OT: Aces high 2?

[Misconduct]

Just noticed this online massive player war game called Aces high 2, Aces high 2 website It looks promising, has anyone ever played it? Seems you can play all sort of things like Fighters, bombers, tanks from world war 2.

[crsutton]

Mmmmmmmm. Looks like the poor cousin of IL2. If you want hardcore air combat then Il2 is still the way to go. Lots more planes, lots better graphics, better flight mechanics and virtually no kiddies or hackers. And, did I mention that playing on line is free...

Or if you want to drive tanks, get Red Orchestra and its Ameican theater mod "Darkest Hour" Lots more tanks, very real ballistics and armor effects, and virtually no kiddies and hackers. And, did I mention that is is also free to play on line...

(I am very big on that "free" thing [;)])

They have been working on a follow up to IL2 for almost a decade now but the original game has a devoted company behind it (Russian) and it has been inmproved and polished updated so many times that it is impossible to fly all of the planes. Besides, yoiu sooner or later get sick of flying mustangs and spitfires over and over again. In IL2, you can fly incredible planes that no western oriented sim would ever consider. IAR 80, PE2, MIG3, Italian tri motor bomber, Betty bomber, Glouster Gladiator, ME 262 Comet it just goes on. And the Russian version of the P39 is actually an great airplane...

Red Orchestra is getting old but still the best out there. They are working on RO2 now.

[Misconduct]

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Mmmmmmmm. Looks like the poor cousin of IL2. If you want hardcore air combat then Il2 is still the way to go. Lots more planes, lots better graphics, better flight mechanics and virtually no kiddies or hackers. And, did I mention that playing on line is free...

Or if you want to drive tanks, get Red Orchestra and its Ameican theater mod "Darkest Hour" Lots more tanks, very real ballistics and armor effects, and virtually no kiddies and hackers. And, did I mention that is is also free to play on line...

(I am very big on that "free" thing [;)])

They have been working on a follow up to IL2 for almost a decade now but the original game has a devoted company behind it (Russian) and it has been inmproved and polished updated so many times that it is impossible to fly all of the planes. Besides, yoiu sooner or later get sick of flying mustangs and spitfires over and over again. In IL2, you can fly incredible planes that no western oriented sim would ever consider. IAR 80, PE2, MIG3, Italian tri motor bomber, Betty bomber, Glouster Gladiator, ME 262 Comet it just goes on. And the Russian version of the P39 is actually an great airplane...

Red Orchestra is getting old but still the best out there. They are working on RO2 now.

I flew Il2 for a long time, I got a little tired of flying the same missions over and over, there isn't a dynamic campaign generator or dynamic mission generator, for example you always know you will probably face 4-8 fighters, 4-12 bombers every other mission.

The routine missions is what was a disappointment to me, I was looking at Aces High for the "broader" value, you can fly many aircraft from many nations whether fighters or bombers etc.

Its disheartening the Sim games seemed to of died off the last few years, seems to be only Arcade shoot em up anymore. There was a very promising WW1 flight sim coming out, haven't heard anything on it since October, its a shame the game was given bran new graphics and Red Baron type feel.

[Erkki]

Who plays single player in the first place?!? [&:] AHII's Artificial Idiot = 5 planes flying ring around your airfield so you can test guns on them. Literally.

Il-2's isnt much better, but multiplayer is a holy grail.

EDIT: il2 has multiple dynamic campaign generators, for both multi and single player.

[Sardaukar]

If you like good but bit "arcadish" tank game, try World of Tanks.

[offenseman]

Interesting seeing some of the impressions of AHII that some people have.  HiTech Creations should take a look at their marketing perhaps.  As a long time player, I can add a few things from a person who has actually played it.

"Mmmmmmmm. Looks like the poor cousin of IL2. If you want hardcore air combat then Il2 is still the way to go. Lots more planes, lots better graphics, better flight mechanics and virtually no kiddies or hackers. And, did I mention that playing on line is free..."

Ummmm no.  People who are used to playing both games in depth tell me that IL2's flight model is pedestrian compared to AHII.  There are very few squeakers (kiddies) and almost never a hacker playing. Most people that complain about hackers in any multiplayer game tend to be those that are not very good and everyone who schools them is a "hacker".  HTC maintains a clean game that is enforced by people turning in films of anything that MIGHT be a hack.  Yes it is not free though. It is $15 USD/mo

"Who plays single player in the first place?!? AHII's Artificial Idiot = 5 planes flying ring around your airfield so you can test guns on them. Literally."

Sorry. the offline version which is free does have that as an option. However there are plenty of mods for free that incorporate missions and other aspects of the game.  The non free version is much more than shooting at 5 clay pigeons.  At any given time, more when the USA east coast is during the day/evening, there are hundreds of players playing and one can jump into the game with them.  There are also dedicated events such as FSO, Friday Squad Operations, that are more historical and follow a theme that recreates a specific battle over the course of three Fridays.  The number of players who participate in that is 400-600.  It is a two hour, one life event, you get killed, you are done. 

"Besides, yoiu sooner or later get sick of flying mustangs and spitfires over and over again."

That would suck for sure and AHII does have Two versions of the Pony, B and D models, as well as 7 versions of the Spit, (I,V, Seafire, IX, VIII,XIV,XVI), but it also has A6M2, A6M5c, George, Frank, Betty, Peggy, Val, Kate, Tony, C202, C205, 6 different 109s, 4 different 190s, Me262, Me163, Ju88, Ju87, Bf110 in two flavors. Il2, Yak 9 T and U, La5 and La7, Lanc, 3 Hurris, 2 Mossies, 2 P40s, 4 P47s, 2 P39s, 3 P38s, B26, 2 B25s, B17, B24, B29, A20, Bostons. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. 

There are also ground vehicles and they are close to releasing a new system for that, that incorporates less arcade style of play and more realism.  IMO it is already not very arcadish anyway. 

They offer a free two week online trial.  If you want to maximize that, download the software, get used to things offline and set your views. Then "join" and try it for two weeks.  That way you need not rely on the opinions of people who looked at there website and said it sucked with no real actual knowledge of the game.

[jeffk3510]

So what do you guys suggest for the best Masive Multi Player games?

Tank-
Plane-
Ship-

??

[Erkki]

ORIGINAL: offenseman

Interesting seeing some of the impressions of AHII that some people have.  HiTech Creations should take a look at their marketing perhaps.  As a long time player, I can add a few things from a person who has actually played it.

"Mmmmmmmm. Looks like the poor cousin of IL2. If you want hardcore air combat then Il2 is still the way to go. Lots more planes, lots better graphics, better flight mechanics and virtually no kiddies or hackers. And, did I mention that playing on line is free..."

Ummmm no.  People who are used to playing both games in depth tell me that IL2's flight model is pedestrian compared to AHII.  There are very few squeakers (kiddies) and almost never a hacker playing. Most people that complain about hackers in any multiplayer game tend to be those that are not very good and everyone who schools them is a "hacker".  HTC maintains a clean game that is enforced by people turning in films of anything that MIGHT be a hack.  Yes it is not free though. It is $15 USD/mo

"Who plays single player in the first place?!? AHII's Artificial Idiot = 5 planes flying ring around your airfield so you can test guns on them. Literally."

Sorry. the offline version which is free does have that as an option. However there are plenty of mods for free that incorporate missions and other aspects of the game.  The non free version is much more than shooting at 5 clay pigeons.  At any given time, more when the USA east coast is during the day/evening, there are hundreds of players playing and one can jump into the game with them.  There are also dedicated events such as FSO, Friday Squad Operations, that are more historical and follow a theme that recreates a specific battle over the course of three Fridays.  The number of players who participate in that is 400-600.  It is a two hour, one life event, you get killed, you are done. 

"Besides, yoiu sooner or later get sick of flying mustangs and spitfires over and over again."

That would suck for sure and AHII does have Two versions of the Pony, B and D models, as well as 7 versions of the Spit, (I,V, Seafire, IX, VIII,XIV,XVI), but it also has A6M2, A6M5c, George, Frank, Betty, Peggy, Val, Kate, Tony, C202, C205, 6 different 109s, 4 different 190s, Me262, Me163, Ju88, Ju87, Bf110 in two flavors. Il2, Yak 9 T and U, La5 and La7, Lanc, 3 Hurris, 2 Mossies, 2 P40s, 4 P47s, 2 P39s, 3 P38s, B26, 2 B25s, B17, B24, B29, A20, Bostons. Those are the ones I can think of off the top of my head. 

There are also ground vehicles and they are close to releasing a new system for that, that incorporates less arcade style of play and more realism.  IMO it is already not very arcadish anyway. 

They offer a free two week online trial.  If you want to maximize that, download the software, get used to things offline and set your views. Then "join" and try it for two weeks.  That way you need not rely on the opinions of people who looked at there website and said it sucked with no real actual knowledge of the game.

Sorry, but Il-2 does everything better than the AHII, and its free. Flight modeling, check, damage physics and ballistics, check, graphics, check, authenticity of aircraft and their cockpits, check. Il-2 has those very same dynamic online campaigns as does the AHII.

I have played both games and AHII imho loses in everything.

Ummmm no.  People who are used to playing both games in depth tell me that IL2's flight model is pedestrian compared to AHII. 

So you havent tried it yourself? [:)]

Some random vid, il2 online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdK9xOkCSwo

edit: to me the AHII's aircraft dont feel like aircraft at all. They all fly like "on rails" with very little sideslip or torque, and are very forgiving at stalls. They dont feel like the thousand horsepower monsters they should be.

[Misconduct]

offensive, i was interested in trying it do you fly for any specific squad or faction?

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: Erkki

Ummmm no.  People who are used to playing both games in depth tell me that IL2's flight model is pedestrian compared to AHII. 

So you havent tried it yourself? [:)]

Some random vid, il2 online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdK9xOkCSwo

edit: to me the AHII's aircraft dont feel like aircraft at all. They all fly like "on rails" with very little sideslip or torque, and are very forgiving at stalls. They dont feel like the thousand horsepower monsters they should be.

No I have not played IL2 and rely on people who have that I know well for their evaluation.

Yep the AH planes fly like they are on rails when one flies with the stall limiter on. That is the default and the plane will not stall, does not have torque induced yaw, etc. It is meant for newbies so they can get a plane in the air and actually learn a few things. It is the first thing that should be turned off before actually playing against others though because it drastically reduces the flight characteristics to safe but not competent. With it off, it is a very different story. ask anyone who has ground looped a F4U-4 or 109 K-4...

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

offensive, i was interested in trying it do you fly for any specific squad or faction?

There are three countries in the main arenas, Knights, Rooks, Bishops. I have always been Knight or Rook and switch between the two based on who has fewer players. I like to play in a target rich environment. My squad was always a Knight squad but a few months we switched to Rook because we wanted a change. If you are interested in giving it a shot and want to fly with someone you sort of know, PM me and I'll give you details. We welcome new players to our little squad with more zeal than some squads do.

I mentioned FSO earlier... Tomorrow night for FSO we start our three week campaign of Operation Ketsu Go which was the Japanese attempt at using Yamato as a kamikaze and B29 raids on Japan in April 1945. My squad is flying for the Rising Sun and this week have been assigned a CAP mission in N1K1s. Should be interesting. If you try the game, like it, and want to try out FSO, let me know. You have to be in a registered squad to play in that one. There are no walk-ons. I'll invite you regardless you skill level.

[Misconduct]

I wont fly the FSO, I need a few weeks to get back into shape, but i will get my saitek joystick probably tomarrow, and ill start practicing my offensive/defensive BFM, i used to fly with a falcon 4 squad, so I know a bit about FSO type setups, do you guys fly any specific planes? im partial to the ki84, and looking forward to dogfighting with it.

[vettim89]

I have played the game and it is a very good game. Learning curve is huge and I agree if you take off the training wheels the planes to act realistically. If you get in a Jugg and go from 0% throttle to max, you better be ready to compensate for all that torque because it will put you into a spin if you are not ready for it. As to the flight model, I do not have the knowledge to evaluate it. That said HiTech does take a lot of pride in improving the product and its engine.

The biggest gripe I have is that all the combat occurs at about 1000 feet to 5000 ft. So planes that performed best at higher altitudes are hampered. It is a game but around a combat sim. Do not expect it to be realistics or historic because it will not be. That said it is a challenge and can be very enjoyable

BTW, if you are going to try it, I suggest you fly the bf-109F. It is a very forgiving plane and can be tangle with about anything else in the game at low altitude

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: Erkki


Sorry, but Il-2 does everything better than the AHII, and its free. Flight modeling, check, damage physics and ballistics, check, graphics, check, authenticity of aircraft and their cockpits, check.

Not sure how you would know all that without having access to the code of either program.

Either way, your opinion is noted. I just didn't want the OP to get the idea that he should not even try AHII out. If he does he may not like it and maybe he will like it a lot. Its free to try, unlike IL2 which you have to buy to try- as far as I know anyway.

[Misconduct]

ORIGINAL: offenseman

ORIGINAL: Erkki


Sorry, but Il-2 does everything better than the AHII, and its free. Flight modeling, check, damage physics and ballistics, check, graphics, check, authenticity of aircraft and their cockpits, check.

Not sure how you would know all that without having access to the code of either program.

Either way, your opinion is noted. I just didn't want the OP to get the idea that he should not even try AHII out. If he does he may not like it and maybe he will like it a lot. Its free to try, unlike IL2 which you have to buy to try- as far as I know anyway.

My ingame name is Butcher so far I am liking AH, seems interesting

[The Gnome]

Oh boy, now you guys have me itching to try it out. I flew a bit in Battleground: Europe/WW2OL but mostly stuck to the ground, and I've been meaning to try out AHII.

How long does it take an eager newb to mix it up?

[Misconduct]

ORIGINAL: The Gnome

Oh boy, now you guys have me itching to try it out. I flew a bit in Battleground: Europe/WW2OL but mostly stuck to the ground, and I've been meaning to try out AHII.

How long does it take an eager newb to mix it up?

I started playing earlier and already learning the ropes, its not complicated, but there is a learning curve - setting up the joystick and keyboard is the biggest problem, otherwise its a breeze to learn.

[Erkki]

Theres also Oleg's Il2: Cliffs of Dover that has been out for 2 days here(US release April 18th or 19th). I'm going to run my copy from the post office in a few hours, but reading forums it seems to be a whole new ballgame when it comes to the level of detail and simulation in flight dynamics, engine and system modelling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6frnSvS9J8

Not sure how you would know all that without having access to the code of either program.

Either way, your opinion is noted. I just didn't want the OP to get the idea that he should not even try AHII out. If he does he may not like it and maybe he will like it a lot. Its free to try, unlike IL2 which you have to buy to try- as far as I know anyway.

Sure, no reason not to try! But I dont think 10 USD for the best WW2 flight simulator there is, both single and multiplayer wise, is a big price. [:)]

[LoBaron]

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

ORIGINAL: crsutton

Mmmmmmmm. Looks like the poor cousin of IL2. If you want hardcore air combat then Il2 is still the way to go. Lots more planes, lots better graphics, better flight mechanics and virtually no kiddies or hackers. And, did I mention that playing on line is free...

Or if you want to drive tanks, get Red Orchestra and its Ameican theater mod "Darkest Hour" Lots more tanks, very real ballistics and armor effects, and virtually no kiddies and hackers. And, did I mention that is is also free to play on line...

(I am very big on that "free" thing [;)])

They have been working on a follow up to IL2 for almost a decade now but the original game has a devoted company behind it (Russian) and it has been inmproved and polished updated so many times that it is impossible to fly all of the planes. Besides, yoiu sooner or later get sick of flying mustangs and spitfires over and over again. In IL2, you can fly incredible planes that no western oriented sim would ever consider. IAR 80, PE2, MIG3, Italian tri motor bomber, Betty bomber, Glouster Gladiator, ME 262 Comet it just goes on. And the Russian version of the P39 is actually an great airplane...

Red Orchestra is getting old but still the best out there. They are working on RO2 now.

I flew Il2 for a long time, I got a little tired of flying the same missions over and over, there isn't a dynamic campaign generator or dynamic mission generator, for example you always know you will probably face 4-8 fighters, 4-12 bombers every other mission.

The routine missions is what was a disappointment to me, I was looking at Aces High for the "broader" value, you can fly many aircraft from many nations whether fighters or bombers etc.

Its disheartening the Sim games seemed to of died off the last few years, seems to be only Arcade shoot em up anymore. There was a very promising WW1 flight sim coming out, haven't heard anything on it since October, its a shame the game was given bran new graphics and Red Baron type feel.

http://www.lowengrin.com/news.php

Home of the DCG, the dynamic campaign generator for IL2 and its addons.
You can play the whole war and your actions and those of every single other squad on the map influence the outcome
of the campaigns.

Has been around for a very long time now, countless options to finetune your war, tracks pilots and their kills, generates
replacement pilots skill based on the squadron skill, nationality and year, contrary to original IL2 you see a whole lot of
other missions than your own being flown on the map,.

The IL2 / DCG combination was and is the best and most realistic WWII aircombat sim out there, period. The only hope
is their new BoB Cliffs of Dover, which shows at least the potential to develope into something resembling the content
that IL2 + addons provided, but thats still some time in the future sadly.

[offenseman]

ORIGINAL: Misconduct

I wont fly the FSO, I need a few weeks to get back into shape, but i will get my saitek joystick probably tomarrow, and ill start practicing my offensive/defensive BFM, i used to fly with a falcon 4 squad, so I know a bit about FSO type setups, do you guys fly any specific planes? im partial to the ki84, and looking forward to dogfighting with it.

The Ki84 is a great plane and there are some guys that fly it real well. I am not one of them! Never had much luck in that crate. Statistically the two most popular aircraft are the Spit XVI and Pony D but those added together are still under 15% total. The Spit is easy to fly, fairly fast, and has Hispanos. The Pony because it is so famous and fast. I've never narrowed my favorites down to one or two. I suppose I spend most of my air time in Pony D, 190 D-9, La7, and Seafires or A6M5c off CVs.