IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover – World War II Flight Sim

The latest game from the developer of the IL-2 Sturmovik World War II combat flight simulator series hits the Ubishop from the 25th March 2011. Over the past 10 years the IL-2 Sturmovik series of games have featured 347 different planes, 256 of which were playable. IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover is set during the Battle of Britain in 1940. Featuring the British RAF, Italian Air Force and the German Luftwaffe, single and multiplayer campaigns, Cliffs of Dover looks like a worthy addition to the IL-2 Sturmovik series.

Originally due for release in Nov 2006 under the title Storm of War: Battle of Britain, the game is long overdue for release. Featuring a new graphics engine to accurately represent 1940s Europe and new planes with fully modelled interiors and damageable airframes should make the action as authentic as possible.

I also checked out one of the in-cockpit shots from the game (see right). After thinking to myself “I could totally fly that,” I went about recognising the instruments on show. The main 6 flying instruments are present and correct. Going clockwise from top left:

• air speed indicator
• attitude indicator (aka artificial horizon)
• vertical speed indicator
• turn indicator
• heading indicator
• altimeter

Unfortunately the control column is partially obscuring the view of the heading indicator, but you can see the other instruments clearly. I can’t wait to see how different it is to fly from the spam cans (nickname for the PA-28s) that I get to fly in real life.

There will also be a collections edition available, containing the following bits and pieces:

• IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover game
• A cloth pilot escape map showing The Battle of Britain strategic locations
• A replica of the Pilot’s Notes on the Spitfire I Aeroplane, reprinted from the RAF Museum original document
• 150-page ring binder pilot instructions

The replica of the Spitfire pilot’s notes is a pretty cool addition, seeing as these are the same notes given to the pilots during WWII. I’m sure they will make interesting reading.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Cliffs of Dover is due for release on the 25th March 2011 on PC for £34.99.