Just tried new patch (or upgrade, to be fair) of Il-2. Simply, I am delighted.
The game is improving with each and every release and is the lead flight sim, IMO.
For example, few little things I have noticed. Guns on Fw 190 now work as someone mentioned not too long ago on these boards. Trigger 1 fires MGs and inboard cannons. Trigger 2 fires outboard cannons. This is new with version 1.2.
Stuka, for example, has automatic system for pulling out of dives -as it had historically.
An allied test pilot said 190 could do half roll in one second. Guess what, it shows in Il-2. Roll rate is fabulous. 190 is for a change very pleasant to fly, sometimes I just fly it offline doing nothing else but aerobatics. Don't get me wrong here - it is not poorly modeled, any Yak or 109 will outturn you without trouble. It is just that I now see how pilots were pleased with how 190 handled.
I haven't gone to like Il-2 because it models LW planes more favorably than AH does. This is rather shortsighted assesmant (try flying VVS planes). What makes Il-2 a winner for me is the attention to detail - historical cockpits with metric units, Stuka siren, pilot bailing and running for cover, dust cloud after touchdown, planes fly beautifully in general - hammerhead is in fact possible
). In winter maps it takes longer for engine to overheat. Also, planes fly faster in winter conditions - all modeled in Il-2. The game models ammo mixes. If you fire a cannon burst into the ground from MG 151/20, you will see different types of clouds and puffs, depending of round type that hits (HE, AP or tracer).
Il-2 online is another issue, though. I didn't enjoy online play much. It seems that multiplayer protocols impose quite a task on CPU. I had to lower gfx settings. Only rarely I have seen warps, much less than in AH. Still, most dogfight servers were with outside view, air start, unlimited ammo and such. They are not the only solution, there are other types of servers - missions and campaigns, historical setups etc. These mostly have full realism, even icons are turned off.
AH is fun, but when I want immersion, it is Il-2.
