Dagger

I voted RoF, I own RB, and use the free promiseland upgrade. makes it a great sim as far as graphics go. I Also agree FS:SDOE with ArgonsV work has been nothing short of super. I don't own OFF, so can't comment on that one, and I like First eagles, I like all TKs sim lites., but at the end of the day it is Strike Fighters with new planes. RoF looks stunning, the FM and DM are very accurate,from what I have been told. I just like the sim, yes it takes a big rig to run it, and it has a steeper learning curve, but in the end it is worth it, if nothing else for the MP.

The only way the WW1 community can continue to even be on any developers radar is to come together. You are right in that there can be no division between us. Just because 1 group thinks their sim, or mod, or whatever is best can cause damage that ripples though the entire community. Not only does it hurt WW1 sims, but sims in general.

I have been a member here when it was biohazcentral, and been on staff for way to long to remember, and when WE and yes I mean the community that is combatace, attack someone, or voice a completely negitive opinion and not give anyone a chance to answer it reflects on combatace as a whole. You know the one bad apple saying. Folks our WW1 forum has a reputation for being open to only 1 sim, and I won't tolerate that. I want combatace to be one of the first places folks come ot check on all things flight sim related.

While we won't silence anybody, we not tolerate personal attacks on anybody, nor will we tolerate folks trashing someones work just because they don't like it compared to the one they like.

Folks I have talked personally to Jason, and I can tell you he is a stand up with a passion for HIS title. I do not feel he would say something, or even suggest something wasn't fact. His dedication to this sim is something I haven't seen or heard for along time from not only a developer, or publisher, but even an owner. So form now on, I don't care which"camp"you are in, do not trash anybody, or any title, period.

Instead put the energy into helping build combatace and it's WW1 community into some place folks want to come to and post.

Guys, I posted over on the RoF forums also, First I have an issue with telling a game OWNER and developer, that he shouldn't answer questions on a thread. I actually have a BIG problem with that. I don't care if you don't like this sim, that's each persons opinion and they are welcome to it. If you have constructive criticism offer it in a polite way, if anybody on any board feels they have to flame a game, or insult someone for liking, not liking, or having a different opinion of something I will step in.

The WW1 sim community is a VERY SMALL part of the flight sim community, and while there are fewer and fewer flight sims period, having a company release one based on WW1 is something the WW1 community as a whole should be head over heels about. I am not talking making a mod for a game that is 5-10 years old, but a completely new sim based on a completely new game engine, and offering continued support, I mean come on guys, there is no other sim that has the backing of the developer and owner as this one has shown. 16 updates and still working on more, name one that has done anything close to that.

Like I said if you don't like, don't buy it, and if you did, you have seen just an e-mail will get the account switched. Sell it and move on, don't just complain and flame. If you have a question, post it as just that a question, NOT well this sim sucks because it doesn't have this or that. Don't say well this sim sucks because the sim I fly has this or that and this one doesn't. Ask your question, be polite, then wait for an answer.

I don't see any other sim owners, or sim developers posting and answering questions on many boards Having one come here and answer questions is a nice touch, and I personally think it shows that 777 Studios and Jason are making an effort to correct a product that was broken when it was released.

I am not trying to make anybody like a sim, nor will I try, I feel the same should work both ways. Feel free to post problems, feel free to post things you think should be worked on, or included. BUT be polite.That goes for any sim, not just RoF, not just the WW1 community, but everyone on combatace.

I personally would love to see every WW1 sim, mod or add-on, succeed, grow and bring more folks into simming in this time period.

I can't speak for anybody other than myself on this but we need to come together, work together, and try to keep flight sims and WW1 sims coming. Make combatace a place where everyone knows they will find a good place to come and answer questions, or ask them. If you don't think we should cover ALL WW1 sims, then we are all in trouble, that's like saying combatace should only cover a select few sims and no others because we don't like the others.

Oh and one more thing, Jason, is a stand up guy, and you take what he says as correct. he is speaking as a game owner, and while yes he is here defending his product, he is also answering questions folks might have and trying to show how far things have come, and how far they are going. Will we delete threads that ask questions, or threads that have a person asking about a problem, NO we won't problems don't go away by a simple key stroke, I am sure jason and his team need to know if there's a problem. Let them know, I am sure they want ot know if there's a problem with their product.

Keep checking back, as more reviews and interviews will be on the way.

Folks I am going to set the record straight real fast. This applies to ALL sims. IF you don't like a sim, fine don't like it,DO NOT trash it and flame anybody just because they do. IF you have something constructive to say then by all means say it. WW1 doesn't have a hugh following to start with from developers, and a new sim or mod, or add-on is always welcome. Sure there are mods, and add-ons for older sims out. They are based on OLD game engines and limited to changing what is already available.

When a developer comes by to post, don't start flaming his product. If you don't like it, fine say so, say why, BUT BE NICE and BE CONSTRUCTIVE. If you are not, then your post will vanish as will you. if you do like it, same thing, don't hammer on anybody who has a different opinion than you. If you feel you can't do this, I suggest you don't post anything.

Guys there are too few WW1 sims out there, I can find loads of things neg. to say about any sim, if I try hard enough., but I won't. As far as mods and add-ons, it would be so easy for me to trash them, as I am sure it would be for anybody here, so lets choose not to. Sure there's fans of Red Baron, I am one of them, there's fans of ArgonV's work, again I am one of them, and there's fans of First eagles, I beta tested it, and OFF has a good following also. Folks, I would thing as a WW1 fan you would be jumping over the moon when a new WW1 sim comes out. We should be working together to keep the title going.

So in review of what I am saying. IF you decided your favorite is the only thing people should fly, I suggest you may think it BUT do NOT say it. If you have Constructive Criticism please feel free to post that, in a nice way. I am sure passions run deep, BUT so does my desire to keep this forum from turning into a flame fest. I want it to be a place where folks can come and post without fear of being flamed, where developers can come and help folks answer questions, where we can all learn more. So lets all work together.

This forum as has developed a reputation, and yes I know this to be a fact, to be a very unfriendly place, and starting NOW, this will change.Starting now this WILL change period.

OK guys, Jason was invited here to answer questions, I think he has done a great job. The fact he is here answering questions should show he is trying hard to let folks know 777 Studios is hard at work fixing this sim.

NOW I will say this if you have a problem with Jason or anybody from 777 studios posting on this or any other thread, PM me and we'll "talk" about it.

As to why I changed the way I was going to do this from a comparison to a straight review is I don't own OFF, and to be honest I won't own it because it is based on CFS 3 which I hated, so to be fair I decided to change directions.

I am curious what all I have missed in the game. So lets see everyone's best screenshot.

I shot this one while just flying a routine patrol, just went outside and took it, just to see the water from alt., ended up with glare, and even the exhaust trail.

Was a nicely written review. I for one would be all over it but my laptop doesn't even come close to the horsepower so FE for me and a lil RB3d to boot!

hey man, come over and check out RB3D with the 95th, we still fly it. and still love it! look in the recruiting section here at combatace and you'll see my post.

I installed it just fine. Do you get an error message?

Take a look and I hope this helps anybody who was on the fence about this sim. I found alot to really like and to be honest not much to not like. look it over ICE review

With all the talk about this sim, we decided it was time for us to take a look at it, and I am glad we did. Read the review Rise of Flight: Iron Cross Edition

Pat White has released a get campaign generator for RoF. here's the link for it, and when you unzip it, just put the new folder in your main RoF folder. I created a shortcut to the new exe for it. be sure to let him know how much his hard work is appriciated. here's the link RoF downloads

Will be out kinda soon. it's going to be alot of fun.

Rise Of Flight:Iron Cross Edition

Publisher: 777 Studios

Rise of Flight official web site:

Rise of Flight

First Thoughts

Every virtual pilot has an era of flight that really gets his juices flowing, starts his heart pumping faster, and makes his palms sweat with anticipation. For me it is WW1 with the open cockpits, wire and fabric planes. The feeling of being one with the plane. So you can guess my excitement when I saw Raise of Flight:Iron Cross Edition and looked at the screen shots of the game. The selection of planes and the assorted eye candy looked top shelf.

We've all seen sims and arcade games with wild claims and have been disappointed when we finally got the game. So I decided the best way to go was to try the demo. I downloaded and installed the demo, made an account and logged on.

The Demo Experience

The demo is basically a scaled down version of the full game.The playable aircraft are limited to a Spad 13 for the Allies and the Albatros D.Va for the German pilots, BUT the flight experience is the full game. The really cool thing about this is you can go and fly in most on-line servers. After logging on and selecting the Multiplayer, I found my server. I then selected my side, of course I flew Allied, and then went to the hanger. Here you can do some really great things, you can change your load out by adding bombs if the aircraft you are using had them, You can even select your planes skin, with the demo it is limited, but they do have some very nice skins to choose from. One really cool thing that I can’t remember seeing in sims before is you can adjust the machine guns convergence point with a visual slider, this is the point where your machine gun rounds come together.

As for the options, this sim can be as hard to fly as any modern era flight sim, or you can scale the realism down and make it easier to learn. The game has a nice feature in the options, you can adjust your stick and throttles input curve. The nice thing is you can help "calm" the planes down. Yes they are very "twitchy" and unless you have a very light hand the planes bounce around, and makes accurate gunnery almost impossible just like the real planes.

One of the first things that strikes you is the level of detail in the graphics, all I can say is WOW! The terrain looks like a picture post card, and the aircraft themselves are so detailed you will think you are looking at an actual plane. The water is second to none, and if you fly through a cloud be prepared to get a little wet. Another thing that jumps out at you is the sunlight and the glare off the aircraft. I have to say, nothing like being blinded by the sun in the middle of a flight, but you can make adjustments.

Now on to the important part. I am not a pilot, and having said that, if I were I have a feeling that the flight model on these planes are going to be very close to accurate. The fact that the numbers come from an engineer help to make all the models as close to real as you can get. You can almost feel the wind in your face, and feel your scarf flapping behind you, and unlike modern jets that almost fly themselves, you are basically forced to keep an eye on the gauges as they sometimes have a mind of their own and keep an ear open to the sounds of your engine as the RPMs will increase and decrease on their own. The cockpits are works of art, you get the impression of an old sports car. Take offs require a light touch to keep your plane heading down the field and the bumps and ruts will make it fun, a little rudder and you’ll be fine.

Once airborne I highly recommend some time down low to just take in the sights.

Remember most of these planes were flown at much lower altitudes, so flying over the French country side, chasing down your prey is an experience. Once you have caught him, and you bring your guns into play, the damage model is first class. From the smallest tear in the fabric, to wings getting blown off at the wing root, it all seems "right".

Speaking of damage models, I made a fast low level ground attack run, just for fun, and what did I see? My rounds ricocheting all over the place. If you are close enough and at the right angle, they will also ricochet off an airplane.

My impressions of this demo? I will say this demo made a believer out of me, The graphics, the game play and stable multiplayer are rock solid. It recognised my throttle and stick. The track IR support also adds realism to the game. 777 Studio maintained a high set of standards with this Sim even after releasing 16 updates with more on the way.

Just remember you only have 2 weeks to decide if this sim is for you, sorry but that is all the time you get with the demo. If you are a “pilot” then this is for you.

The final score:

For a demo, this one gets 9.5 out of 10 stars.

The Upgrade from Demo

If I had to pick a word to describe this process it would be “user friendly”. There are several different ways to upgrade this sim. You can purchase the boxed set, digital download, or by buying directly from 777 Studios, which just unlocks the planes for you. The hardest part is typing in the numbers.

The Packaging

While I normally don't say much about packages, this one just begs for some time to investigate it's contains. The DVD and the user manual is well written and presented. Then I looked at the goodies that came along it. First, there is a grid map of the area, which makes mission planning easy, and if you are flying with your squad mates, knowing where you are really comes in handy. It's just plain fun to have it on your lap while flying to add to the experience. Another nice addition is the key card which shows some of the most important keys and key combinations to enhance your flying. Then there's a sheet that folds out and shows all the medals that a pilot can be awarded. Medals from all countries which are very accurate. Turn the paper over and examine the awards you can also achieve in the game. They make you want to do your best.

The Full Game

From the first time I fired Rise of Flight up after installing the full version, I had a tingling that I haven't felt in a flight sim in a very long time. I decided to check everything out.

Off-Line Game Experience

First I logged in off-line and found campaigns, quick missions, and a solid platform of a sim for single play.

There are basically 3 campaigns, all scripted,but more on this part later. The single missions could be flown with what ever plane I wanted with missions designed for that aircraft. A quick mission editor so I could quickly make my own mission, what targets, weather (including rain and snow), enemies, this is basically a great idea for the person who wants to change things to their liking. No need to be connected to the internet now. The missions are as difficult as you want, and some are just plain killer, at least for me as a rookie.The reason I am all worked up is the feeling of immersion is there. I picked a mission and as soon as I came in game I was looking at the windsocks blowing in the wind, trucks rolling around the hangers, and men manning their AA guns.

The weather plays a big factor in the way the planes fly, rain, snow, and even the wind can be set to your liking and you feel it.You have to adjust your flying style to fit. The cockpits are so detailed, even down to the wicker seat in my Camel.

I flew out of the field in the rain trying my best to see through the rain now soaking my goggles. If I wasn't impressed before I am now. How did the mission end you may ask..not well is all I can say. Which reminds me, not only do the planes take damage, you do too. The red seems to splatter and your vision blurs.

On-Line Experience

Once you log in on-line you'll find the same options for game play as the off-line mode, PLUS a career mode, very nice, and of course multi player. The cool things about the servers is you can see not only how the server is set up, but your ping, and the names of other pilots in the sever.I wanted to try the on-line side of the game now. My squadron, the U.S. 95th ^{(http://us95th.org), is now flying Rise of Flight , and we have 2 servers. I jumped in and picked my plane, picked my skin, set my fuel load and gun convergence, and went to fly. Folks I am so impressed with the On-line play of the is sim, it is rock solid and very fun. The interface is not as tough as some of the newer sims, but it still has it's points, so take the time to look over the key mapping before you start. In our training server they have the easy gauges turned on, and as you turn to make your attack on an enemy plane, there's a aiming point to help you. In the main server these aren't there. So you can find a server to meet your needs easlily. You can record your flights, or fights with just a touch of a couple keys, the standard screenshot is easy as touching a key and the sim stores your pictures in the main folder. The different views are a nice touch, and you can even spectate if you're not up flying, or just want to watch for awhile.}

^{Realism Factor}

^{Most WW1 sims don't take time to worry about engine warm ups, or mixture settings. I have never seen the radiator open and close switch before now. If you have your realism settings turned up these are 2 things you have to worry about. You'll need a 2-3 minute warm up period. During your flight you are constantly checking your gauges, listening for changes to the tone, and sounds. You'll even look at the exhaust smoke, check it for color, engine damage causes the exhaust to change color and the sounds made by the engine. They even modeled in the torque effects of the rotary engines. I didn't know the German and Allied aircraft rotary engines spun in different directions. Hows that for real.}

^{Campaigns and Careers}

Now back to the campaign point I mentioned earlier, there are 3 campaigns included, 1 German, 1 Allied, and 1 training. OK they are scripted, after flying a mission or 2 I think you'll find they are really good missions, and very fun. There is a wide assortment of targets, as well as different objectives. If you like balloon busting, intercepts of enemy bombers, or ground attack, it's all there.If you read the 777 Studios forums you'll see there is actually going to be a career mode upgrade. In the mean time, I suggest try the campaigns and a career that are already in the game, if for nothing else the practice, and the learning experience. They are all well designed and put together missions.

You might have noticed I haven't mentioned the mission editor, not the quick editor, but the full feature one. The editor is a very powerful editor, and there are several how to articles on line, but that will get a review of it's own. It's that powerful. This is the same editor used by the team when they do missions. So be patient. I will say this, you can make missions for both single player and multiplayer, and then share them.

Want more planes?

If you want more planes, you simply go to the Rise of Flight web site store and purchase what you want. planes are available by the single plane, or in bundles of 2 or more planes. it is as easy as buy then log in. Your plane will be in your hanger. All planes are available in game when you make missions, BUT when you buy them it unlocks them so you can fly them. You also can make custom skins to use and share.

My over all impressions

The Pros

For a change lets start with me a statement, I am like most folks and I don't like being nickled and dimed just to play a game. I have heard the complaints of having to buy add-on planes, and It took a talk with Mr. Jason Williams, the owner of 777 Studios and Rise of Flight, to get me thinking about this. Yes if you want the extra planes you have to pay for them, BUT if you play other sims you pay for add-ons, and most don't think anything about it. Also 777 Studios is not one of those companies that has a giant company bank rolling them, the money you spend helps the game continue and grow.

Now where to start? What did I like? The graphics are great, some of the best you'll find in any flight sim, and all the small details like working windsocks, trucks running around the bases, trains look like the trains of the period. Even the pilots can use hand gestures and head gestures, and that's cool to watch your fellow pilots give you a quick thumbs up. The game play is solid, and the “feel” is right. The flight models and damage models are correct, how do I know this? They use a engineer and he crunches the numbers to make sure they are correct. The missions are well written and fun, the campaigns,while scripted are well thought out. So many small touches that I will not be able to mention them all. Another plus is you can track your progress as the game keeps your stats, a neat feature.

777 Studios have released 16 updates, with more on the way, new planes coming soon, as well as the new career upgrade. I love a company that doesn't just fade away once they release a game. They do listen to their customers. What a novel idea stand behind your product and listen to the folks that spend their money on it. Also the games is based on a completely new engine, nice to get a game not using old engines with dated graphics.

The Cons

The main one, if you want to turn everything up it takes a pretty decent system to run, and I miss the shell music, I know it's nit picky but I had to come up with something.

The recommended system specs:

Operating System Windows® XP / Vista / Windows® 7 CPU Intel® Core™ Quad 3 GHz or Intel i7 3 GHz RAM 4 Gb or higher Free Hard Drive space 10 Gb Joystick Direct X 9.0/11 compatible joystick Internet Connection required for Registration, 256 Kb/s - for Multiplayer Graphics Card 1024 Mb, GeForce GTX 285/Radeon ATI 5850/HD5850 Sound Card DirectX 9.0c/11 compatible

Supported Operating Systems Windows XP Service Pack 2 or higher Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Windows 7

My test system

AMD quad core running at 3.0, 8 gigs of ram, and a GTS 250 1 gig video card, a X-45 stick, and a surround sound system using a creative labs sound card running 5.1 dolby, and cable internet connection, Windows 7 64 bit.

. My final thoughts and how it scores

So how do I score this one? Ok it is true I am reviewing it after it's been out a little over a year, and a lot of the problems fixed, but the fact that 777 Studios are still releasing upgrades, and new aircraft says volumes about the company. This is one of those titles you have to have on your hard drive, and being a WW1 sim, that alone makes it worth the time and money. The main problems are already being addressed, so it is hard to hold them against the company. Also saying I've played the demo, but not the full game is like saying ”I owned a Chevette once, so I know how a Corvette drives” Yes they are both Chevrolets but there is so much more to the full game. So at the end of the day, I have to say this is the highest scoring sim I have ever tried. I give this one a final score of 9.85 on the 10 scale.

If you are a fan of WW1 aviation then this is one sim you have to have.

Here are a few screenshots if you have any doubts about this sim.You might call them parting shots

I use Fraps for mine.

The US 95th Aero squadron "The Kickin Mules" is recruiting new pilots. We fly Red Baron 3D and now fly Rise of Flight, we are also just starting to move into IL-2. if you have an interest in WW1 flying come by and check us out http://us95th.org/. I hope to see some of you in the sky soon.

The fine folks at 777 studios have agreed to answer questions for us, so if you have a question about Rise of Flight, please post them here and I'll be sending them in in a week.

Jason and the team have been working on the new campain, I wanted to let everyone know what to expect when it is released. Looks great and from the sounds of it will make this a gotta have sim.

check it out on 777 studios forum. http://riseofflight....hp?f=45&t=12964

The US95th is moving to RoF and looking for folks who are interested in flying it online. If you're interested check out us95th.org and see what the squadron has to offer. We also still fly RB3D, and are active in several wars. hope to see some of you in the 95th.

I am getting ready to review and compare most of the better known WW1 sims, including mods and add-ons that have been available down the years. I would like everyone ot post their thoughts on RoF,or any other WW1 sim for that matter,here so I can get a feel for the thought of the community here for it.

Thought yall might enjoy this...http://link.brightco...id=672454611001

welcome to the site and thirdwire sims, any questions or problems jump up and ask.

I hope everyone has a super Merry Christmas and that all your Christmas wishes come true.

Hey Crazyhorse, if u think that clip is bad with the two drill instructors, go to Parris Island or MCRD San Diego. ull find the same thing. They are being nice to that platoon honestly LOL.

 

 

Oh how true, Just think how that would have went when the Corp was old school and D.I.s could"enforce"their will on you.

One of my favorite color men, who actually was good at calling the games.

Dandy Don