Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator X is the follow up to the popular Flight Simulator 2004, and gives players the chance to take to the skies and get a view over 28 cities using as many as 18 different planes.

Released in late 2006, it is the tenth edition of a franchise that started back in 1982 and lets gamers take to the cockpit of everything from a small single engine Cessnas to Boeing 747s.

Whilst it may be quite old now, the sim is still revered by both gamers and developers due to its realistic landscapes and playability. Flight Simulator 2004 set the benchmark for sims of this type, but Microsoft's ACES Games Studio worked tirelessly to ensure its successor was even better with improved graphics and the inclusion of airports featuring better ground services and animated runways.

Another new addition is 'Missions'. Previous editions mainly focused on flying over cityscapes and arid terrains, but with Simulator X gamers can add tasks to their itinerary and gain rewards.

There are approximately 50 missions in total and come through to your cockpit in the form of an update from the nearest air traffic control tower. They are as diverse as having to make an emergency landing in bad weather to rescuing workers following an explosion on an oil rig.

Getting Started

To begin enjoying the freedom of flight you simply need to download and install the game. It is quite a large file at over 600MB, but that should not be an issue (like it was for some in 2006) now that most gamers have larger hard drives and faster broadband.

There are three options to get you going. The first of which involves dropping flour on to specific targets, while the other two focus on getting you used to the basics of managing your cockpit and landing.

The type of plane you use is up to you. Some players find it easier to start with the smaller planes before moving onto the big passenger 747s. You can even use a helicopter if you wish. From there you can get stuck into the missions and really take enjoyment to the max.

One downside is that the game is quite heavy on a computer's processor so you may need to close other programmes in order to prevent lag.

New and Incredible Detail

As mentioned, the graphics have been boosted from the 2004 version, but much more detail has also been added to the landscapes. In total there are 24,000 airports to service and each has its own walkways, luggage trucks and employees.

If you are unfortunate to crash in the wilderness, you will get to see an array of wildlife moving around close to the wreckage. Microsoft have really left no stone unturned with this sim and have even got the position of stars accurate.

Players are also able to set the difficulty of each flight and even pre-programme disasters such as engine malfunctions to give them new tasks to deal with once they're up and away.

Microsoft does not always get it right, but Microsoft Flight Simulator is the one product where developers have received almost unanimous praise from gamers and critics alike. A much improved follow-up to Flight Simulator 2004, Simulator X has better graphics, better presentation, and a higher level of replayability. In fact, Microsoft Flight Simulator comes close to the real experience of flying, but you should be aware that the download size is a bit big at 636.2 MB. It takes around five minutes to install, and then you will have three choices. You can do an introductory test flight, drop flour on targets or do a Caribbean Landing. Dropping flour improve target practice while the other two options hone your experience with the controls and help you to master the landing.

What gamers love about Flight Simulator is how you have a variety of planes to choose from. You can choose anything from a commercial jetliner to ultra-lights, Cessnas, and helicopters. Where Simulator X sets a new standard is through the 50 unique missions that keep you from sleeping at the controls. Your missions are given from Air Traffic Control, and the objectives vary from fun and interesting to serious and compelling. Because of runway enclosure, you may have to move the plane over the top of a bus or because of an explosion, you could be asked to rescue the workers of a burning oil ring. Some of the other potential missions include picking up film stars, search and rescue missions, and Area 51 missions.

With the full version, you have over 24,000 different airports to choose from, and chances are, you will even be able to fly out of the local airport. The game brings a stunning level of realism; walkways, luggage belts, and fuel trucks can all be extended from the aircraft. Getting too close to the ground, you will see local wildlife running around, and it proves that Microsoft has gone the extra mile making a game of both depth and quality. The game has accurately mapped the positions of the stars and the time of the year, which shows how much thought Microsoft put into this game. You can even fly according to the weather patterns. You can also set the weather to practice flying in storms and blizzards.

For people looking for an added level of realism, Microsoft Flight Simulator includes a pre-flight briefing that lets you discuss the weather predictions, flight conditions, and the factors that will have an impact on the flying experience. If you want to practice for worst case scenarios, you can pre-program your plane to malfunction while flying. You will watch as your co-pilot reacts to an undercarriage that has been jammed and dropped off over Denver.