Whether you are afraid of flying or love it, being able to pilot a plane is a dream. One that many players want to be able to do in at least one game. Games like GTA Online do allow you to soar through the skies, but they have other mechanics. Whereas with Microsoft Flight Simulator, players get to devote their time to just flying. From big 747s to the little prop Cessnas. Playing this on PC when I was a kid with my dad was something I was awestruck by. I have always wanted to fly, and this provided a great alternative, especially since I have a fear of heights. Seeing that the 2024 edition was coming to PS5, I wanted to hop into the cockpit as soon as I could. Fortunately, from the experiences I have had with the game. It is a worthy addition to the PS5 and something all simulator fans will like. Even with some small hiccups that come with it.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 features a plethora of modes to play
The iconic flight simulator comes packed with a variety of different modes to choose from. Whether you want to dive into Career Mode and learn to fly or just jump into Free Flight. Additionally, you can become a global tourist with the World Photographer mode and take scenic shots of iconic locales. Furthermore, you can do specific Activities and even a Challenge League to switch things up with your flying prowess. For a simulator, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 comes jam-packed with plenty for players to do. And it’s a welcome surprise because it doesn’t feel streamlined.
Instead, your attention can be focused on doing different things. More so when you get to learn the ropes of the game. Not just that, but there is something for everyone. If you want to log in and just fly, you can do that… or if you feel more competitive and want to post your achievements, you’re covered. It was a huge positive seeing all of the different modes that you can partake in. The best part is, they all involve aircrafts to use from the game in one way or another.
They all change in the formula of what to expect from them. For example, the World Photographer mode has you arrive at landmarks and take photos of the experience. The Career mode teaches you all of the ins and outs of how to fly the different planes in the game. So, it gives the perfect variety of things to do without feeling repetitive.
A great learning but not loading experience
Because this is a simulator, players get to learn about plenty of aspects of the different aircraft. From simple things like getting off the runway to what different components do. The career mode gives players this opportunity, and it’s fantastic. There are many webs of lessons that you can learn. You start with the standard basics, like what the primary functions do on the aircraft. As you proceed through, you get to learn about bigger aircraft. All the while taking in-game exams to get certified in the different types of planes and helicopters. It’s the game’s way of putting players through a tutorial, but you earn in-game money from it. Additionally, it gets you more comfortable with how to fly, so you aren’t stuck on the runway or in the air without a clue on how to get down.
However, with this type of game, the modes like the Career Mode have snags that dampen the experience. In this case, it’s the rough loading times present in the game. The mode features countless lessons, and when you have to load through them, it becomes a slog fest. In fact, there are times when the loading takes a couple of minutes to complete. This can start to add up and feel like a slow trek that can turn you away from wanting to learn more lessons.
This isn’t the only place where the loading is an issue, though. The other modes experience it too. Even booting up the game to the main menu has had me sitting on my phone watching videos waiting for the game to load in. While I grew up through the age of loading in games, the PS5 era has gotten rid of that. So, to see loading times being like they are in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, I was disappointed.
Sights to behold, audio to be desired
The visuals of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 are certainly eye-catching. The details of the planes are incredible. The beauty of the cockpit and all of the instruments within it make you feel like you’re right in the aircraft. Additionally, the environments can be a sight to see. Sure, the game uses satellite imagery, but when you fly over a rendered area, such as San Francisco or Tokyo, it has you awestruck. All while I was chasing the sunset or going for a casual flight at night. Plenty of times, I found myself putting the plane into autopilot and taking in the sights above the clouds. Something that no other game can offer, or even if they could, do it well.
When it comes to the actual landmarks and buildings in the game, they also look well done. A perfect example of this comes during World Photographer. From the Great Pyramids to Yellowstone, the iconic landmarks and their surrounding environments are fascinating to see. So, with travel being expensive, you get an alternative to see some of the great places in the world. The game features great visual details on the wonders of the world, and something that makes it better in this regard.
However, the audio for the game is a different story. While there is some decent sound effect work, the same can’t be said for all of it. More specifically, the dialogue in the game is rough. Besides the robotic-sounding voices, you can barely hear the co-pilot in the game. Something important to hear when you are learning lessons in Career Mode. Furthermore, if you are listening to the radio conversations, you can barely pick up on them. I found myself even cranking the volume to make sure it wasn’t just me. But the audio just wasn’t clear enough. It’s a shame because it takes away from the immersion in flights when everything sounds off or faint.
A fantastic but slightly turbulent flight
When it comes to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, it’s a worthwhile entry for PS5 players to enjoy. More so because it feels like a top-tier simulation game that separates itself from others. Being able to experience its variety of modes gives you different yet addictive gameplay centered around aircraft. From seeing the world in a scenic way to learning your way through the various functions of the machines. The game provides a masterful way of experiencing the iconic flying simulator series not just on console format, but for the PS5. With so many bad actor clones of the genre out there, it’s great to see this one should finally put those to rest.
The game, of course, has its gripes. Mainly when it comes to the long loading times, ones that can detach you from the experience, especially since it halts what you get to enjoy. Something that hurts it more when you realize it’s on a console with an SSD and it doesn’t feel like it. Additionally, the audio settings can take away from the game. Not being able to hear the NPCs or communications on the radio distances it a bit away from a simulator. But with the bugs and issues that the game has, it’s only minor turbulence on your flights in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
So if you are looking to take flight with the game, it’s a great entry for all players. You don’t need to be an ace to be able to pilot a plane in it, take it from me. The game teaches you in fleshed-out lessons along the way. While also providing freedom to fly how you want in other experiences. It’s the best way to play one of the best simulators to date. Hop in the cockpit, make sure the plane is up to spec, and take to the skies in one heck of an experience.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is out now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.
The Review
Great
