It takes less computer to play the original IL-2 but by today's standards only the video card needs to be better than mainstream to run 1946 well. Mobo video is still generally too weak for either version.
If you want to play online then be sure to get 1946, either download or DVD.
Once you have it installed (check that it runs), copy the install folder as a backup. Each patch you add, check and then update the backup. Once you get to the latest official patch, your backup will be current, make a special copy of that even if on a USB stick (4.10.1 is about 6 gig).
Anything happens, you can copy that folder back and it will run -- look Ma, no registry BS! You want to mod the game, copy the folder as a new name and mod that copy, no problem. Especially if you bought the download, that copy is your insurance. This is true for all versions of IL-2.
IL-2 really needs rudder control. Look into 3-axis ("twisty") joysticks... well 4-axis with throttle. There are cheap ones out there, in time you'll want something better. If you can, get decent rudder pedals but avoid the real cheap ones.
And then there's Track-IR which ain't cheap but... when you turn your head, the view moves. There's a thing called Cachya that is almost the same and there is software IIRC called Newview that turns the view some in the direction you move your joystick. Otherwise you will want your joystick to have at least one 8-direction hat.
From there, it's more money for more and/or better gadgets; buttons, hats, rotaries and sliders. If you -really- get into the game then you will want extra goodies! The sky's the limit on controllers though, so people have even made setups you can't buy at any store. There have been pictures posted on forums clear up to full simpits and one in Greece that has the player seat and monitor in a gimbal mount, when the plane is tilted the seat is too.
|