If it's a PC 'port' of the console IL2: Birds of Prey (which it looks very much like), then it's not so much a simulator- definitely a game. It focuses more on the shooting with little in the way of instrument watching, systems etc.
I guess it could be summed up as an IL2 game for the masses; which is good. It's fun.
It may be a port, but not one like you would think. It is obvious that the development team has spent and is spending quite a bit more time with the PC version (no "press triangle for eject!". The graphics being the best looking I have ever see in a flight simulator (The scenery doesn't even "pop-in"!). IMO, they make FSX quite poor in comparison and the performance is excellent. The FM is similar to IL-2's but seems to be improved in some ways as well, and the support from the developer is amazing.
Dedicated servers and quite a few other things are also "in the pipeline" it seems. Responses from the developer in their forum is refreshing as are the, so far, very quick updates. In the past week or so there have been about 4 updates (IIRC).
The fact that I can run a game that looks this good at 2560x1600 with 6xFSAA and 16xAF in-game at "Ultra High settings" is extraordinary. The amazing performance coupled with the very smooth TrackIR movements is a flight experience like no other I have experienced on my PC. Amazingly, since purchasing WoP a few days ago, I have not even touched FS9 or FSX. I used to play each for hours on end...not any more. Both of which I still love.
WoP, to me, is sort of what I wanted IL-2 to look/feel like (though I know that probably wasn't possible at the time). It is so immersive with the visual environment and whatnot it just draws you in. Is the FM perfect? No. Does the product need work? Yes, but so do most others. However, this title IS getting worked on. The devleopers are active within the community and it seems like they listen to what people have to say. I also heard the team working on WoP is fairly large so that may attribute to the great support.
It may not be as accurate FM wise as....I don't know, what WWII flightsim out there is accurate FM wise, lol? But it is not a simple "arcade" game. It does have some arcade elements (starting in the air on some maps, I believe...but even this is one of the things the developers may be changing), but it is quite good. The are various settings, starting with arcade or simple (can't remember which) and moving up to Realistic and Simulation. At the higher realism settings, I do believe engine management is a pretty big factor (the mapping screen looks a LOT like the mapping screen from IL-2 key wise).
It really is a product that should not be missed by WWII sim pilots. I really do think it is that good. Some may disagree, but the title has been well received thus far. If the development team sticks with it and continues to create improvements/additions, I could see WoP being a really heavy hitter i the flight simulation market.
On a side note, I challenge somebody to find me a video of a flight sim product that draws you in as much as this (well, if you like WWII sims, lol):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU8ZnA02g2g
:ernae: