IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad Reviews

Unplayable. Frame rate is about one frame per second in menus, cant even really adjust the settings because of the poor framerate and mouse control. Pc can run COD, Cyberpunk, WWE2K25 and MSFS 20 and 24 on max settings , so its the game.

just play war thunder. why pay for more aircrafts?????? i thought i was gonna be a fun sanbox sim it was but since there isn't alot of aircrafts whit the base game. i got it on sale and i think it was a waste of money now it's laying in my libary covered in dust

Lack of clickable cockpits / VR hands kills the immersion for me. Hopefully Combat Pilot will finally include this.

unable to configure settings for flight controls and response. menu has inputs listed and are there but they're unresponsive in game. I can't even take off. I was able to program rudder but that's it. other controls listed don't register input and I veer off runway and crash. None of these games are worth a crap if you can't config the controls and have to use keyboard. The controls menu is something out of MSFS or DCS, except those games work when you assign the controls and buttons etc etc. 8/11/25 As per an online discussion here on STEAM I went into the game file and deleted a folder named "inputs". Then I went back into game and reconfigured controls to my Thrustmaster HOTAS with some success. However, there still seems to be a problem with even default controls working properly. I had to assign controls numerous times only to have them not work in-game, then miraculously they work as they should. I don't know what's the problem with this games menu settings and configuring game controls but this game is HORRIBLE with key bindings not working until the 2nd or 3rd time you set them. This is unacceptable for a game publisher to release a good complex game but leave the menu and settings options in such a poor quality state. The game often crashes back to Steam title page, seeming to do so for no reason when I enter a keyboard command or input. This games' just not "tight" in the way games are expected to be these days. I keep trying to "fix" and adjust this POS, and have met with some partial success. However this game is a far cry from acceptable and I would caution anyone who's interested, you may be in for a configuration nightmare. Fundamentally, you can get the same experience with DCS but with way less config issues. SO, NO! I will not change my review and critic of the game, but thanks for asking. BUYER BEWARE!!!!

IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad, developed by 1C Game Studios and released on Steam in 2014, is a standout entry in the long-running IL-2 flight simulation series. It serves as both a spiritual successor to the original 2001 classic and a modern reimagining of what a World War II flight sim can be, blending historical authenticity with technical precision. Set during one of the most brutal and pivotal battles of the Second World War, the game places players in the cockpit of iconic Soviet and German aircraft, challenging them to survive and succeed in the unforgiving skies over the Eastern Front. This is not a casual experience—it is a deep, unforgiving, and highly detailed simulator that demands commitment, patience, and a genuine interest in aviation history. From the moment you launch the game, it becomes clear that Battle of Stalingrad takes its simulation credentials seriously. Aircraft are modeled with painstaking attention to detail, from the roar of their engines to the nuanced behavior of their flight dynamics under stress, weather, and damage. Each plane feels distinct, and mastering one does not translate easily to another. You’ll learn how to manage engine temperatures, fuel mixtures, trim controls, and takeoff procedures—not as optional fluff, but as vital survival skills. Damage modeling is particularly impressive: a single burst from a well-placed enemy can shred control surfaces or knock out hydraulics, forcing emergency landings or dooming you to a spiraling crash. This level of realism creates an unmatched sense of tension and accomplishment in every dogfight and mission. The game offers several ways to engage with its content, including a structured campaign based on historical events, custom missions, and an active online multiplayer scene. The campaign, while not traditionally narrative-driven, places players in authentic scenarios drawn from real operations during the Battle of Stalingrad. Rather than relying on cutscenes or scripted drama, it uses mission briefings, radio chatter, and evolving battlefield conditions to immerse you in the day-to-day grind of aerial warfare. The dynamic nature of the front lines, combined with the randomness of encounters, adds variety and challenge. It’s a campaign that mirrors the relentless, attritional reality of the war rather than a cinematic fantasy. The multiplayer component, meanwhile, is robust and caters to a dedicated community of sim enthusiasts. Large-scale cooperative and PvP missions bring players together in meticulously designed airspaces, often requiring teamwork, communication, and navigation without the hand-holding of traditional radar or HUD indicators. Graphically, Battle of Stalingrad strikes a strong balance between fidelity and performance. The landscape—vast stretches of Russian terrain under snow or mud—is rendered with an eye for authenticity, though it avoids excess detail to maintain framerates during large battles. Weather effects like rain, fog, and cloud cover don’t just look good—they materially affect visibility, aircraft performance, and strategic planning. The cockpits are beautifully detailed and fully interactive, offering a true pilot’s-eye view. Sound design is equally immersive, from the metallic groan of stressed airframes to the muffled sputter of a damaged engine. Every element contributes to a feeling of total presence inside the aircraft. One of the game’s greatest strengths lies in its commitment to the pilot experience, and that includes its learning curve. This is not a game that caters to instant gratification. Newcomers are likely to be overwhelmed at first, as the interface offers minimal guidance and many controls are unmapped by default. However, for those willing to invest time in learning—whether through tutorials, community guides, or trial-and-error—the rewards are immense. There’s a profound satisfaction in finally nailing a proper landing or executing a successful dogfight maneuver after hours of struggle. Unlike more arcade-oriented flight games, victories in Battle of Stalingrad feel genuinely earned. Still, it’s not without limitations. The game can be intimidatingly complex for newcomers, and its single-player campaign, while historically rich, lacks the narrative cohesion found in other war games. There are occasional quirks in AI behavior, and mission variety can feel limited without user-generated content or expansions. However, the developers have continued to expand the IL-2 Great Battles series with additional modules, aircraft, and theaters of war, building a modular platform that grows more comprehensive with each addition. Battle of Stalingrad forms the backbone of this system, and its technical and historical foundation remains solid years after release. In sum, IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Stalingrad is a triumph of aviation simulation. It offers a deep, authentic, and unforgiving glimpse into the air war over the Eastern Front and sets a high bar for realism in flight games. It may not be for everyone, but for sim enthusiasts and history buffs, it’s one of the most rewarding and immersive experiences available on PC. Whether flying solo or as part of a squadron online, players will find in it not just a game, but a living, breathing combat environment where every decision counts and every sortie tells a story. Rating: 8/10

Waste of fucking money. I even had my HOTAS hooked up and the settings selected to joystick and it still never recognized ANY inputs. Shame cause I grew up watching so many videos of this game and now its just not playable unless I use a keyboard and mouse. Maybe someone can help? Either way this game is getting returned.

Fantastic! I've been a fan of WWII aviation since I was a kid, and this is more than I could have hoped for. The game mechanics are easily dumbed down so even an old, befuddled codger like me can enjoy it.

it just windows and doesnt load im sure theres a fix but this is pmo

runs well on anything, intel iris xe at 1440p on high settings and still getting about 55 fps in-game. Also wait until it goes on sale. Very fun.

Flying circus career mode unplayable unless you own all £264 wort of DLCs. Yes that is not a typo. £264 for a small DLC is absolutely rediculous and that isnt even counting the collector planes which are also REQUIRED to play the campaign/career for a dlc you already own. This is extremely greedy on the part of the developers. The reason that the game is marketed in this way is to coerse its customers to keep purchasing the DLCs so that they can play the game in full. They likely wont change this strategy because it works very well at taking your money, which is why i would urge you not to buy any IL2 great battles products. Don't encourage this sort of greedy marketing. I am very disappointed and disgusted to see a studio with such a loyal following rip off its fans like this and it certainly has tainted my opinion of 1C Game Studios What a shame. -RESPONSE TO DEVELOPER- Firstly, your response is extremely dismissive of my criticisms, you have completely avoided addressing the main point i made. That is, why you are charging such exorbitant prices for such a small amount of "Content". Secondly, I don't know why you would compare your game's business model to a game like War Thunder. War thunder is entirely Free to play from the get go and does not charge its customers £60+ just to play one tiny fraction of a DLC, You can play war thunder and enjoy all of it's features without paying a dime. Just because you don't pay in war thunder it doesn't mean that the game becomes unplayable. Please take more care and consideration when you respond to members of the community in the future.