CONFIGURE CONTROLS A HEADACHE.

Look, if you think that you can instantly play the game, mmm nop, it´s a mess, let me explain why.

I can understand that you like an inmerse experience but I always spent +- 1 hour refreshing the controls to play.

No easy path, for example, if you like play tanks with the mouse you just need configure sensitivity and movements, etc, but why dont give to the user some easy way?, no, instead let´s make it a hell to configure, and you see that direct control turret says WASD and it doesn´t work, why?, ok, let´s configure an Xbox controller, and a big kick on your %&&/%, the triggers doesn´t work in the conf, after a hard battle to configure the turret, you almost done, nope, the POV of the crew is attached to the mouse, you try to configure and it doesn´t work.

If you are in the gun position you can spent more time figuring that exist a command to Nestle to the gunsight, bro, why?, why don´t put a label advasing about what you can do in the current position?, Jesus, almost all games give some reticule giving options, if you press V you can aim, if you press C you can change of position, etc.

And I have more, the first time I configure the VR, misscalculate the position of the center in the airplane and no way to center again.

And to finish this I was configuring a microsoft joystick and all buttons have their code, so, I bring some notebook to trace my keybiddings, and I stop playing the game maybe 2 months, after that, with my notebook lost I decided to better play with the default keys.

I spent in total maybe 6 hours configuring my controls.

I'm done.

I fly only single player and with basic controls, meaning a joystick and trackir. I've loved every moment.

IL-2: Great Battles is a fantastic WWII combat flight simulator that combines stunning visuals with an impressive range of customization for difficulty. Whether you're a seasoned pilot looking for a hardcore experience or a newcomer easing into flight sims, the game caters to all skill levels, making it highly accessible without compromising on realism.

The game's extensive library of modules adds meaningful content and variety to the experience. However, it's best to wait for a major sale, as the full suite of expansions can be pricey. I would also add that the Tank Crew module lacks the polish of the core aviation content.

Overall, IL-2: Great Battles delivers an outstanding experience for WWII enthusiasts, with its gorgeous graphics, flexible gameplay, and wealth of content. Despite a few shortcomings, it’s a strong recommendation for anyone with an interest in aviation or historical combat sims.

I set up my joystick and throttle. Cant fly a single plane for ♥♥♥♥. Requires a master degree in IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad to even consider begin playing it.

I attempted to play the game with mouse and keyboard, It is simply to difficult to understand how to control the aircraft until I can get a Joystick, too many options to bind for me to have the time to be bothered with it.

The game also doesn't work in full screen, the keybinds mess with my desktop files and opens things randomly while I press keys.

the game sucks

it fun game but ohh boyyyy, if u change the graphc setting it always ask to restart the app, it annoying...... because loading time is slowwwww......

Petah. the spitfires here

Bridges the gap between digital cockpit simulator and arcade flight sims. The player base is a bit low from when I started playing...not sure if it's due to the politics of the devs or what not, but you basically have this or DCS. FWIW, I do own some WW2 modules in DCS but I've been a bit lazy in learning them. I do find the it easier to pop in and play since the planes are not full-fidelity, that said, there are dudes who've been playing this game for 5 years and will whoop on you.

An in between War Thunder's Simulator battles and DCS when it comes to level of realism.
It also has a more welcoming and easier ways to play single player and coop with the use of tools like PWCG, so if you're into multiplayer and single player, I would go with IL-2 for ww2 content in comparison to games like WT and DCS.
I also enjoy not having to buy so many things to be able to play, you can also fly full realism with only a mouse and keyboard, even in joystick only servers (select joystick instead of mouse, bind roll and pitch to your mouse and ta da), so inviting people that dont have a fligthstick is as easy as in War Thunder.

Big disclaimer though: The game usually has only 2 full servers in peak hours, but tbh is worth it if you have the experience to play online. I still would suggest to play a lot of single player before going to multiplayer.