Plane Crazy

There's nothing quite like World War II to conjure up images of heroism under extreme conditions. Over the past few years, much of videogaming WWII combat has been ground-based. This time, however, it's the flyboys who are going to grab the glory.

Sturmovik is a game that has been impressing PC owners for many years now and is, by many players' reckoning, the best and most challenging combat flight simulation ever made. The great news for console owners is that they too can now enjoy all the thrills of aerial combat in IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey.

The Real Deal

Just in case you're wondering what the heck that title is all about, this game is created by Russian developers and the IL-2 Sturmovik was a Russian fighter plane used extensively during WWII. Now, we've already mentioned that Birds of Prey is a flight simulation, but we really need to stress that point. This is not just some arcade thrill ride like Ace Combat, it is to all intents and purposes the real deal.

Each aircraft is modelled exactly on the real thing down to the last rivet. This means that they not only handle like actual aircraft but are also subject to the same stresses and combat damage. The result is that if an attacking plane's bullets hit your tail, it will have a markedly different effect than if it hits your pilot's head, say, or the fuel tanks. In fact there's all manner of ways you can buy the farm in Birds of Prey.

Novices Welcome

The game's aircraft handling and combat gameplay are so realistic that you'll be hitting the ground - a lot. But don't panic if you're the sort of gamer who likes a more manageable challenge - the developers have included a host of difficulty levels to enable you to choose the balance between arcade game and simulation.

As you've probably gathered already the game is based around the major aerial operations of WWII and players can pilot a number of different planes (fighters, battle planes and heavy bombers) while taking part in some of the most historic battles of the time. There are five theatres of war: The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily and Korsun, and the action takes place over 50 demanding missions.

Nice View

The scenery shows the same attention to detail as the aircraft and combat gameplay. It looks amazing and is detailed to the extent that as you swoop low over the landscape you'll be able to see ground-based operations taking place below. Challenging weather conditions add to the fun and, best of all, the planes take damage in a realistic fashion so you see bullet holes and engine smoke as the dogfights hot up.

The excitement increases still further when you're fighting real people thanks to the excellent multi-player mode (in which you can even customise your plane's paint job). The icing on the cake is a suitably dramatic orchestral soundtrack by renowned composer of film and game scores, Jeremy Soule.

Whether you want a totally authentic recreation of WWII aerial battles, an accessible airborne shooter or a great multiplayer combat experience, get Birds of Prey in your sights.

GAME's Verdict

• Realistic planes.
• Amazing scenery.
• Intense combat.
• Arcade mode..

• Not for the faint-hearted.

Review by: Simon 'Bandit' Kirrane
Version Tested: Xbox 360
Review Published: 02.09.09