[2][3] It was named after the Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack fighter, which played a prominent role in this theatre and is the single most produced military aircraft design to date.

[4] Along with its sequels, IL-2 Sturmovik is considered one of the leading World War II flight simulators.

One can play as Australia, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the USSR.

Free internet services such as Xfire, Hyperlobby, and The All-Seeing Eye, are used for setting up online game sessions.

"[20] Similarly, those of Computer Gaming World wrote, "IL-2 Sturmovik's election to Sim of the Year was one of the biggest shoo-in votes in the history of this magazine.