By: Glenn
- 30th August 2001 at 12:55Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The RAM.
Garry, interesting info. I didn't realise SDRAM was so cheap now. I have a computer builder friend who has 64MB sticks of PC100 second hand SDRAM for about A$50.
On Janes WW2 Fighters, I agree on the arrow keys needing to be used. Have you tried any other Joysticks on this sim?
I have played the demo for Novalogic's 'Mig-29' and found it to be fairly simplistic, although on the demo of their 'F-22 Lightening 3' the nuclear attack option is a real hoot, and the effects are interesting to watch.
Regards, Glenn.
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Posts: 1,971
By: Glenn
- 30th August 2001 at 13:17Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: flight sim advice
LAST EDITED ON 30-08-01 AT 01:18 PM (GMT)[p]"What about Falcon-4, there seems to be a lot of mention and hype surrounding this game? Is it any good, realistic?"
Horace, Falcon-4 created a lot of hype because it was claimed to be cutting edge in the flight sim world of the day (2 years ago), and to a point it delivered. But it was not bug free, and patches have been put out to rectify problems that occured in the campaign engine. This hiccup was a result of Microprose's rush to get the sim on the market without fully fixing it. Despite this, the graphics are good, and the flight modelling and so forth are good as well, and its pretty realistic overall.
"What scenarios are there and can you create your own? Ditto for F18 Super Hornet?"
Falcon-4 has several campaigns to choose from, and you can choose missions to fly within the campaigns. You can create your own new campaigns and plan missions as well.
I have not played Janes' F/A-18, but I would assume similar mission building and campaign capabilities to that of the AH-64D LONGBOW series, which is fairly good.
"In fact, what combat sims allow these features?"
Most, if not all flight sims, and even land-warfare/sea-warfare sims. In fact its virtually a required marketing tool these days to have these features incorporated. Every sim will most likely have something a little different to define it from the rest.
Regards, Glenn.
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Posts: 66
By: aviojet
- 31st August 2001 at 00:56Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: The RAM.
One other question:the pc gaming store in my town is run by a bunch of jerks who consider my inquireys about flight sims an annoyance.They simply told me that games like WW2 fighters and Flanker 2.5 were no longer available.I was wondering,where do you guys buy sims?Is there a good place online to buy?
New
Posts: 839
By: Rosco
- 31st August 2001 at 01:19Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Where do you live? I always buy from an outlet with a good return policy like Electronic Boutique. I had to buy online I would try something like EB Games. >
BTW, I'd get more than 256 MB RAM if I were you, some newest games seem to like no less than 512 MB at their highest settings...
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Posts: 66
By: aviojet
- 31st August 2001 at 03:34Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Rosco-I live in seattle,wa.I am getting 512mb of RAM,because I decided against an ABIT motherboard and am going with a generic motherboard with onboard video,sound,modem,NIC,etc.Since the shared memory eats up alot of RAM,I have to go over 256mb RAM.
New
By: Anonymous
- 31st August 2001 at 09:33Permalink- Edited 16th October 2019 at 10:05
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Aviojet
Sorry, I live in New Zealand and the shops I buy computer games from you probably have never heard of.
Buying online takes too long in my experience so I only buy that way if I am desperate. In general a dedicated computer shop is more likely to have staff that can solve or at least identify problems for you. Larger department type stores tend to have "sales" staff who are often not as helpful, but there are also exceptions. The most important thing to check is the return policy which in my experience is better in the department type stores. Computer shops here tend to only give you your money back if the software is faulty... not if it is a crap game and you don't think it was worth $100. Department stores (here) tend to have a 7 day right of return type policy where you don't even have to give a reason for the return. Of course if you buy and return all the latest software every week they will get suspicious.
"WW2 fighters and Flanker 2.5 were no longer available."
Janes WWII fighters has been released on budget software (about $30 in New Zealand... so about $10 US) and Flanker 2.5 has only just been released. These guys are morons. (BTW if you have Flanker 2.0 then the 2.5 upgrade is online and free). I am assuming you are from a small town, I guess your options are look in nearby towns, or a local department type store. You should certainly make that unhelpful store aware they have lost a customer.
Glenn
"I didn't realise SDRAM was so cheap now. I have a computer builder friend who has 64MB sticks of PC100 second hand SDRAM for about A$50."
It is very cheap just now, but be careful. If your current memory chips are PC133s and you put in PC100s you'll have some problems. My motherboard runs at 133mhz so to get the best performance I'd be buying only PC133s. It would still work if I had all PC100s, but the price difference isn't that great and they are 1/3rd faster. If your motherboard is only 100mhz, then PC100s are for you. My motherboard has two free memory slots. For less than $250NZ I can get two PC133 256MB chips... half a GB of RAM to go with my existing 64MB... pretty good compared to my ZX81 spectrum which came with 1K of memory. (A $200+ at the time RAM expansion pack inceased this to 16K... the clock in windows probably wouldn't fit on that!)
It is common for computer builders to get lots of spare parts... especially 32MB and 64MB RAM, as well as network cards. They get them because people upgrade to larger or faster parts and no longer need the now redundant part. Compare the price very carefully, the number of memory slots you have is limited... why fill them up with small chips when larger chips are available at very reasonable prices.
"(regarding Janes WWII fighters) Have you tried any other Joysticks on this sim?"
No, but considering the performance of the arrowkeys which I am just about getting used to I might see if I can use one of my old digital joysticks.
"Novalogic's 'Mig-29' and found it to be fairly simplistic, although on the demo of their 'F-22 Lightening 3' the nuclear attack option is a real hoot, and the effects are interesting to watch."
Yes, I agree -29 was a little simplistic and they've gone too far in the simple/fun direction for wider appeal, rather than hardcore realistic simulation. A tricky line to walk. The range of the R-77s is a little optimistic and the R-73s seem much too big. The biggest hoot however is the FAB-250 and FAB-250 standard HE bombs are called FAE bombs in the game documentation. A mistranslation of FAB I think.
I've just bought a flight sim pack with F-18 Korea which seems to include B-57 tactical nuclear weapons... I'll get back to you on that one.
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Posts: 1,971
By: Glenn
- 31st August 2001 at 12:02Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Garry - game king?
LAST EDITED ON 31-08-01 AT 12:37 PM (GMT)[p]One of your digital joysticks??
How many flight/combat sims do you have?
I am fairly selective when it comes to spending the A$70-90 it costs for the very latest sims these days, but I am sure you are too. After a few years of experience with several different companies it gets easier. But its always a gamble of sorts to buy something untried, and thats what I did a couple of years ago with Interactive Magic's F/A-18E Carrier Strike Fighter. Good sim, but graphically inferior to Janes. For me, the look does a lot.
Aviojet stated earlier:
"I've heard flight sim development is dying down as they dont make as much money as other game software.I've heard for example Janes software design team all got walking papers, quite a shame."
I didn't know this was the case, but then again I don't read sim mags just the occasional online news and reviews, and so I wouldn't know what the latest news was. The bit about the Janes' staff, if true, would certainly explain why the 'A-10 Warthog' sim has failed to materialise this year thus far. This was the last project that they at Janes were working on, and it looked VERY good.
For those curious, some screen shots of Flanker 2.5 and Janes' F/A-18.
The flight sims I have currently are, and a simple overview;
I-MAGIC's F/A-18E CSF - good campaign/mission module, but average graphic modelling. A lot of missiles seem to miss - a lot! I look foward to getting a better Hornet sim, perhaps F/A-18 from Janes (have been thinking about it for a while) or wait for another one.
Janes' WW 2 Fighters - Amazing damage modelling, the best I have seen so far on any sim. Good effects, mission builder and other options overall, but ground units are simplistic. The usuall wealth of info comes with this sim from Janes. The videos are great, especially the Ace pilot interviews.
Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator 'European Theatre' - Good plane graphics, but not detailed enough for me, simple damage modelling but amazing ground scenery of course! Simple missions in two campaigns. CFS 2 'Pacific Theatre' looks promising, should be better.
DID's Total Air War - Basically F-22 ADF with full campaigns and minus the single missions. I mean full campaigns, they take time to complete. Also has custom combat module in which you can create your own scenarios. Good sim, playing again right now.
Janes' AH-64D Longbow 2 - Very good again, as expected from these people. My system does not get the best out of it visually, but otherwise I was impressed.
Microprose's Falcon-4 - Impressive graphics and game play, definitely hardcore sim, but scenery seems a tad fuzzy in some respects, not clean and sharp like some others I have seen. Mission building and campaigns are very good, but to fully get the most from it you will need the patches provided to rectify the faults (in the campaign engine mainly).
Janes' Israeli Air Force - Good again, but really needs a good 3D card to get the most out of it. The object/jet and secenery modelling seemed a little below average compared to others from these guys. But then again with a better 3D card that would probably change. The IAF 50th anniversary CD-ROM was a bouns though.
I have other combat sims, but these are only the flight sims that I have currently.
Look forward to seeing SSI's Lock On: Modern Air Combat.
By: frankvw
- 31st August 2001 at 14:04Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Well, the integrated mainboard is, for me, a mistake:
If, later, you want to change your processor, you'l also (probably) have to change the whole PC! but the soyundcard wouldn't be obsolete, nor would the NIC be...
Same problem if a component has a probem, you have to change the whole PC
On the other hand, if you havea "classic" motherboard, it's easy for upgrade: every 2 years (assuming you have the bucks), you change either the graphic card, or the motherboard / CPU.
That's what i do, and it works fine.
I was in a boarding school for the last 3 years, there was 1 PC/ room. There were aprox. 100 rooms. The majority who bought an integrated motherboard had regrets.
Regards,
Frank
New
By: Anonymous
- 1st September 2001 at 01:53Permalink- Edited 16th October 2019 at 10:05
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Glenn
My first flight simulator was B1 Bomber... I played it on an Atari 800XL... It was text based and I got it from a magazine. (I had to type it out and this was before cheap disk drives so I saved it onto cassete tape so I didn't have to retype it for each game).
I have about 3 digital joysticks from my Amiga 500 days. The flight sims that actually had graphics (wire frame for the early ones) include F-15, Interceptor (F-18 and F-16 vs Black F-16 that were supposed to be Mig-29s that were launching from a submersible carrier...), Gunship, Gunship 2000, F-29 Retaliator, Birds of Prey, Ka-50 Hokum, Apache Havoc, Falcon 4, Su-27 Flanker 1.0, Nuclear strike, IAF, Comanche Gold, Mig-29 Fulcrum (I have two Mig-29 games... one by Novalogic and the other I can't remember), USNF'97, Fly!, F/A-18 Korea, Flying Corps Gold, Janes WWII fighter, A-10 Tank killer, plus quite a few others I can't remember off hand.
I am very much looking forward to seeing Il-2... I have looked at the website and I think one of the aircraft you can fly is a Yak-9. This aircraft is quite topical here at the moment as our Alpine Fighter Collection is getting one for an airshow next Easter. :-)
Lock On: Modern Air Combat (LOMAC) is also looking very promising.
Regarding death of flight sims, it is just like anything and is reliant on fashion or trends. Right now the first person perspective shoot'em up is popular. People will get sick of them and turn to another genre eventually, though whether it will be flight sims depends on what is being released. (In this respect Il-2 and LOMAC may lead this change.) When you have read computer mags as long as I have you can clearly see the trends and see how fickle the general consumer can be. I wouldn't worry about it... as long as there is a demand they will continue to be made.
Regarding motherboards when I buy a new computer I usually buy a mid range system. (Over here there are high range systems that have everything that is the latest in it, and cost around $6,000. The midrange are still good performers, but not the latest and very expensive parts (about $2,500-$3,500). Finally there is the low range... not powerful enough to run graphics intensive games, but for a word processor and doing your tax and things it is just fine. When I buy a mid range system I make sure the motherboard can handle the next new CPU, so that when it is no longer the latest CPU out and its price has halved I can buy it and save a lot of money. (I end up with what would have been a $6000 computer, but for less, and I buy computers half as often.)
Since I have bought my current computer (last year), I have added a zip drive, a CD burner, a DVD drive and 2 X Voodoo 2 3d graphics cards (they are connected and work together simulating a 16MB graphics card). Make sure the case is nice and big... much easier to add stuff. Future upgrades include (in order) another half GB of RAM, a 40+GB HD, a new 1.7GHz processor (Athlon, as my current processor is a 650MHz Athlon)
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Posts: 66
By: aviojet
- 1st September 2001 at 05:29Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Frank-It was only last year that 700mhz was top of the line,I feel like computer speed has now finally arrived to where it should be,now that were up around the 1.5ghz mark.I really hate to think what its going to be like when we have to upgrade past the 2ghz mark,everyone will need new motherboards.
Well since there is absolutely no good pc gaming stores here in tacoma(I said I was from seattle as thats more recognizable on international NGs),hopefully a drive up to seattle next week will turn up a decent pc game shop.
I saw a review in a mag for a Saitek ST50 joystick for $10 with throtal wheel and suction cups under the stand.Cant pass that up.
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Posts: 839
By: Rosco
- 1st September 2001 at 07:50Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
"-there is absolutely no good pc gaming stores here in tacoma"
Ah, I was wondering about that as Seattle certainly does not lack for consumer choice, I used to do a lot of my shopping there {despite the 4 hour drive} when the Canadian dollar was stronger. Anyway, get a good stick setup, preferably a HOTAS, or you'll find that the hardcore sims are very frustrating and nearly impractical to play!
Full HOTAS systems are fairly expensive though, I'm quite happy with my Logitech Interceptor stick, this is not a HOTAS setup but is probably the next best thing and features 33 button functions, a throttle and excellent feel and control for only about $50 USD.
By: frankvw
- 1st September 2001 at 09:21Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
"The speed has arrived where it should be"
In fact, your(our) needs are what Mr Gates'company and other software companies decide thay are...
10 years ago, you had a 386, and it was really sufficient, for the OS, and also for games (think of Falcon AT or FS4)
Today, A P3 - Athlon is great, everything runs on it.
Tomorrow??? I prefer don't think about it... So, and that's my opinion, i prefer invest in parts that you canh easily exchange when needed, and from well known brands, to avoid compatibility problems.
If you want to know whet the best parts are, buy.. serious game magazines. They usually know that business, because they always need a high end computer.
Frank
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Posts: 3,671
By: Geforce
- 1st September 2001 at 14:21Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: flight sim advice
Buy Commanche 4, really nice game
Geforce - "Teamwork is essential. It gives the enemy other people to shoot at."
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Posts: 66
By: aviojet
- 2nd September 2001 at 02:15Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: flight sim advice
LAST EDITED ON 02-09-01 AT 02:19 AM (GMT)[p]Rosco-Could you give me some names of PC Gameing stores you go too in Seattle.You already mentioned Electronic Boutique,but theyre just a shopping mall chain with basic gaming stock like compusa would have.
thanks
New
Posts: 839
By: Rosco
- 2nd September 2001 at 05:26Permalink- Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: flight sim advice
I've never shopped for computer programs down there, no real advantage to it. EB and it's clones are pretty much as good as it gets most of the time. Still, you should be able to find titles like Janes F/A-18 and Falcon 4 practically anywhere and for extremely cheap.
Posts: 1,971
By: Glenn - 30th August 2001 at 12:55 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
The RAM.
Garry, interesting info. I didn't realise SDRAM was so cheap now. I have a computer builder friend who has 64MB sticks of PC100 second hand SDRAM for about A$50.
On Janes WW2 Fighters, I agree on the arrow keys needing to be used. Have you tried any other Joysticks on this sim?
I have played the demo for Novalogic's 'Mig-29' and found it to be fairly simplistic, although on the demo of their 'F-22 Lightening 3' the nuclear attack option is a real hoot, and the effects are interesting to watch.
Regards, Glenn.
Posts: 1,971
By: Glenn - 30th August 2001 at 13:17 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: flight sim advice
LAST EDITED ON 30-08-01 AT 01:18 PM (GMT)[p]"What about Falcon-4, there seems to be a lot of mention and hype surrounding this game? Is it any good, realistic?"
Horace, Falcon-4 created a lot of hype because it was claimed to be cutting edge in the flight sim world of the day (2 years ago), and to a point it delivered. But it was not bug free, and patches have been put out to rectify problems that occured in the campaign engine. This hiccup was a result of Microprose's rush to get the sim on the market without fully fixing it. Despite this, the graphics are good, and the flight modelling and so forth are good as well, and its pretty realistic overall.
"What scenarios are there and can you create your own? Ditto for F18 Super Hornet?"
Falcon-4 has several campaigns to choose from, and you can choose missions to fly within the campaigns. You can create your own new campaigns and plan missions as well.
I have not played Janes' F/A-18, but I would assume similar mission building and campaign capabilities to that of the AH-64D LONGBOW series, which is fairly good.
"In fact, what combat sims allow these features?"
Most, if not all flight sims, and even land-warfare/sea-warfare sims. In fact its virtually a required marketing tool these days to have these features incorporated. Every sim will most likely have something a little different to define it from the rest.
Regards, Glenn.
Posts: 66
By: aviojet - 31st August 2001 at 00:56 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: The RAM.
One other question:the pc gaming store in my town is run by a bunch of jerks who consider my inquireys about flight sims an annoyance.They simply told me that games like WW2 fighters and Flanker 2.5 were no longer available.I was wondering,where do you guys buy sims?Is there a good place online to buy?
Posts: 839
By: Rosco - 31st August 2001 at 01:19 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Where do you live? I always buy from an outlet with a good return policy like Electronic Boutique. I had to buy online I would try something like EB Games. >
http://www.ebgames.com/ebx/categories/products/deptpage.asp?web_dept=PC…
BTW, I'd get more than 256 MB RAM if I were you, some newest games seem to like no less than 512 MB at their highest settings...
Posts: 66
By: aviojet - 31st August 2001 at 03:34 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Rosco-I live in seattle,wa.I am getting 512mb of RAM,because I decided against an ABIT motherboard and am going with a generic motherboard with onboard video,sound,modem,NIC,etc.Since the shared memory eats up alot of RAM,I have to go over 256mb RAM.
By: Anonymous - 31st August 2001 at 09:33 Permalink - Edited 16th October 2019 at 10:05
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Aviojet
Sorry, I live in New Zealand and the shops I buy computer games from you probably have never heard of.
Buying online takes too long in my experience so I only buy that way if I am desperate. In general a dedicated computer shop is more likely to have staff that can solve or at least identify problems for you. Larger department type stores tend to have "sales" staff who are often not as helpful, but there are also exceptions. The most important thing to check is the return policy which in my experience is better in the department type stores. Computer shops here tend to only give you your money back if the software is faulty... not if it is a crap game and you don't think it was worth $100. Department stores (here) tend to have a 7 day right of return type policy where you don't even have to give a reason for the return. Of course if you buy and return all the latest software every week they will get suspicious.
"WW2 fighters and Flanker 2.5 were no longer available."
Janes WWII fighters has been released on budget software (about $30 in New Zealand... so about $10 US) and Flanker 2.5 has only just been released. These guys are morons. (BTW if you have Flanker 2.0 then the 2.5 upgrade is online and free). I am assuming you are from a small town, I guess your options are look in nearby towns, or a local department type store. You should certainly make that unhelpful store aware they have lost a customer.
Glenn
"I didn't realise SDRAM was so cheap now. I have a computer builder friend who has 64MB sticks of PC100 second hand SDRAM for about A$50."
It is very cheap just now, but be careful. If your current memory chips are PC133s and you put in PC100s you'll have some problems. My motherboard runs at 133mhz so to get the best performance I'd be buying only PC133s. It would still work if I had all PC100s, but the price difference isn't that great and they are 1/3rd faster. If your motherboard is only 100mhz, then PC100s are for you. My motherboard has two free memory slots. For less than $250NZ I can get two PC133 256MB chips... half a GB of RAM to go with my existing 64MB... pretty good compared to my ZX81 spectrum which came with 1K of memory. (A $200+ at the time RAM expansion pack inceased this to 16K... the clock in windows probably wouldn't fit on that!)
It is common for computer builders to get lots of spare parts... especially 32MB and 64MB RAM, as well as network cards. They get them because people upgrade to larger or faster parts and no longer need the now redundant part. Compare the price very carefully, the number of memory slots you have is limited... why fill them up with small chips when larger chips are available at very reasonable prices.
"(regarding Janes WWII fighters) Have you tried any other Joysticks on this sim?"
No, but considering the performance of the arrowkeys which I am just about getting used to I might see if I can use one of my old digital joysticks.
"Novalogic's 'Mig-29' and found it to be fairly simplistic, although on the demo of their 'F-22 Lightening 3' the nuclear attack option is a real hoot, and the effects are interesting to watch."
Yes, I agree -29 was a little simplistic and they've gone too far in the simple/fun direction for wider appeal, rather than hardcore realistic simulation. A tricky line to walk. The range of the R-77s is a little optimistic and the R-73s seem much too big. The biggest hoot however is the FAB-250 and FAB-250 standard HE bombs are called FAE bombs in the game documentation. A mistranslation of FAB I think.
I've just bought a flight sim pack with F-18 Korea which seems to include B-57 tactical nuclear weapons... I'll get back to you on that one.
Posts: 1,971
By: Glenn - 31st August 2001 at 12:02 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
Garry - game king?
LAST EDITED ON 31-08-01 AT 12:37 PM (GMT)[p]One of your digital joysticks??
How many flight/combat sims do you have?
I am fairly selective when it comes to spending the A$70-90 it costs for the very latest sims these days, but I am sure you are too. After a few years of experience with several different companies it gets easier. But its always a gamble of sorts to buy something untried, and thats what I did a couple of years ago with Interactive Magic's F/A-18E Carrier Strike Fighter. Good sim, but graphically inferior to Janes. For me, the look does a lot.
Aviojet stated earlier:
"I've heard flight sim development is dying down as they dont make as much money as other game software.I've heard for example Janes software design team all got walking papers, quite a shame."
I didn't know this was the case, but then again I don't read sim mags just the occasional online news and reviews, and so I wouldn't know what the latest news was. The bit about the Janes' staff, if true, would certainly explain why the 'A-10 Warthog' sim has failed to materialise this year thus far. This was the last project that they at Janes were working on, and it looked VERY good.
For those curious, some screen shots of Flanker 2.5 and Janes' F/A-18.
http://www.janes.ea.com/f-18/screens/aim-120_away.jpg
http://flightsimmers.net/vaf303bg/f25ss/f25039.jpg
I think this Flanker driver has got problems.
And..A screen shot from one of my old favourites. DID/Ocean's F-22 ADF.
http://www.migman.com/ref/simhis/TAW/pics/len_F22.jpg
The flight sims I have currently are, and a simple overview;
I-MAGIC's F/A-18E CSF - good campaign/mission module, but average graphic modelling. A lot of missiles seem to miss - a lot! I look foward to getting a better Hornet sim, perhaps F/A-18 from Janes (have been thinking about it for a while) or wait for another one.
Janes' WW 2 Fighters - Amazing damage modelling, the best I have seen so far on any sim. Good effects, mission builder and other options overall, but ground units are simplistic. The usuall wealth of info comes with this sim from Janes. The videos are great, especially the Ace pilot interviews.
Microsoft's Combat Flight Simulator 'European Theatre' - Good plane graphics, but not detailed enough for me, simple damage modelling but amazing ground scenery of course! Simple missions in two campaigns. CFS 2 'Pacific Theatre' looks promising, should be better.
DID's Total Air War - Basically F-22 ADF with full campaigns and minus the single missions. I mean full campaigns, they take time to complete. Also has custom combat module in which you can create your own scenarios. Good sim, playing again right now.
Janes' AH-64D Longbow 2 - Very good again, as expected from these people. My system does not get the best out of it visually, but otherwise I was impressed.
Microprose's Falcon-4 - Impressive graphics and game play, definitely hardcore sim, but scenery seems a tad fuzzy in some respects, not clean and sharp like some others I have seen. Mission building and campaigns are very good, but to fully get the most from it you will need the patches provided to rectify the faults (in the campaign engine mainly).
Janes' Israeli Air Force - Good again, but really needs a good 3D card to get the most out of it. The object/jet and secenery modelling seemed a little below average compared to others from these guys. But then again with a better 3D card that would probably change. The IAF 50th anniversary CD-ROM was a bouns though.
I have other combat sims, but these are only the flight sims that I have currently.
Look forward to seeing SSI's Lock On: Modern Air Combat.
Thanks for the other info Garry.
Regards, Glenn.
Posts: 4,450
By: frankvw - 31st August 2001 at 14:04 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Well, the integrated mainboard is, for me, a mistake:
If, later, you want to change your processor, you'l also (probably) have to change the whole PC! but the soyundcard wouldn't be obsolete, nor would the NIC be...
Same problem if a component has a probem, you have to change the whole PC
On the other hand, if you havea "classic" motherboard, it's easy for upgrade: every 2 years (assuming you have the bucks), you change either the graphic card, or the motherboard / CPU.
That's what i do, and it works fine.
I was in a boarding school for the last 3 years, there was 1 PC/ room. There were aprox. 100 rooms. The majority who bought an integrated motherboard had regrets.
Regards,
Frank
By: Anonymous - 1st September 2001 at 01:53 Permalink - Edited 16th October 2019 at 10:05
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Glenn
My first flight simulator was B1 Bomber... I played it on an Atari 800XL... It was text based and I got it from a magazine. (I had to type it out and this was before cheap disk drives so I saved it onto cassete tape so I didn't have to retype it for each game).
I have about 3 digital joysticks from my Amiga 500 days. The flight sims that actually had graphics (wire frame for the early ones) include F-15, Interceptor (F-18 and F-16 vs Black F-16 that were supposed to be Mig-29s that were launching from a submersible carrier...), Gunship, Gunship 2000, F-29 Retaliator, Birds of Prey, Ka-50 Hokum, Apache Havoc, Falcon 4, Su-27 Flanker 1.0, Nuclear strike, IAF, Comanche Gold, Mig-29 Fulcrum (I have two Mig-29 games... one by Novalogic and the other I can't remember), USNF'97, Fly!, F/A-18 Korea, Flying Corps Gold, Janes WWII fighter, A-10 Tank killer, plus quite a few others I can't remember off hand.
I am very much looking forward to seeing Il-2... I have looked at the website and I think one of the aircraft you can fly is a Yak-9. This aircraft is quite topical here at the moment as our Alpine Fighter Collection is getting one for an airshow next Easter. :-)
Lock On: Modern Air Combat (LOMAC) is also looking very promising.
Regarding death of flight sims, it is just like anything and is reliant on fashion or trends. Right now the first person perspective shoot'em up is popular. People will get sick of them and turn to another genre eventually, though whether it will be flight sims depends on what is being released. (In this respect Il-2 and LOMAC may lead this change.) When you have read computer mags as long as I have you can clearly see the trends and see how fickle the general consumer can be. I wouldn't worry about it... as long as there is a demand they will continue to be made.
Regarding motherboards when I buy a new computer I usually buy a mid range system. (Over here there are high range systems that have everything that is the latest in it, and cost around $6,000. The midrange are still good performers, but not the latest and very expensive parts (about $2,500-$3,500). Finally there is the low range... not powerful enough to run graphics intensive games, but for a word processor and doing your tax and things it is just fine. When I buy a mid range system I make sure the motherboard can handle the next new CPU, so that when it is no longer the latest CPU out and its price has halved I can buy it and save a lot of money. (I end up with what would have been a $6000 computer, but for less, and I buy computers half as often.)
Since I have bought my current computer (last year), I have added a zip drive, a CD burner, a DVD drive and 2 X Voodoo 2 3d graphics cards (they are connected and work together simulating a 16MB graphics card). Make sure the case is nice and big... much easier to add stuff. Future upgrades include (in order) another half GB of RAM, a 40+GB HD, a new 1.7GHz processor (Athlon, as my current processor is a 650MHz Athlon)
Posts: 66
By: aviojet - 1st September 2001 at 05:29 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
Frank-It was only last year that 700mhz was top of the line,I feel like computer speed has now finally arrived to where it should be,now that were up around the 1.5ghz mark.I really hate to think what its going to be like when we have to upgrade past the 2ghz mark,everyone will need new motherboards.
Well since there is absolutely no good pc gaming stores here in tacoma(I said I was from seattle as thats more recognizable on international NGs),hopefully a drive up to seattle next week will turn up a decent pc game shop.
I saw a review in a mag for a Saitek ST50 joystick for $10 with throtal wheel and suction cups under the stand.Cant pass that up.
Posts: 839
By: Rosco - 1st September 2001 at 07:50 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
"-there is absolutely no good pc gaming stores here in tacoma"
Ah, I was wondering about that as Seattle certainly does not lack for consumer choice, I used to do a lot of my shopping there {despite the 4 hour drive} when the Canadian dollar was stronger. Anyway, get a good stick setup, preferably a HOTAS, or you'll find that the hardcore sims are very frustrating and nearly impractical to play!
Full HOTAS systems are fairly expensive though, I'm quite happy with my Logitech Interceptor stick, this is not a HOTAS setup but is probably the next best thing and features 33 button functions, a throttle and excellent feel and control for only about $50 USD.
http://www.handy.no/hardware/mus/logitech/Image171.gif
Posts: 4,450
By: frankvw - 1st September 2001 at 09:21 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: Too much is never enough when it comes to flight sims!
"The speed has arrived where it should be"
In fact, your(our) needs are what Mr Gates'company and other software companies decide thay are...
10 years ago, you had a 386, and it was really sufficient, for the OS, and also for games (think of Falcon AT or FS4)
Today, A P3 - Athlon is great, everything runs on it.
Tomorrow??? I prefer don't think about it... So, and that's my opinion, i prefer invest in parts that you canh easily exchange when needed, and from well known brands, to avoid compatibility problems.
If you want to know whet the best parts are, buy.. serious game magazines. They usually know that business, because they always need a high end computer.
Frank
Posts: 3,671
By: Geforce - 1st September 2001 at 14:21 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: flight sim advice
Buy Commanche 4, really nice game
Geforce - "Teamwork is essential. It gives the enemy other people to shoot at."
Posts: 66
By: aviojet - 2nd September 2001 at 02:15 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: flight sim advice
LAST EDITED ON 02-09-01 AT 02:19 AM (GMT)[p]Rosco-Could you give me some names of PC Gameing stores you go too in Seattle.You already mentioned Electronic Boutique,but theyre just a shopping mall chain with basic gaming stock like compusa would have.
thanks
Posts: 839
By: Rosco - 2nd September 2001 at 05:26 Permalink - Edited 1st January 1970 at 01:00
RE: flight sim advice
I've never shopped for computer programs down there, no real advantage to it. EB and it's clones are pretty much as good as it gets most of the time. Still, you should be able to find titles like Janes F/A-18 and Falcon 4 practically anywhere and for extremely cheap.