Il-2 had much more than that, for example NULLWAR (entirely made by enthusiasts) was a total war machine, including not only frontline, but logistics, even historical numbers of airplanes available to the blue and red sides at the point of time. At first, you registered as a second leutenant, only I-153 and I-16 available, and as you completed missions and gained points, you unlocked more airplane types, but if you bailed out behind enemy lines - most likely you were dead, and if you're dead - you lose your rank and start it all over.
THAT was very motivating, first of all - to live, not risking your life in vain, and coordinating with your mates, planning and performing massive raids, newbies under command in light attack planes, aces in several groups defending them, that was immersive.
That was absolutely different compared to a random dogfight server. If you want to have some fun, just dogfight somewhere. If you're into something hard and time consuming, there's a war for you.