IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey

by 505 Games

Product Features

• Authentic World War II atmosphere
• Engage in more than 50 thrilling missions from famous historical battles over Eastern and Western Europe and fly historically accurate aircraft
• Flexible difficulty level system - from arcade to realistic simulation
• Thrilling multiplayer mode support customization - choose the color scheme of your plane and install your choice of weapons
• Cutting edge, highly detailed visuals, realistic sound and original music from Jeremy Soule

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B001NY42JC
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches ; 3.2 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: September 8, 2009
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,768 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #2 in Video Games > Xbox 360 > Simulation > Flight
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: Xbox 360

Amazon.com Product Description

Take to the skies once again in the latest title in the successful IL-2 Sturmovik series. IL-2 Sturmovik Birds of Prey is the most ambitious title to date as it features scalable gameplay geared towards newcomers to flying games, as well as the more seasoned flight sim fans alike.

Realistic Aerial Detail View larger.

Intense Multiplayer Modes View larger.

WWII Atmosphere View larger.

Synopsis IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey is based around the large-scale aerial combat and ground military operations of World War II. Players can participate in some of the War’s most famous battles piloting fighters, battle planes, and heavy bombers across a range of thrilling missions. There are six theatres of war to engage in – The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily, The Battle of the Bulge and Korsun; representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe. The game also boasts an all new damage effects engine as well as advanced environmental visuals enriching the game play. Players can see real time damage to the aircraft such as holes in the wings and trail lines during dog fights. Key Game Features: Authentic World War II atmosphere: Cutting edge, highly-detailed visuals bring the epic battles to life Engage in more than 50 thrilling missions: Relive 5 famous historical battles over Eastern and Western Europe Historically accurate aircrafts: Experience over 40 planes including fighters, battle planes and bombers. Learn to master the Spitfire, Mustang, Messerschmitt and many more... Flexible difficulty level system: Choose settings from arcade to realistic simulation to cater for all flying skills Thrilling multiplayer modes: 4 modes to choose from Dogfight, Team Deathmatch, Ground Strike, and Capture the Airstrip Realistic sound effects: engine and gun sound effects recorded from period planes with original music from Jeremy Soule as a backdrop to the frenetic action. Choose from a large array of planes! IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey features hundreds of airplanes taking part in air battles and allows you to pilot 40 of the most recognisable planes from the period. The unique environmental engine also produces highly detailed, realistic landscapes that allow players to see breathtaking ground support actions from above.

Product Description

IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey is based around the large-scale aerial combat and ground military operations of World War II. Players can participate in some of the war's most famous battles piloting fighters, battle planes and heavy bombers across a range of thrilling missions. There are five theatres of war to engage in, The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily and Korsun' representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe. It also boasts an all new damage effects engine as well as advanced environmental visuals enriching the game play. Players can see real time damage to the aircraft such as holes in the wings and trail lines during dogfights. IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey features hundreds of airplanes taking part in air battles. The unique environmental engine also produces highly detailed, realistic landscapes that allow players to see breathtaking ground support actions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best flight combat sim on the Xbox 360, September 26, 2009

By 

D. Howland - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (Video Game)

The IL-2 series of WWII flight combat simulators is one of the most respected and acclaimed games on the PC. Finally we console junkies get to have our own version and it delivers.

Birds of Prey puts the player at the controls of various WWII fighter and bomber aircraft on historically accurate missions from five theaters of war. The game tracks the air war in Europe from the Battle of Britain to the Battle of Berlin, by way of Sicily, Stalingrad, and Korsun. The locations are detailed and beautifully rendered, however the aircraft are the stars of the show. There are dozens of British, American, Soviet, and German examples that look great inside and out. Fans of WWII history will find plenty to love here.

Speaking of history, while the game is light on story, it includes videos that set the stage for the various battles using a combination of rendered footage and real historical film. Despite the fact that the various players in the game are basically nameless, the informative videos provide ample motivation for the struggle against Germany. I would even call the experience educational.

A cool new feature of the console games is the difficulty settings. The game can be as easy to fly as you wish, with the default Arcade setting providing an experience that everyone can pick up and enjoy immediately, and the Simulation setting that will challenge players to even keep the planes in the sky, let alone fighting.

Players attack various air and ground targets, while trying to protect their allies. Gameplay is engaging although not as exciting as 'after-burner' titles like Ace Combat. What you get instead is a very well crafted flight combat sim that feels more satisfying when you manage to send your enemies down in flames and come home in one piece.

By the way, the Ace-Edge flight stick that comes in the Ace Combat 6 bundle does work with this game. Works great.

Overall, this is the best game in its category. I'd recommend any fan of WWII or flying games to try this title immediately. Also, parents take notice: it's like the History Channel that you can play!

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece On ANY Platform, November 2, 2009

By 

THE Urban Merc "Marcus" (Southern California) - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (Video Game)

While I do agree with the people that say this game can be frustrating, it is in a good way. They did a great job with the different difficulty settings. Like another person pointed out, using a flight stick will help ALOT with the difficulty. This one is gonna be short and to the point... IL-2 Birds of Prey is THE BEST flight sim for console EVER released, and I am a jet snob saying that. The setting, the graphics, the history, the action, this game just oozes quality. The craftmanship involved in the making of this title is second to none. You can really tell this game is a labor of love for the people who made it. This game is a STEAL for its original $50 price tag, but $40!!! I think you can tell I really like this game. The only downside is that the console community is rather weak when it comes to multiplayer flight games. But, you can add me to your friends list if you need someone to join your flight. I am on Live and PSN as UrbanMerc.

I think you know what my recommendation is. If you like flight games, then you HAVE to pick this up. A great justification for buying a flight stick for your 360 as well. I also own this game on the PC.

I own this game, and bought it on Amazon.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Birds of Prey VS Heroes over Europe, October 6, 2009

By 

Nicholas R. Haynie "gameplayer" (saint louis MO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey (Video Game)

Birds of Prey is by far the better game. Its an outstanding achievement for the flight simulator genre for consoles. The physics are gorgeous and are very appealing. Compaired to Heroes when every plane expldes into a fireball after you shoot it 1000X's then it starts to feel pretty bogus , but Birds of Prey is a masterpiece with every engagement something different happens depending where your shots land. Ive seen the planes do just about every thing that could happen on any episode from the History Channel show Dogfights. I Definetly hope that 505 developes another title next year. Birds of Prey scores A+ while the mediocre Herores over Europe scores C+
On another note an older game titled Heroes Of the Pacific is in many ways superior to its younger cousin and probably a lot cheaper to buy.

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