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

[99th_Obsidian]

Originally Posted by rakinroll

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!

[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?

[zakkandrachoff]

Originally Posted by 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

+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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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.