Post
by Lawndart » Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:25 am
Spaz,
It mostly depends on what you intend do accomplish! A quick summary of some key features/points for each:
Lock-On
More diversity (more aircraft)
Newer sim, looks better
Netcode, aerobatics and formation flying
Flight dynamics
Not as in depth as AF, but beats AF on three key points: Graphics, Netcode and Flight Dynamics (flight models)
Falcon AF
Best modeled Viper system and realistic usage
Dynamic campaigns
Realistic ops of fighter and sorties
Dated product, but patched and updated by a relentless fan community
If what you want is a very realistic sim featuring the Viper, that lacks mostly from an eight year old platform, hence the visuals, code and flight dynamics are not going to be as good, but everything else is still unsurpassed. Falcon AF is your choice.
If you want a realistic sim that's not as in depth and focuses on several aircraft on a two year old product that still has the developer in business where all points fall short (not by much, but AF still rules) on all points but graphics, visuals, netcoding, flight models. This sim is in most cases more enjoyable unless you are one of the hardcore fans that want the nitty gritty details of the Viper and a dynamic campaign. If you're looking for formation flying in particular, Lock-On is it!
I'm not biased towards either sim aside from the three key points. For formation aerobatics there's no comparison! I've been a Falcon user and fan since 1986 when the first Falcon version was released and I've bought them all. Two years ago did I dive into Lock-On and although Falcon still rules the skies of war and realism in the Viper, I haven't touched Falcon since the day I started flying formation in Lock-On. The learning curve is not as steep for Lock-On, but at the same time you get newer, better realistic flight models and graphics as well as multiplayer capability. Again, I'm not saying either sim is bad, but if you're still clueless after the above mentioned points I made it comes down to: Mainstream vs. hardcore? To enjoy Falcon you really have to be a hardcore fan, to enjoy Lock-On is "easier"...
Bottom line is that these are currently the two most realistic combat sims on the market and Lock-On gets my vote at this time, although Falcon still has a very special place in my heart having grown up using it for so many years. Neither is to be confused with being an arcade game, cause they're certainly not. I'm convinced however, that the learning curve for Lock-On is not as steep as it is for the Falcon series, but that in itself doesn't mean Lock-On is less realistic. Both sims take aim at a hardcore crowd and anyone looking for arcade action will soon be bored and go look elsewhere.
LD
P.S. Thanks for the comments about us! Additional info on the Sneak Pass is that it's flown at Mach 0.94 or 600 knots (sea level) in an eliptical path that takes the jet overhead of the crowd at approx 200 feet above show center. It's the only overhead maneuver the Thunderbirds perform nowadays that is flown lower than 500 feet over any part of the crowd line.
was priceless... 
