Time to pull trigger on IL2 COD?

d.burnette · #1 03-14-2012, 11:59 AM

Hey gang,

It has been a long time, have been away for a while. I figure this is probably the most appropriate section, as my biggest concern would be performance, after COD was released, I kept up somewhat with the early reports, and decided to hold off for a while. I have IL2 1946, and used to fly it very regularly for a few years. I certainly have had, many many hours of great enjoyment out of that sim. My favorite flight sim genre would have to be WWII combat, any theatre.

I have been mostly flying civilian flight sims the last year or so, namely FSX and most recently Flight by MS. But my desire and want for a good WWII combat system, is getting stronger again and I need to do something.

So anyway, to the present. Back when I was checking this forum, was before even the USA release. After quick perusal, it would appear much of the early performance issues have been resolved, and sounds like there is a big update coming here very soon, that will resolve even more? Can one get decent offline air to air combat now, without becoming a slideshow with fairly decent graphics? Is the gameplay at least as good, if not better hopefully, than IL2 1946?
Also, I presume the sim still has to come through Steam as it was early on? I have a Steam account, have not used in a while, never was a big fan of it - but I can live with it. I am really only interested, in offline play if that makes any difference.

My computer specs are listed in my sig, also note that I am probably going to be upgrading my GTX 460 to a GTX 560 TI here in the next couple of weeks.

So anyway, I really want to get back into WWII combat simming, and being how much I loved IL2 I am thinking COD is probably the only way to go.

Any and all feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,

bw_wolverine · #2 03-14-2012, 12:18 PM

Decent OFFLINE air-to-air WWII combat is still probably better handled by Battle of Britain II: Wings of Victory from the A2A Simulations site.

That said, IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover runs decently now and hopefully a lot better with the mystical mythical patch coming soon to a computer near you.

It's really a question of good AI. BOB2 has it. CLOD not so much.

tintifaxl · #3 03-14-2012, 12:21 PM

My advice is: hold out a little longer.

If performance is important for you, wait for the beta patch and the reactions. If gameplay is important for you, wait a little longer for the release patch and the included gameplay fixes.

bolox · #4 03-14-2012, 12:38 PM

first off, if you are planning on a 560 for CoD get a 2gb version- but this may change with the patch. CoD really can use the biggest gpu's if you turn everything up.
can't say what you think are decent graphics but you should be ok as long as you are prepared to drop a little from max.

Offline gameplay has a few things that are 'less than perfect' but you can get some good experiences (imho). Good mission design is key here and that's a skillset that is getting there slowly as everyone gets used to the quirks of the mission builder.
http://airwarfare.com/sow/index.php?...ries&Itemid=73
might give you a taste of what's available.

Steam-afraid so- but the offline mode is relatively pain free.

Personally i think you'll enjoy it, you seem to have reasonable expectations. If nothing else it'll keep you busy for a while learning not to blow up the engines

- engine management is a big improvement on IL2

ATAG_MajorBorris · #5 03-14-2012, 12:38 PM

MS Flight? ahh man I could do that hot air ballon slalem all day long! jk

You like the ww2 cfs genre allready so the price is not even a factor just get it!

Steam updates for you! no more patch dance.

You will be fine on those specs but the GPU upgrade would be nice, just dont upgrade one tier up as you wont see much difference.

Theres so much to learn as far as the operating limits and start up procedure, setting up buttons etc... By the time the patch comes out you might want to be at least a little acclimated to the sim allready.

Most importantly if you can join us on coms at the ATAG server we can help, what good is a ww2 cfs with out a wingman?

See ya in the air!

d.burnette · #6 03-14-2012, 03:22 PM

Thanks very much for the quick feedback gang! I will probably go ahead and pull the trigger on COD, may go ahead and get BOB2 as well just to compare - been a while, have found myself homebound for the next several days due to circumstances beyond my control, will at least have some time to check them out - figure can't have too many good WWII combat sims!

Thanks again,

bw_wolverine · #7 03-14-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d.burnette

Thanks very much for the quick feedback gang! I will probably go ahead and pull the trigger on COD, may go ahead and get BOB2 as well just to compare - been a while, have found myself homebound for the next several days due to circumstances beyond my control, will at least have some time to check them out - figure can't have too many good WWII combat sims!

Thanks again,

You can't go wrong getting both

Definitely give the CoD multiplayer a go and jump on the ATAG teamspeak if you play there. It's a different experience, surely, but can be incredibly rewarding.

d.burnette · #8 03-14-2012, 07:04 PM

Thanks again for the tips - I am indeed going to go ahead and get both, I got some time and figure what the heck...

Regarding startup procedure and assigning buttons, is it changed radically from IL2 1946? Would be nice to be able to use my IL2 1946 profile for my Cougar Hotas, with COD.

Really appreciate the feedback gang,

d.burnette · #9 03-14-2012, 08:33 PM

Hey guys, quick question:
I have purchased IL2 COD from Steam, it is showing in my library with an " install" button to click. I would prefer, this not install to my system drive, ie my program files on the C: drive, I want to install to a seperate hard drive.

I am not that familiar with Steam, I thought I might be given a download option and be able to save the install file to my hard drive - if I choose " install" from the Library screen in Steam, will it give me option to select where I want to install it to?

ATAG_Bliss · #10 03-14-2012, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d.burnette

Hey guys, quick question:
I have purchased IL2 COD from Steam, it is showing in my library with an " install" button to click. I would prefer, this not install to my system drive, ie my program files on the C: drive, I want to install to a seperate hard drive.

I am not that familiar with Steam, I thought I might be given a download option and be able to save the install file to my hard drive - if I choose " install" from the Library screen in Steam, will it give me option to select where I want to install it to?

Steam will only install games where steam is installed. You will not be given a choice where to install it. The workaround for this is to install steam in the location you want the game to be. If all you have is IL2COD for games, steam will not require much additional space.

I know several people, like me for instance, that have 100's of gigs worth of steam games. When I want to put a steam game on my ssd, I'll install steam again in that location, but will only install the game from that install that I want. Therefore I can click one steam shortcut for the C: drive and have 95% of my games, or I can click the SSD short cut for steam and the only thing showing in my library is what I installed in that location. And yes, you can use the same login for steam (same steam account) for both locations on your pc.