1C-Games, Sturmovik Great Battles, Odesa and Leningrad.

[hasegawa]

As we know, MSFS 2024 eats small computers for breakfast, so I'm sticking with FS2020 until it's no longer available. But sometimes, you need something different.

It’s good to see that the makers of IL-2 Sturmovik are still around, and that the Great Battles series remains an active and evolving project. A new chapter is currently in development – already available in early access and expanding steadily with every update. This time, the focus is on Odessa, covering two historical periods: the beginning of Operation Barbarossa in June/July 1941, and the Soviet recapture of the region in summer 1944.

Those who know me know that I spent some private time in this area back in 2005/2006, and so many landmarks – the coastline, the port, the city layout – still feel oddly familiar. It's a strange and emotional experience to fly over the harbor of Odessa, the Black Sea coastline, and the Dniester estuary, now rendered in high detail. On my first flight across the new map, I disabled all enemy activity and just explored.

The first aircraft released in this new module is the Polikarpov I-153 “Chaika” – “Seagull” – the Soviet Union’s last biplane fighter and a particular favorite of Stalin, who fancied himself an aviation expert. The I-153 is agile, compact, and a joy to fly – but also unforgiving if pushed too far. Definitely a niche experience, but very rewarding.

The second location to be included in this upcoming expansion is Leningrad, featuring maps from both the early and final stages of the siege. That promises a very different kind of scenario: more urban warfare, different seasons, and a stark contrast to the open landscapes around Odessa.

This addition is shaping up to be more than just a map pack – it’s a heartfelt dive into early Eastern Front aviation, and well worth a look for those who enjoy historical context and low-and-slow VFR over meaningful terrain.

https://il2sturmovik.com/store/siege-and-liberation/