[Flaser]

I recently picked up a bundled/cheap-rerelease copy of Flanker 2.0 to dive into some serious simulation.

I'm glad I gave the title a chance, it was well worth all the 1900 forints (Firentinos - it's still our money 'till 2008 when we may finally switch to Euro) (1900 forints = 9.5$/Euro ).

First things first: the game plays awsome, the flight model is superb.
It is not another 'turn an burn game - flying is tricky and takes practice. However a good bunch of training exercises are included - they are necessary to learn all the nicks of the Sukhoi-27 and Sukhoi-33 airsuperiority fighters.
Graphics is kinda outdated nowadays, but it passes in my book. Some good high-res textures mods are out there, if someone gives me webspace I might upload all I grabbed.

The 2.5 patch is big and needs another patch to make the training viable once again (duh - roughly 200 megs). It is worth, though since it almost makes the game a whole grade better.
It also features a new plane: the Mig-29K (a non-existant naval variant) a true multi-role fighter.

Unlike other sims there is a huge difference between the planes they have their very own characteristics...and they move and land sensibly.
BTW naval landings are possible with the Su-33 and Mig-29K.

There is a 2.51 patch to fixing some minor problems, but I will wait with it until I'm out of flightschool since it once again makes the training un-useable.

I intend to purchase Lock On, the successor of the game in the near future.

I'm off to flightschool.

[Omniscaper]

How would you compare it to Falcon 4.0 (I forget the latest version today). If the manual is a bible sized book, count me out.

[Flaser]

The manual is 130 pages, but going through the in-game training is enough as well. It is complicated, but it's not the controlls that are so....only the plane itself.

Instead cluttering your head with useless miriad of keys for control instead you're tought how to fly a plane which interacts realistically with the air.

By the time you're through with the non-combative trainings (6-8) you will have a real feeling of how the plane acts under different velocities, and what are the safety height margins for doing different manourvers.