[CAS FAN]

Been playing this today and am yet to unlock realistic mode, but so far really enjoying it. The stick works an absolute treat and there's bags of atmosphere in the game.

The tearing is a bit annoying, but that's my only gripe.

Anyone else been dabbling yet?

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by kingkarl

Does anyone know if the Saitek X36 stick and throttle will work with this on the PS3

Not sure, the only sticks it says it supports in the manual are the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas-x, the Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick-x and the Saitek Aviator.

Is that a stick you already have? If not then why not try it on the demo?

[BYF]

Originally Posted by CAS FAN

Been playing this today and am yet to unlock realistic mode, but so far really enjoying it. The stick works an absolute treat and there's bags of atmosphere in the game.

The tearing is a bit annoying, but that's my only gripe.

Anyone else been dabbling yet?

Have you played the 360 demo? I didn't notice any tearing on that...

I'm not sure whether to get this on PS3 or 360, most cross platform games I've tried have less tearing on 360, maybe I'll wait until somewhere does a comparison.

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by BYF

Have you played the 360 demo? I didn't notice any tearing on that...

I'm not sure whether to get this on PS3 or 360, most cross platform games I've tried have less tearing on 360, maybe I'll wait until somewhere does a comparison.

No didn't bother as the choice of flightsticks is limited (as is the norm with MS). The controller was the most important factor for me with this game and the tearing doesn't bother me too much. I read that the 360 version suffers slowdown when you go through smoke (which happens quite a lot on this game) so it's probably 6 of 1..

It may have been the Eurogamer review where I read this, can't remember now.

[Sinzer]

Anyone else been dabbling yet?

I am still waiting for mine, will likely get it early next week, usually takes about 5 working days for games to arrive here in Germany!

Looking forward to it..... shame I have to go on holiday at the end of the week

[Marky101]

Thinking of picking up a stick for this to play on realistic, saw a few of you have the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas-x, being a left handed freak it says the throttle can be removed so could I attach it to the right hand side or just have it loose to the right of me ? Or can anyone recommend another decent stick us lefties can use easily.

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Marky101

Thinking of picking up a stick for this to play on realistic, saw a few of you have the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas-x, being a left handed freak it says the throttle can be removed so could I attach it to the right hand side or just have it loose to the right of me ? Or can anyone recommend another decent stick us lefties can use easily.

Sadly you can't attach it to the right hand side, but obviously you can detatch it and have the two separate with your stick on the left. Not sure if there is a better option to be honest, but then i've never looked for one so can't be 100%.


Loving the game though, I think you must have to play the whole single player game through to unlock the other difficulties (which is a bit annoying but never mind).

Played an online game tonight (just a 1 on 1 dogfight) and it was great. I took him out 1st and then he came back and got the upper hand on me, damaging both wings. But then (after a fair bit of trying) I managed toget behind him using the immelmann and damaged him. I was on him from then on and close to taking him out again but he quit the game .

Still it was great fun. Can't wait to get a dogfight arranged with some guys off here!

[Magus]

Still awaiting my delivery from Shopto...damn all these postal strikes! I might go and pick up the flight stick from Argos,,,can any one confirm if there is a fully customisable control option in the retail version of the game?

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Magus

Still awaiting my delivery from Shopto...damn all these postal strikes! I might go and pick up the flight stick from Argos,,,can any one confirm if there is a fully customisable control option in the retail version of the game?

Yeah, mine was posted Wed, but didn't arrive until yesterday where it would normally have come on the Thursday.

It's a great game though, hopefully yours will arrive today.

No customisable controls, just the same as the demo.

[Stockholm]

Hey some good info there CAS. Thanks.

I really hope I can select Realistic mode quite early on in the game but it seems like you haven't been able to do so so far. How many hours have you played on the single-player campaign mode so far?

I'm going to have a look to see when other people are unlocking Realistic mode as I don't want to complete the game on Arcade mode. Surely the developer wouldn't prohibit players from choosing their own difficulty level. Forcing everyone to play it through once on the easiest difficulty setting isn't a good idea imo.

Was hoping to be able to remap one of the buttons on the flightstick but it isn't a biggy if it isn't possible.

The online dogfight sounds fun. Can't wait to give that a try!

Thanks again

[Magus]

Still not arrived but did pick up the thrustmaster stick from argos. Didn't realise there was no FF on the stick but hey ho. Look forward to soem online dog battles next week...if it arrives.

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Stockholm

Hey some good info there CAS. Thanks.

I really hope I can select Realistic mode quite early on in the game but it seems like you haven't been able to do so so far. How many hours have you played on the single-player campaign mode so far?

I'm going to have a look to see when other people are unlocking Realistic mode as I don't want to complete the game on Arcade mode. Surely the developer wouldn't prohibit players from choosing their own difficulty level. Forcing everyone to play it through once on the easiest difficulty setting isn't a good idea imo.

Was hoping to be able to remap one of the buttons on the flightstick but it isn't a biggy if it isn't possible.

The online dogfight sounds fun. Can't wait to give that a try!

Thanks again

Just a few hours to be honest as i'm playing quite a lot of stuff at the moment. Done 6 missions on arcade (The English and most of the Stalingrad missions) and there's about another 13 or so left to do. Can't see anywhere were I can change the difficulty and online only allowed aracde difficulty.

[Magus]

Originally Posted by CAS FAN

Just a few hours to be honest as i'm playing quite a lot of stuff at the moment. Done 6 missions on arcade (The English and most of the Stalingrad missions) and there's about another 13 or so left to do. Can't see anywhere were I can change the difficulty and online only allowed aracde difficulty.

That is really disappointing if online is Arcade mode only...I can't believe they would do that

IIRC on the demo there is an option in controls on Option 1 at the bottom which gives you the choice between Arcade-Realistic-Simulation, not sure if that selection then remains if/when you choose the Thrustmaster as the controller.

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Magus

That is really disappointing if online is Arcade mode only...I can't believe they would do that

IIRC on the demo there is an option in controls on Option 1 at the bottom which gives you the choice between Arcade-Realistic-Simulation, not sure if that selection then remains if/when you choose the Thrustmaster as the controller.

That's just for the control type as there are setups which work for simulation/realistic (i.e. with trim etc.) and those which are better for arcade.

Online won't be arcade only, but I think you have to unlock the other modes before you can play them online. Not 100% though.

[G a f f e r]

Right, got mine today and dove straight in.

Using the Hotas X I selected "Thrustmaster 2" layout and started the tut's and game. Completed the first 5 or so? missions (i.e. the "Battle of Britain" section) and patiently waited for "realistic" and then "simulator" to unlock.....

......and waited


....no joy . Then i realised why It'd been so easy so far, you select difficulty level at the VERY beginning of the game when you FIRST start playing. After selecting difficulty, it then creates your profile and you can't change difficulty after that . EDIT:Scratch that, as BYF says below, you have to unlock it in tutorial first
(well, I couldn't anyway ).......I'd been on arcade all along .

So I just deleted my save file and started from scratch using the same Thrustmaster 2 setting. EDIT:which I needn't have done, just needed the complete tutorial first

Then again, the word simulator didn't appear below the thrustmaster option so I may still be in arcade.....I'm more confused now .

Point number 2, for some reason, in simulator mode you cannot shoot things down whilst in Virtual Cockpit view (the last one).
I spent neigh on 20min trying to take down the Heinkel in the tutorial and ended up dying >20 times as my bullets appeared to me made out of marshmellows .
I then tried again but switched into cockpit mode and bingo, shot him down no probs. It could just be that I prefer cockpit view though EDIT:the actual reason for this is that the tutorial tells you to go into cockpit mode, so you have to do as the instructor says....



Also, the targeting camera button (hashed button on the top of stick) makes "more sense" when you use it in cockpit mode in arcade mode (that sentence might not make sense but try using it in the different views and you'll see what I mean.......when I'm "in Cockpit" it's the only time I don't get disorientated using it and actually get a good idea of where the target is in relation to me).


Point 3, play around with your sensitivity settings in options......I have changed my flight surface sensitivities to about 2/3 for all. I still need to tweak them a bit but that alone improved handling characteristics of the planes.


Finally, I don't think the manual is comprehensive enough for Hotas with Sim mode (Trimmer is the 'X' button (I thought that was select?), but where are the flaps?EDIT:they're L2 in sim mode)......

Overall, VERY addictive and a solid 8-10 for me so far .

[Dean00]

I have been working away for a week, got home yesterday to find a big box with my HOTAS stick but alas no game which was pre-ordered from zavvi so like Magus above I am stuck playing the demo until Monday.

BTW, has anyone worked out how to use the brakes with the Thrustmaster? I just can't find the button which allows me to stop quickly on the grass strips.

[G a f f e r]

Originally Posted by Dean00

I have been working away for a week, got home yesterday to find a big box with my HOTAS stick but alas no game which was pre-ordered from zavvi so like Magus above I am stuck playing the demo until Monday.

BTW, has anyone worked out how to use the brakes with the Thrustmaster? I just can't find the button which allows me to stop quickly on the grass strips.

I couldn't either. I just go around in figure 8's until slow enough for the game to recognise i've landed


EDIT:well, I do have another way after some experimenting. Get down to 30% throttle on approach and deploy landing gear as per tut. Once landed, wait till just above 60mph and then pull back on the throttle......you're not going fast enough to take off, but are going fast enough to slow down a bit quicker.

[BYF]

Originally Posted by CAS FAN

Just a few hours to be honest as i'm playing quite a lot of stuff at the moment. Done 6 missions on arcade (The English and most of the Stalingrad missions) and there's about another 13 or so left to do. Can't see anywhere were I can change the difficulty and online only allowed aracde difficulty.

You have to complete the training/tutorial missions to unlock Realistic and Simulation modes for the Campaign and other missions.

You don't have to complete the whole game on arcade to unlock the harder modes.

[G a f f e r]

Well here it is after much photo-shopping :

EDIT: I've posted corrected versions for both layout 1 and 2 about six posts below

Thrustmaster setting 2 in simulator mode.

If I've got anything wrong please let me know so I can correct it .

[CAS FAN]

Originally Posted by BYF

You have to complete the training/tutorial missions to unlock Realistic and Simulation modes for the Campaign and other missions.

You don't have to complete the whole game on arcade to unlock the harder modes.

Ah I see! I just got on with the campaign as soon as I could. Will have to go back and do some more tutorial bits.

Thanks.

[rigger123]

A quick question, Im very interested in getting the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X joystick for this game. the only problem i have, is that i sit about 3 meters away from my console, so i was just wondering how long the joystick's lead is? or can you use the PS3 usb charging lead (as i have a 3m one of these)

[Magus]

Originally Posted by rigger123

A quick question, Im very interested in getting the Thrustmaster T-Flight Hotas X joystick for this game. the only problem i have, is that i sit about 3 meters away from my console, so i was just wondering how long the joystick's lead is? or can you use the PS3 usb charging lead (as i have a 3m one of these)

It is a 2.5m lead and no you can't use it with a USB charging lead but you can use a USB extension cable if you need as that's what i have done.

[Stockholm]

Thanks for that Gaffer. So are you playing through the campaign in Simulator mode?

I had a muck around with Simulator mode in the demo this afternoon and I found it very challenging. Maybe too challenging. My Spitfire bobbled around making it really difficult for me to acquire my target and keep my sights on him - and that's even with the Thrustmaster Hotas X.

Is it fun playing in Sim mode?

Anyway, I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the full version of the game. I'd hoped it would arrive on Fri or Sat but hey ho.

Do you just fly the aircraft of the Allies, or can we fly some of the planes created by the Axis nations, some of which were technically brilliant and every bit as iconic as our Spitfires and Mustangs.

Thanks

ps There is one German plane that has to be in the game. Has to be. Messerschmitt 262. Please be in there somewhere!

[BYF]

Originally Posted by Stockholm

Thanks for that Gaffer. So are you playing through the campaign in Simulator mode?

I had a muck around with Simulator mode in the demo this afternoon and I found it very challenging. Maybe too challenging. My Spitfire bobbled around making it really difficult for me to acquire my target and keep my sights on him - and that's even with the Thrustmaster Hotas X.

Is it fun playing in Sim mode?

Anyway, I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the full version of the game. I'd hoped it would arrive on Fri or Sat but hey ho.

Do you just fly the aircraft of the Allies, or can we fly some of the planes created by the Axis nations, some of which were technically brilliant and every bit as iconic as our Spitfires and Mustangs.

Thanks

ps There is one German plane that has to be in the game. Has to be. Messerschmitt 262. Please be in there somewhere!

I read somewhere that it is flyable in the game, although not all the german planes have cockpits which should be addresses in a patch or free DLC.

The 262 is the German jet right? that had the turning circle of an ocean liner, was fast in a straight line though and could out dive anything well armed too.

Here's a list of flyable planes from another forum, there's 33 planes there, but I think there maybe some more.

Allied
A-20G
Blenheim Mk IV
Hurricane Mk II
I-153 (Bi Plane)
I-16 Type 24
IL-2
IL-2M
IL-10
La-5FN
LA-7 (I love this bird)
P-51B (AKA: Shopping Cart with broken wheel)
P-51D-5 (AKA: Shopping Cart)
Po-2 (Bi Plane)
Spitfire Mk II
Spitfire Mk IX
Yak-1B
Yak-3
Yak-9T

Axis
Arado-234
BF 109 E-3
BF 109 F-4
BF 109 G-2
BF 109 G-6
BF 110 C-4
FW 190 A-5
FW 190 D-9
HE 111 H-6
HE 111 H-16
HE 162 A-2 (Weird rocket plane)
JU 87 B-2
M.C. 202
ME 163 B (Yet another weird rocket plane)
ME 262 A-1A (This jet handles like crap)

[G a f f e r]

Originally Posted by Stockholm

Thanks for that Gaffer. So are you playing through the campaign in Simulator mode?

I had a muck around with Simulator mode in the demo this afternoon and I found it very challenging. Maybe too challenging. My Spitfire bobbled around making it really difficult for me to acquire my target and keep my sights on him - and that's even with the Thrustmaster Hotas X.

Yes, playing through in sim mode. It is a lot harder as, like you've seen, you need to apply many many multiple corrections in order to fly straight (not like modern planes which are mainly "fire and forget" with auto-trim).......but apparently this is what it was like to fly these planes - if you weren't on the lookout for the enemy you were in a constant battle to keep it smoothly in the sky, so I think it's a good recreation.

Originally Posted by Stockholm

Is it fun playing in Sim mode?

Anyway, I am really looking forward to getting my hands on the full version of the game. I'd hoped it would arrive on Fri or Sat but hey ho.

Do you just fly the aircraft of the Allies, or can we fly some of the planes created by the Axis nations, some of which were technically brilliant and every bit as iconic as our Spitfires and Mustangs.

Thanks

ps There is one German plane that has to be in the game. Has to be. Messerschmitt 262. Please be in there somewhere!

Definitely more fun imo . I actually thought the lack of full HUD, target indicators or target reticules would be a nightmare but once you get used to it it's actually really good and more immersive. If I'm flying over Dover looking for the hun, that's exactly what I'm doing - looking.......not relying on an electronic aid developed 13 years after the end of WWII .

Having said that, if I'm feeling like just a quick go without the hassle, I can always dip into realistic mode whenever I want to replay individual missions, so it's not too bad.

Re:Axis, apparently you can't fly as everything you see, but the list above is pretty good imo and rumour has it that any extra flyable planes (as well as screnarios) are being considered as DLC later on (i.e. add-on campaigns, some from Axis some from Allied).
Not only would I love to see the option of additional RAF sorties (what about a "shoot down doodlebugs" mission in spits/mossies ), but also be able to fly the FW190 or Me109......and how about a Pacific Theatre DLC? Hellcats and Corsairs Vs. Zero's - the list is endless.




Also, as per above my above post, I've redone the layout 2 and added a layout 1 as well (and checked 'em to see they're correct - NOTE: These are correct only if you're playing in Simulator Mode, the mappings are slightly different for the other two modes arcade/realistic):

Layout 1

Layout 2

I've now switched to layout 1 as I think that's the better layout (plus, the manual says layout 2 is better for arcade mode).

• Firstly, you loose the zoom function all-together in layout 2
• By mapping commands onto the hatswitch combined with the triangle button, it makes it easier imo to issue them as they follow the small key that pops up on screen (rather than mapping individual commands to individual keys)
• One of the most important things in sim mode is your map because objects aren't highlighted via the HUD, so having the map button in an easy to reach place (i.e. under your thumb in layout 1) is easier than having to take your right hand off the stick in order to press a button on the base (like in layout 2)
• I think the oft-used trim button is also in a better place in 1 than 2

Finally, a note on landings. For some reason, the brakes don't engage if you use a flightstick (apparently they do if using the normal control pad). Also, once gear is down, an extra setting appears on the flaps toggle ("landing") which you need to have a low enough speed to not run off the end of the runway - something which I keep doing .
Hopefully, they'll map the brake feature (which you can engage once at low speed and apply late in order top prevent the plane from flipping forward).....they could easily map it to the "O" button on the throttle in layout 1.

[Stockholm]

Thanks BYF and Gaffer.

BYF

Yeah, it's the jet the Nazis developed. The history behind it is amazing. Here it is.

Looking forward to flying some of the other ac on that list. Thanks for putting it up.

Gaffer

Simulation mode certainly sounds immersive but definitely challenging. I think I'll use it at times, but I can see myself mainly playing the game in Realistic mode.

It took me minutes to shoot down a Hun bomber over Dover last night using the stick, but that's just because I'm not that good at controlling the Spitfire with the stick in Simulation mode. I'm sure an accomplished player could destroy the bomber in seconds.

Regarding the Hotas X, what sensitivities have you calibrated it to in the games options?

I didn't mess around with the sensitivities last night as I was just too eager to fly, but when I sat down and tried to calibrate it to my liking I didn't really find settings that I thought were superb. I found the default settings for the control surfaces of the aircraft to be too sensitive.

I wonder if I'll need to mess about with the settings depending on the aircraft I'm flying. I wouldn't expect - or want - the sensitivity I've selected for, say, the Spitfire to be spot-on for some lumbering WW2 plane.

Thanks

[oska]

Has anyone bought this without having a stick? I can't really afford one and would not use it with anything else.

[MickyG33]

Originally Posted by oska

Has anyone bought this without having a stick? I can't really afford one and would not use it with anything else.

Try downloading the demo off psn, and see for yourself. I actually found it fine to fly with a pad, even completing the missions in realstic and sim with it. Sure it's easy to stall the plane if your sensitivity is high and you try and fling it around, but these aren't modern aircraft with fly-by-wire systems after all. Saying that, I have bought a joystick as I think it is preferable to play with that, but then joysticks currently seem to have deadzone issues that the pad doesnt.

[Fastolfe]

Originally Posted by oska

Has anyone bought this without having a stick? I can't really afford one and would not use it with anything else.

finally grabbed this today. It's so good....sooo good(imo). Lived up to my expectations after blitzing Forgotten Battles and the ace expansion.

I've been playing with a control pad fine - won't be getting a flight stick for it and have been enjoying it so much...finished all the training on all difficulties...have set the sensitivity about 6 notches down from highest and is great to play with - don't feel I'm missing out by not having a joystick (although I'm sure you'll all try and convince me otherwise ) - been playing flight sims since F/A-18 Interceptor on the amiga - never thought I'd get this experience on a console.

Only problem is there's no one online not tonight anyways - one game tonight and it was arcade.

guys I'm so so up for some online action - any difficulty - count me in when arranging some battles

(Oska - I think as long as you're pretty adept with the analogues you'll get on alright - if you've got 'heavy thumbs' then you might have some trouble outside of arcade)

[MickyG33]

Originally Posted by Fastolfe

Only problem is there's no one online not tonight anyways - one game tonight and it was arcade.

This is quite a common problem according to the official forums, although many like myself have yet to receive their pre-orders. Apparently the best way to get a game at the moment is to host one and wait for people to join.