The Current State of PC-Based Flight Simulators – 2010 Edition

Once upon a time, the flight-simulator ruled the PC. In those glory days gamers were blessed with a ton of options. We had the glorious Microprose filling our desire with stellar releases like B-17, Stealth Fighter F-117 and Gunship. We had Spectrum Holobyte keeping it real with the Falcon series, culminating in Falcon 4, still considered the best and most detailed simulator ever released. European designers even joined the fray, releasing great works like Tornado. Then, suddenly, the world of flight-simulators collapsed and has yet to see a resurgence.

Why did the flight-sim disappear? Most likely because the development costs were not being balanced by revenue, a basic economic model that spells doom for anything, not just flight-simulators. More importantly, the taste of gamers went through a dramatic change in the late 90s with a heavy focus on First Person Shooters like Quake, Half-Life and Counter-Strike. Add the rise of console domination and PC players were soon marginalized, unable to deliver the a sizable amount of consumers required to turn a profit on a flight-sim.

Hence, the genre all but evaporated into obscurity.

Fortunately, there is still a heart-beat out there. Small design houses continue to fight the good fight and notable simulators are still being made, albeit at a much slower pace than the glory days. So if, like me, you’re hankering for some air-combat or civilian flying, then here is a collection of sims for you to explore.

Wings of Prey

Wings of Prey is one of the newer releases, sporting a great graphics engine and pretty good physics. Wings of Prey displays a superb-looking  landscape rich with detail and sports some fantastic combat effects. There are 50 missions on offer, campaigns across Eastern and Western Europe, 40 different flyable planes including bombers, DLC support and multiplayer modes.

Wings of Prey was a pain in the ass to purchase, but no longer, as it is now available on Steam for $44. The developers appears hell-bent on supporting the games with additional content and already the fan-base is growing, so Wings of Prey is a great bet if you’re looking for something that will grow and expand over time.

Wings of Prey Official Site

Rise of Flight

Like Wings of Prey, Rise of Flight is a newcomer that is already gaining a legion of fans. If you’re looking for a World War I aviation sim then you need look no further. Great graphics, brutal realism, Rise of Flight will test your piloting skills and is not some arcade-like experience, as so often happens with games featuring bi-planes. Rise of Flight recently won Game of the Year from SimHQ, a website that knows its simulations better than anyone, so you know you’re in good hands with this baby.

Official Line:

Rise of Flight features an advanced flight model that simulates the unique handling characteristics of WWI aircraft. Spins, stalls, loops, takeoffs and landings are all accurately modeled. The complex physics model simulates natural forces such as lift, g-force, inertia and torque, which allows for an amazing level of fidelity and interaction of objects within the game environment. The detailed and progressive damage model tracks the trajectory of every bullet and shell fragment, leaving no room for error. Stay in the line of fire too long and you’ll lose a wing or a tail, land too hard and the wooden spine of your plane will crack.

Historical references and modern computer graphics were combined to render 125,000 square kilometers of French countryside that is disfigured by a terribly cratered battlefield. Fluffy clouds fill the sky which you can fly into for cover. Rain and fog are also modeled in realistic detail making flying even more of a challenge as water drops cover your windscreen or goggles. Advanced graphics featuring moving shadows, depth of field, light bloom and reflections make the objects and scenery come to life in a very realistic way.

If you think you’re good enough, try flying against real human opponents over the Internet. Rise of Flight features a robust Multiplayer option designed to allow players to fly co-operatively as a team against the computer or human opponents. Multiplayer statistics such as aerial kills, targets destroyed and missions completed are tracked by neoqb servers.

Rise of Flight can be purchased online or in stores.

Rise of Flight Official Website

Falcon 4: Allied Force

Wait a minute, Falcon 4 still exists? Indeed. Back in 2005, a little company called Lead Pursuit picked up the abandoned development of the ancient Falcon 4 and overhauled the entire game, culminating in Falcon 4: Allied Force. What’s been improved? AI, graphics, multiplayer, terrain and the classic dynamic campaign.  In additon to the game, Falcon 4: Allied Force has a huge mod-following, so there is no shortage of downloads to further enhance your experience. Best of all, Falcon 4: Allied Force is only $19.99.

Buy Falcon 4: Allied Force Online

Falcon 4: Allied Force Official Website

DCS Black Shark

DCS Black Shark is an uber-hardcore helicopter simulator that will have you begging for mercy if you are not prepared for an avalanche of technical details. This game is not for the feint of heart. Every button does something, every dial turns. Don’t like reading manuals? Then stay the hell away from this. Falcon 4 too easy? Then this is the sim for you.

DCS Black Shark Official Site

IL2-Sturmovik 1946

IL-2 Sturmovik has been around for seemingly forever and for good reason: it’s one of the better combat flight-sims you’ll find, made all the better by an active community that unloads exceptional modifications that keep the game feeling (and looking) current.

There is no better time than right now to jump on the IL2-Sturmovik bandwagon, as the game can be had for only $9.99 if purchased through Steam. You’re essentially getting 5 games in this package as it includes all previously released expansion packs.

Official Line:

IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946 collects all the previously released Sturmovik titles and add-ons, plus three additional expansion packs. This flight sim now boasts over 300 controllable aircraft as well as additional campaigns and online maps. Historical planes include the Heinkel He-L-IIIB-2 Lerche, a Luftwaffe creation that never actually made it off the ground. Gamers may also journey through an alternative timeline and assist in the assassination of Hitler. Exotic aircraft and locations — fly Soviet mixed-power fighters against new ground targets like trenches and bunkers Comes with exclusive bonus content – Special making of video, screenshots and videos of the upcoming Storm of War – Battle of Britain Detailed plane guide — over 450 pages covering each of the 229 flyable aircraft.

IL2-Sturmovik 1946 – Steam