Bear,
your choices would make you have to split options somewhere...
graphics-------------LOMAC
damage modeleing...........LOMAC
artificial intelegence.....FALCON
flight modedeling...........FALCON
the "wow" factor says LOMAC is top dawg
the "just like the real thing..only smaller" prize belongs to FALCON.
falcon is the most "real" on side by side comparison to its actual counterpart.
you fly LOMAC to "simulate" jets...FALCON to FLY the real thing.. in somewhat dated graphics, yet most acurate glory. avionics/radar, etc.etc. its all there in more detail than LOMAC could compare.
with falcon loaded up, anybody could learn to fire the beast up EXACTLY as you have to fire it up in real life. thats why the pilots loved it... EVERY sequence to start-up, (as well as some others) could be used for full authenticity..
StrikeFighters. If you can't stomach the modern jet superfighters, its StrikeFighters sim or Nothing. I am using SF to attempt to mold (not mod) it into an early Cold War Turn Hot strategic bombing/interception sim, so the hardcore tactical "dogfight" flight model is not needed, and the 3rd Party mods have come out with almost the full Soviet interceptor force (Tu-128 soon) and almost the full USA strategic bomber force (B-58 soon). Its a tough mold though, it was not designed for strategic operations.
Its got to be F4 for me all the way!
The clickable cockpit and hard-core avionics/radar give a massive immersion factor and the dynamic campaign is awesome!
Don't get me wrong I like a bit of A-G in an A10 or Su25 in LOMAC...but its not got the same install the game & play it none stop till your eyeballs bleed addiction factor of F4!!!
Bearcat,
I have owned and "flown" both. I think out of the two F4 more accurately portrays what happens in modern air to air combat. For sure the graphics in Lomac are fab but for me it misses the point of what a modern jet sim should be about..
In F4 with Awacs link you literally watch the air battle unfold in front of your eyes in a more realistic way than in Lomac imo (hey what do I know I mend w/machines for a living)
It is very technical and in some respects if you see your opponent you have "blown" it..
F4 is truly about understanding your weapons systems and using them to your best advantage. You have to be a technician almost, which from what I've read is pretty realistic.
You spend a lot of time looking at your displays in F4, letting your electronics do your work for you.
In short imo humble opinion modern jet combat that does not involve the technical aspect is pretty boring = Lomac,, which doesn't do it as well.
It's a very steep curve but when mastered the immersion is awesome.. think of it as using your planes electronics to increase your SA to out to about 100 plus miles,, fun,, for some![]()