IL2 is entering a new life cycle

[msalama]

1946 is still the game I play most though, especially since the 4.09 patch came out

I reinstalled IL-2 a while ago after a long break to see what all the rage's about now that 4.09 has come out, and yeah, it's still good. The new maps and goodies are awesome of course, but what really got me sucked in again this time is the good old dynamic ground attack campaign where you fly a Sturmovik Series 1 into battle during the first days of Barbarossa. I mean, some people gripe about the clueless AI or the game lacking soul, but I at least had the most eventful and hair-raising (and short) career, during which I even managed to shoot down 3 Messerschmitts in addition to the usual tankbusting!

I received a medal and got promoted to a lieutenant before the curtains fell on my 8th sortie. The end, when it came, was fast and total, with some AI goon suffering from a Hartmann complex diving on me and dewinging my trusty rusty old ride Now it may well be true that the AI leaves a lot to be desired, but that IMO is a real problem during fighter vs. fighter engagements only, because those numbnuts sure are dangerous enough for us slow and low mudmovers! Although my SA ain't what it used to be either I'm sure...

So yeah, the game's still good IMO, warts and all.

PS. What the hell has happened to all full-difficulty and non-mod servers in HL, by the way? All I see is arcade and mod stuff when I log in there now. Not that there's anything wrong with that persay, it's just that I personally prefer "classic" servers myself...