Ready for takeoff with stunning realism
By Paul Hunter
Flying has always held a certain fascination, whether you're staring out a plane window or dreaming of piloting one yourself. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, developed by Asobo Studio and published by Xbox Game Studios, takes that dream and makes it interactive. This latest version continues the series' long history of realism while expanding what you can do in the sky.
At its core, this isn’t just a flight sim. It’s a platform for aviation fans to explore, learn, and take on challenges that go beyond sightseeing. From commercial jets and helicopters to balloons and gliders, there’s no shortage of aircraft to fly. Real-world data from Bing Maps and Azure AI means each route offers something different—no matter how many times you revisit it.
While previous entries leaned heavily into open-ended freedom, this one gives you structure without taking away the sandbox feel. The new career mode adds motivation, and updated tutorials help ease you in. Whether you’re curious about flying or already know your way around a cockpit, this sim aims to keep you airborne.
One of the standout additions in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the new career mode, which brings structure to your flights. Gone are the days when you could only soar aimlessly above real-world landscapes. Now, you have a purpose. From firefighting and rescue operations to aerial photography, each mission presents you with a concrete objective. Completing a challenging rescue mission in a snowstorm, for example, made me feel like a true pilot, battling against strong winds and poor visibility just to safely land my helicopter. The sense of accomplishment here is hard to beat.
The beauty of career mode lies in how it caters to both newcomers and veterans. The tutorials do a great job breaking down complex flight mechanics, making sure you feel prepared for each mission. What’s more, there are options to tweak settings to either make things easier or more challenging, allowing you to gradually ramp up your skill set. I found this flexibility helped me overcome the game's steep learning curve, keeping things exciting without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re in the mood for less structure, free-flight mode is your escape. With it, you can take off from anywhere and fly without restrictions. It’s a pure, open-ended experience, where you control your path. Whether it’s a leisurely cruise over familiar landmarks or a challenging flight through unpredictable weather, the free-flight mode lets you explore the world at your own pace. I particularly enjoyed gliding over mountain ranges at sunset, the views alone making every moment feel worthwhile.
Ultimately, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 strikes a fine balance between structured missions and boundless exploration, offering something for everyone, whether you're a beginner or an experienced pilot.
Flying in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 often feels like you’re looking out a real cockpit window. The integration of Bing Maps and Azure AI transforms the world into a living, breathing environment. Cities, mountains, and coastlines are mapped with surprising accuracy, offering a strong sense of place no matter where you fly. One moment you’re soaring above Tokyo’s skyline, and the next, you’re skimming low across quiet farmland in Saskatchewan. It’s a level of realism that few games attempt.
Live weather adds an extra layer of unpredictability. Storm clouds roll in naturally, changing both visibility and flight handling mid-route. During one flight over the Rockies, heavy snow gradually built up, forcing me to rethink my altitude. It wasn’t scripted—just nature doing its thing in real time. This system isn’t just for show; it directly affects your decisions, adding variety to each flight.
Aircraft interiors and exteriors also deserve praise. Each cockpit is packed with clickable switches, working instruments, and detailed materials. Whether you're flying a jumbo jet or a crop duster, everything looks and feels authentic. From the texture of the seats to the light bouncing off control panels, you can tell real effort went into making each aircraft believable.
That said, a few visual hiccups do show up now and then. Texture pop-ins can break the illusion, especially at ground level. Some NPCs in airports don’t look quite right, and smaller objects occasionally flicker or load late. But these issues are minor compared to the overall look and feel. When you’re watching the sun rise above the clouds from 30,000 feet, those small flaws fade into the background.
With its world-spanning accuracy, responsive weather, and detailed aircraft, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 delivers a visual presentation that makes each flight feel grounded in reality.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 strikes a smart balance between depth and approachability. Whether you're the type to memorise every cockpit switch or you're just figuring out how to taxi down a runway, the game meets you where you're at. It doesn’t demand expert knowledge, but it certainly rewards it.
If you're a simulation enthusiast, there’s a lot to fine-tune. You can fly using realistic cockpit controls, navigate via IFR routes, and plan long-haul flights with fuel weight calculations and detailed air traffic communications. For those who want the full flight experience, there’s no shortage of complexity to dive into.
But if you're a newcomer, the game never feels like it's gatekeeping. You can toggle assists for takeoff, navigation, and landings. The tutorials ease you in with short lessons that explain both basics and more advanced techniques. When I started, I relied heavily on the co-pilot and simplified HUD options. Over time, I switched off a few assists, and suddenly I was managing landings in rough weather all on my own—white-knuckled, sure, but still in control.
Career missions also scale well. Rescue flights, cargo drops, and sightseeing tours offer clear objectives and a steady sense of progression. You never feel lost in a sea of buttons, even if you're flying an aircraft with more gauges than your car dashboard.
Whether you're here to log realistic flights or casually soar over your hometown, the game makes sure you feel welcome in the cockpit. You can dial in the challenge at your own pace and build confidence flight by flight.
Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Developer: Asobo Studio
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Flight Simulator
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Flying has always held a certain fascination, whether you're staring out a plane window or dreaming of piloting one yourself. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, developed by Asobo Studio and published by Xbox Game Studios, takes that dream and makes it interactive. This latest version continues the series' long history of realism while expanding what you can do in the sky.
At its core, this isn’t just a flight sim. It’s a platform for aviation fans to explore, learn, and take on challenges that go beyond sightseeing. From commercial jets and helicopters to balloons and gliders, there’s no shortage of aircraft to fly. Real-world data from Bing Maps and Azure AI means each route offers something different—no matter how many times you revisit it.
While previous entries leaned heavily into open-ended freedom, this one gives you structure without taking away the sandbox feel. The new career mode adds motivation, and updated tutorials help ease you in. Whether you’re curious about flying or already know your way around a cockpit, this sim aims to keep you airborne.
One of the standout additions in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the new career mode, which brings structure to your flights. Gone are the days when you could only soar aimlessly above real-world landscapes. Now, you have a purpose. From firefighting and rescue operations to aerial photography, each mission presents you with a concrete objective. Completing a challenging rescue mission in a snowstorm, for example, made me feel like a true pilot, battling against strong winds and poor visibility just to safely land my helicopter. The sense of accomplishment here is hard to beat.
The beauty of career mode lies in how it caters to both newcomers and veterans. The tutorials do a great job breaking down complex flight mechanics, making sure you feel prepared for each mission. What’s more, there are options to tweak settings to either make things easier or more challenging, allowing you to gradually ramp up your skill set. I found this flexibility helped me overcome the game's steep learning curve, keeping things exciting without feeling overwhelmed.
If you’re in the mood for less structure, free-flight mode is your escape. With it, you can take off from anywhere and fly without restrictions. It’s a pure, open-ended experience, where you control your path. Whether it’s a leisurely cruise over familiar landmarks or a challenging flight through unpredictable weather, the free-flight mode lets you explore the world at your own pace. I particularly enjoyed gliding over mountain ranges at sunset, the views alone making every moment feel worthwhile.
Ultimately, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 strikes a fine balance between structured missions and boundless exploration, offering something for everyone, whether you're a beginner or an experienced pilot.
Flying in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 often feels like you’re looking out a real cockpit window. The integration of Bing Maps and Azure AI transforms the world into a living, breathing environment. Cities, mountains, and coastlines are mapped with surprising accuracy, offering a strong sense of place no matter where you fly. One moment you’re soaring above Tokyo’s skyline, and the next, you’re skimming low across quiet farmland in Saskatchewan. It’s a level of realism that few games attempt.
Live weather adds an extra layer of unpredictability. Storm clouds roll in naturally, changing both visibility and flight handling mid-route. During one flight over the Rockies, heavy snow gradually built up, forcing me to rethink my altitude. It wasn’t scripted—just nature doing its thing in real time. This system isn’t just for show; it directly affects your decisions, adding variety to each flight.
Aircraft interiors and exteriors also deserve praise. Each cockpit is packed with clickable switches, working instruments, and detailed materials. Whether you're flying a jumbo jet or a crop duster, everything looks and feels authentic. From the texture of the seats to the light bouncing off control panels, you can tell real effort went into making each aircraft believable.
That said, a few visual hiccups do show up now and then. Texture pop-ins can break the illusion, especially at ground level. Some NPCs in airports don’t look quite right, and smaller objects occasionally flicker or load late. But these issues are minor compared to the overall look and feel. When you’re watching the sun rise above the clouds from 30,000 feet, those small flaws fade into the background.
With its world-spanning accuracy, responsive weather, and detailed aircraft, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 delivers a visual presentation that makes each flight feel grounded in reality.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 strikes a smart balance between depth and approachability. Whether you're the type to memorise every cockpit switch or you're just figuring out how to taxi down a runway, the game meets you where you're at. It doesn’t demand expert knowledge, but it certainly rewards it.
If you're a simulation enthusiast, there’s a lot to fine-tune. You can fly using realistic cockpit controls, navigate via IFR routes, and plan long-haul flights with fuel weight calculations and detailed air traffic communications. For those who want the full flight experience, there’s no shortage of complexity to dive into.
But if you're a newcomer, the game never feels like it's gatekeeping. You can toggle assists for takeoff, navigation, and landings. The tutorials ease you in with short lessons that explain both basics and more advanced techniques. When I started, I relied heavily on the co-pilot and simplified HUD options. Over time, I switched off a few assists, and suddenly I was managing landings in rough weather all on my own—white-knuckled, sure, but still in control.
Career missions also scale well. Rescue flights, cargo drops, and sightseeing tours offer clear objectives and a steady sense of progression. You never feel lost in a sea of buttons, even if you're flying an aircraft with more gauges than your car dashboard.
Whether you're here to log realistic flights or casually soar over your hometown, the game makes sure you feel welcome in the cockpit. You can dial in the challenge at your own pace and build confidence flight by flight.
The Verdict
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 offers a rich, accessible experience for both seasoned aviation enthusiasts and newcomers. Its combination of detailed career missions and free-flight exploration lets you enjoy the skies at your own pace. Visually, the game impresses with real-world landscapes and dynamic weather, while the aircraft models shine with careful detail. However, performance issues like long load times and server instability can occasionally disrupt the experience. Despite these flaws, the game shows great promise, and with continued updates, it has the potential to become a smooth, enjoyable journey for all.Final Score: 8/10 - Great
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 details
Platform: Xbox Series X|S, PCDeveloper: Asobo Studio
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Flight Simulator
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
A key was provided by the publisher.