The studio developing the IL-2 Sturmovik series of flight simulators has presented details of the "Korea. IL-2 Series" project. The game will offer an updated engine and will replace "IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles" within the technical base.
The developers state that the action will unfold on the largest map in the history of the franchise — over 200,000 square kilometers. The territory of the Korean Peninsula has been recreated using historical maps and documents from the 1950s. Changes in the coastline and other landscape features of the era have been taken into account.
Players will be offered two levels of involvement. You can focus on flying, piloting legendary machines of the era and participating in aerial combat. Every instrument in the cockpit functions and displays the state of systems in real time, and shooting and aiming require the same skills as pilots in the mid-20th century.
An alternative option is the "Career" mode, where you have to take on the role of an air regiment commander. In it, you need to manage personnel, plan operations, monitor the supply and combat readiness of units. The decision to take to the skies personally or focus on strategy remains with the player.
"Korea" features a detailed damage model for aircraft and ground objects. Aircraft, including heavy bombers, as well as trains, ships, and armored vehicles, receive damage based on the nature of the impact. Mass, speed, and point of impact affect the behavior of the equipment and its further fate in battle.
A separate mode will allow you to study the available equipment outside of battles: examine models, cockpits, learn about the history of creation and combat use, and compare tactical and technical characteristics, including altitude charts.
For the first time in the history of the franchise, the player will be able to leave the cockpit and freely move around the airfield of their regiment. Characters — pilots, military personnel, and civilians — are animated using motion capture technology.
The project is declared with full VR support via OpenXR and OpenVR. At the same time, the developers emphasize a flexible approach to accessibility: if desired, you can control the aircraft's systems in detail, but mandatory manual engine starting with memorizing complex procedures is not required — the game allows you to quickly move on to flying.
The release date of the project has not yet been disclosed, but early access will start in the spring of 2026, when the first major update will become available to players in the winter. You can now pre-order and sign up to participate in the beta test.