Reading this thread I realize I'm not as old school as I might have thought. Started in the years of the 21st century. 05/2004? tour 52 and flew as PopPop (Grandson's name for me). I may have flown off line for a while before that? I never flew an online game before this one so I have no comparison to AW.
Was always a fan of WW2 and AH advertising got me to take a look. Sure I flew offline games such as MS flight sims, playstation, Sega, and X-wing/Tie Fighter. But none had the challenge of facing a real life foe. The AI games you learn what to do to beat the computer.
Much like Chess in AH you need to out think an opponent.