I recently redeemed a Best Buy gift card for the new
Microsoft Flight Simulator X. Before I go on, I will say this: Be warned. The hardware requirements listed on the box are not accurate. If you want highly detailed renderings of your surroundings, you best be running a dual core processor with nothing less than a GeForce 7x00 series PCI-E video card. This puppy is one heck of a resource hog as well, coming in at around 13 gigabytes for an install. Luckily, once you activate the product, the DVD(s) are no longer required to play the game from there on in. I've read some complaints about Flight Simulator X's performance, even on high end gaming machines. I myself haven't had any problems with performance, although I did have to increase my resolution to 1280x1024 to achieve the best possible scenery quality. The resolution defaulted to 1024x768, even on the highest quality setting. Weird, considering my monitor is a 19 inch LCD utilizing a 1280x1024 native resolution.
Control can be achieved using the mouse, keyboard, gaming pad, or an aircraft simulation yoke/joystick. I opted to use my
Philips PC Controller (I like this game pad a lot, the cord actually recoils back into the chassis of the pad itself when I am not playing, which eliminates tangled cords). I experienced no problems with my gaming pad, although I did not experiment with configuring the multiple buttons on the gaming pad itself. I like how I can use one stick for flight control, and the other stick for the throttle; it certainly makes flying the more faster planes a bit more exciting since I can lay the throttle down, or lay off of it at will.
Below are several screen captures I took while in the game this evening. My flight took me along Salt Lake City, Utah (click an image to enlarge):
One of the more cool features in Microsoft Flight Simulator X is the ability to share an aircraft online with a friend. You can switch controls from pilot to co-pilot, and so forth. This feature will be especially helpful for those who have not played with flight simulation software before. Another cool feature is the ability to print out flight plans and statistics. Several days ago, I printed out a map showing my aircraft position en route to California. I must take this opportunity to brag a little bit and point out that I was perfectly along my projected flight path as well. Check it out, my aircraft is located within the circle. I circled my aircraft to make it easier to see, since I resize images for this blog (click the image to enlarge):
All in all, Microsoft Flight Simulator X is not a bad game. It's got incredibly realistic visuals and sounds, and it offers a lot of diversity for a flight simulation. However, it must be noted that games like this are not for everyone. Microsoft Flight Simulator X is what it is, it doesn't offer anything more. Yes, you can immerse yourself within missions where you're required to do this and that, but still, you fly around. Nothing more. Nothing less. For some, flying around will get tiresome really quick, no matter how detailed the simulation is. So, if you think you fall into the category of thinking it would be fun to fly various aircraft while engrossed in near perfect renditions of real geographical areas, then this game is for you. If you're rather bored by just reading this post, then I suggest you save your money.
I'd have to say that out of five stars, I give Microsoft Flight Simulator X a four.
Pros: Realistic graphics, and sound. Near perfect renditions of geographical areas/airports, cities, etc. Multi-player friendly where friends can share flight controls; perfect for teaching those unfamiliar with flight simulators the ropes.
Cons: Microsoft Flight Simulator is what it is. It doesn't offer anything else for those who would want more. A lot of people will bore quickly with a game like this.