After a 14 year hiatus, Microsoft Flight Simulator has finally been upgraded with a brand new release for 2020, bringing with it new technologies and a beautifully detailed world. As the oldest game in Microsoft's roster (the original being released in 1982), this new version has a lot to live up to. Microsoft Flight Simulator, at its core, is an incredibly realistic simulation game, from setting up a perfect take-off to the real-life stresses of perfecting a landing at night, every aspect of flying is represented. Along with every single airport on the planet represented, Microsoft Flight Simulator gives players the freedom to fly anywhere at any time.
The first real noticeable differences between this version and its previous release, Microsoft Flight Simulator X, is the brand new technology used to map out the world below. Utilizing Bing Maps, Microsoft has managed to detail every city in the world with stunning realism. The streets below are accurate to their real-life counterparts and there are even tiny vehicles traveling along highways and interstates throughout a flight. Another noticeable difference is the real-time weather patterns and air traffic that are accurate to each location anytime a player is flying. These additions really make Microsoft Flight Simulator stand out above its competition.
The most important part of any flying-sim is the planes and Microsoft Flight Simulator brings 20-30 detailed aircraft, depending on the version purchased, into the game. There are plenty of varied aircraft to choose from, each with its own unique flight style. From twin-prop planes like the X-Cub to the Cessna Citation CJ4 Jet plane, each plane feels and flys differently. The interior of each cockpit is highly detailed with every knob and switch imaginable. Luckily, the game allows for customizable skill levels from fully manual to completely automatic.
Along with the customizable controls, Microsoft Flight Simulator allows players to choose exactly how and where they want to fly. The Flight Plan menu allows players to simply pick two airports and go or use customizable options like preset weather, time of day, and flight traffic. Controlling an airplane through turbulent weather is no easy task, but Microsoft Flight Simulator makes getting into the game as easy as possible with comprehensive tutorials. From instrument explanations to traffic patterns and navigation plotting, Microsoft has everything covered to get even beginner pilots into the skies with ease.
Aside from just flying from one place to the next, Microsoft Flight Simulator also offers players other modes. One of them is the activities mode, which sets up more difficult flights, specific landing conditions, or bush trips which will have players navigate through long-distance remote location trips. The game also offers live events that will periodically change and present different challenges to everyone playing the game. There is also a planned update to support full VR in the near future.
Microsoft Flight Simulator comes in three different editions, the Standard version costs $59.99 and includes 20 detailed planes and 30 hand-crafted airports. The Deluxe version costs $89.99 and includes everything in the standard version plus 5 extra plane models and crafted airports. Finally, the Premium Deluxe version will set players back $119.99 and comes with all of the standard content plus 10 extra planes and airports. Regardless of the version chosen, players will still have access to fly in and out of every airport, some just won't look as well-crafted as others. The game itself takes up a whopping 150gb of space on a player's hard drive and is also being released in a 10-disc double-sided DVD version. It is also important to note that the Standard Edition of the game will be available for free to anyone with a Game Pass subscription.
Overall, Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of the most beautiful games of this generation and it's attention to detail is spectacular. This new version stands above the rest with its incredible landscapes and customizable options that allow for new or veteran players to easily get into the game, regardless of skill level.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available on Windows PC. Microsoft provided a digital Premium Deluxe version of the game to Screen Rant for the review.