So I've just bought a flightstick. What should I do next?

[Kirov Reporting]

A little background might be useful.

I loved Star Wars BFII on the xbox way back when, and played it exhaustively. The thing I enjoyed most was the space combat though, as it was simple enough to get to grips with (I don't quite have the brainpower for a 'full' flight sim, nor the patience) but large scale enough to make for some thrilling combat.

Now I can play it on PC following a recent upgrade and to celebrate, I bought a flight stick to bring it to the next level, and also in celebration of the fact that I could!

It will be arriving in a day or two, and I fully anticipate being engaged in space combat for the next few weeks. However I am curious to know what games are recommended to broaden my horizons? An eventual purchase will be IL-2 in one or more of its iterations, but are there any others that are notable for their approachability, or which help to ease in the 'not quite MENSA' among us?

And all this from a user named for an air vessel!

KR

 

[Crises^]

It's not modern but rise of flight is supposed to be good.
Also check out star citizen if that game gets made it will be a dream come true.

 

[Zhukov]

When I read "flightstick", the first thing I thought of was a witch's flying broomstick.

I was going to ask where I could get one.

 

[ThriKreen]

What kind of stick did you get?

 

[Kirov Reporting]

What kind of stick did you get?

http://tinyurl.com/altqtua - Black Widow, not too many bells and whistles but certainly got some great reviews, I was mostly after the 2 main grips and a nice sturdy build.

It's not modern but rise of flight is supposed to be good.

It looks fantastic - and at F2P, I'll definitely be giving it a go - thanks!

 

[hazabaza1]

Try and play a rhythm game with it!
I tried doing Tekken with the DDR mat on the PS1 back in the day. Good times.

 

[Maximum Bert]

When I read "flightstick", the first thing I thought of was a witch's flying broomstick.

I was going to ask where I could get one.

I can sell you one it runs on imagination

OT: im afraid I cant help much but what about the Ace combat games or Tom Clancys Hawx these seem more action and less sim than others

 

[Auron]

Get the Windows repack of X-wing and Tie Fighter, I seriously recommend those and X-wing Alliance. Freespace was pretty good too. Unfortunately flight simulators seem to be dying out for a long while now. So other than the Microsoft series(and their World War II counterpart btw.) I'm not sure you'll find any "recent" game. There's also battlefield of course but flying's only a fraction of the game and not in every map. There were some excellent Jane's games back in the 90's and early 2000's but the graphics are way behind by now I suppose.

 

[UrinalDook]

1)Get X-Wing Alliance... somehow (I'm pretty sure it's not on Steam or GoG).

2)Upgrade that sucka [http://xwaupgrade.com/], homeslice. So's your eyes don't bleed out.

3)???

4)Profit.

 

[ThriKreen]

http://tinyurl.com/altqtua - Black Widow, not too many bells and whistles but certainly got some great reviews, I was mostly after the 2 main grips and a nice sturdy build.

Oh sweet, it has a throttle stick too! I'd prefer one that sits separately on the side though, then I'd look at converting my chair's armrests to support them. And rudder pedals. =D

I'm still stuck with a Logitech Wingman Extreme Digital 3D [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Logitech-963193-0909-Wingman-Extreme-Digital/dp/B0000541CJ/ref=sr_1_2?s=videogames&ie=UTF8&qid=1361901753&sr=1-2], but as stated, not many games make use of it. I have to take the time to see if I can get it working with Strike Suit Zero, otherwise I might have to look at using AutoHotkey to rebind some keys.

My preferred solution is to work on making my own Macross/Robotech space combat mecha game with swarming missiles and make use of a flightstick with HAT controls and transforming mecha and shooting enemy missiles down.

Now if I can only make a transforming throttle stick like in Macross Zero...

 

[The Madman]

Freespace 2 is a must play. Not only possibly the best space-sim to date but also works really well with force feedback joystick and is an absolute joy to play.

The Mechwarrior series meanwhile don't really have good force feedback, some have the option but I'd say just turn it off since its not very well done, but even so are a blast to play with a good joystick. Hell, Mechwarrior 4: Mercenaries is free. No reason not to at least give it a try.

 

[Aikayai]

MechWarrior Online would be great to try but be warned, controlling your arms and torso will take some getting used to. It does feel badass when you get used to it though. Best part is its FREE and in beta so no pressure to be good from day 1.

 

[Cartographer]

Freespace 2 seconded, there is no reason to own a joystick (yes, I'm that old dammit!) and not own that game!

 

[Chrono212]

[image height=200]http://myscifi.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/indiefix_ksp1.jpg[/IMG]​

Because Kerbal Space Program is the answer to everything ever.

Or just go nuts on flight simulators, such as DCS A-10C Warthog, or the other games that others have suggested here.

 

[TakeshiLive]

snip

I too, also heartily recommend Ace Combat Assault Horizons if only for the combat. It's not what you would call a realistic flight sim at any rate but the action is good and there's a nice little unique game mechanic that keeps it original. Story is appalling IMO, though.

 

[MammothBlade]

A little background might be useful.

I loved Star Wars BFII on the xbox way back when, and played it exhaustively. The thing I enjoyed most was the space combat though, as it was simple enough to get to grips with (I don't quite have the brainpower for a 'full' flight sim, nor the patience) but large scale enough to make for some thrilling combat.

Now I can play it on PC following a recent upgrade and to celebrate, I bought a flight stick to bring it to the next level, and also in celebration of the fact that I could!

It will be arriving in a day or two, and I fully anticipate being engaged in space combat for the next few weeks. However I am curious to know what games are recommended to broaden my horizons? An eventual purchase will be IL-2 in one or more of its iterations, but are there any others that are notable for their approachability, or which help to ease in the 'not quite MENSA' among us?

And all this from a user named for an air vessel!

KR

What do you mean, you can't play serious flight sims? Go for it! It doesn't take a rocket scientist to play one, trial and error works. Crash and burnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.

Flight Sim 1998-2004 are great, don't know about X. I highly recommend checking out the abundant selection of aircraft mods.

 

[Plinglebob]

Freespace 2 is a must play. Not only possibly the best space-sim to date but also works really well with force feedback joystick and is an absolute joy to play.

This! You can get it for $10 at GOG.com, download the various hi-res mods people have made to make it prettier if you wish, and sink 20 odd hours into the best space sim ever.