I don't wanna bash CloD or anything and I didn't play Wings of Prey, so close up it might not be as good looking, but the atmosphere, that the landscape, paired with the clouds and the colours of the terrain, delivers, looks really immersive to me. At least from what I can tell, watching this video for example:
I'm not talking about the aircraft models or the cockpit details (those are much better in CloD), just the scenery.
I don't know, but CloD feels different somehow. Can't really put my finger on it!