I wouldn't say it rocks as a box sim, as the only part that I *REALLY* enjoy about is online.
Maybe if it had a better campaign system (sure, you can make campaigns... but beyond that- it blows. No wingmen who can die, no way you can be captured, killed in action, or miss a couple missions because you were busy "walking back to base", etc)...
Basically, I despise the "campaign" section... hopefully they will have improved on that by Forgotten Battles.. still buy it, but damn, if it comes in a box, put a decent freaking campaign system in it!
[end rant]
It is impressive, but there is no actual depth to it in terms of a campaign.
-SW