP.
And the He 162, is amazing! so easy

http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/ae188/zakkandrachoff/shot20100117140819this.jpg?t=1263871719

but i get bored. I want play Storm of War. wop is so arcade and empty. they miss so many things! Empty is the word. and are not skins and diferent armaments in the aircraft. The FW 190 have not so many variants. wop is a empty sim. is only play for get fun some time and nothing more.

[rakinroll]

wop is a empty sim. is only play for get fun some time and nothing more.

You are right but it is not a sim, just a game.

[Ribbs67]

I'll second that, I used to play Red Baron II a lot and created many new aircraft 3d models for the game, one of the best features was the immersion factor. The enemy fighters scrambling as you overflew their base, the random patrols and the dangers of getting shot down over enemy territory all depended on where you were and what strategy you chose. Also you always had the ability to manage more detailed aspects of your squadron and aircraft. I guess the best point is that FM and DM are only two parts of a whole list that make a great flight sim, Il2 is my fave sim but yes it lacks immersion, the dynamic campaigns are too sterile esp. when compared to RB3d, EAW and others.

Its so right, the flying aspect is only part of what i believe makes a game fun. I feel a great sim should'nt end if you get shot down and survive. I would love to be able to see how far through a campain i could make it by evading capture. I realize alot of people think that it might take away from the whole flying aspect of the game...but i think it would only enhance the reality and "immersion" factor of what it was really like to be a pilot back in the day. :)

[McDaniel]

hy guys :grin:

I am honest, I did not read the whole thread, but this WOP is the port from the Birds of prey? right?

I bought birds of pray for PS3 just to support the Flightsimgenre in general, so I bought the WoP today and it has the exact same missions..... :rolleyes:

So atually this is a Oleg game?

what ever, I just support every Simulation making company....and thanks for the russians, those are almost the only guys who develop good sims nowaday!

McDan out

[MikkOwl]

I am honest, I did not read the whole thread, but this WOP is the port from the Birds of prey? right?

I bought birds of pray for PS3 just to support the Flightsimgenre in general, so I bought the WoP today and it has the exact same missions..... :rolleyes:

So atually this is a Oleg game?

what ever, I just support every Simulation making company....and thanks for the russians, those are almost the only guys who develop good sims nowaday!
Yes, basically a port of Birds of Prey. Some changes and additions.

Not an Oleg game. Wings of Prey team recieved the IL-2 source code and models from Maddox Games (because of 1C Company), and also some consulting. And they got a better graphics engine and made their own flying game based on this.

[99th_Obsidian]

You are right but it is not a sim, just a game.

What defines a flight simulator? We all have our own definition. Is it graphics, FM, takeoffs and landings, complex engine controls, energy management, real maps and planes, historical campaigns, or all of the above? I'm sure I'm missing some additional categories and I'm not going to check the dictionary. But the point is that we "keyboard pilots" all have our own definitions of what is a sim and what is a game. In most games you earn points for achieving objectives. You "win" by defeating your opponent.

Such is the case for WoP AND for IL2 1946. Both award points for achieving mission objectives. Both have plane dependent FM's, take offs, landings, real maps, complex engine controls, available cockpit only views, TIR support, require gunnery skills and allow you to energy fight. These are some of the factors that allow me to "simulate" WWII aerial combat. Since I'm not a pilot (yet) my only frame of reference is WWII movies. WOP's highly detailed graphics make me feel like I'm "in" the movie (I especially enjoy the cinematic replays which look photo realistic when viewed at a normal distance from a 32" HDTV). Ignore the principles of flight in WoP or 1946 and you'll crash and lose.

Men are visual beings and I equate WOP to a young, beautiful model. WoP is drop dead gorgeous and fun to play with. However WoP is a bit shallow and currently lacks the intellectual stimulation necessary for a long term relationship. Whereas IL2-1946 is like a Cougar. Older, more mature, complex, still looks good after a few upgrades, and can teach you a thing or two. Bottom line both will make you feel good doing the thing you want to do most with them, fly;) Both require the same techniques to successfully get up, stay up and get down. So at their core, both are WWII aerial combat simulators. Only time and experience will tell if my affair with WoP will last. Thankfully, 1946 is more forgiving than its other lovers.

[Erkki]

I'd love to have cross-platform cross-game multiplayer between 1946 and WoP.

IL2 1946 old timers vs. console casual gamers with their gamepads! :grin:

[Wiskey-Charlie]

I did a speed read through this thread hoping to find an answer to a question I have. Sorry if I missed it but there is a lot to read here and so much BS, bla, bla, bla etc.

Also, let me say on the topic of WOP vs SOW. I am waiting for SOW. WOP will give me something to do in the mean time :)

My question is:

Does WOP allow 3rd party key strokes to work within the game ?

I fly using home made pit with buttons and toggle switches for flaps, gear etc. They are run by PI Engineering matrix board and x-keys.

These devices work for IL2 but not WOP. Has anyone tried a third party key stroke device to confirm that WOP does not work with them?

[bf-110]

In the trailer,BoP looked quite awesome.Why WoP wouldn´t be?
And why?WoP wasn´t meaned to be released?

[zakkandrachoff]

I did a speed read through this thread hoping to find an answer to a question I have. Sorry if I missed it but there is a lot to read here and so much BS, bla, bla, bla etc.

Also, let me say on the topic of WOP vs SOW. I am waiting for SOW. WOP will give me something to do in the mean time :)

+1

[Hunden]

BOP was the reason I am now playing Il2. It got my attention and when i couldnt program my controler the way i wanted to. I purchased Il2. And yes I think The graphics are pretty damn good in WOP.Those of you with your panties in a bunch grow up, there both games.Were all big kidds sitting in front of a screen.

[Fergal69]

I too purchased WoP after humming & harring. I've played it a few times, but the dissapointment for me is when it gives you a list of aircraft to fly, you think great, there's a few I would like to try, only to find out you can only fly them from external view a no cockpits view available, ie. the beaufighter.

[whatnot]

I too purchased WoP after humming & harring. I've played it a few times, but the dissapointment for me is when it gives you a list of aircraft to fly, you think great, there's a few I would like to try, only to find out you can only fly them from external view a no cockpits view available, ie. the beaufighter.

For me the few factors that make it uplayable/unenjoyable are:

- Just horrible engine sounds (Like a bee with two tones switching almost in an on/off fashion with WEP on/off)
- Huge blurring effect when turning my head using TIR instead of image staying sharp
- Too foggy / uncrisp environment
- Tiny maps

The last time I tried was some months ago so maybe there are fixes for that already?

It's kind of a conflicting experience overall, it tries to be a simulator and arcade game at the same time. You have pretty detailed controls for CEM for example and then your missions are like: shoot down 10 planes and by default they start without takeoff and end without a landing. WTF?

Still happy I bought it as every buck spent on supporting aviation titles is not badly spent. But still WOP is not really fighting in the same category as SOW:BOB, DCS titles etc flight sims. But to be honest the best 'I'm flying' experience I've got so far has been flying low level in WOP, you can really feel the speed and see the details without glitches and FPS issues even when settings are maxed out.

[Dano]

- Huge blurring effect when turning my head using TIR instead of image staying sharp

Turn off motion blur to fix that one.

However I have to say that WoP is very unsatisfying indeed, the time limits are a joke as is trying to play the campaigns in sim mode.

[Wiskey-Charlie]

However I have to say that WoP is very unsatisfying indeed, the time limits are a joke as is trying to play the campaigns in sim mode.


You are right about that, when thier time limit runs out on you and you are taken out of the game, that screams ARCADE!