I agree there are far more cons than pros but, in fairness, this is an early access release, one might call it a pre beta. For what they HAVE done, it is quite good but IMHO it really is unfair to compare it to any other working sim, at this point. Down the road, as it develops, it may become a contender in the sim wars but for now, it's fun to tool around the sky but for any serious flying - no way.

 

I like it for what it is and look forward to what it could be but P3D is still my choice for any serious aviation.

 

Since I haven't used any Steam apps in the past, my main focus right now is determining how to disable all the steam functions when not using the application. 

 

Vic

 

A lot of peoples reactions, I think, are based on expectation. No new sim right out of the box is going to match FSX/P3D after over a decade of development by too many 3rd parties to count. And Unfortunately, there are simply no ginormous sugar-daddy companies ready to splurge on this niche without a much greater ROI than we have historically been able to provide.

 

This leaves unbelievably brave smaller companies possibly putting their very existence on the line for a user-base that all to often is looking for near perfection.

 

Given their non-microsoft sized resource pool, these smaller companies are forced by necessity to move more slowly and do the best they can to provide a modern and efficient base platform for future growth. (and hope they are given the time and support by the community and by 3rd parties to prove themselves)

 

From our side, its up to the individual to ascertain if they want to be, and have the patience to be, a part of that growth.

 

As for shutting down Steam:

 

I agree there are far more cons than pros but, in fairness, this is an early access release, one might call it a pre beta. For what they HAVE done, it is quite good but IMHO it really is unfair to compare it to any other working sim, at this point. Down the road, as it develops, it may become a contender in the sim wars but for now, it's fun to tool around the sky but for any serious flying - no way.

 

 

Some keep saying this is an early access sim and you can't expect too much of it since it is only 6 months old or so but let me say this once again: this is version TWO and it is build upon version ONE and version one has been released FIVE years ago. Apart from that, the developers have been in the simming business since 1998 (though up to 2010 these were RC sims). Nevertheless, they released version one 5 years ago and so I find it almost misleading to say this version is just a 6 month olds early access sim. It is a >5 year old sim and should be regarded as such. And IMHO they didn't do much the last 5 years and I am really curious if much will happen the next 5 years.

All games / sims take there time to mature. some make it some don't, usually it's always the 1st impression that counts ,  I don't have Aerofly but seeing the reviews and some those videos it does not look very nice. Will I wait for it to grow Yes. I would like to see competition. But its us end users who drive these developers further else they will fade away unless they have tremendous resources in this niche market. 

Some keep saying this is an early access sim and you can't expect too much of it since it is only 6 months old or so but let me say this once again: this is version TWO and it is build upon version ONE and version one has been released FIVE years ago

 

By that logic, FSX is.... what, 30 or 40 years old?

 

And I guess I have to also point out again that this is not Aerofly one. The cloud system was completely redone, the world coordinate system was redone from scratch from flat to a fully elliptical earth, the the lighting system is completely new, systems, which were completely absent from the proceeding version had to be created and tested from scratch, world coverage orthos had to be purchased/collected, worldwide mesh created, deals negotiated with several other companies for new licensed content, android and Ipad versions created and supported, an sdk created for all of same.....

 

Virtual reality headsets were also incorporated and support for 3d controllers....

 

And finally, to support continued development and bring in needed resources as well as refine the direction the project would take, early access, essentially beta, was initiated for useful feedback, which they have been responding to with refreshing alacrity.

 

Your argument is akin to saying no Nissan Sentra (for instance) can be new, because the name Sentra and the first model was created years ago.

 

I suspect that people who have actually been involved in making a sim, and who have in the past described the incredible difficulty of doing so, would not describe Ipacs efforts as "Not doing much." 

An early review: Its kind of interesting that a lot of things that were just conjecture at the time of this review have now come to pass.

 

 

Can someone let me know how I jump into the left hand seat?

Can someone let me know how I jump into the left hand seat?

 

Probably one of the easiest ways to switch views is to look at the lower right side of the screen where you will see a few transparent icons. Click on the one that looks like a fan and it will open up into a bunch of various controls for switching the view.

 

Other than that, consult your control settings to see whats been assigned for your particular device.

 

My last resort is to read the manual. (but being a guy, I hate that) 

 

http://www.ikarus.net/en/manual-aeroflyfs2/

Is there a way to save the controller assignments per aircraft? Or to save them at all? If I set up the stick and then later switch to an a/c with a yoke, I have to redo all the settings.

 

Now, after asking that, I will go look at the manual!  

 

 

Vic

Some keep saying this is an early access sim and you can't expect too much of it since it is only 6 months old or so but let me say this once again: this is version TWO and it is build upon version ONE and version one has been released FIVE years ago. Apart from that, the developers have been in the simming business since 1998 (though up to 2010 these were RC sims). Nevertheless, they released version one 5 years ago and so I find it almost misleading to say this version is just a 6 month olds early access sim. It is a >5 year old sim and should be regarded as such. And IMHO they didn't do much the last 5 years and I am really curious if much will happen the next 5 years.

 

This is exactly what those that just found this don't understand and why AF isn't closer to being what we all want it to be next year... I bought version 1 at launch, and at that time there too were all these promises of great things to come "soon".  And what happened?  Not much, I was quickly bored with what little was given, and nothing really new came along.  Sure, it did run great and super smooth.  Nothing further was said until out of the blue one day years later I stumbled on V2.  Best I can tell they abandoned V1, focused on something else for a while, then came back.  So, now I'm obviously twice as reluctant to jump on this band wagon that the ever energetic OP is praising.

 

Like the post on the last page said, it's a simple load your plane, take off, fly around, and if you choose land.  None to minimal systems to dive into.  So yes, it's not fair to compare this sim to the other leading options, but that's exactly what the OP is shouting from the roof tops (better than P3D!better than XP!).  It's quite misleading IMHO to those that don't know better.  Is this a fun, good looking fly around the sky and look at photo scenery in certain areas in simple planes experience?  Sure!  Is it even remotely close to what FSX/P3D/XP simulate?  Nope.  I can get similar experiences on my smartphone these days.

 

I am curious where this goes, and maybe this time will stick, but this is not a new sim, it's been around for 6+ years since original release, and like others posted, the Radio Controlled model version for much, much longer.  This isn't brand new cutting edge code, there's just simply not as much to it yet.

 

Any who, glad those that love it do!  And, if they stick with it and 3rd party developers (namely for me a proper fully developed aircraft), I'll be excited to try it!   But not until I see things do better than my first foray with V1, which was a bust.  And yes HiFlyer, I know you LOVE IT!  This is only my opinion, not a poke against your love for this sim, so please don't blast me too hard...  

Deleted

 

You know what? Carry on, folks.

Is there a way to save the controller assignments per aircraft? Or to save them at all? If I set up the stick and then later switch to an a/c with a yoke, I have to redo all the settings.

 

Now, after asking that, I will go look at the manual!  

 

 

Vic

 

Probably the best place for that one is on their forum. There have been several issues like that, and the Ipacs team has, to date, been very eager to fix things, sometimes coming out with a fix within days. So much so that some on the Steam forum tease them occasionally to go home and get some sleep. That's why when I see them trying so hard, its such a shame to see them torn down.

 

I just went to them with an issue regarding shadows, and they say they will try to resolve it by the next update.

 

Lets see if they can.

I am still trying to get used to the controls and settings at the moment, but I have had quick flights in the Cessna 172, KingAir C90 GTX, and Learjet 45. The first two pull to the left (which I assume is correct, although it is always annoying), but the smooth, stable flight model of the Learjet 45 is far more comfortable for me. I started at Page Municipal (one of the more remote locations in the south western USA region), and was impressed by the good quality of the photoscenery textures, and the incredibly smooth framerates. Of course, there is not a massive number of 3D objects to display at this location, but it was still a dramatic improvement to what I am used to in P3D. The stability of the Learjet 45 on final approach was very good (an extremely important attribute for me), so I think that this will be the aircraft that I use to check out the various airports in the simulator. I seem to have jumped into the captain's seat in this aircraft, but I am not sure how I did it!

 

The clouds look nice (including when flying through them), and the shadows are crisp and clear. I have the framerate locked at 120fps. I did test Vsync On mode, but this caused stuttering when panning in the VC. This did not happen at all with framerates locked at 120fps, although I noted some screen tearing (not really an issue for me).

The autogen trees need some work in the placement department. I noted trees in small lakes when I was on approach to North Las Vegas airport....

The autogen trees need some work in the placement department. I noted trees in small lakes when I was on approach to North Las Vegas airport....

I've brought that up on the forum, and mentioned it other places as well. Apparently it's all autoplaced worldwide from some sort of database that's only accurate to within twenty meters.

 

Jv says orbx scenery could use a "clean up pass" to address that issue, and I presume Ipacs could do the same.