Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 offers players an experience like no other, creating a vividly realistic rendition of our planet. Despite some initial hiccups with its launch, this game sets the stage for thrilling aviation adventures and boundless exploration.
Thinking back to Christmas of 1982, I can recall the excitement of our family’s first computer, the IBM PC Jr. I had been eagerly anticipating the new Flight Simulator game from Microsoft, a budding company at the time. On Christmas morning, once the unwrapping frenzy ended, I still found no sign of the game. Then, with a twinkle in his eye, my father suggested I fire up the computer. As the machine buzzed to life, I noticed a floppy disk in the drive. Within moments, I was immersed in the simplistic graphics of a cockpit displayed on our modest 13-inch screen. In that instance, my twelve-year-old self was a pilot.
Fast forward forty-two years, and on the launch day of Flight Simulator 2024, I found myself waiting for what felt like eons to connect to Microsoft’s servers, reminiscent of waiting at a crowded virtual airport. When I finally got into the game, it showcased a stunningly accurate digital twin of Earth, powered by advanced cloud technology—likely the reason for those earlier delays.
Featuring everything from authentic biomes to real-time weather, MSFS 2024 redefines the boundaries of flight simulation. Like its predecessor from 2020, this version incorporates real-time data for weather and traffic across land, sea, and sky. This level of detail reached its peak when, during a virtual flight over New York City, rain dotted my cockpit window, perfectly mirroring the storm Ian Hamilton from UploadVR confirmed was raging outside.
Enjoying the Free Flight mode, I navigated over iconic skylines: New York’s towering heights, Las Vegas’s dazzling lights, and my hometown’s familiar streets. Each flight was a visual marvel, underscoring the game’s expansive potential for exploration and its impressive realism.
Beyond flying, the simulator introduces enticing modes like curated photography, challenges, and the opportunity to forge a career as a virtual pilot. While I’ve run into issues kicking off my career mode—unable to choose a starting airport—I’m confident Microsoft and Asobo are on the case to address it.
Adding thrill to the experience, Red Bull Air Racing is also featured here, presenting tests of skill that even seasoned pilots might find daunting. Although I’ve crashed plenty, the adrenaline rush keeps me trying.
One of the game’s delightful new aspects is the option to explore on foot after landing, though current street-level mapping still needs refinement. The ongoing evolution of this tech holds the promise of future versions where players might seamlessly walk detailed cityscapes worldwide.
For players equipped with NVIDIA’s RTX GPUs, DLSS technology supports enhanced performance. While the game’s complexity can challenge even high-end systems—particularly over dense urban areas—a robust PC is crucial for those seeking top-notch visual fidelity and smooth play.
For this review, I tested the game on a setup featuring an Intel i9 13900k, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, an ASUS ROG Maximus Z790 Hero motherboard, and a Zotac Gaming 4090 Amp Extreme Airo GPU. Playing on a Meta Quest 3 with a Link cable, I still grappled with performance issues when maxing out VR settings. This simulation demands serious hardware, so those without a high-powered rig might need to scale settings down to just maintain playability. Until updates roll out to enhance performance, settings might have to be kept modest for lesser machines.
In the end, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 goes beyond being just a game. It’s an open invitation for dreamers and future pilots to explore a limitless virtual world.
