IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946 vs IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey

IL-2 Sturmovik: 1946 expands the legendary series with 36 new aircraft, four gigantic maps, and nearly 200 new campaign missions, delivering an unparalleled historical flight experience. The anthology includes every previous IL-2 title—Forgotten Battles, Ace Expansion Pack, Pacific Fighters—and adds alternate‑history 1946 scenarios featuring advanced jets and rockets.

IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey puts you in the cockpit of iconic WWII fighters, bombers and ground‑attack planes, letting you fight in the Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Ardennes, Berlin, Sicily and Korsun'. The game blends realistic flight simulation with accessible action, offering both single‑player missions and competitive multiplayer. The title features a new damage‑effects engine that shows real‑time damage like wing holes and smoke trails, while highly detailed environments bring ground support operations to life. With hundreds of aircraft and six distinct theatres, players can experience the full scope of aerial warfare in World War II.

• Extensive aircraft roster
• Massive, detailed maps
• All previous IL-2 content included
• Robust multiplayer options

• Extensive selection of WWII aircraft
• Realistic damage visualization
• Six diverse battle theatres
• Solid single‑player and multiplayer modes

• Steep learning curve for newcomers
• High system requirements for optimal performance
• Limited modern UI compared to newer sims

• Controls can be steep for newcomers
• Limited platform availability (PS3, Xbox 360 only)
• Occasional performance drops in crowded scenes