Best in series... That is if you are not looking for a flight simulator.
Who cares about realism if you are sitting in your chair, after work, want some action and entertainment... Thats me though. I see some people here bash the game because its more of arcade than simulator. Well, I personally like the arcade touch they've added where you can jump into a dogfight mode and finally be able to use your gun successfully and actually feel like something is going on on the screen instead of yawning through the gameplay and falling asleep on the couch.
Game is awesome. What I don't like is that they've failed to deliver the balanced difficulty across the game. When you play on Normal you have to be really good at twitch control, even though they put you in rails during the dogfight mode and there are some points where you won't be able to do anything or progress. Last fight against Markov is VERY hard even though you play on Normal Difficulty.
Don't believe the haters even if there are too many. If you want some nice plane shooter with great story, great graphics, adrenaline rush - buy this game. If you are looking for 100% simulator - this one won't be it. It has both, but most important moments - dog fights are an AWESOME addition to the series. Its only my opinion though. I would give this game higher score if difficulty wasn't screwed up.
Last fight in game with Markov is scripted so bad that unless you enter into dogfight mode you lose the mission, and its really hard to beat him even on normal. I haven't and planning to start from scratch on Easy.
I love the game because you not just flying planes any more, even though its the biggest part of the game but during the story you are also flying helicopter, control mini-gun, control other guns in a "Spooky" flying fortress. In other words this mode is based on story and it takes your through different fun missions. Love the game. Best in series.