1C Game Studios has just announced that flight combat simulator Korea. IL-2, a follow-up to the IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles series, will be launching in early access next year.
At the time of writing, 1C Game Studios is targeting Q2 2026 via Steam and the official IL-2 Series web store. Korea. IL-2 is being called a “generational leap that honors the dramatic transition from propeller-driven aircraft to jet fighters in the 1950s, featuring the largest map in IL-2 Series history and eight (so far) meticulously detailed and designed in-game recreations of historic aircraft, including the F-86A-5 Sabre and MiG-15bis.”
A new engine has been used for this game, with a renewed focus on damage and flight modeling. Considering the long run of IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles, a lot of refinement has gone into this new installment, which could potentially go on for years to come too.
Early access will be the release model, with preorders starting today at $79.99. The price will go up to $89.99 at EA launch, with the final release going for $99.99. Needless to say, the notably high buy-in price is aimed at flight sim diehards, and we’ll be keeping tabs on how player sentiment around it evolves once the game launches.
Here’s the list of key features, straight from the official press release:
- New Museum Mode: Offers players a personal hangar where they can examine every rivet, explore cockpits, manipulate controls, and dive deep into the development history and combat record of each aircraft.
- Career Mode: Places players in the role of squadron commander at a historically authentic airbase, managing personnel and materiel while reading actual news from the period. Lead flights into combat when the moment calls for it, or focus on the strategic challenges of keeping your unit operational during one of the 20th century’s most intense conflicts.
- Accessibility: Korea maintains the IL-2 franchise’s philosophy: real pilot procedures are available for those who want them, but you won’t need to memorize engine startup sequences to experience the thrill of jet combat.
- Supported Hardware: Gamepads, Desktop flight sticks, High-end HOTAS systems, Full VR support via OpenXR and OpenVR
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