The day is here and IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Normandy has officially released. The latest entry in the Great Battles Series has reached release status and has been updated to version 5.001. Here are some of the key details to celebrate the occasion!
Released today!
Battle of Normandy is packed full of features. For regular readers and fans of the IL-2 series, almost none of these will be a surprise but its worth remembering the significant steps forward that the IL-2 series has taken over the course of Normandy’s development. New clouds and skybox rendering, the addition of the Advanced Quick Mission Builder, many tweaks to flight and damage models, and more.
Version 5.01 brings with it a huge list of core updates for all IL-2 Great Battles flyers as well as some key content for Battle of Normandy. Let’s start with Normandy.
New Normandy content
The new Normandy map is the centerpiece of this update. It includes substantial sections of southern England and northern France. There are two versions with one from before the invasion and another after the invasion.
Career mode for Normandy also releases together with the map. It includes a mid-1944 career with a listed 3 countries, 5 phases, 17 frontline states, 225 historical squadrons, and 103 squadrons joinable by the player. There are also new mission types including V-1 intercept missions which should be a blast. To answer your question: Yes the V-1 is in and yes you can tip the V-1. Or make it explode in a big way!
The QMB and AQMB get Normandy map specific scenarios too so you can jump right in and experience the map.
There are also new vehicles added. The PzKpfw IV Ausf.H. tank, Flakpanzer IV SPAA, and Gleaves-class destroyer have all been added. These are AI additions of course. The Normandy map also includes the famous Mulberry Harbour facilities.
Core updates
The rest of the series has seen some updates too. You’ll be happy to know that map loading times have been improved. There are over a dozen items listed under the damage model which has been updated. Adjustments to aircraft skin, armor penetration and bullet trajectory and stability, AP bullets cause more skin damage, small HE shells case less skin damage, and big HE rounds cause more skin damage. That’s just some of the items.
An error that causes pilot death during mild G loads during crash landings has been solved. I know a lot of people who wanted to see that fixed.
There are also fixes to the AI, P-47 engine idle RPM values, Me410 corrections, and corrections and updates for Tank Crew and Flying Circus. It’s a big patch! Read the full patch notes here.
On sale now
Similar to prior releases, Battle of Normandy is now listed with both Standard and Premium Editions on the official IL-2 website. Standard goes for $59.99 USD with the early access discount still being applied bringing the price down to $49.99 USD. Premium edition is $89.99 USD with a discount bringing it down to $79.99 USD. I don’t know how long those slightly discounted prices will last.
Collector Planes, the Spitfire XIV and Ar234, are now available for independent purchase as well. Standard pricing of $19.99 USD as is typical of Collector Planes in the series applies but there is a small discount bringing them to $15.99 USD available right now.
Meanwhile, 1CGS reports that the Steam store version will be coming in the coming weeks. Of course, if you bought it through the IL-2 website and have linked your account you’ll be taking advantage of the content right now. Even if you haven’t purchased it, all of those core updates still apply and you’ll likely be seeing Normandy on multiplayer servers in short order.
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