Gameplay Notes
Combat makes up a small portion of DCS, a lot of your time will be spent practicing and learning the inner machinations of each vehicle. The simulation for each vehicle is insane, simulating things such as fuel/air flow changes at supersonic speed, vortexes created by imperfections on plane surfaces, and the aerodynamics of missiles when they are loaded on the underside of your aircraft. Something as simple as starting the aircraft will take patience to learn and master. But once the vehicle finally clicks, the amount of enjoyment is incredible. From engaging in brutal dogfights to bombarding enemies from a gunship, the game allows you to use your airframe in the exact way it was intended. The game outside the aircraft is simple, with premade missions available. Once you are out of those you can create your own missions, or head into multiplayer and play with others who have mastered their chosen airframe just like you.
What this game is about
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Each airframe is handcrafted and requires memory and patience to learn. Things that would normally be simple are complicated. Voice chat for example requires that you are on the correct frequency. Should you forget to set your IFF, you may be shot down by friendly's since you show up as a unknown airframe to other pilots. Things like this make DCS a learning process, usually fraught with failure.
Mastery over the aircraft will allow you to participate in that vehicles niche, just don't expect to be shooting jets down with helicopters. The simulation is like reality and can result in some issues if you step too far outside your lane.
To most DCS players the game truly begins in multiplayer, allowing you to fly with a squad of other pilots who have put in the effort like you did. Completing a sortie with a group of people is very enjoyable.
What you need to play
- A Flight stick and Throttle, Rudder pedals recommended.
- A high end PC, this game has a lot going on in the background and requires some good hardware to run well.
- A quality guide for your chosen aircraft, Chucks Guides are my personal favorite. Fair warning though, these guides can be upwards of 200 pages long. Some even as high as 385 pages.