ORIGINAL: aviti
Yeah that's great and all about all the fluff G3 has to offer, but what about the physics. When they improve that over all the eye candy they have to offer, give me a shout. Until then AFPD SMOKES G3 for flight. Seems like you keep missing to point out the most important piece in "flight simulation". G3 seems more like a "tree blowing simulator" or "windsock simulator".
People need to learn how to fly first, worry about addons and useless crap like flying online 2nd.
That's why I like AFP's only motto "Physics First", because they don't hype anything. They back it up too.
Its obvious that you either ...
A) Have not tried G3 to any extent
B) Are not an experienced enough pilot to judge the realism of a simulator.
The physics in AFP is good, but not that great, and is certainly not the best. AFP is a great sim, but so many people over here on RCU seem to think AFP is as real as it gets. But, thats not the case. I have ALL three major sims and I'd say XTR has the best physics followed closely by G3, then AFP(D) trailing pretty far behind. It seems their slogan of "Physics First" has won many people over hook, line, and sinker. The airplanes in AFP aren't all that bad, but they all fly as if they have the wing loading of a butterfly. The helis in AFP are really far off though....
The helis...
[ul][*] Are too responsive to cyclic inputs (big complaint)[*] Have unlimited power that never fully boggs the engine (the rpm fluctuates, but it never drops far)[*] Helis don't auto accurately[*] Low headspeed seems to have a very small effect on cyclic response (gigantic complaint)[*] Stationary rolls/flips are too axial with little need to compensate with collective[*] Changing parameters within realistic ranges can have wildy unrealistic results (engine power for example)
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For example, I can change the engine power to bring the head speed to around 1200rpm and I can still 3D the heli 5ft off the deck. If the heli is at full power and only pumping out 1200rpm I should barely be able to do a roll (even up high) without crashing.
AFP was better than G2, but G3 is better than AFP(D) in simulating both helis and airplanes. And, if you factor in the better graphics, multiplayer, and MUCH better aircraft parameter editing, G3 runs away with the medal by a long shot.
Now, these sims seem to play a leapfrog game, so it will be interesting when AFP comes out with a truly innovative sequal (the Deluxe isn't worth the price of admission for upgraders, IMO), it might rock my socks off
