VKB-SIM

Okay I am new to this forum. Purchased a Gladiator MKII stick a few months ago. Just now getting around to trying to use it on my old WWII games, that worked on old Windows 95 to XP systems. Not having much luck getting the stick to work with the old games. About a year ago I tried my old SideWinder Force Feedback Pro stick using a Rockfire USB module. That setup did not work well. Of course, my computer now days is a Windows 10 64-bit system. So, I guess I need a new version of WWII flight simulator games and cannot find one that does not require online setup. I do not want to play online or pay monthly fees. I am retired and on a fixed budget. Are there any WWII flight simulator games that do not require to be played online that will work with the Gladiator MKII? I tried a few word searches on the forum and getting things like, “too many words used” or “too many words that match” or something like that.

Definitely the best by far is Il-2 Sturmovik! Has several modules, each covering a certain time of the WWII, with maps and planes updated for that time. I would suggest to make your choice by looking at the planes each module contains. Game has lots of single player, you could create your own scenario; or you could play a whole scripted campaign (or more). There are also lots of tutorials for the game and its planes on YouTube.

Agreed IL-2 has what you're looking for. I'm currently a few missions into the latest P-38 campaign. In the offline campaigns you start a career as a new pilot and if you live long enough, work your way up to command. The missions are fun. There's some fairly competent AI fighting back. First bunch of missions so far in this one has been a lot of ground attack of armor and trains. That's OK. I need practice with the mud moving stuff anyway! Give it a try.

Thank you for the info. I do have IL2 Sturmovik WWII Combat Simulator on a CD purchased years ago maybe in 2001. However, it will not install. I have tried compatibility mode on different .exe setup files, several .exe files on the CD and just clicking on setup when the CD is put in. Will not start anything other than I can see what is on the CD in file manager. Most old CD's of games I have do at least setup even if they will not work with the stick. Come to think of it I have never installed the game even when I got it years ago. Maybe it was a free CD when I purchased something years ago. Just old programs that will never work again on new computers and they were fun games. Makes me wish that I had kept my old computer for a game center but just did not have the space.

Il-2 series got through a couple of developers since beginning. The copy that you have must be pretty old so it's not compatible with current Windows version. The latest games installments are here: https://il2sturmovik.com/store/battle-of-stalingrad/. You could choose any game with 'Battle of...' in title, each representing a distinctive time and location during WWII. For each packet there's a Standard version and a more expensive Premium version; the only difference is that the Premium version contains a few collector planes. Standard version has plenty of planes for both opponents though.

You could also try DCS: https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/ ... ads/world/

The free version has the TF51. It's a concept where you can buy seperate planes or theatres. For a more action like simulator, i advice Il2 Great Battles as mentioned.

If you are on a limited budget and don't mind year 2001 graphics (still pretty good) I would suggest: IL2 1946 (not IL2 Battle of ........)

- Later version of IL2 Sturmivik that you have already.
- Very cheap to buy.
- Will run on nearly any version of windows.
- Won't need a super graphics card
- Massive amount of offline content, probably more than any other flight sim (maps, campaigns etc.)
- Huge amount of player-built content (missions, campaigns etc.)
- Active modding community (google "Mission4Today"&"SAS1946")

Played it to death myself

MP

Both Il-2 and DCS are running summer sales these days, Il-2 especially is cheap cheap cheap...