Others say...

"challenging and in depth"
Although I'm not too much of a flight sim expert, but I'd say that the Pacific Fighters stand alone has exceeded my expectations in most ways.
1. Graphics: Very good, they can be trimmed down for slower computers, or spruced up to a fairly sophisticated level. I like the varied cloud densities, flak bursts, ocean swells, and I'd say the terrain is quite good for the most part. The aircraft often have different paint schemes to chose from, and show exhaust smears, paint chips, and other imperfections that add to the realism. Army Aircorps planes even have the option of nose art. Bomb explosions were a bit uniform and dissapointing, but seeing cannon shell and machine gun rounds register in different magnitudes as aircraft pieces come off was definitely impressive.

2. Sound: Fair, the carriers make a low hum as they sail along, flaps, airbrakes and wheel brake sound effects all fairly convincing. The sounds of gun fire and explosions is not spectacular, but OK. Thre are a number of different engine sounds for the wide selection of planes, but frankly, I thought the Pratt and Whitney was dissapointing. When I strap into a corsair or hellcat and sit behind that dual banked radial as it winds up, it sounds more like a whining motorcycle fourbanger than the throaty roar of the radials that I am accoustomed to hearing at airshows.

3.Aircraft selection: Very good, one can choose from several variants of the Zero, corsair, wildcat, P40, Ki 61, Ki84, etc. Actually, I've had the game for over a year and still haven't put every aircraft model through its paces. Although there are a few bombers, there are not enough for my tastes, WW2 flight sims are almost always all about fighters, and little or none about bombers and torpedo planes. I'd sure like it if I could fly the B24, B29, or the Kate and Jill. But the upgrades I've put on my game that brings it up to version 4.04 remedies this somewhat.

4. Aircraft characteristics: Good. The realism settings can make some planes quite tricky, that big corsair propeller will literally throw you for a loop if you gun it at low speeds, (Accurate to the name Ensign Eliminator), and the mid-engine mounted P39 can get into the most wicked spins. The damage is interesting and detailed, I've had various parts shot out or off of my aircraft, but sometimes they seem almost too flimsy. Would a hellcat really have its entire wing sawed off by 2 hits from a 20mm cannon? I don't know. Landings can be very dicey, especially on an aircraft carrier, at night, with battle damage. It takes an attentive person to watch the sink rate, angle of attack, etc. to not overshoot or smash the landing gear on impact. As an aside, the multi person crew aircraft can be crewed by several people online, which could make for some fun missions with a friend or two.

5. Missions: Fair, the campaigns are challenging, sometimes I fly the whole mission and miss my target, (A common combat occurance) but the training missions or single missions are scanty, one might want to check for online mods to download.

So in summary:
Positives:
1. large number of flight models
2. relatively realistic and unique aircraft handleing characteristics
3. good graffics
4. challenging and in depth enough to not master in a few weeks

Negatives:
1. Some engine sounds dissapointing (As mentioned)
2. bomb explosions fairly uniform
3. small number of stand alone missions.
4. lack of adequate training in manual and in game.

Overall I am satisfied with this game, I think it was worth the money (I bought it). In my opinion it is way better than Microsoft.

"Missions are quite boring"
Although the grafics are very good, I find that all missions form either side, allies or Japan are very boring. In that repeated attacks on Iwo and Wake eg; are repeated over and over. The "skip" feature doesn't work, making base to objective last too long. Hidden targets are a bummer. I see or feel no difference in flying the Wildcat and the Hellcat; Hellcat having 2000HP vs Wildcat's 1200 hp. Carrier landings are the best feature of the game. My playing time of this game will not be very long.

"Sorry Microsoft!!!"
I really like this game.I'm so sorry microsoft,but Ubi Soft kicked your butt!This game is way more fun and the mission builder is easier to use.The carriers and ships are way more detailed.I really like the way where it actually looks like your hook gappled on the cable.There is also wayyyyyyyyy more aircraft to choose from.You even get to fly bombers too.Oh yeah,did I mention your wingman take off on the carrier too!On the single player missions,you could play the attack on Pearl Harbor on both sides.You even ecort B-29s on the campaign on the attack on Japan.But you don't get to escort the B-29s that carried the atomic bomb.I don't get that,they let play how world war 2 started in the Pacific put won't let you play on how the war ended.

"Looks great on a high-end system..."
And that's about it.

The package is a cash-cow for Russian developer 1C. It's only real use is to generate revenue to fund continued work on the phony-baloney notion that the Red Air Force destroyed the Luftwaffe in WW2.

Over half the planes in the game are either Italian, Russian or British. That's right, in a "simulation" titled, Pacific Fighters, over half the aircraft are associated with forces that had little or no involvement in the theatre.

The good news for aspiring Nazis is that the game can merged with previous 1C titles to create a cornucopia of swaztika-emblazoned aircraft. The bad news for the fascists is that the other half of the plane-set is Soviet, and they RULE the game.

Finally, it's not a "simulator" at all. There is no wind or other atmospheric effects. The beautifully done cockpits provide little information of practial use. In short, compared to FS2004, it's really kind of a joke, excepting again, to Soviet aviation revisionists or Hitler lovers.

Yuk!

"Awsome Game!"
Pacific fighters installed with AEP+FB(ace extension pack and forgotten battles)...is awsome!. I hghly recomond the joint installation of the 3 games! AEP+FB+PF...and for such a low price.I must have for all simlulation-plane lovers.