Question(s) for the experts...

rainbase · 26 May 2007, 09:41 AM

Hey folks, this is a question involving WW1 flight sims. I haven't played anything new since Red Baron II came out (way back in the 20th century!). I'm thinking that around the Fall I'm going to get together a good gaming computer and join the battles raging over the virtual western front.

So let me ask the experts; what's the best game going? Which one is the best and biggest that's played online. I do read through the posts in this section of the forum, but generally don't really understand what the gamers are talking about. I love the pictures though; it's all beginning to really look fabulous.

Now that my new club is up and running fairly smoothly, after this Summer I'd like to treat myself to virtual flying as a hobby. I'm hoping to enter this hobby with whatever's considered the cutting-edge game.

Thanks in advance for any feedback to this thread. I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go along. Peace

Camel Charge · 26 May 2007, 11:56 AM

Everyone is waiting for Knights of the Sky to be released. It looks so awesome!

The only WWI game I have at the moment though is RB3D.

Blue Max · 26 May 2007, 07:47 PM

Over Flanders Fields is pretty good with the flight. If you're looking for realism, I think that's your go-to game.

fsbof · 26 May 2007, 09:04 PM

With RB3D, upgrade it with "Full Canvas Jacket" Super Patch - it vastly improves the original. For Over Flanders Fields, you'll need Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator 3 (the disappointing one !) - OFF creates a whole new WWI combat sim out of it.

rainbase · 27 May 2007, 09:19 AM

Ok, so it looks like OFF and FCJ are the two big one being played right now. How about online? Does one of these games have a vastly larger pool of players? Do the online worlds provide AI planes as well as live players?

I haven't gotten Microsoft Combat Sim 3 yet, but really liked the first one. I'd think flying WW1 on that platform would be pretty slick.

I do have RB2 here and installed already. Is there a patch to make that into RB3D? I thought I'd seen that at some point but don't remember where.

Thanks again for sharing the knowledge. I hope to be flying with you all eventually.

totoroman · 27 May 2007, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainbase

Ok, so it looks like OFF and FCJ are the two big one being played right now. How about online? Does one of these games have a vastly larger pool of players? Do the online worlds provide AI planes as well as live players?

I haven't gotten Microsoft Combat Sim 3 yet, but really liked the first one. I'd think flying WW1 on that platform would be pretty slick.

I do have RB2 here and installed already. Is there a patch to make that into RB3D? I thought I'd seen that at some point but don't remember where.

Thanks again for sharing the knowledge. I hope to be flying with you all eventually.

okay, so far as OFF is concerned. it has a good overall feel for immersion. the interior cockpits and exterior models are superb. however, the gameplay has some problems (for an early-war fan such as myself).

you can't activate time-compress or autopilot UNLESS YOUR AIRSPEED IS IN EXCESS OF 123 MPH!!! that means that unless you're doing late war campaigns your missions are going to be flown in REAL TIME. I just don't have that much spare time out of my life to devote to the game! so that's why I've never really gotten into this game as much as I'd hoped to.

another problem is that my computer, w/o any high-quality graphics accelerators just doesn't run the game very fast (I've only got about 2.5 GHz) and you've got to have a higher-end machine with graphics cards to make the game worth the trouble.

RB3d, on the other hand, is much less detailed in the modelling--but overall the game play is better. providing you visit this website.

http://www.swwisa.net

visit the RedBaron 3d page and find the Western Front Patch and you'll find what is currently the best overall WWI flight-sim out there.

RB3d has the ability to field a much larger pool of online players (up to 60-70 players at a time depending on the server conditions). however, you'll have trouble FINDING that many people online. OFF probably has a stronger online community right now. while I STILL prefer the highly modified and patched-up Western Front Patch version RB3d, if online play is your big thing... OFF might be better.

however, visit these two sites for RB3d online info

http://www.wings-of-valor.net

http://www.firstflare.com

27 May 2007, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rainbase

So let me ask the experts; what's the best game going? Which one is the best and biggest that's played online. I do read through the posts in this section of the forum, but generally don't really understand what the gamers are talking about. I love the pictures though; it's all beginning to really look fabulous.

Hi Rainbird,

For me I like Wings of War. A bit arcade like in its Flight modelling, it is not a game for the purist, but the graphics are good, it is quick and easy to play and a lot of fun. You can also easily paint your favourite planes in the colours of your heroes as well.

In the USA you can get it from:-

http://www.gametap.com/home/Home

Another good one I think is the First Eagles one from Thirdwire, that is available from http://www.thirdwire.com

Not sure about OFF, I didnt get on with it myself mainly for technical reasons, but it has a very big following.

Polovski · 31 May 2007, 05:42 PM

woops duplicate post

Polovski · 31 May 2007, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by totoroman

you can't activate time-compress or autopilot UNLESS YOUR AIRSPEED IS IN EXCESS OF 123 MPH!!! that means that unless you're doing late war campaigns your missions are going to be flown in REAL TIME. I just don't have that much spare time out of my life to devote to the game! so that's why I've never really gotten into this game as much as I'd hoped to.

By the way.. you simply have to *dive* to 123mph and hit X a few times the moment you get there to enable warp, most planes this takes about 3 minute sor so to get enough height from take off to dive to that speed. Practice it's easy.

You don't need to have a plane that flies straight at 123MPH

Also if you enable time compression you can speed this climb up too lol.

See the FAQ it mentions ways to use this, and things like speed time (enabled by editing OFF.BAT) see the FAQ on www.polovski.com

totoroman · 2 June 2007, 05:18 PM

I've been flying the Fokker E.III in OFF and it takes awhile to get up high enough where diving at 123 mph is a reasonble thing to do!