Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

IL-2 Sturmovik: Forgotten Battles – Ace Expansion Pack builds on the already formidable flight simulation mechanics of the base game, delivering an even deeper and more varied aerial combat experience. With 20 new flyable aircraft, including the iconic P-51 Mustang and advanced Messerschmitt fighters, each sortie feels fresh as you explore the distinct characteristics of these warbirds. The game’s ultra-realistic flight model remains at the forefront, demanding careful throttle management, altitude control and weapon-switching under pressure.

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The expansion’s three new environments—Ardennes, Normandy and the Pacific—offer vastly different tactical challenges. Flying low over the dense Ardennes forests requires precision to avoid flak and treetop collisions, while the rugged Pacific islands force you to master strafing runs against ground targets hidden in foliage. Multiplayer aficionados will appreciate the addition of 10 co-op dogfight missions, where team coordination in head-to-head engagements significantly raises the stakes.

Beyond the flyable planes, numerous non-flyable aircraft, ground units and environmental objects enhance mission variety and immersion. Convoys, artillery emplacements and civilian infrastructure create dynamic objectives that can shift on the fly—one moment you’re escorting bombers through anti-aircraft fire, the next you’re performing hit-and-run strikes on advancing tank columns. This depth ensures that no two missions feel the same, encouraging repeated playthroughs.

Graphics

The graphical enhancements in the Ace Expansion Pack are striking, particularly in how new terrains and aircraft models are rendered. The P-51’s gleaming fuselage and the intricate panel lines of the Messerschmitt fighters showcase a level of detail that rewards close inspection on the ground and in the cockpit. Weather effects such as dynamic clouds, volumetric fog and realistic precipitation add drama to each sortie and can dramatically alter flight conditions.

Terrain textures are equally impressive, with the lush greenery of the Ardennes contrasting sharply with the barren, sandy atolls of the Pacific theater. Ruined villages in Normandy are painstakingly detailed, complete with crumbling walls, narrow streets and distracted enemy convoys that invite strafing runs. Night missions in particular benefit from the improved lighting model, with authentic star fields and moonlight reflections enhancing stealth approaches and nocturnal dogfights.

Ground and naval units, although non-flyable, receive a notable graphical upgrade, too. Tanks bear realistic mud splatters and battle damage, while anti-aircraft emplacements sport rusted metal textures that show the wear of continuous combat. All these visual touches coalesce into a world that feels lived-in and under siege, giving added weight to the pilot’s role in shaping the outcome of each battle.

Story

The Ace Expansion Pack doesn’t tell a single linear narrative but instead offers a series of focused campaigns that span key theaters of World War II. Beginning in the thick forests of the Ardennes, you participate in desperate attempts to halt the German advance during the Battle of the Bulge. This sequence emphasizes low-speed dogfighting and close-air support under heavy ground fire, immersing you in one of history’s most brutal winter campaigns.

Shifting next to Normandy, the expansion captures the chaos of the D-Day landings. High-altitude bomber escort missions put you in the thick of anti-aircraft barrages, while later ground-attack sorties allow you to strafe enemy armor rolling through open fields. These missions are interspersed with briefings and radio chatter that give context to each objective, painting a broad picture of the Allies’ push into occupied Europe.

The Pacific campaign completes the trilogy with island-hopping missions that emphasize carrier-based operations and tight turning dogfights over palm-fringed beaches. Whether you’re launching from deck catapults or engaging in glide bombing runs on entrenched bunkers, the escalation from Ardennes snow to tropical heat provides a compelling sense of progression. Though the narrative is mission-driven rather than character-focused, the geographic and tactical variety keeps the storyline engaging throughout its 30-mission span.

Overall Experience

IL-2 Sturmovik: Forgotten Battles – Ace Expansion Pack is a must-have for serious flight sim enthusiasts. Its blend of authentic flight dynamics, richly detailed environments and mission diversity delivers an unparalleled sense of aerial warfare. Beginners might find the learning curve steep, but the game’s comprehensive tutorials and adjustable difficulty settings help smooth the transition into full-spectrum WWII combat.

Multiplayer additions, especially the 10 new co-op dogfight missions, inject fresh life into the community, encouraging teamwork and tactical coordination. Even solo pilots will appreciate the challenge posed by intelligent AI opponents that respond dynamically to your tactics. The expansion pack doesn’t just add new content—it amplifies the core strengths of Forgotten Battles, making every sortie feel consequential.

Whether you’re strafing through Normandy, escorting bombers over the Ardennes or engaging in cliff-hugging attacks in the Pacific, the Ace Expansion Pack offers hours of high-fidelity thrills. Its attention to historical detail, combined with the sheer variety of aircraft and objectives, makes this expansion a standout addition that elevates IL-2 Sturmovik to new heights of simulation excellence.

Retro Replay Score

7.8/10