Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020) 40th Anniversary Edition
"A peerless flight sim that fights you on the ground"
About
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a realistic simulation of flying aircraft on a 1:1 scale replica of Earth. Players can pilot a range of vehicles, from small gliders and helicopters to massive wide-body jets. The experience focuses on the technical aspects of flight, navigation, and exploration, with the entire globe available as an open world. This 40th Anniversary edition includes additional historically significant aircraft to celebrate the series' long run.
Verdict
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a monumental achievement in digital world-building. Flying over a photorealistic recreation of our own planet is a singular experience, offering a sense of scale and presence few other games can match. The simulation itself is deep and rewarding, especially with the right hardware. However, this magnificent world is surrounded by a fortress of frustration, from a notoriously broken installation process to persistent crashes. It's a destination worth visiting, but the journey there is often turbulent.
You'll like it if …
- +You are a serious aviation enthusiast who owns a flight stick.
- +You enjoy the quiet contemplation of long-haul flights over real-world scenery.
- +You see a base game as a platform to be expanded with community mods and paid add-ons.
You'll dislike it if …
- −You expect a game to work smoothly immediately after clicking 'install'.
- −You're easily frustrated by mandatory third-party accounts and extensive troubleshooting.
- −You want a guided, arcade-like experience without needing expensive peripherals.
Breakdown
- +The core flying experience is deeply realistic and engaging.
- +A wide variety of aircraft offer distinct handling and challenges.
- +Successfully operating complex planes like the Boeing 747-8 is a rewarding experience.
- −A steep learning curve makes the game difficult for newcomers to approach.
- −The tutorial system offers poor guidance, often just setting targets without explaining procedures.
- −Keyboard controls are inadequate, making a joystick or dedicated flight controller almost mandatory.
- +The ability to fly anywhere on the planet provides nearly endless replayability.
- +A massive ecosystem of third-party mods and official add-ons can significantly expand the experience.
- +Endless user-created challenges and routes offer long-term goals.
- −Many of the highest quality aircraft and scenery packs are expensive paid add-ons.
- −The base game can feel sparse without investing in the marketplace or third-party content.
- −With a new version announced, support and new content for this entry may be winding down.
- +The game provides unparalleled environmental storytelling through its faithful recreation of Earth.
- +Exploring real-world landmarks and even your own neighborhood from the air creates a unique personal connection.
- +The graphics are stunningly beautiful and photorealistic.
- +Accurate world rendering creates an incredible sense of place and scale.
- +Dynamic weather and lighting systems produce breathtaking views.
- −The game is extremely demanding on hardware, especially at higher settings.
- −Performance can be inconsistent, even on powerful PCs.
- −The installation and update process is notoriously long, buggy, and prone to failure.
- −Large download sizes inflate Steam playtime, complicating refunds.
- −Mandatory Microsoft account sign-in is required even for single-player.
- −Frequent crashes and technical bugs often require extensive user troubleshooting.
- −The user interface can be clumsy and difficult to navigate.
score