Favourite flight sim [Archive] - Official Fighter Ops Forums

IxianMace

03-16-2004, 11:01

I haven't really found a flight-sim that's completely done it for me (if you know what I mean :thumbsup: ), but a few flight-sims I've flown in the past are:

Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.x (By Bruce Artwick) - It all began here. :mrgreen:

F/A-18 Hornet
Flying Nightmares (Featuring the AV-8B)
A-10 Attack

Those were back in the days when I was flying using the mouse and keyboard, on the old Macintosh LC 575 rig. :lol: I've still never flown using a joystick up to date.

Bladehawk

03-16-2004, 12:01

My favorites...

F16 Combat Pilot (Digital Integration) for AMIGA
Falcon 3 series (Spectrum Holobyte) For PC

jhook

03-16-2004, 13:01

MY!!!, you guy's are "yungins" when it comes to the past for flight sims. How about F15 Strike Eagle for the Commodor 64! :o After that, it was Amiga (you go girl friend :wink: ) and Falcon 2.0! 8) , and I have bought just about every flight sim after that. Anyone else? :lol:

Stuntie

03-16-2004, 13:33

My top three for the fun factor:

I used to love Pacific Air War.
Played it loads, until DOS died a death.

[Best moment was firing a short burst at very very long range just to try to get a boggie to turn on me and leave the wildcat he was chasing alone. He just rolled over and fell into the sea smoking.
Modestly I put it down to sheer skill :-p ]

Another old fav was Hind - especially the briefings, the cheesy propaganda was a laugh.
It did soldiers as well, which really made a difference to helo sims.

And the third in my list is Janes F-15.
Detailed and great fun until 3dfx died a death.
And you could get a Bat plane skin for it :-p

jenkx11

03-16-2004, 16:33

You alll ever heard of Lock-On? It is the best Military flight sim out right now. Other than that Flight Sim 2004 gets my vote.

Buckshot

03-16-2004, 17:09

yeah, I'm with you jhook, can still remember when I first laid eyes on F15 Strike Eagle for the C64, man that was cutting edge at the time, lol

I think that was my second flight sim though, there was something else I used to play (even more basic) before that, but can't remember what it was.

spyro23

03-16-2004, 22:05

WSTE_M

03-16-2004, 22:09

My favourite was A-10 Attack! and A-10 Cuba! (from within the Attack app.)
Two old Mac flight sims.

Not only were they the first that I had flown with wind, rolling terrain, and som pretty nice graphics, but the airplane had a terrific feel to it. There was a destict feel of altitude, weight, and drag from armament that made it a lot more realistic than any other flight sim at the time.
It also had all the small details that made it stand out, like a very decent battlefield map, seperate sounds for each knob that you turned, and so on.
Plus it had one of the best damage systems I have seen in a flight sim.
In other sims, you can maybe break the landing gear, and thats it. In A-10 Attack! You could have a wheel get stuck in/out/halfway, had it bent, you could have anything from a missing wingtip to half the wing blown off, and the same with the tail. And naturally the plane behaved accordingy, so there was no Hollywood type action because of this either.

I hope that Fighter Ops will remind me of A-10 Attack! :D

W

IxianMace

03-17-2004, 01:50

You alll ever heard of Lock-On? It is the best Military flight sim out right now. Other than that Flight Sim 2004 gets my vote.

I got a copy of it today. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't run on my ancient rig, but even if it doesn't, at least I know I'll have a copy that I can play in a few years. :punk:

As for A-10 attack Cuba, it boasted one of the best looking airbases I had ever seen for that time. Landing at nighttime was great fun. :mrgreen:

Antler

03-17-2004, 09:53

Did any of you guys play Strike Commander? I thought that was quite cool.

BlackAce

03-17-2004, 15:57

You alll ever heard of Lock-On? It is the best Military flight sim out right now. Other than that Flight Sim 2004 gets my vote.

a small addition, Lock-on is the worst simulation / best graphics game I have ever played. (Novalogics F-16/Mig-29/F-22 L3 group is far better than lock-on, at least physics engine was decent in those)

best COMBAT simulation is DID's Total Air War, BEST flight simulation is FS2004, and my favorite sim is/was DI's Tornado .

BlackAce

03-17-2004, 16:00

Did any of you guys play Strike Commander? I thought that was quite cool.

:) I did, F-16 version of wing commander :) it was fun to shoot incoming aircrafts

Vlerkies

03-18-2004, 00:41

Did any of you guys play Strike Commander? I thought that was quite cool.

:) I did, F-16 version of wing commander :) it was fun to shoot incoming aircrafts

I remember that one, geez haven't played it for years, need to dig it up somewhere at my house :?

:military:

~S~

BlackAce

03-18-2004, 06:52

Any Harrier Assault players?

it is(was) a must have for strategy and simulation fans...

www.the-underdogs.org is one of the rare locations where you can get it :)

Antler

03-18-2004, 09:00

Speaking of rare locations to get old games... What's the point of having the rights to code if you're not going to use it? By industry standards, Falcon 4.0 is a VERY old game. True - it's been patched up and modded, but the original code is still old.

There must be people still wanting to buy copies of Falcon or the auctions on eBay and the like wouldn't sell. So, why aren't Atari selling Falcon anymore? It's not like it's too old or anything, 'cause I still see Jedi Knight being sold.

IxianMace

03-18-2004, 09:40

Maybe they don't see any worth in repackaging it as a classic, considering the profit that they stand to make from it. Then again, this is all just speculation.

Personally, I have no idea what Atari are going to do with the code. It would be a shame if they just hold onto it and let it rot though...

jhook

03-18-2004, 22:13

I would have to say Falcon 4 SP4 with all the extras. But it needs soo much more. I'm a detail and graphics guy and lock-on looks pretty, but isn't very accurite in my opinion. 8) (boy, I never used to use thoughs emotion balls before, but they are sooo addicting, especially making combinations out of them)

Buckshot

03-18-2004, 23:39

Atari basically don't seem to be interested in PC development at all any longer, so I doubt very much you'll see them get involved in any flight sims. The only chance to do anything with Falcon is to buy the code and you are talking 7 figures, that's assuming Atari are even bothered to talk to you. Licencing might be a little cheaper at high 6 figures, but as you saw with OIR, if you licence the code, Atari still retain rights to it, and can make life as dificult as they like for you if they choose, leaving you with nothing at the end except a big hole in your bank balance.

This is precisely why Fighter Ops is currently the best shot for flight sim enthusiasts at this point.

Vlerkies

03-19-2004, 00:51

Well said Buckshot :thumbsup:

:military:

~S~

jhook

03-19-2004, 02:07

Buck, 7 figures, are you kiding me!, OOuch!!! I'm totaly investing in fighter ops now. That is not good news! I think others will agree! Enough is enough!!! :evil:

Vlerkies

03-19-2004, 03:17

You got my vote :punk:

:military:

~S~

Antler

03-19-2004, 09:44

The only chance to do anything with Falcon is to buy the code and you are talking 7 figures

:shock: :shock: :shock:
Err... Not that it may make much difference, but what currency are we talking here? US$?

The Syndicate

03-23-2004, 21:59

You alll ever heard of Lock-On? It is the best Military flight sim out right now. Other than that Flight Sim 2004 gets my vote.
best sim?? or maby best looking?? In my opinion best bugged. Ok is not so bed. I think that LOMAC is in top 3, mostly because his realistic look
"per astera ad astra"

I purchase LOMAC myself and it just loads way too slow for me and I have a pretty decent system as for as speed and memory. I'm old school though, so I actually started out with the Janes Combat Sims (688i, Longbow 1 &2, USAF, IAF, and F-15). I had my hand on Digital Integrations F/A-18 Super Hornet, Falcon 4.0, then onto LOMAC.
http://www.nellis.af.mil/images/banner_main.jpg

The Syndicate

03-23-2004, 22:05

I know this is out of the FighterOps realm but I don't know if you all knew that the 2000 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records listed Janes 688i Hunter/Killer as the most complex video game/sim at that time....just a tidbit of info I'd though I'd share
http://www.nellis.af.mil/images/banner_main.jpg

Zolos

03-23-2004, 22:44

Ok, don't throw stones.

Janes Fighters Anthology is what I compare all the others to. If somebody could re-make Fighters Anthology with a modern sim engine.... PERFECTION.

Skinnable, Flight models tweakable, Missions and campaigns editable, difficulty settings to make it more challenging or more arcadish, Campaign was canned though, Online play was FAN-FRICKING-TASTIC, Graphics were ok for the time but obviously are pre-F4 and are laughable next to LO-MAC. After all was said and done, it was the Online Multiplayer that I fell in love with.

Lav69

03-23-2004, 22:46

Can you guys not read the post? He asked what is your favorite flight, not what was your first flight sim or what is the oldest flight sim you own.

For me the best out right now is IL2FB with AEP add-on. Incredible amout of planes to fly. Yes and I know they are not jets. Then Lock On. The problem with Lock On though, is it was rushed out the door and lacks in substance.

The Syndicate

03-23-2004, 23:11

Calm down, slick. You never know, the first or the oldest just might BE the favorite
http://www.nellis.af.mil/images/banner_main.jpg

Vlerkies

03-24-2004, 01:20

That is very true :thumbsup:

:military:

~S~

Top Gunner

03-24-2004, 01:35

Ok, don't throw stones.

Janes Fighters Anthology is what I compare all the others to. If somebody could re-make Fighters Anthology with a modern sim engine.... PERFECTION.
Hey hey hey, if Microsoft wanna make a modern version of CFS, I'd consider the product acceptable even if the weapons and sensor systems are simplified like the ones on Fighters Anthology as long as I can still import aircraft from previous FS and CFS titles...... :wink:

Okay, back to topics surrounding Fighter Ops, Fighters Anthology was, IMO, good for those who have never touched a realistic simulation before and wanna take baby steps first.

Recio

03-24-2004, 07:29

My favourite Flight sim is by FAR Falcon 40 + SP. This is the KING of all flight sims.

I also have LOMAC, MS Flight Simulator 2004, IL2, Janes, Longbow 2 F-15, Janes WWII Fighters, FLY, Apollo 18, F-22.

Falcon 40 +SP is the best.

LOMAC is nice on graphics if you have a good video card, but if you play falcon with SP, you find LOMAC like an arcade game on realism and complexity.

Longbow 2 was the best combat helicopter sim (I am a profesional helicopter pilot)

IL2 is the best WWII flight sim with a very good flight modelling although pilots have not much interaction with systems and procedures.

But no matter what other new sims have been released. Falcon 40 +SP is the most realistic Simulator avalaible and with its dynamic campaing it is just the best experience avalaible so far.
Just my two cents.

Lowblow

03-24-2004, 08:55

Fly 2 is my favourate civilian flight sim ( although you need stacks of RAM to run it ) and Falcon 4.0 is my favourate military flight sim.
However FS2004 is the most polished and smoothest running flight sim on the market.

James McDine in London

PS I think my love of Fly 2 is probably a result of my anti Bill Gates attitude.

Vlerkies

03-24-2004, 09:48

So that explains it :lol:
My favourite civilian sim is the flight unlimited series, and Falcon 4 is also currently my favourite military sim

:military:

~S~

Antler

03-24-2004, 10:17

Can you guys not read the post? He asked what is your favorite flight, not what was your first flight sim or what is the oldest flight sim you own

That's ok Lav69. It's also quite interesting to see the route of flight sims that people have taken. My first was actually Strike Commander.

Vlerkies

03-24-2004, 10:51

That was a great sim but i had to put it on the shelves a few years ago :thumbsup:

:military:

~S~

BlackAce

03-24-2004, 14:26

Can you guys not read the post? He asked what is your favorite flight, not what was your first flight sim or what is the oldest flight sim you own

Gunship 2000 was the BEST!?!!? :shock: :D hehe

jhook

03-24-2004, 19:22

My favorite sim would have to be Falcon 4.0 with SP4 due to the fact of it is as close to the real thing so far. And what's wrong with going back a little. The flight sims had to start somewhere. :wink: Oh, and one more thing, :lol: "arguing on the internet is like running a marathon in the special olympics, if you win, you are still retarded" :lol: :lol: :lol: That's great, nothing towards the handycapped, but that's great, he he he :lol:

Vlerkies

03-25-2004, 01:09

I agree, it is a great statement, which is very true regarding arguing :thumbsup:

:military:

~S~

SelfDefense

03-25-2004, 13:25

My favorite besides F4? That's easy.

Jane's Longbow 2!

I'm hoping that there will be another great ultra-realistic rotary wing sim developed sometime, along the lines of FO. Wishful thinking.
:)

Vlerkies

03-26-2004, 00:56

Yeah i'd also say so, i was exited when i got commanche 4. But after playing it i shelved it. Too arcade like

:military:

~S~

BlackAce

03-26-2004, 04:42

Apache VS Havoc is another good helicopter sim. Realism level is good and besides it has dynamic campaign with Multiplayer support. And there is a sequel for that, Comanche VS Hokum, both are good simulations. for more info, www.razorworks.com

Still, my favourite helicopter sim is Gunship2000 (1989) :)

Vlerkies

03-26-2004, 06:30

I'll check it out :thumbsup:

:military:

~S~

Recio

03-26-2004, 08:54

For me Longbow2 is the best military helicopter sim ever.
Other nice helo sism are Apache vs Havock and Gunship.

Btw. What do you guys think it is the best and most realistic (do not mean graphics) sim related to Carrier Operations?

Vlerkies

03-26-2004, 09:05

It probably isn't the best one but it had quite a high sense of realism. It was Empire and Graphic Simulations' F-18 Korea, it had carrier ops. In MP you the squadron you choose depends where you operate from. Choose marine squadrons and you'd operate from land, choose navy squadrons and you'd operate from the enterprise and carl vinson

Recio

03-26-2004, 10:13

Thank you for the info Vlerkies, a nice and well detailled carrier simulation is still pending I guess. I hope Naval Ops can fix that on future :wink:

btw. I forgot to mention among my favourite simulations a very old but on my oppinion the first realistic military flight sim avalaible.
Tornado from Digital Integration. It was released on 1993 and required a 386 Processor. It was my first realistic military flight sim.

I recall that its planning interface was real good, even better than some of today new sism.

http://www.ibiblio.org/GameBytes/issue19/greviews/torn2.gif

Planning a good mission may take hours. It also had a great campaing. There was also a Desert Storm expansion.
Despite its verly limited graphics, that sim made you really feel what planning and flying such missions could be.

I spent thousand of hours on that sim to my ex-wife despair :drink:

Vlerkies

03-26-2004, 10:19

Yeah planning does give you that extra sense of immersion. Another sim that is quite old that had you operating from a carrier was AV8B Harrier, i don't know who made it but i had it a couple o million years ago, also quite realistic

:military:

~S~

BlackAce

03-26-2004, 10:49

HEY! HOW DID YOU GET THE SCREENSHOT?? I mean Tornado, can you play it in Windows? it needs 595kb Conventional mem. or did you use a DOS based screencapture....

AV8B was Domark's (Simis) Harrier Assault, it was a great game, not much Tornado but ability to control Fleet and Land operations fills the gap.

BlackAce

03-26-2004, 10:53

Best carrier based flight sim is the F/A-18E Super Hornet, another good game from Digital Integration, and unfortunately the last one...( I wouldnt be looking for new flight sim any further, if only it had similar campaign and combat features of Tornado, but awfully, DI closed before they release Command version of F/A-18E SuperHornet)

Graphsims F/A-18 Korea was very good but not as much as Superhornet, however its flight instructor was great!

Recio

03-26-2004, 10:58

Got the screen from HERE (http://www.ibiblio.org/GameBytes/issue19/greviews/tornadod.html)
There is some extra info HERE (http://old.the-underdogs.org/Digital.htm)

Tornado runs on DOS mode.
Here is some troubleshooting guide (http://www.digint.co.uk/high/support/troubleshooting.html#TorWin95)

The download links does not work and I do not have that game anylonger. However would be nice to see it run on my PC again. Will try to find it tonight.
:D

BlackAce

03-26-2004, 11:09

The download links does not work and I do not have that game anylonger. However would be nice to see it run on my PC again. Will try to find it tonight.
:D

I play Tornado sometimes, You can grab it from www.the-underdogs.org as well as many other old goodies (try Gunship 2000 and Harrier Assault!)

I have a second computer @ 850mhz with Jetway Mainboard, it allows me to swith soundcard to SB Pro setting, but its driver takes 39k of conventional, fortunately high memory area holds it...

Awfully, most of the new soundcards doesnt support DOS mode

BlackAce

03-26-2004, 15:13

by the way, another good helicopter combat is in Operation Flashpoint, its great fun to fly helicopter 6ft above ground, and pop-up to bust enemy armor!

Slipper

03-26-2004, 17:49

Falcon 4.0 is the only PC sim I've flown so I suppose it's my favorite!

:thumbsup:

Vlerkies

03-29-2004, 02:06

It's my current favourite as well. If i feel like flying a civilian aircraft i just hop into my Cessna and do some cross country :thumbsup:

:military:

~S~

FlyBoy01

03-29-2004, 04:55

Well lets look back in time... I started with the Star Wars coin operated machine with wire frame graphics in the late 70's in the Greyhound station. I then moved up to Falcon AT and the first Jetfighter and then on to Falcon3, Tornado, Janes ATF, Janes FA, Longbow (all of its iterations) USAF, TAW, Falcon4with RP and SP. I now have LOMAC, IL2FB, F18:OIF, and will buy FO as well. As for favorite of all of these, Falcon4 for fixed wing and Longbow2 for helos. When I want to really just have fun blowing things up, USAF with the SuperPro or Admin8.4 are a real blast.