Just like its predecessor, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 offers the exciting opportunity to traverse the entire globe, providing a wealth of exploration. I lavished praise on the 2020 version, which I rated a rare 10, because of its staggering breadth. While the new installment brings plenty of fresh content, the same issues that haunted the previous version are still present. Because review codes arrived late and unexpected launch day issues meant I couldn’t play for a whole day, I’m still charting my course in the virtual skies. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces some remarkable features, giving it an edge, but it doesn’t pack the same punch as its predecessor did for me. That said, I’m still quite impressed.
Starting with the most significant upgrade, Flight Simulator 2024 introduces an engaging career mode. You choose a starting airport to call home, join a fictional aviation company, and work your way up the ranks as a pilot. It resembles a traditional game skill tree, where completing missions unlocks new possibilities. For instance, after meeting the prerequisites for a commercial pilot’s license, you can earn a tailwheel endorsement, which opens paths to planes and jobs like search and rescue. Alternatively, you can train on helicopters, leading to exciting tasks like operating a sky crane. Each certification or endorsement unlocks different job options, from scenic flights to complex helicopter operations, all of which make me exclaim, “hell yeah!”
As you accumulate wealth and a good reputation, you can leave your employer behind and start your own aviation company. I haven’t reached that point yet, but I’m happily progressing through my fixed-wing endorsements. I haven’t decided on my ultimate goal, but I’m eager to launch my own company and enjoy the profits. Those earnings will allow me to further expand my business, and I’m looking forward to owning a fleet of aircraft one day.
In career mode, you initially engage in basic flight training to get accustomed to flying mechanics. Unfortunately, these training sessions mirror the tutorials from the 2020 version. The missions unfold at the same Sedona, Arizona airfield, performing the same tasks. The only improvement is slightly clearer AI-generated instructions and on-screen tips. I appreciate the tooltips, as they help manage the multitude of controls without needing to consult Google every time I forget how to release the parking brake. I plan to keep them active this time around, as their guidance proves handy for someone prone to forgetfulness.
As you advance, more mission types become available, but not all near your chosen home airport. I started at a small airfield in eastern Maine, yet my missions soon took me to Europe. While not a major annoyance, it temporarily disrupted my career illusion, demonstrating how my imagination sometimes fails me.
Reflecting on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, it was genuinely phenomenal. The sensation of piloting a plane with the freedom to soar to any global destination was astonishing. With its 20 aircraft offering, it catered well to aviation enthusiasts. The ability to tailor assistance levels made it accessible for anyone wishing to explore the skies from home. What transformed it from a mere game to an awe-inspiring simulation was its real-world mapping data, allowing you to visit iconic landmarks or remote airstrips. Despite lengthy load times, this feature set made it an unparalleled experience.
I’m genuinely enjoying the career mode. Previously, I concocted missions for myself, like delivering pizza by air to islands off Maine’s coast. Now, having structured missions to master aircraft maneuvers and sky patterns is enhancing my skills. This aspect is currently my favorite part of Flight Simulator 2024, and I’m excited about the prospect of starting my own airline or helicopter company—or maybe both!
Another fresh addition is the challenge league, adding a competitive layer while maintaining the flight models and physics I adore. Weekly challenges and leaderboards spark my competitive instincts, encouraging me to outperform others. The standout challenge is the F/A-18 rally through the Grand Canyon, where you zip through gates seeking maximum speed. The challenge isn’t easy due to the realistic flight model, yet it’s exhilarating. Though my score landed me in the Bronze league, seeing my name above a stranger’s Gamertag is satisfyingly rewarding.
One aspect I loved about the last Flight Simulator was its capacity to let me visit places virtually. In 2024, this is emphasized through photo challenges, where you aim to capture landmarks with specific criteria. Remarkably, you can land your plane and explore on foot. However, it’s not as smooth as expected. The realistic pace makes movement feel slow if you’re accustomed to video game speeds. Visual details depend on your PC’s power, internet strength, and cloud server health, so experiences may vary.
Despite some blocky textures around spots like Egypt’s Great Pyramid, ground details, such as sand and rocks, appear incredibly lifelike. Ground surfaces like snow or mud leave tire tracks that persist, even affecting aerodynamics. Additionally, animals are more dynamically integrated into their environments. During one Maine airfield moment, a moose ambled across the runway—a convincing touch aligning with Flight Simulator 2024’s use of an open-source animal database.
In landscapes like the Grand Canyon, the leaps in visual fidelity are apparent. My high-end setup, featuring an i9 processor and Radeon GPU, renders the world more vividly compared to before. Yet, the game relies heavily on cloud streaming. During one mission in Venice, a prominent basilica ended up as an untextured model while everything else was finely rendered. I wish I could store detailed maps locally like the 2020 version to avoid such issues.
Even with my powerful PC, the simulation pushes my GPU to its limits, maintaining near-max utilization even on lower settings. This heavy demand illustrates the game’s technical appetite.
Despite its rocky launch, I’m already captivated by Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, even if it didn’t revolutionize in the way its predecessor did. While exploring the world remains a stunning feature, it’s the new elements that define this experience now. Moving beyond initial technical hiccups has allowed me to focus on the joy of flying and to delve into the intricacies of commercial aviation through career mode. Though I still have more ground to cover before a final assessment, I’m confident that Flight Simulator 2024 stands tall, even if it doesn’t snatch the same brilliance as its revolutionary precursor.
