is it still worth it to buy blackshark?

[kingneptune117]

Im really in love with all of eagle dynamics/DCS's products. I cant wait for the DCS A-10C, and I want something new besides flaming cliffs since the DCS series has much more realism. Im not really into choppers, im more of a fighter jockey type of guy, and im joining USAF through ROTC in college so prefer something used by the USA. I must admit blackshark looks pretty awesome but im not so sure i should drop 40 bones for it, especially with the A-10C coming out.

 

I wish I knew at least a release window for the A-10C so I could get a better idea if its worth it to buy blackshark or not.

 

What do you guys think?

[Dusty Rhodes]

BlackShark is worth the money you will be spending. You will also have to invest time to get to know the Helo and be able to fly and fight the machine. It ain't easy. I have got my moneys worth 10 times over from BlackShark and I would buy it again if I could. That being said by someone who prefers the A10. So if you are looking for entertainment value with a spice of hard core have to study it, Black Shark is right up your alley. If for nothing else, buy it to support Eagle Dynamics :)

[Booger]

Many will "upsale" the Black Shark, noting how awesome it is...and they're not wrong. The sim is simply fantastic.

 

First, if you narrow your options to just US aircraft, you really rob yourself of 'flying' some really awesome aircraft. I wish I could find a youtube video of the Blue Angels (actual, not virtual) having the opportunity to fly MiGs--they were madly stoked (as I'm sure their Soviet counterparts were flying the F/A-18 ). I'm not suggesting you're naive, I'm simply suggesting you don't become it.

 

Flying is flying...period.

 

Second, as far as being more of a "fighter jockey" guy, waiting for the A-10 is kind of erroneous since it's a slow attack aircraft.

 

Last, what they will both offer is a realistic environment as far as aircraft dynamics and systems. Rotor or fixed wing, that's a plus.

 

Oh, as far as the price, it's really trivial compared to the controllers/enhancements used to play the game. For the realism, I would have gladly paid double.

[My Fing ID]

The only reason I'd steer you away is because you said you're not interested in helicopters. That said if you do have some lingering interest in flying helos, then you should definitely get this sim. Don't worry about it not being a US aircraft, I have the same 'problem' if you will, but I learned to love this thing quick. It's behind current aircraft tech wise (no IR, RWS, etc) but it's damn fun to fly. 40 bucks for this game is a steal. Like was said above, the real cost comes when you get hooked and start building your virtual pilot seat. This game basically made me get a X52, rudder pedals, and a TrackIR. Highly recommend all of those. It's as close as you can get to the real thing. Then again since you're getting the A10 sim, you might wanna wait until the A10 stick and throttle come out. I'm not looking forwards to dropping more money on another joystick, but I know it's going to bug the hell out of me if I don't have that stick while flying the hog lol

 

So yeah, I'm sure that didn't help at all. Go try a random (good) helicopter sim demo. If you like it, get this game.

[HiJack]

Buy buy buy :D

[RvETito]

You need to try Black Shark to undertsand what a true flight simulator means. The rest is compromise.

[LIONPRIDE]

Im really in love with all of eagle dynamics/DCS's products. I cant wait for the DCS A-10C, and I want something new besides flaming cliffs since the DCS series has much more realism. Im not really into choppers, im more of a fighter jockey type of guy, and im joining USAF through ROTC in college so prefer something used by the USA. I must admit blackshark looks pretty awesome but im not so sure i should drop 40 bones for it, especially with the A-10C coming out.

 

I wish I knew at least a release window for the A-10C so I could get a better idea if its worth it to buy blackshark or not.

 

What do you guys think?

 

 

To answer your question - - Is it worth the money - - YES !

 

Since your a "fighter jokey type of guy" I'd say stay away. You'll get disenchanted by the difficulty level of the helicopter. If you've waited this long, wait for the A-10.

 

... interesting - I find your screen name "KingNeptune" more nautical in nature (IE: Navy) then USAF ...

 

.:music_whistling:

 

 

.

[rivit]

I bought it at best buy for 19 dollars might want to check them out.

[Lucas_From_Hell]

Since your a "fighter jokey type of guy" I'd say stay away.

 

Don't listen to him - since when lions talk, anyway? :P

 

Now seriously, go for it. Being "fighter jock" myself, I can say it's totally worth it, independant of your taste.

 

You'll be amazed by the quality and detail they put on it, it's worth every penny. As you're joining the AF, you'll get a good start on RTFM'ing. You'll also be introduced to the real complex atmosphere around combat flights.

 

And do forget the country bit, just because you can fly an USAF plane in a desktop simulator doesn't mean your performance in real life will be even 1% of your virtual one.

 

You'll never ever see something like Black Shark - it's unique. Single-seater attack helicopter with coaxial rotors and ejection seat (just in case you screw it up :music_whistling:). Trust me, you can't get more badass than that :D

[evilnate]

DCS:BS is the most sophisticated, detailed FS on the civilian market.

 

The only piece missing would be a dynamic campaign such as what is provided with the Falcon 4.0 series.

[Downey Jr.]

if anything it does give you the closest look at what a real simulator should do...nothing else compares...I got FC2 only to satisfy the jet simmer in me but it and others like Falcon come no where near the fidelity of Blackshark

[jctrnacty]

For me number 1 sim was always Falcon. After release of BS i can say i have two number 1 sims.

 

Falcon has the feel of being in war and BS gives you the feel that you drive the real thing with its AFM.

 

It was worth the money,I had a lot of fun with BS.

[Svetlano]

Black Shark it's top notch.

Don't even think if it's worth or not.

It's simply the best recent flight simulation on the market.

[JG-1_Vogel]

BS for me is a wierd one. I love it, AFM and avionics are out of this world. Saying that no matter how hard I try, I keep going back to the Frogfoot... the Kamov is just too slow for me!

[Total]

Simple answer: Yes, it's still worth it for the experience of the KA-50 :)

[blahdy]

Im really in love with all of eagle dynamics/DCS's products. I cant wait for the DCS A-10C, and I want something new besides flaming cliffs since the DCS series has much more realism. Im not really into choppers, im more of a fighter jockey type of guy, and im joining USAF through ROTC in college so prefer something used by the USA. I must admit blackshark looks pretty awesome but im not so sure i should drop 40 bones for it, especially with the A-10C coming out.

 

I wish I knew at least a release window for the A-10C so I could get a better idea if its worth it to buy blackshark or not.

 

What do you guys think?

 

You won't be disappointed. DCS Black Shark is worth every penny, realism alone is spectacular.

[talisman]

I buy everything they make - just to support them and guarantee more in the future.

 

Its more then worth the money.

[Boulund]

Y E S

[ericinexile]

Absolutely!!!! You feel more like a sniper than a pilot. And you quickly realize why Countries often place helo squadrons in their armies and not air forces. It's really just a fast tank that can go anywhere. It is a blast!

[Sulman]

Absolutely!!!! You feel more like a sniper than a pilot. And you quickly realize why Countries often place helo squadrons in their armies and not air forces. It's really just a fast tank that can go anywhere. It is a blast!

 

Absolutely. When I started to properly 'fight' in Black Shark, my best experience was from Steel Beasts. Battle position to battle position. Scoot'n'shoot. Most interestingly, the KA-50 feels quite vulnerable. If you get to a position where you can employ weapons, it's devastating, but getting to that is the hard part. The battlefield is full of stuff that wants to kill you. It's funny. I played lomac for so long, flying well above the sort of threats that give you such a hard time in the Shark.It's a different world at the treetops.

 

To answer the question, buy it. You can see why - after a while - ED chose the KA50. She's a strange bird. Yet it is the single-pilot operation that makes it such a perfect choice for a desktop sim. Everything about the aircraft is designed to reduce your workload. The upside of this is once you have mastered basic control principles, you can let the aircraft do the hard stuff, get your head down in the Shkval and start sending rounds downrange.

 

A wonderful, unique experience. Worth every penny, and more.

[Squirt185]

Without question.

 

One thing I've noticed is that I feel I've built up a relationship of sorts with the KA50, given how much study time and practice has gone into even the basics like getting the thing up and running, and the level of familiarity you gain with every panel and switch.

 

It sounds strange, but when I look at shots of the real aircraft it feels a lot like I've sat in one before..!

[vortex360]

You will also have to invest time to get to know the Helo and be able to fly and fight the machine. It ain't easy.

 

It is now. :smilewink:

[Squirt185]

(I'm not sure if we are allowed to post things like this so sorry if not, but I imagine anything which gets more DCS:BS players is a good idea!)

 

Given BS is only £10.95 on D2D at the moment there is no excuse:

 

http://www.direct2drive.co.uk/2/7990/product/Buy-DCS:-Black-Shark-Download

[topdog]

Hmm, might just get that if only so I can run a server on a separate box. Thanks.