Aces High: IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey Review

In the realm of PC gaming, a single World War II flight simulation reigns. Released in 2001, IL-2 Sturmovik has enjoyed an uncharacteristically lengthy life, prolonged through a steady release of sequels, expansion packs, patches, and compilation packs. With multiplayer battles featuring a hundred online pilots and a meticulous recreation of aviation history, Sturmovik is enjoyed by thousands of PC owners every day. 

While console owners have enjoyed a number of aviation diversions, few have offered the depth and complexity of a game like Sturmovik. Titles like Heroes Over Europe and the Blazing Angels series have replicated the thrill of flight, but have also reduced the intricacy of the aviation game to cultivate a ‘pick up and play’ dynamic. 505 Game’s recent release of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey to the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 seeks to fill that void.

The game’s historically-accurate timeline commences with 1940’s Battle of Britain, follows the major air battles of the war before concluding with the Battle of Berlin. Missions are ushered in by archival footage that capably sets the tone for each assignment. While most of the time players will either be attacking enemy forces, or defending friendly bases, the sporadic reconnaissance and escort missions contribute to Sturmovik’s variety.

Players begin the game’s campaign with the Arcade difficultly unlocked. On this setting, the game is amazingly forgiving- players can perform incredible loops and spins without having to worry about stalling their aircraft. Pilots have an unlimited amount of ammunition, which is immensely helpful as they gradually learn the intricacies of dogfighting and bombing runs. Introductory players are also shown a set of crosshairs which instructs players to shoot where foes are heading, rather than directly at them. Unlike many games, Sturmovik’s bullets don’t travel with unrealistic, instantaneous efficiency.

After the completion of the game’s extended tutorial, gamers may choose the title’s Realistic or Simulation difficulty settings. In the later, players forfeit the game’s external views, as the action is presented from a pilot’s perspective. Here, all of Sturmovik’s assists are turned off; players will have to identify friendly and enemy craft by sight and sound, and well as ascertain the position of attacking foes. While the mode is unquestionably grueling, it also delivers a sense of appreciation for the actual pilots involved in the war. Few games have been able to convey these complexity of historical air combat as well as Sturmovik.

One of the game’s strongest elements in the title’s skillful incorporation of aeronautical battle strategy. Pilots are encourage to engage adversaries from above; likewise, slow moving players will be quickly aligned in enemy crosshairs. While the game’s AI is strong, it’s no match for the unpredictability of a human opponent; the game’s online component allows for 16 player dogfights across four types of matches.

Graphically, Sturmovik habitually shines, as carefully modeled aircraft get their wings peppered by foes. Downed enemies may explode, shatter and spin out of control, or drift back to earth leaving an ominous trail of grey smoke. Each of the game’s environments are tenderly detailed, and expertly textured. The game’s framerate is the sole visual stumble; the title chugs intermittently and will infrequently pause for a fraction of a second. Sturmovik’s carefully cultivated sense of immersion is weakened by this obstruction.