IL-2 Sturmovik stands out as the premier World War II flight simulator for virtual reality, offering an unparalleled experience for aviation enthusiasts. Whether you’re piloting the legendary Spitfire, the formidable Mosquito, or the C-47 transport plane, IL-2 delivers excellent performance in VR across a wide range of aircraft.
IL-2 has recently revamped its website, now prominently featuring VR support. This makes it the perfect time to discuss the state of IL-2 VR in 2024. Despite being a decade old, IL-2 continues to impress with stunning visuals, especially at higher altitudes. Frequent discounts on Steam make it an absolute bargain, sometimes available for as low as $8.
The game offers a remarkable range of single-player content. Scripted campaigns for various aircraft take you through ten missions with engaging backgrounds. Additionally, the detailed pilot campaigns allow you to choose your theater of operations, such as the Battle of Stalingrad, the Battle of the Rhineland, and the Battle of Normandy.
You can create your pilots and even select a backstory, with an "Iron War" option adding challenge by preventing mission retries. After setting up, you choose your Air Squadron and are introduced with a cinematic explaining the theater of operations. Each day, you are briefed for your next missions, and a world update in the form of a newspaper keeps you informed about the progress of the war.
For those seeking a multiplayer experience, IL-2 performs exceptionally well in VR. There are no performance drops, even at high resolutions with headsets like the Pimax Crystal. Although IL-2 doesn't have a vast number of servers, the available ones provide a fantastic experience. The Combat Box server, for example, features numerous objectives and a dynamic frontline that changes every few hours.
The Tactical Air server requires you to register as a pilot on their website, which tracks all your data and stats. It offers multiple missions and a dynamic frontline that lasts over weeks, adding depth to the multiplayer experience.
IL-2 Sturmovik isn't limited to World War II planes. The game also offers a wide range of World War I aircraft. Flying these antique vintage planes in VR, with your head sticking out in the open cockpit, is an exhilarating experience.
IL-2 Sturmovik in 2024 remains an unforgettable game, often overlooked by those searching for a good World War II flight simulator. Its combination of detailed single-player campaigns, robust multiplayer options, and VR optimization makes it a must-try for any flight sim enthusiast.
If you’re intrigued by the idea of piloting historical aircraft in immersive VR environments, IL-2 Sturmovik is definitely worth checking out. Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments—I'd love to hear what you think about IL-2 and whether it’s convinced you to give it a try.
Note: If you encounter issues with reading indicators or normally wear glasses, consider prescription lenses designed for VR to enhance your comfort and viewing experience.
I'm Laurens — the real person behind this digital canvas of Virtual Reality. I'm a Virtual Reality content creator who also translates YouTube transcripts into blogs.
