Falcon 4.0: AF is the most engaging flight simulation I have experienced, and this includes...
While F4AF does not have the MSFSx immersive graphics, it does have a virtual cockpit and combat artificial intelligence that far excedes anything in any other flight sim. F4AF's campaign and evolving battlefield far exceeds Jane's F-15, MSCFS3, Lock-On, and IL-2.
Yes, the learning curve is awesome. But, this is a simulation for the flight enthusiast looking for virtual reality. NOT FOR THE ARCADE "AFTER-BURNER" CROWD. Learning the simulation and going through the tutorials was (in my opinion) gratifying on it's own even if you don't engage the campaign mode.
I would have given the sim 5-stars overall if: 1) the terrain and building graphics were more lush (but that would require more hardware horsepower); and, 2) an actual printed and bound manual was included in the package. Maybe in a neat USAF operations manual and checklist format.
Overall, F4AF is all that and a bag of chips.