Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: WW II Pacific Theater

aka: CFS2, Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: 2. Weltkrieg: Kriegsschauplatz Pazifik, Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: Guerre du Pacifique, Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: La Segunda Guerra Mundial en el Pacífico, Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator 2: Palco da II Guerra Mundial no Pacífico
Moby ID: 2574
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Description official descriptions

The sequel to Microsoft's first Combat Flight Simulator, the focus shifts to the Pacific theater, where carrier battles and island hopping dominate the strategy.

Fly for the Japanese Navy or the American Navy/Airforce in either single battles or branching campaigns. Controllable aircraft include the standard Zero, the P-38, Wildcat, Hellcat, Corsair, and George, each fighter representing different design philosophies from the most nimble Japanese planes to the powerhouse American designs. Escort bombers, strafe transports, and provide CAP for your carrier group. Learn how to successfully land on a carrier in strong winds.

Featuring much of the realism and potential complexity (it can be simplified through options) of Microsoft's civilian simulator, you can either play in an arcade-like mode, or increase the difficulty...to the point where you're following a fairly realistic checklist for take-off.

Featuring unique 1940's art for cutscenes, the engine's graphics attempt to represent the relatively sparse terrain of ocean, beach, and jungle with some detail. Models take visual damage and damage can result in the removal of the damaged part altogether. Standard padlock and various target views are available, allowing both a realistic look and the ability to achieve more exciting, cinematic views.

Spellings

  • 战斗飞行模拟2 - Simplified Chinese spelling

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (Windows version)

176 People (146 developers, 30 thanks) · View all

Business Unit Manager
Product Unit Manager
Product Planning
Marketing
Lead Design
Mission Design
Additional Design
Program Management
Terrain Programming Manager
Aircraft Programming Manager
Development
Aircraft Development
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 81% (based on 23 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.5 out of 5 (based on 8 ratings with 2 reviews)

Not all that

The Good
Decent graphics, decent sound, can be fun at times.

The Bad
Lousy control scheme (with no keyboard command chart supplied!), almost no wingman commands, and, despite the attempt to add a "storyline" to the game, never any real sense that you're an actual pilot flying in the Pacific. I also hate the lack of wind buffeting and/or other visual or aural cues to indicate that you're about to stall.

The Bottom Line
As something of a student of the Pacific War, I really, really, really wanted to like this game. Unfortunately, it can't hold a candle to the far superior European Air War.

Windows · by Jim Newland (56) · 2001

A solid, accessible, realistic WWII combat sim.

The Good
This is probably one of the better WWII combat simulations of recent years, and is a substantial step up from its predecessor.

Flight realism and characteristics are excellent (especially with a force feedback joystick!) The flyable planes are interesting. Missions are well scripted and exciting. Like CFS1, the game is easily navigated and has a very friendly interface. The cartoon-style set graphics are really snazzy.

Graphics and sound are up to modern standards, but not knock-your-socks-off exceptional.

The Bad
The game really could use more flyable planes. The option to fly topedo bombers, dive bombers and maybe even some twin-engined bombers would have been a real kick.

The campaigns are not quite as dynamic as the box suggests.

The Bottom Line
The most reliable, accessible WWII dogfighter on the market today.

Windows · by Rick Jones (96) · 2001

Discussion

Subject By Date
Japanese cover Rola (8485) Sep 5, 2012

Trivia

Mods

  • While the game only allow you to fly the fighters, there are custom "hacks" that allow you to fly the dive bombers and the torpedo bombers for either side at the various fan sites.
  • From summer 2001, add on packs from the fan sites such as www.simviation.com which allow you to load in European aircraft and scenery. This effectively makes an upgrade to the original Combat Flight Sim.

Information also contributed by Felix.

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Related Sites +

  • Simviation - Combat Flight Sim Home
    Gigabytes of add ons, new aircraft, helicopters, jets, missions scenery etc. for CFS and CFS 2. Someone should tell them it should be Simaviation surely?

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 2574
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Ray Soderlund.

Additional contributors: MAT, Kasey Chang, Unicorn Lynx, JPaterson, Felix, chirinea, Wizo, Patrick Bregger.

Game added November 8, 2000. Last modified March 24, 2024.