IL-2 dev's new WWII game Birds of Steel

Konami has announced a World War II dogfighter called Birds of Steel for release early next year.

It's a PS3 and Xbox 360 game developed by Gaijin Entertainment of IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey fame.

The hook seems to be catering for an FPS crowd; World War II was long before the Top Gun missile lock-on era of aircraft, which affords Birds of Steel a chance to fly planes close for a more personal scrap.

Planes, such as the legendary Spitfire and Messerschmidt, are lifted faithfully from the pages of history. You'll play as either the Allies, Axis or Japanese and embark on eight renowned WWII campaigns.

Online multiplayer plays a pivotal role. There are co-op missions and "massive" online multiplayer dogfights, plus team deathmatch, co-op strike, airfield raid and tournament variations to mix things up. You can record your performance, edit and show it around, too.

Gaijin Entertainment has a background rich with flight games. IL-2 Sturmovik: Birds of Prey - the console adaptation of a PC favourite - was recommended highly by Eurogamer a couple of years ago.

Gaijin has also developed World of Planes, Apache Air Assault, Wings of Luftwaffe and Wings of Prey.

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