Back in 2020, Microsoft Flight Simulator set a high bar for simulation games, giving players the freedom to traverse the entire planet. Fast forward to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and there’s even more to explore. When I reviewed the 2020 version, it was an immediate hit for me, earning a rare perfect score. This year’s edition certainly adds exciting new elements, but it also comes with a few hiccups, and those initial launching issues made it impossible to dive into the game right away. As I continue building my virtual pilot career, I find myself impressed, albeit not as blown away as I was last time.
The highlight of Flight Simulator 2024 is undoubtedly its career mode. You start by choosing an airport as your home base, join a fictional airline, and work your way up the aviation ladder. The progression feels like a traditional video game skill tree. Begin with the basic missions, and as you succeed, new tasks and options become available. Among these, you might work toward a tail wheel endorsement after earning your commercial pilot’s license, eventually unlocking roles such as search and rescue or becoming certified in helicopters. The prospect of piloting a sky crane is particularly thrilling to me. Each qualification opens doors to different jobs, ranging from leisurely flightseeing to the more complex helicopter missions.
When you’ve amassed enough cash and reputation, you’re free to leave your employer and start your own aviation company. While I haven’t reached that point yet, I’m making swift progress with my fixed-wing certifications. I’m excited about the idea of running my own venture, taking more substantial profits, and eventually expanding my fleet.
The career mode kicks off with simple flight lessons designed to acquaint you with the fundamentals of flying. However, I noticed that the training is almost identical to 2020’s tutorials, using the same Sedona airfield. The tasks haven’t changed, although the instructions are clearer and more intuitive this time around. The tooltips are particularly helpful in 2024, saving me from having to constantly Google how to release the parking brake—a notch up from my experience three years ago when I quickly turned off the reminders due to memory lapses.
As you progress in career mode, the variety of missions expands. One oddity I encountered was when I chose a small airfield in eastern Maine as my starting point, only to find myself whisked off to Europe for some missions. It was an unexpected twist that broke the career illusion I had crafted, though not something that severely detracted from the experience.
Reflecting on its predecessor, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 was nothing short of spectacular. The sensation of being able to fly to any location on Earth is a thrill like no other. The vast selection of aircraft offered an incredible experience for aviation enthusiasts, and the adjustable assistance made it accessible for all skill levels. It wasn’t just a game; it was an awe-inspiring simulation, though the load times left room for improvement. From iconic landmarks to remote airstrips, it captured the wonder of real-world exploration in a virtual format that was previously unimaginable.
Exploring the structured missions is one reason I’m enjoying the current career mode, rather than completely leaving it to my imagination like in 2020. Back then, I invented quirky tasks, such as delivering imaginary goods by air to distant islands—a practice that amusingly mirrors real-life scenarios. Now, having a set purpose to engage with the game not only keeps me focused but subtly transforms me into a more proficient virtual pilot. Although I’m still open to launching my own airline or a specialized helicopter service, I’m sure career mode will remain a highlight for me.
The game’s challenge league introduces a competitive edge that’s truly engaging. With three challenges each week and leaderboards to boot, it satisfies my competitive nature. I especially enjoyed the F/A-18 rally through the Grand Canyon. It requires precision and speed, and even though my best time placed me only in the Bronze league, the excitement of competing against unknown rivals gave me immense satisfaction. Repeatedly tackling these challenges is something I’m very much looking forward to.
One aspect I adored about the previous Flight Simulator was how it let me explore unfamiliar places. The 2024 edition takes this a step further with its photo challenges mode. Now, you can visit famous sites globally and capture them photojournalist-style, an exercise that can be quite intricate, like snapping the Sphinx with the sun at just the right angle during an equinox. Moreover, you can step out of your plane and wander around the locations, although the realistic walking pace might feel a tad slow for seasoned gamers.
Even with some clunky objects here and there, I was impressed by how realistic the terrain looks up close in the new version. Ground surfaces, whether they’re sandy, snowy, or muddy, display a level of detail that’s spot-on. You can even see the marks your plane leaves behind on grass or snow—a touch of realism that enhances the experience. Wildlife plays its part too; no longer are animals static dots on a map. They roam around as you’d expect, offering opportunities to witness nature as you explore different environments.
Flight Simulator 2024 has made strides in graphical improvements too. The Grand Canyon, for instance, is depicted with staggering realism compared to its previous rendition. With a high-end PC setup, the experience is visually stunning, albeit demanding on the hardware. The game streams from the cloud, though, which occasionally poses rendering challenges—one minute Venice is immaculate, the next the Basilica is a garbled mess.
Despite these issues, I’m falling for Flight Simulator 2024. The initial awe from 2020 might be missing, but the new features add depth and quality to the simulation. Besides the excitement of unrestricted flight, career mode provides heartfelt engagement and insight into commercial aviation. As the growing pains of the launch subside, I become more captivated by what this simulator offers. It’s proving to be a fantastic experience, even if it doesn’t quite capture the razor-sharp brilliance of its predecessor.
