Info about IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad:

Official game description:
**IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad** is the continuation of the **legendary IL-2 Sturmovik series** that has set the standard for PC combat flight games for more than ten years. This new entry into the series will offer virtual pilots an even more accurate simulation of the most famous air battles of World War II. Better quality of content, bigger scale, new physics, more realistic aerodynamics and new game elements set this title apart from all which came before. We have only one goal - To give you a New Higher Level of Immersion!  
The new singleplayer Career mode takes a WWII combat pilot experience to the next level and works in any theatre of war you own - **Battle of Stalingrad**, **Battle of Moscow** and **Battle of Kuban**. If you have all three, you can play through all of them with the same character, starting in the cold winter of 1941 and finishing in 1943 on the warm shores of the Black Sea.  
**Key Features:**  
**PLAY:**  
*   Historically accurate Single-Player Career mode that features a challenging AI system. Serve in a fighter, attack or bomber squadron and make your way from a new pilot to the squadron commander. Choose your pilot's biography, read squadron histories and check the newspaper for info about the progression of the war delivered weekly to your squadron.  
*   Realistic graphics and unique visual effects: clouds, lightning, tracers, explosions and huge smoke plumes - all of them fully realized to recreate the aerial combat scenery of war.  
*   Flexible Quick Mission mode that allows you to create your own custom combat scenario in just a couple of minutes.  
*   Classic Multiplayer gameplay with dedicated player controlled servers with your favorite settings for team battles, dogfight duels and online Coop.
**FLY:**  
*   Realistic sounds and physics, detailed aircraft systems modeling, advanced aerodynamics and state-of-the-art flight modeling gives you a real sensation of flight.  
*   Become an ace fighter pilot or try your hand at flying attack planes and bombers where you can destroy tanks, trucks, AAA batteries, artillery units and even armoured trains.  
*   Control your plane with either joystick or mouse keeping the highest level of simulation fidelity and accuracy.  
*   For those that won’t make it back to base, each plane comes equipped with a handy parachute!
**COMBAT:**  
*   Hone your skills versus AI or join multiplayer where you can fight in the air or on the ground, manning T-34-76 or Pz III Ausf L tanks available to all owners of the game.  
*   Control a plane or tank all by yourself or have your friend aim a tank gun or a bomber turret.  
*   Unique and detailed damage model lets you use the pros and cons of various aircraft and tanks to your advantage.  
*   Adjust the tank aiming sights for distance and view the tank interior just as a plane cockpit!
**LEARN:**  
*   Action takes place on a 358 х 230 km map - The largest and most detailed recreation of the Battle of Stalingrad theatre ever modeled in a flight simulation with unique structures, buildings and landscapes.  
*   Single-Player Career scenario follows the real chronology of the battle starting with Germans crossing the Don river and starting their advance to the Volga on August 23rd, 1942 and continues to the complete liberation of the city on February 2nd, 1943. Learn about the real events of the war from the newspaper delivered weekly to your squadron.  
*   The legendary aircraft of the era have been thoroughly re-created using original drawings and blueprints from the Central Archive of the Russian Ministry of Defence.  
*   Precise simulation of the flight model allows everyone to learn the special character and limits of each and every plane in the game. Use each of their special abilities and performance characteristics to complete your mission and survive the brutal fight.  
*   Be promoted to higher ranks and receive historical medals and other awards.

Release date: Oct 22, 2014

Categories: Combat Flight Simulation, Single-player Story, Cooperative Multiplayer, Historical Simulation, VR Gameplay, Career Mode, Tank Gameplay

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 15; verdict: Fair - Traditional DLC only; summary: The game is a flight simulator with a base game and numerous paid DLC expansions. User feedback focuses on the high cumulative cost of DLC and the limited content of the base game, but there is no evidence of microtransactions, pay-to-win mechanics, or in-game currency. The DLCs are traditional expansions, and many users find them fair when on sale. Overall, the monetization is standard for the genre, with no predatory elements.
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works well; summary: The available Linux user feedback is uniformly positive, with multiple reviewers confirming stable performance and no compatibility problems on Linux desktops. No negative Linux-specific issues were reported, and the game appears to work well without any required tweaks.
- Steam Deck: score 85; verdict: Broken on Steam Deck; summary: The game is broken on Steam Deck due to frequent freezing and crashes, false controller support claims, and missing offline mode, making it unplayable for many users.

- Hardware Profile:
  - Summary: Performance is generally positive across most VRAM tiers, with the 8-11GB VRAM cohort showing a clear split between smooth high-FPS play and random crashes.
  - Sample size: 69 (7% coverage)
  - Audience skew: Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
  - Windows <8GB VRAM (positive, 34 reports): Reports indicate the game runs fine on lower VRAM cards, with one VR-specific complaint unrelated to performance.
  - Windows 8-11GB VRAM (mixed, 18 reports): Mixed reports: some users enjoy stable high-FPS gameplay, while others experience sudden crashes to desktop.
  - Windows 12-15GB VRAM (positive, 12 reports): Performance is praised, especially in VR, though one user did not recommend the game for non-performance reasons.
  - Windows 16GB+ VRAM (positive, 5 reports): Performance appears solid; the only complaint is missing DLSS and frame generation features.
  - Caveats: 69 of 926 reviews expose hardware metadata.; Review sample is mostly Windows-based.
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The community overwhelmingly advises waiting for deep discounts (75-90% off) before purchasing the base game, indicating that the full price is considered unfair. With a typical full price of around $50, a 75% discount brings it to $12.50, and 90% to $5. The mention of the base game costing as much as a cheap indie game on sale further supports a low fair price. Thus, the fair base-game price range is approximately $5 to $15.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: N/A
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 1.5h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows that individual flights and missions commonly last from 20 minutes to over an hour, with a full sortie described as roughly 110 minutes (45+45+20). This indicates that a typical play session is likely around 1.5 hours, as players engage in long flights, climbs, and waiting periods. No evidence supports specific completion times for the game or its story, nor a defined endgame threshold.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game has a steep learning curve and no tutorial, causing early frustration, but after a few hours of practice players can fly and the game becomes highly enjoyable and addictive.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Being able to fly after a few hours of practice
  - Time to anchor: 3h 0m
  - Friction: No tutorial; Steep learning curve; Complex control setup; Realistic multiplayer settings; Requires joystick for fun
  - Unlock drivers: Learning the controls; Practice; Online tutorials; Using a joystick; Joining a squadron or community
  - Conditions: Having a joystick; Patience; Willingness to learn; Joining a community; Playing with friends; Using online tutorials
- Player Archetypes:
  - Hardcore Simulation Purist (buy)
    - Motivation: Achieving the most realistic and immersive flight simulation experience possible.
    - Playstyle: Uses full HOTAS setup, VR headset, and engages in complex engine management and realistic flight modeling. Prefers expert settings and historical accuracy.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946; War Thunder; DCS
  - Casual Newcomer (no buy)
    - Motivation: Looking for a fun, accessible flight experience without the steep learning curve or need for specialized hardware.
    - Playstyle: Attempts to play with keyboard/mouse or controller, uses assists, but finds the game too difficult or unenjoyable. May give up on multiplayer and advanced features.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: no buy
    - Labels: Sunday pilot; softcore player
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Multiplayer Dogfighter (buy)
    - Motivation: Engaging in thrilling online air combat and cooperative missions with friends and the community.
    - Playstyle: Focuses on multiplayer servers, participates in PvP dogfights and co-op missions. Uses joystick and possibly VR for better immersion. May also enjoy tank crew or gunner roles.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: SWAT 4
  - Value-Seeking Buyer (sale)
    - Motivation: Getting the best value for money and avoiding overpriced DLC and expansions.
    - Playstyle: Waits for sales, buys only essential modules, and may rely on friends' modules for multiplayer. They are cautious about spending.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Best WW2 flight simulator (weight 0.28): Reviewers frequently describe the game as the best World War II flight simulator available, citing its authenticity, depth, and overall quality. It is considered superior to other WW2 sims on the market.
- VR experience is outstanding (weight 0.17): Players consistently praise the VR mode for its immersion, smooth performance, and realistic feel, calling it one of the best PCVR experiences. The VR implementation is a major highlight, with only occasional stutter reported.
- Fun and addictive gameplay (weight 0.16): Many players find the game highly enjoyable, fun, and addictive, providing adrenaline and satisfaction. The gameplay is engaging and keeps players coming back.
- Realistic and detailed flight models (weight 0.15): The flight models are praised for their realism, detail, and careful crafting, enhancing the simulation experience. Each aircraft behaves uniquely, adding to the authenticity.
- Career mode is satisfying (weight 0.06): The career mode is praised for being immersive, enjoyable, and a valuable addition to the game. It provides a satisfying progression and adds depth to the overall experience.
- Accessible compared to DCS (weight 0.06): The game is noted for being less demanding on hardware and easier to pick up than DCS, making it more approachable for new players. It offers a balance of simplicity and complexity.
- HOTAS support works well (weight 0.04): Players report that HOTAS and other control devices work well with the game, enhancing the simulation experience. Good support for peripherals is a positive aspect.

Common complaints:
- DLC pricing is excessive (weight 0.16): Players consistently complain that the DLC costs are too high, especially at launch, and that the total cost of all DLCs is very expensive. Many feel the content does not justify the price, with some noting that even a single DLC pack is overpriced for what it offers.
- Base game lacks content (weight 0.1): Without purchasing DLC, the base game is considered nearly empty and not worth playing. Players report that essential content and features are locked behind DLC, making the base game feel incomplete and limiting normal gameplay.
- No tutorial provided (weight 0.09): The game lacks any built-in tutorial, leaving new players confused and frustrated. This absence of guidance makes the initial experience chaotic and difficult to get into.
- AI is poorly programmed (weight 0.09): The AI is widely criticized for being incompetent and frustrating. It behaves unrealistically, such as staying in formation when it should engage, and fails to respond appropriately to combat situations.
- Steep learning curve (weight 0.08): The game is very hard to get into due to its steep learning curve and lack of guidance. New players find it difficult to understand the mechanics and controls, making the initial experience overwhelming.
- Controls are overly complex (weight 0.06): The control configuration is unnecessarily complex and poorly guided, making it difficult for players to set up and use. This complexity adds to the frustration of an already challenging game.
- No clickable cockpits (weight 0.05): Unlike DCS World, the cockpits are not clickable, forcing players to rely on complex keyboard bindings. This reduces immersion and makes the game less accessible to those who prefer interactive cockpits.
- Time acceleration is broken (weight 0.05): The time acceleration feature is ineffective, maxing out at 8x but actually speeding up time by only about 1.5 to 2 times. This makes long flights tedious and wastes the player's time.
- Missing heavy bombers (weight 0.04): Players are disappointed that iconic four-engine heavy bombers like the B-17, B-24, and Lancaster are not available to pilot. This limits the aircraft variety and historical authenticity.
- Controller support is poor (weight 0.04): Controller support is broken or non-existent, with players reporting that Xbox, PS4, and other modern controllers do not work as advertised. This severely hampers gameplay for those who prefer gamepads.
- Wingmen are unhelpful (weight 0.04): Wingmen ignore orders, fail to engage enemies, and even shoot or ram the player. This makes leading a squadron frustrating and reduces the effectiveness of teamwork.
- Game is buggy (weight 0.03): The game suffers from numerous bugs and technical issues, making it feel incomplete. Players report that the game has too many faults to list, which undermines the overall quality.
- No multiplayer campaigns (weight 0.03): The game lacks official multiplayer campaigns and co-op missions, making it difficult to play with friends. This absence of cooperative content limits the social and replay value.
- Missing Pacific theater (weight 0.03): Players are disappointed that the Pacific theater is not included, with no Pacific campaign available. This omission reduces the historical scope and variety of the game.
- Inferior to IL-2 1946 (weight 0.03): The gameplay is considered extremely barebones and worse than IL-2 1946, lacking moddability and depth. Players feel it is a disgrace to be called an IL-2 game, indicating a significant drop in quality.

Gameplay feedback:
- WW2 flight simulator (weight 0.17): The game is consistently described as a World War II combat flight simulator, featuring warbirds and dogfights. It is part of the Il-2 series and focuses on serious aviation combat.
- Detailed flight and damage models (weight 0.08): The game has sophisticated physics, aerodynamics, and detailed damage models. These elements contribute to the overall realism and simulation depth.
- Career mode available (weight 0.08): The game includes a career mode where players fly as a new pilot with a squadron, along with campaigns and other game modes. This provides a structured single-player experience.
- Realistic flight physics and engine management (weight 0.07): The game features realistic flight physics, engine management, and critical systems that require attention. Flight controls are realistic and close to real flying.
- Single-player and multiplayer modes (weight 0.07): The game offers both single-player and multiplayer modes, including a solo campaign. This variety caters to different play preferences.
- Variety of campaigns and missions (weight 0.07): The game includes historical campaigns, scripted campaigns, custom battles, and separate missions. This provides diverse content for players.
- Tank gameplay included (weight 0.06): The game features tank crew gameplay and tank battles, adding ground combat elements alongside aviation. This expands the game's scope.
- Requires flight stick (weight 0.05): The game requires a flight stick to play, and multiplayer servers may require it. This is a hardware requirement that may affect accessibility.
- Co-op multiplayer supported (weight 0.05): The game supports co-op play with friends, allowing for cooperative missions. This is a notable multiplayer feature.
- Authentic aircraft selection (weight 0.04): The game includes iconic planes like the BF-109 K, P-51, FW190, and P38, along with collector planes. This appeals to aviation enthusiasts.
- Adjustable difficulty settings (weight 0.04): Players can adjust difficulty settings, including an easiest mode, making the game accessible to different skill levels.
- Distinct aircraft performance (weight 0.03): Each plane has distinct flight characteristics and performance, making aircraft varied to fly. This adds depth to the simulation.
- Complexity between WT and DCS (weight 0.03): The game is more realistic than arcade but not as complex as DCS, sitting between War Thunder sim and DCS in complexity. This makes it accessible yet challenging.
- WW1 content included (weight 0.03): The game is set in both WW2 and WW1, featuring planes from those eras. This provides historical variety.
- AI wing-mates and autopilot (weight 0.03): The game includes AI wing-mates, AI opponents, and an autopilot feature, which assist players during missions.
- Quick mission builder (weight 0.03): The game includes a quick mission builder and mission generator, allowing players to create custom scenarios easily.
- Time acceleration limited to 8x (weight 0.03): The game's time acceleration maxes out at 8x, which may affect pacing during long missions.

Performance notes:
- VR performance is impressive (weight 0.15): Multiple users report excellent VR performance, with smooth frame rates and high visual quality on various headsets. The game is often praised as running better in VR than competing simulators like DCS or War Thunder.
- Poor optimization on high-end systems (weight 0.09): Some users with powerful hardware experience poor performance, lag, and low frame rates despite high settings. This indicates inconsistent optimization across different configurations.
- Frequent crashes and instability (weight 0.08): Users experience crashes without error messages, frequent crashes after updates, and client instability that forces full restarts. This includes CTDs and D3D errors, impacting overall reliability.
- Runs well on low-end hardware (weight 0.07): The game performs adequately on older or lower-end GPUs like the GTX 1660, RTX 3050, and GTX 1070, with playable frame rates. This suggests good optimization for modest systems.
- Performance varies by system (weight 0.07): While some users report smooth performance on various hardware, others experience lag spikes or low frame rates. This inconsistency suggests performance is not universally stable.
- Game fails to start (weight 0.06): Several users report the game not launching, getting stuck on loading screens, or failing to boot entirely. This is a critical issue preventing access to the game.
- Long loading times (weight 0.05): The game takes excessively long to load, with some users reporting up to two minutes to reach the main menu. This is a common complaint affecting user experience.
- Freezes and visual stutters (weight 0.05): Users report freezes during missions, visual freezes while audio continues, and occasional stutters, especially when large formations load. These issues disrupt gameplay flow.
- Occasional stutters in VR (weight 0.03): Some users experience occasional stutters in VR, especially when large formations load, but overall performance is still considered good. This is a minor issue for VR users.
- Graphics settings cause issues (weight 0.03): Changing graphics resolution can prevent the game from launching, and the game often requires a reboot after graphical changes. This adds friction to adjusting settings.
- High system requirements (weight 0.03): The game is demanding, with heavy CPU load even on high-end processors like the AMD R7 7800 X3D. This may be a barrier for users with less powerful systems.
- Incompatibility with certain hardware (weight 0.02): The game is incompatible with throttles that have virtual buttons, making it unplayable for some users. Additionally, it fails to work with the RTX 5080, indicating hardware-specific issues.
- Visual glitches and pixelation (weight 0.02): The sky appears pixelated and unplayable unless performance-killing antialiasing is enabled, and there are issues with screen resolution settings making the game larger than the screen. These visual problems detract from the experience.
- Input detection problems (weight 0.02): The game has keyboard detection issues, and freezes on Steam Deck when moving the mouse after starting a mission. These input-related bugs hinder control.
- Performance issues in specific scenarios (weight 0.02): Performance degrades when playing as attack aircraft or bombers, and overly detailed trucks and fuel tankers in flight campaigns cause issues. This indicates optimization problems in certain content.
- Stable high frame rates on high-end (weight 0.02): Users with powerful hardware report stable 100+ FPS at high resolutions with no micro stuttering, and smooth performance on RTX 4090 in VR. This shows the game can perform well on top-tier systems.
- Compatibility with Linux (weight 0.01): The game runs excellently under Linux, stable and smooth on CachyOS, indicating good cross-platform support.

Recommendations:
- Joystick is essential (weight 0.16): Many reviewers emphasize that a joystick or HOTAS setup is necessary for an enjoyable experience, as keyboard controls are inadequate. Some even advise against purchasing the game without one.
- Recommended for flight sim fans (weight 0.14): The game is highly recommended for enthusiasts of realistic aerial combat, WWII aviation, and flight simulators. Reviewers highlight its authenticity and depth for those willing to learn.
- Buy on sale (weight 0.1): A common suggestion is to wait for a discount before purchasing, as the game frequently goes on sale. Some reviewers feel the full price is too high and recommend buying at a significant discount.
- Worth the money (weight 0.08): Several reviewers state that the game provides good value for its price, with some saying it is worth full price and others recommending it during sales. Overall, it is considered a worthwhile purchase.
- Better than War Thunder (weight 0.05): Some reviewers compare the game favorably to War Thunder, noting it offers a more serious simulation experience. However, others suggest playing War Thunder instead due to better graphics and optimization.
- Not recommended due to price (weight 0.03): A few reviewers advise against buying the game, even at a discount, citing the price as a major drawback. They suggest the cost is not justified by the content.

Other player notes:
- DLC required for full content (weight 0.2): Many reviews criticize the game for locking substantial content behind numerous paid DLCs, making the base game feel incomplete without them. Players note that planes, maps, and other assets require separate purchases to access the full experience.
- Compared to IL-2 1946 (weight 0.14): Reviewers frequently compare the game to IL-2 1946, noting that the older title offers more content, better moddability, and a more favorable price point. Some consider IL-2 1946 the superior WWII flight sim overall.
- Compared favorably to War Thunder (weight 0.13): Many players compare this game to War Thunder, often preferring it for its more realistic and historical battles, while some still recommend War Thunder as an alternative. The comparison highlights differences in gameplay style and monetization.
- Frequent deep discounts available (weight 0.13): Reviewers frequently mention that the game and its DLC go on sale often, sometimes up to 85% off, making purchases more affordable. This mitigates the high base price and DLC costs for many players.
- Compared to DCS World (weight 0.08): Players compare this game to DCS World, with some preferring this game for its accessibility while others note DCS offers more realistic modules. The comparison often focuses on price and fidelity of aircraft.
- VR support praised (weight 0.06): The game supports VR headsets like the Meta Quest 3 and OpenXR, which is appreciated by players. This feature enhances immersion and is a positive aspect mentioned in reviews.
- Large amount of content (weight 0.06): Despite DLC complaints, many reviewers acknowledge the game offers a substantial amount of content, including many planes and maps. The base game includes a decent selection, with more available for purchase.
- Long-term support since 2014 (weight 0.03): The game has been continuously updated since its 2014 release, which is seen as a positive by the community. This long-term support contributes to its lasting appeal.
- Not like Ace Combat (weight 0.03): Some reviewers compare the game to Ace Combat, noting it is not an arcade-style flight game, though it can be played similarly with settings adjustments. This helps set expectations for new players.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.62): Players are frustrated by the high cost of the game and its DLCs, along with the pay-to-play mechanics that lock content behind paywalls. Technical issues such as broken AI, difficult control setup, and persistent connection errors further compound the frustration. The long flight times and tedious missions, combined with the lack of tutorials and poor performance, make the game feel unpolished and unplayable for many.
- Disappointment (weight 0.26): Players are disappointed by the lack of content in the base game, which feels empty and restrictive compared to older IL-2 titles. The high price of DLCs, poor AI, and lack of a Pacific theater or heavy bombers contribute to the feeling that the game does not meet expectations. The game's dated graphics, limited single-player experience, and lack of modern controller support further add to the disappointment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.19): Players are satisfied with the detailed flight models, realistic physics, and immersive graphics that provide a genuine sense of flight. The career mode and historical accuracy are praised, offering a rewarding experience for those who invest time in learning the game. The game's performance on older hardware and the balance between realism and playability are also appreciated.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.14): Players enjoy the game's realistic flight mechanics, immersive career mode, and the overall experience of flying historical warbirds. The game is fun to play, especially in VR, and offers a variety of gameplay that keeps players engaged. The sense of accomplishment from mastering the controls and completing missions adds to the enjoyment.
- Admiration (weight 0.11): Players admire the game's high level of realism, historical accuracy, and detailed aircraft modeling. The game is considered a masterpiece and the best in its genre, with exceptional flight models and visuals. The developers' attention to detail and the game's immersive qualities are highly praised.
- Excitement (weight 0.11): Players are excited by the intense dogfights, immersive VR experience, and the adrenaline-pumping gameplay. The anticipation for future content, such as the Korea expansion, adds to the excitement. The game's ability to create memorable moments, like flying back to base after a successful mission, is also a source of excitement.
- Anger (weight 0.07): Players are angry about the greedy DLC monetization, high prices, and the game's shift to requiring a constant internet connection. The lack of tutorials, poor AI, and the developers' focus on new titles instead of fixing existing issues also provoke anger. The feeling of being scammed or ripped off is a common theme.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's historical accuracy, immersive single-player experience, and detailed damage models. The game's realism and longevity are valued, and the community is well-organized. The game's ability to provide a realistic and engaging flight simulation experience is highly regarded.
- Boredom (weight 0.03): Players are bored by the long, repetitive flights and the lack of engaging missions. The career mode is seen as a random mission generator with little variety, and the long distances to targets make the game feel tedious. The lack of a time skip and the monotonous aircraft roster contribute to the boredom.
- Love (weight 0.03): Players love the game for its flight physics, damage model, and the overall experience of flying historical aircraft. The game is considered fantastic and embodies everything players want from an aviation simulator. The passion for piston aviation and the original IL-2 is a strong driver of this love.
- Annoyance (weight 0.02): Players are annoyed by the DLC monetization, slow loading times, and the need for extra programs for certain devices. The paywall locking cool planes and the unclear kill registration are also sources of annoyance. The game's technical issues and the need to buy additional content are frustrating.
- Joy (weight 0.02): Players experience joy from the game's many modes, aircraft, and VR support. The immersive VR experience and the fun of flying with friends or family bring happiness. The game's ability to provide pure immersion and great fun is a key source of joy.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.02): Players feel nostalgic for the older IL-2 games and the memories associated with them. The game reminds them of their childhood and the time spent playing classic flight simulators. The lack of moddability and the changes from the original games evoke a sense of longing for the past.
- Amazement (weight 0.02): Players are amazed by the game's VR experience, which is described as unforgettable and incredible. The combination of VR and HOTAS provides an amazing experience that is beyond expectations. The game's graphics and gameplay on a decent computer also contribute to the amazement.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.02): Players are enthusiastic about the game's physics, content, and overall quality. The game is described as awesome and a playground for simulation fans. The rich content and flexible modes are highly praised, and the game is strongly recommended.
- Approval (weight 0.02): Players approve of the game as an excellent simulator that is better than other WW2 sims. The game's historicity, technical aspects, and immersion are appreciated. It is considered a worthy successor to the legendary IL-2 Forgotten Battles/1946.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Players are amused by the game's crash and destruction effects, as well as the absurd-looking portraits generated for squadmates. The humorous situations, such as dying from a bomb or the Me262 engine catching fire, provide entertainment. Even losing can be fun due to the game's humorous elements.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Players hope for the addition of heavy bombers, a Pacific theater, and future maps. The desire for continued development and new content is strong. The hope for a Korea expansion and more machines is also expressed.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Players are confused by the unclear purchasing options, complex controls, and fuel mechanics. The game's lack of clear instructions and the issues with controller input add to the confusion. The engine failure on takeoff and the unclear fuel system are also sources of confusion.
- Immersion (weight 0.01): Players are immersed in the game's atmospheric landscapes, realistic flight models, and detailed damage modeling. The VR experience enhances the immersion, making players feel fully engaged. The career mode and the need to learn controls contribute to the immersive experience.}