IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad review

IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad is the WWII simulator on this list, for players who want historical dogfights with realistic flight models rather than War Thunder's broader mix. The Steam page describes new physics, more realistic aerodynamics and detailed aircraft systems. Its single-player Career mode lets you serve in a fighter, attack or bomber squadron and rise from new pilot to squadron commander, and if you own Battle of Moscow and Battle of Kuban too, one character can fly from the winter of 1941 to 1943. Quick Mission mode builds custom fights in a few minutes, and multiplayer runs on player-controlled dedicated servers with team battles, dogfight duels and co-op. VR is supported. Reviews are Mostly Positive at 79%. It ranks ninth because it is harder to set up than the arcade games, recommends a flight stick, needs 16 GB of RAM, and sells other theaters separately. Its US price on Steam showed a temporary discount when we checked, so we list the price as pending.

Who it is for

Players who want realistic WWII dogfights and are ready to fly with a flight stick.

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Single-player Career mode as a fighter, attack or bomber pilot
• Career continues across Battle of Stalingrad, Battle of Moscow and Battle of Kuban if you own them
• Quick Mission mode for custom combat scenarios
• Multiplayer on player-run dedicated servers with team battles, duels and co-op
• VR support and a level editor

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The most focused WWII air combat simulator on the list
• Strength: Career mode runs from the winter of 1941 to 1943
• Strength: Mostly Positive on Steam: 79% of 5,477 English reviews
• Weakness: 16 GB of RAM and 95 GB of storage required
• Weakness: A flight stick is recommended, and keyboard and mouse are required
• Weakness: Other theaters are separate purchases

Key facts

• Series: IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles
• Theater: Eastern Front, 1941 to 1943
• Released: October 22, 2014
• Steam reviews: Mostly Positive, 79% of 5,477 (English)
• Minimum RAM: 16 GB

Where it ranks

IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad is No. 9 in our Best Flight and Dogfighting Games verdict.