Games
Sony
Microsoft
Nintendo
Other Platforms
Upcoming &
Recent Releases
xx
0-D Beat Drop!
xx
Are You Smarter Than A 5th Grader? Game Time
70
Ashes Cricket 2009
91
Assassin's Creed II
69
Axel & Pixel
xx
Backyard Football '10
60
Bakugan Battle Brawlers
78
Band Hero
63
Bass Pro Shops: The Strike
92
Batman: Arkham Asylum
89
Beatles: Rock Band, The
71
Ben 10: Alien Force - Vilgax Attacks
xx
Black College Football: The Xperience - The Doug Williams Edition
xx
Blood Bowl
83
Borderlands
44
Brave: A Warrior's Tale
82
Brutal Legend
70
Bubble Bobble Neo!
77
Bust-A-Move Live!
xx
Cabela's Big Game Hunter 2010
xx
Cabela's Outdoor Adventures 2009
94
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
58
Cars Race-O-Rama
xx
Chaotic: Shadow Warriors
68
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
74
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3 - Commander's Challenge
xx
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation - Deadly Intent
45
Darkest of Days
83
Defense Grid: The Awakening
xx
Diner Dash
87
DiRT 2
84
DJ Hero
87
Dragon Age: Origins
67
Dragon Ball: Raging Blast
xx
Dreamkiller
xx
Encleverment Experiment
57
F.E.A.R. 2: Reborn
51
Fairytale Fights
65
Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta
90
FIFA Soccer 10
61
Football Genius: The Ultimate Quiz
92
Forza Motorsport 3
42
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
xx
Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection
79
Gears of War 2: Dark Corners
89
Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony
85
Guitar Hero 5
xx
Guitar Hero: Van Halen
xx
Gyromancer
83
Halo 3: ODST
62
Heroes Over Europe
80
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey
62
Inferno Pool
61
Invincible Tiger: The Legend of Han Tao
74
Ion Assault
xx
James Cameron's Avatar: The Game
xx
Jurassic: The Hunted
xx
Karaoke Revolution
90
Left 4 Dead 2
76
Left 4 Dead: Crash Course
69
LEGO Indiana Jones 2: The Adventure Continues
74
LEGO Rock Band
69
Lips: Number One Hits
63
Lucidity
xx
Madagascar Kartz
85
Madden NFL 10
69
Magnacarta 2
82
Marvel vs. Capcom 2
73
Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2
48
Mass Effect: Pinnacle Station
64
Military Madness: Nectaris
73
Mini Ninjas
xx
MX vs. ATV Reflex
83
NBA 2K10
71
NBA 2K10: Draft Combine
80
NBA Live 10
31
NBA Unrivaled
75
NCAA Basketball 10
83
Need for Speed SHIFT
88
NHL 10
68
NHL 2K10
76
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
77
Panzer General: Allied Assault
83
Pinball Hall of Fame: The Williams Collection
xx
Planet 51
77
Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
xx
Qubed
63
Raiden IV
63
Rainbow Islands: Towering Adventure!
38
Raven Squad: Operation Hidden Dagger
66
Red Faction: Guerrilla - Demons of the Badlands
58
Risen
xx
Rock Band Metal Track Pack
xx
Rogue Warrior
xx
Saboteur, The
75
Sam & Max Beyond Time and Space
60
Saw
69
Section 8
88
Shadow Complex
71
Sonic & Knuckles
71
South Park Let's Go Tower Defense Play!
xx
SpongeBob's Truth or Square
43
Star Wars The Clone Wars: Republic Heroes
xx
Stoked: Big Air Edition
38
Summer Athletics 2009
60
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time Re-Shelled
80
Tekken 6
63
Tony Hawk: RIDE
69
Tornado Outbreak
62
Tower Bloxx Deluxe
86
Trials HD
72
Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures Ep 2: The Last Resort
70
Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures Ep 3: Muzzled!
xx
Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures Ep 4: The Bogey Man
39
Warriors: Street Brawl, The
44
Watchmen: The End is Nigh - Part 2
66
Way of the Samurai 3
69
WET
54
Where the Wild Things Are
72
Wolfenstein
81
WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010
55
Yo-Ho Kablammo
66
Zombie Apocalypse
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 41 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 12 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: 505 Games
Developer: Gajin Entertainment
Genre(s): Flight Combat Simulation
Players: 16
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: September 8, 2009
Summary
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 0 The Battle of Britain, Stalingrad, Berlin, Sicily and Korsun' representing the main airborne battles of World War II in Europe. IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey 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. 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. [505 Games]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GameShark
Is the experience worth the purchase price of the game for average console gamers? If you've played Ace Combat and the like and want to try something a bit more involved, that would be a definite yes - even without the flight stick.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer Italy
Birds of Prey is both a realistic flight simulator and an historical and deluxe edition of Ace Combat, leaving the fans of this genre of games extremely satisfied. Sturmovik is a well-finished and balanced product, that will nail you to your seats for more than 40 hours in single player and virtually forever in multiplayer. The best choice for all those willing to fly high in the sky.
Read Full Review >Console Monster
IL-2 builds on existing simulation titles that have been landing onto consoles recently, and is probably the best combat flight simulation title I have played on consoles to date. With its stunning visuals, audio score, well structured campaign and insightful exploits from our WW2 heroes, IL-2 will certainly send any budding fighter jock into a flying frenzy.
Read Full Review >Impulsegamer
IL2 has held its own from the PC title, adapted to console beautifully, and is a rich and action packed simulator that gives a great realistic experience while giving enough entertainment to keep you enthralled.
Read Full Review >WonderwallWeb
IL2 is a worthy addition to your console games collection offering fast paced and daredevil fights with some jawdropping graphics to boot.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine UK
IL-2 feels like two separate games: one a solid, fun arcade flyer, the other a testing simulation of true aerial combat circa Hitler-times. It's inevitable then, that if you're at all interested in planes, or just want to embarrass yourself at a different altitude, IL-2 can hardly come more recommended.
Read Full Review >Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
Does for Spitfires what Forza does for Ferraris. The best combat flight sim ever made.
Read Full Review >GameFocus
For those who have been hoping for an incredible flying game to play on their home consoles, the wait is over. The variable controls, the authenticity and the sheer enjoyment of taking down Axis planes is something that everyone can enjoy. From top to bottom, IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey is an absolutely incredible journey and certainly one of the biggest surprises of the year; don’t hold back, pick this one up.
Read Full Review >TeamXbox
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey, viewed generally as a piece of software, is finely crafted in every way, and it shows a great carefulness on the part of its developers to do right by the subject matter.
Read Full Review >IGN
This isn't a game that seeks to amaze with some kind of gimmick or flash. Birds of Prey is more subtle and sturdy, where the strength of its play mechanics and attention to detail make it one of the best choices for console-based flight combat.
Read Full Review >HellBored
Combining superb atmosphere, setting, and visuals with a learning curve that will appeal to casual gamers and experience simulation pilots means that this is the best all round console flight combat game, bar none.
Read Full Review >3DJuegos
The main virtue of Birds of Prey is its diversity. Probably the best air combat videogame in years.
Read Full Review >Everyeye.it
Three different options for simulations make Sturmovik suitable for hardcore and casual gamers, but the game doesn't defeat the congenital problems of the genre.
Read Full Review >IGN UK
The dry subject matter will keep it well below a lot of folks’ radars, and while that’s understandable it’s a bit of a shame. You really don’t need death rays and power-armour to have a fine, shooty old time – rattatat and all that is more than enough.
Read Full Review >Vandal Online
Ignoring some small flaws, IL 2-Sturmovik is delicious, honest, mature and deep, one of the most complex and fascinating flying simulators ever published in console.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
Birds of Prey shines brightly as a solo endeavor in large part due to the extreme level of authenticity and attention to getting the flight mechanics just right.
Read Full Review >1UP
505 Games and 1C did an fantastic job of not only crafting a fine flight simulator that just about anyone can pick up and play, but also doing a fine job of paying homage to WWII pilots and aircraft. This title is a far cry from a cash-in or a port -- it is the best combat flight simulator one can own on the console. Still, for the hardcore, you would be better off on the PC, where the flight simulator still reigns supreme.
Read Full Review >Edge Magazine
From the patchwork fields of the Dover coastline to the unforgettable sight of Berlin burning in the pouring rain, the carefully characterised locations are as integral to the experience as its encyclopedic line-up of planes. [Oct 2009, p.97]
Meristation
IL-2 Sturmovik Birds of Prey allow us to revive some of the most important World War III battles controlling airplanes in realistic scenarios. Tons of contents, 50 missions and multiplayer options are waiting for you in one of the best air combat videogames in years.
Read Full Review >Boomtown
This is a brave, thrilling and fun-packed game that sets out to entertain us with recreations of daring do from the last century. It really achieves those aims, but in also doing so while giving us a say in how we play it, it makes the game all the greater.
Read Full Review >GameTrailers
Il-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey delivers a top notch flight sim experience that manages to remain accessible thanks to its scalable controls. Aside from a few bumps in the air, it has certainly earned its wings.
Read Full Review >Teletext GameCentral
The PC flight sim makes a near-perfect landing on consoles, with some of WWII's most exciting combat.
Read Full Review >Games Master UK
Considering a hard-as-nails sim lurks below the skin, Sturmovik has surprising playability. [Oct 2009, p.78]
SpazioGames
The console port of this important series has certainly proven successful. The game is an excellent title based on aerial combat in the middle of World War II when played in arcade mode.
Read Full Review >Official Xbox Magazine
While IL-2 doesn't quite manage to be the awesomest air combat game of all time, it comes temptingly close. [Oct 2009, p.68]
Read Full Review >Thunderbolt
IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey is a step in the right direction for flight-sims on consoles. It’s accessible for both newcomers and hardened veterans alike, and its variety of locales and mission types should hold your attention for a good few hours at least.
Read Full Review >Cynamite
Birds of Prey is a great mixture of simulation and arcade. The missions get repetitive quickly, though.
Read Full Review >MondoXbox
Gaijin Entertainment showed hou a very realistic game can be brought on console without the need of mapping the controls on a whole keyboard. The Sim mode is very challenging and entertaining, but the Arcade and Realistic modes allow everyone to enjoy the game without having to master all the aerodynamics laws. Our main complaint is about the missions variety, that start looking a little bit too repetitive at the middle of the game progression.
Read Full Review >PALGN
Despite a few minor issues such as frame rate drops and occasionally mundane gameplay, IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey is an engaging title that will appeal to simulation veterans and newcomers.
Read Full Review >InsideGamer.nl
IL-2 Sturmovik is the most realistic flight-simulator on the consoles. Although it misses some appeal of a top-game, it has very profoundly controls and beautiful graphics. Give this game a shot if you’re a hardcore simulation fan or if you just like to see old planes.
Read Full Review >MS Xbox World
Fans of flight combat simulators will surely spend plenty of time doing missions and unlocking the extra aircraft but simply put, the game offers little else that stands out for the average gamer.
Read Full Review >Gamer.nl
IL2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey succeeds at bringing a flightsim to the consoles. The game delivers a few things that console gamers haven't had for years, but at the same time takes its place between the less-realistic alternatives on the consoles. If you can look past the minor flaws, Birds of Prey is recommended for the serious flightsim-enthusiast.
Read Full Review >XGN
Il-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey is the best World War II combat flight simulator at this moment. The game really brings you the atmosphere of WWII. Thanks to the good gameplay and content, this game is definitely worth buying.
Read Full Review >Gamer Limit
It has to be said: IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey is not for everyone. However, what Birds of Prey does achieve is a stunning landscape, deep storyline, and arguably the best combat flight multiplayer ever created for a console.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
IL-2 Sturmovik's dogfights and bombing runs are exciting enough to satisfy anyone with an interest in air combat. It successfully caters to both novices and veterans, and it's good to see such a faithful sim appear on a console.
Read Full Review >Worth Playing
IL2-Sturmovik: Birds of Prey isn't for everyone, especially not players who expect this to be the next Crimson Skies or to fill in for the next Ace Combat. Its emphasis on traditional dogfighting without frills, along with its low-key presentation, may seem a little dry alongside Jeremy Soule's stirring soundtrack, but the realistic bent of its flight mechanics and gameplay will find an audience among flight sim enthusiasts and would-be WWII pilots who want a reason to plug a flightstick into their console.
Read Full Review >RealGamer
IL2-Sturmovik is a solid aerial combat game that is accessible enough for anyone to pick-up and play, whilst still offering hardcore simulation fans the option to play the game in a fashion they feel comfortable with.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer Spain
It's a great game, but having the IL-2 Sturmovik name is more a burden than anything: the old PC game still has some important advantages like joysticks, better multiplayer and user created content.
Read Full Review >Eurogamer
Taken as a rousing aerial shooter, it's easy to recommend - and sadly rather too easy to complete. There's a ton of content, at least, and it's all presented in a whiz-bang style that draws you in with heart-pounding action without belittling the history behind the explosions. It's just a shame that for such a venerable simulator series, it's the more serious game modes where Birds of Prey feels most compromised by its hardware.
Read Full Review >AceGamez
If you have, or intend to, invest a massive amount of time in learning all the delicate intricacies of the IL2 series, then by all means give this latest addition a stab. However, if you simply wish to play an engrossing and hair raising thrill ride in the skies, you'd be much better off queuing up on the aircraft carriers in Battlefield 1943 for your chance to fly a plane for 30 seconds.
Read Full Review >X360 Magazine UK
It's arcadey enough to be fun but engine issues and a confusing UI and missions bring it down. [Issue#50, p.91]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 12 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
T J gave it a9:
Currently, one of my favorite air combat games on any console. In some ways, it's more viscerally satisfying than ace combat - the destruction of enemy planes is so realistic and the plane models all lovingly hand-detailed - it gets so many things right it's easy to ignore the few flaws. Amazing audio work and excellent graphics make this a must buy for anyone who likes aerial dogfights.
Matt T gave it a10:
This is easily one of the greatest fighter pilot games out there. As a huge Ace Combat fan I adore the controls and physics of this game. Along with a fantastic campaign that's in your face and lots of fun.
