Some thoughts about "WINGS: Over Flanders Fields"

RAF_Louvert · 14 January 2014, 02:48 PM

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Greetings All,

I’ve had a few weeks now to explore the new "WINGS: Over Flanders Fields" WWI combat flight sim and I wanted to share a bit about it here with folks who, like myself, have a vested interest in Great War aviation. Let me begin by saying that WOFF is, quite simply, amazing. Until you experience it you cannot imagine what the dev team has done with the old CFS3 engine. A silk purse from a sow’s ear? Hardly. It would be far more accurate to say a silk scarf, Sidcot flying suit, leather cap, Triple goggles, fur-lined boots and gloves, and a ‘Fums Up’ good luck charm, all from the lowly swine’s lobe.

WOFF is about immersion, and while it may fall a tad short in terms of cutting edge visuals, that is quickly forgiven as the virtual world draws you in like none other. Begin a campaign and when you get to the cockpit for the first time, just sit there for a few moments and soak it in. This is not a sterile environment in any way, shape, or form. There are things happening. You will not only see the other planes being started but you might also catch sight of a truck as it rumbles along past the hangers. Before the roar of the engines split the air you may hear a bird sing or a dog bark, possibly the “huff huff huff” of a nearby train as it steams along, or the low rumblings of the big guns at the front. By God, you can almost smell the burnt castor oil and petrol as your kite coughs to life!

Now take control of your mount and guide her into the virtual skies of the Great War, for there really is a war going on around you. The front is alive with action and not just in your little corner of it either. Shells burst, sending up walls of dirt; machine guns rattle; rifles crack. You may see a gas attack as the sickly colored clouds of death drift across the lines, or witness a tank advance through No Man’s Land. But don’t become too caught up with the action on the ground or you may miss that group of enemy scouts that are about to pounce on you, or that hostile B/R bus as it tries to slip past. You have a job to do, whether it be patrolling the skies for enemy planes or performing a recce of a target, (or a myriad of other assignments), and it’s vital you get it done. But even more important is that you survive, and that is no easy task in WOFF. If you tick all the realistic and historic settings in the Workshop you will find out just how difficult it really was for our RL counterparts to live through even the first week of their time at the front let alone survive the war. Let me wish you “Good Luck!”, “Bonne chance!”, and “Viel Glück!” as you will need all you can get.

I am not going to get into the nuts and bolts of WOFF as that is covered superbly at both the WOFF website and in the related forums over at SimHQ, and any attempt on my part to do so would fall woefully short. Suffice to say that the features list is extensive as is adjustability and personalization to suit your specific taste. Nor am I posting a plethora of screenshots with this either as there are many stellar examples already available, and honestly there aren’t enough screenshots in the world to do this sim justice. And the music: I haven’t even mentioned Matt Milne’s music, (all alliterations aside). It is, in a word, transcendent.

I realize I may have reached a point here where it’s all starting to sound like platitudes and tripe so I will end by saying that you really must experience WOFF for yourself. If you haven’t already done so take the plunge and purchase "WINGS: Over Flanders Fields". If you have a keenness for the Great War, desire an immersive gaming experience, and are any kind of combat flight sim fan at all you will not be disappointed.

Cheers!

Lou

WINGS Over Flanders Fields

The opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of 'The Aerodrome' or its staff, World War One or anyone connected with said war in an aviation capacity or otherwise, or anyone on the development team of "WINGS: Over Flanders Fields", (although it can be assumed that anyone on said team will likely agree most heartily with these opinions and if they felt like throwing the author a spiff for expressing such opinions the author wouldn't say no to it).

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stoney · 23 January 2014, 05:13 PM

I have and enjoy "OVER FLANDERS FIELDS, BH&H". As it also uses the CFS3 engine I was wondering if one must remove OFF before installing WOFF?

Before I invest the money, I'm interested, is WOFF that much better than OFF? I'm not a cheap skate, but live on a fixed income and $60.00 is quite an investment for me. Thanks.

rainbase · 23 January 2014, 07:08 PM

I've enjoyed the hell out of BH&H. After having the program for a few years I finally have a computer that gets along really well with it and have a couple campaigns going at any given time. Fun stuff!

camel · 24 January 2014, 10:13 PM

Yes It would be nice to here from someone who has played OFF and ROF, and to be able to compare what this new makeover is like.

JFM · 29 January 2014, 10:15 PM

I have flown OFF and WOFF. WOFF is a vast improvement. The quickest way for me to explain it is WOFF is to OFF as OFF was to CFS3.

Here: Features

The features info there isn't hype, it is how it is. Personally, I've uninstalled OFF. It was great and will still suffice if WOFF is out of reach financially, but there is only so much spare time during the week and WOFF is the better product, from FMs to AI to visuals. They are also working on expansion packs and soon I'll be in a Gotha heading across the channel.

Stoney, you do not need to uninstall OFF to install WOFF. It is a separate install. Also, WOFF requires little info from CFS3 and after installation does not need/use the CFS3 disc to run.

stoney · 30 January 2014, 12:50 PM

Thanks JFM, that answers my questions. I will get WOFF without a doubt. It was good to get an opinion. Thanks again.

camel · 30 January 2014, 03:26 PM

I just ordered WOFF, I enjoyed OFF and WOFF looks even better now ive read about it .

RAF_Louvert · 1 February 2014, 03:11 AM

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Thanks for posting that comparision Jim, much appreciated. I've been so busy the last couple of weeks I haven't had time to visit any of the forums or I'd have followed up here myself. Like you I've uninstalled OFF as WOFF is by far the superior sim. No reason to step backwards, at least not more so than we already do.

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WWGeezer · 1 February 2014, 09:30 AM

I came to flying WW1 flight sims thru the Red Baron to OFF and now fly ROF exclusively.

I would say if your sole focus is immersive single player missions OFF and WOFf are your best bet. The dark skies, wonderful score and detailed environments are pretty fabulous.

If you have a solid machine and are looking for the thrill of the flight model itself, a graphic artist who wants to build highly detailed historical skins, a mission builder who wants to create missions to share with your friends, a social flyer that wants to fly with others in friendship or in competition, than ROF is the way to go.

As a mission builder there is also a windfall that when Battle of Stalingrad is complete it will use the same type of mission builder and the steep,learning curve can be applied to a second sim.

MilesC · 7 February 2014, 11:37 PM

I just reloaded CFS3 and got through a tedious download of 4.4 Gb to install WOFF. As I am incredibly rusty at flying I am starting off at training school in a BE2c. Yikes, what a beast, it waddles about the skies at 60 mph! I hope to get into a decent scout squadron, but I'm guessing it will be "bombers" for me!

On a different note, I found that my trusty old Logitech Wingman Extreme JS does not work with Win7. Sigh! But my CH Pro pedals do! Off to FS tomorrow, there is a Logitech on sale for $30.