I have been playing IL-2 now since 2003 when I started with FB (and more recently PF). Since then I used to play semi-real only. This was due to a lack of time to really get into things. So I used to start in mid-air and quitted after I got the Mission Complete messages. From there on I would Apply and go on to the next mission. I know. It's a sin but thats what I did. I believe that there are many of you that also do it, so listen to this.
I bought 1946 recently and decided on that same day that this is when I am going to do things the way they should be done. So since I got 1946 I have been playing Full Real only. I start a mission by starting the engine, taking off and finish it by landing and shutting off the engine (if it's still there). No external views, nothing. And can I tell you this, this sim has come alive all over again for me. You guys may ask what is different? You still try to shoot planes down and dogfight and whatever, right. So what is different? I think a lot of the hidden qualities of this sim is coming out only when you play Full Real. The whole experience is just so much more rounded than playing on any other settings. I have been hooked all over again, although I am sometimes flying the same missions I used to on FB or PF. One of the things that I believe is part of my argument is that I feel as if I get to really see the differences in performance and characteristics of the different plane types. All of a sudden I actually try to find out what the differences are between my plane and the enemy's and how I should handle the plane to get the most out of it. In earlier days on semi-real it felt to me more like a thing of upping or downing speed, turning and shooting. And that's all. Not when I play Full Real. It's obviously a bit more difficult and maybe it is this bigger challenge that is hooking me.
I am not slamming anybody out there that is playing on easier settings. I am just saying, give it a go on Full Real and see whether you get the same sense of satisfaction that I do. It really is worth trying.
Cheers
Ex Semi-Realer
Different moods, different settings. If am all relaxed and have the time I love full real. During the week I usually fly semi real like in UK2. Quicker action, still some feel of immersion.
And then there are those days I just have to go into a furball and vent. I think those ppl staying with one option only and see it as the holy grail really limit themselves. But to each their own.
Originally posted by Bewolf:
Different moods, different settings. If am all relaxed and have the time I love full real. During the week I usually fly semi real like in UK2. Quicker action, still some feel of immersion.
And then there are those days I just have to go into a furball and vent. I think those ppl staying with one option only and see it as the holy grail really limit themselves. But to each their own.![]()
I don't think that flying with icons turned off, for example, is "realistic". A monitor never offers the same visibility as a real cockpit, even with the most advanced graphics. I think that's clear.
I also don't see any reason to turn "No padlock" off so that I don't see my position on the map. Vectoring is not really a substitute since the Home Base usually, as I've found out, sends you in a totally wrong direction if you require "vector to target". For example, what's the point in flying ground attack mission if you can't find the target? In dynamic campaigns, the target is usually minuscule (one truck convoy, or some trucks scattered around a village).
The only time I played with "full real" settings was when I tried the SBD Guadalcanal campaign. That wasn't difficult since I was in a low rank so I only had to follow my unit to find the target and then our base.
I fly full switch when I can. It makes a kill more satisfying, somehow.
The advantage to full switch online is that you can actually bounce someone or, if you have to run, you don't have this big neon sign announcing that you're sneaking away at 50 meters alt.
The advantage to, let's say, 'normal' settings is that you're not getting eyestrain trying to ID bogie's once you actually manage to find one. You're also not getting lost as much.
As their time in the sim increases, I think people naturally shift to playing with higher difficulty settings. If only because it keeps the game fresh and challenging.
I basically echo Bewolf's sentiments. I was flying for a few years offline exclusively in a moderate-real setting mode ( icons/external views/no CEM, and occasional "wonder woman" view for close in deflection shooting ) in until a co-worker recently hooked me up with flying online with his group/server which flies full real in every way. Cold-turkey real. Quite a challenge. It wasn't quite that bad, but I found the biggest challenge was navigation ( which I seemed to pick up fairly well...with the help of some maps I printed ) and situational awareness: I tell ya, looking for little dots through the framed Ki-61 canopy against a green background...which could be friend or foe...all the while maintaining my speed, altitude and course ( even with a Track IR ) was, and still is very tough. I get done with a n hour of a patrol and I'm weary, stressed out and ready for a drink. Well, maybe laying it on a bit thick, but you get the idea.
I DO believe however, that the icons are not that egregious of an affront to full real, given the reasons others have noted. They would help even the odds and overcome difficulties inherent in a 2D cockpit with lack of relative body position ability.
I still get my arse handed to me on HL, but at least I know I've lost to the best.
I've played full real a few times.
I really enjoyed it, but it was a whole different experience really. I spent more time looking at the ground for landmarks than I did doing anything else.
It was fun, but it's not for all the time for me. A number of criticisms:
-Not having your aircraft on the map
-No 6dof so you can't see properly in the cockpit (wonder woman view spoils immersion for me but cockpit always on causes such profound difficulties in being able to see...)
-You can't spot dots very easily in the game, so icons should be on...
-Hard to identify friend or foe since you may not be in contact with friendlies and such.
-External views are fun
There's no idea server for me. I play in UK DED1 quite alot because of the wonderwoman view, but I really hate using that view, it's just out of neccessity.
UK2 has pretty good options. Semi-real, but with externals and icons.
I play almost 'Full Real' Offline ( I still hate Stalls & Spins as if you twitch you die or is that just me ha ha)........but when I host Online we alway's have kinda wimp settings including WW View sometimes:
Why?
A lot of the new guy's who just brought '46' seems to like those settings.
We're drunk most of the time.
We play for fun and we never try to be anything thing else (See the above).
We have wifes, girlfriends and little baby prefabrications that looks over you're shoulder and say's, 'Which one are you then?' placing their finger on the screen, 'Oh, you got killed; sorry about that!!!' 'You're not very good at this game, are you?' 'Could you put the washing out on the line, darling?', 'The dogs been sick on the carpet again!!!, or the imfamous:
'Fancy a night in? I'm wearing you're favourite again tonight...'
I can tell you that really puts you off flying 'Full Real' Online![]()