Combat flight sims

[PlatinumFX]

I came across this video (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7219518165992396470&q=eurofighter) on the net and its triggered some interest in a flight sim. Can any one please recommend me something? Requirements:

- Modern air combat (well atleast jet engine'd planes).
- Interesting missions against all types of targets (air, land, sea even (?) ).
- Not essential that I have a joystick. I may get one in the future should I find games to justify. ^^

Thanks for reading. :)

[lemings]

Well BF2 has all of those elements except for the simulation part :). Its more of an arcade style of flying, but still can be fun.

[Elif Tymes]

I liked Freespace 2, if you don't mind an older game. It's space based, and pretty darn sweet. You can find it for $40 ish on ebay, or just download the demo and have fun with it.

There is an open source project for it that improves the graphics and effects, plus it's got quite a dedicated modding community.

[LegolasElf]

Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator wasn't too bad

[Snugglebear]

LO-MAC and Falcon 4, if you can obtain it. The former is newer and has more refined visuals, but it is not a hard-core study sim. The latter is an older (1999-2000) study sim that is the reigning benchmark. Sadly, sims are such niche products that they're very rare. I can't begin to count how many I've seen axed over the years as companies switch focus to more profitable crap for the ADHD types.

[Captain Newbie]

Well BF2 has all of those elements except for the simulation part :). Its more of an arcade style of flying, but still can be fun.
That's not a flight simulator.
Freespace2
While also not a flight simulator, it is quite good, and definitely worth playing.

A slightly updated version of Falcon4 is available - Falcon 4 Allied Force - and may be purchased through Amazon.com. It's not near as good as the original in terms of wow-factor (the original was awesome when it came out) but it is still a very good simulation. I would recommend it, but only if you already happen to have a familiarity with the F-16 from the original—the manual sucks. It's extremely realistic in terms of avionics and systems.

I have not played LOMAC - but I have heard good things about it.

Flight simmers are gettin' screwed lately.

[Dan0512]

Two words for you.... Lo-mac! Go to the screenshots thread!

dan

[Leviathan41]

That's not a flight simulator.
Heh, yeah, BF2 is no more of a flight sim than Galaga.

[PlatinumFX]

Thanks for all the info guys. Plenty of food for thought!

Of the sim's mentioned; which would have the best tutorial for easing me into learning to fly? The most detailed flight I have enjoyed is the jump jets in GTA San Andreas! lol I would guess that one of the more recent FS200x series games would be best. Am I right in thinking the basic flight principle skills I would learn transfer pretty well to any serious flight sim thats aiming for authenticity?

BTW, ill get a cheap joystick and if after a few weeks Im really having fun, may grab myself the Saitek X52.

[dartor]

I would like to suggest Janes USAF. It had many great airplanes from Vietnam up future planes like the F-22 and Stealth. Also lots of varied missions. Can't really remember too much more than that.

Didn't really play it much and it is from the late 90's (98 or 99) I think. But check it out anyways.