Which to buy?

[Alexwarhammer]

Hey , so after watching both OneFJefs IL-2 1946 series AND J2JonJeremies Crusader Kings 2 series , I have decided to buy one.

IL-2 1946
I really like flight sims , and although I havn't played any of them with joystick or on the PC , I would like to start. The game isn't pricey at all , just £10 , but because I have never played a flight sim on the PC , I dont have a flight stick , and I'm generally clueless on them. What brand should I buy? How much is average for one? Do I need the pedals , or just the joystick and throttle stick? Another thing that worries me is the amount of space I have on my desk. I have a pull out board for my keyboard , but the board is pretty small so I have to have my mouse above my keyboard on the main part where my moniter is , although if I remove my G500 mouse and mousepad I think I will have enough room.

Crusader Kings 2
This seems like a safe bet , although it is quite expensive for a game (but then again it is just out) it shows all the right signs which I would like.

WHich one should I buy? Also for the flight stick , I can go up to about £40 (60$) give or take , so I think the widely acclaimed X52 is probably out of my reach , but I am not wanting a professional one, just one for the casual flight sim every so often.

Also , sorry if this is in the wrong section , it looked like it was the right place to put it.

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

I don't know about those games but what comes to joystick selection...

If possible buy joystick with traditional cord, no wireless setups, two reasons:
1) Atleast in case of Logitec joysticks if you don't move stick or press its buttons for sometime, it will go to "standby" mode. It takes sometime from joystick to work again, not a big issue but nuisance.
2) Since I moved to apartment building where many have their own WLANs I have had problems with my wireless joystick. Such as uncommanded full throttle and suddend extreme bank and pitch commands.

[Stealhead]

I would go with IL-2 1946 it has a massive amount of longevity(I have had an IL-2 game since 2004 and IL-2 1946 still gets payed often) you get a lot of bang for your buck.You can probably find a fairly good Logitech stick for less than 60 dollars.Just be sure to buy one that allows for stick twist because you will want to program this function as your yaw control(rudder) the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro is not too bad it goes for about 30.00.

Once you have the money buy the X52 they are more or less bullet proof I have had one since 2005 and it still works just like new.I agree with kraznyi_oktjabr avoid wireless ones buy a USB model.


I just rest mt key board on my lap and the X52 on my desk top works pretty well and it costs nothing to use this Jerry rigged set up.

I feel that you really do not need pedals with a twist stick yoke others disagree.CH products makes some fancy sticks as well but they are very pricey more than Saiteks.Buy a less expensive Logitech that has twist stick(you will hate having to use up two other buttons for yaw control) if you like IL-2 which i imagine that you will save your money and buy an X52 later.When you make the jump from a basic stick to a high end one you will wonder how you played with the old basic one.

[Herr-Berbunch]

For a joystick I've recently got a T.16000, plenty of buttons to set up but nowhere near like an x52 pro. Response is incredible using Hall sensors. Better for a beginner and less desk space than a full HOTAS set -up.

Now the only excuses I have for crap flying is my own skill. 1946 is great, just get a mod for it like UP3 or DBW or, like those around this site who fly together, HSFX5.

[yubba]

Look for saitek brand I think they should have something in your budget I have an old saitek st 220 digital 20 dollars us over 10 years old use-ing it right now on 1946 playing in hyperlobby never been shot down so much except that nite at the bar but that's another story.

[Stealhead]

Go to Amazon.com they have tons of sticks in the $20.00 range the one yubba mentioned is $10.00 used over there and there are other models and brands new for between 20 and 30 dollars.As long as you don't get overly vigorous a stick should last a long time.That sounded awkward.

Just remember when you want to upgrade to a stick and HOTAS you get what you pay for some of the cheaper ones are garbage.

[the_tyrant]

Microsoft sidewinder user here

It is cheap, and it works (got mine at a garage sale for 1$)

[Hottentot]

It also depends on how you like to play. For single player, I'd go for Crusader Kings (haven't yet played the sequel, but based on the first title.) IL-2 is an awesome flight sim, but the single player is not its strong point, even with 3rd party programs like Lowengrin's Dynamic Campaign Generator (which I also highly recommend if you go for IL-2.) The AI can be frustrating to say the least.

[HunterICX]

If you are someone that likes to play a lot of Single Player get Crusader Kings II got it myself and never played the prequel but am having a blast, if you never played a Paradox game before it takes a while to get the hang of how it works and how you play it but once you do it has to offer a lot of replay value.

If you're into Multiplayer you can't go wrong with IL2 1946 with the reasons stated above by the others.
Single player IL2 is perhaps fun for the firts couple of days but the stock campaigns are dull, Lowen Grins DCG fixes it a bit but tends to become really repeative after a while.
The AI is not really something to praise since it's slightly above average...it's basically something to shoot down in the game but not to expect to play according the laws of the game's flightmodels as it barely affects them regarding speed, climbrates and if you think you can outrun them with historical faster aircraft then think again he'll be tailing you.

HunterICX

[Stealhead]

I hardly ever play IL-2 multi player to be honest.If you are interested in WWII aviation it is quite good single player not perfect but it works.

I would say go with what you are most interested in.If it is Medieval history then buy Crusaders Kings II if you are more interested in WWII history/aviation then buy IL-2.