December 4th 2024.
The highly anticipated Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has finally arrived, but unfortunately, it has been plagued with issues since its launch. Despite its many technical glitches, it has still managed to become one of the most talked-about releases of the year. In recent years, we have seen a rise in poorly executed game launches, with titles being released in an almost unplayable state. The infamous Cyberpunk 2077 stands out as the ultimate example, with its never-ending list of bugs and glitches.
Interestingly, some of these games, with a ton of patches and updates, have gone on to become classics. However, this is not always the case. This makes reviewing a game like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 a bit of a challenge, as it was completely unplayable upon release and for several days after. The main issue was the developer's decision to use streamed assets instead of allowing players to download all the necessary files to their local hard drive. This caused frustration for players who had spent a significant amount of money on the game, only to be unable to access it.
Even now, with the game finally functioning, the initial load time can take quite a while, bringing back memories of the good old days of cassette loading on Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. Although there is some music and images of planes flying to keep you entertained during this long wait, it can still be a bit of a nuisance, especially for Xbox players using the quick resume feature. And even then, it's not always reliable. But let's dive in and take a look at what this game has to offer now that the technical issues are (mostly) out of the way.
One of the most notable changes in Flight Simulator 2024 is its newfound focus on gamification, something that was previously shunned by the franchise. This is most evident in the new Career Mode, which starts off with flight training in a small private plane. Here, players will learn the basics of flying, from ascending and descending to adjusting the throttle and understanding the slip-skid indicator. The level of detail and accuracy in this game is astounding, with even pre-flight checks and taxiing being included in the training.
But that's just the beginning. After obtaining your private pilot's license, you can then work towards a commercial one, which comes with a whole new set of complexities. This includes flying larger planes and being responsible for dozens or even hundreds of passengers. The game covers everything from turboprops and jets to night flying, helicopters, and even cargo powered-lifts. And as you progress in your career, you will unlock new opportunities, such as working for different aviation companies or eventually starting your own business.
This level of detail and depth in the game is truly impressive. Players will even have to manage the finances for their fleet of planes, adding another layer to the simulation experience. And while some of the instruction and testing may be familiar to players of past versions, there is still plenty of new content to keep things interesting. For the first time in the series, players can now also fly hot air balloons and a blimp, and they will be guided by an AI trainer.
Speaking of AI, the game now features a full digital twin of the Earth, allowing players to fly anywhere on the planet. You can take off from and land on almost any location, from major airports to remote fields or even bodies of water if you're flying a seaplane. And if you feel like taking a break from flying, you can now also get out of your plane and walk around, although your walking speed is accurately simulated, which may feel a bit slow for those used to first-person shooters.
Despite its grand scale and intricacy, the game is not without its flaws. There are still moments when textures fail to load properly, resulting in a mix of pristine visuals and rough polygons or blurry ground areas. This is especially noticeable in the World Photographer missions, where players must capture specific angles of famous landmarks. While the monuments themselves look great, the surrounding areas can look less convincing, with AI-generated buildings and streets that look flat and out of place when viewed up close.
On top of these technical issues, there are also some bugs and crashes, particularly on Xbox. The game has a tendency to crash when using the quick resume feature, and there are also issues with reflections and textures. However, these problems are expected to be fixed in future updates. Despite these issues, the game still offers a truly immersive simulation experience, with a vast world to explore and an endless amount of flying skills to learn and master. So buckle up and get ready to take to the skies in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Have you heard about the latest release from Microsoft? That's right, Flight Simulator 2024 has finally arrived! But hold on, don't get too excited just yet. While the game is certainly playable now, it's no secret that it had a rough start. In fact, the launch was met with controversy due to the numerous technical issues that plagued it.
It's not uncommon for video games to have a few bugs and glitches upon release, but some titles have had downright disastrous launches. Remember Skyrim in 2011? And who could forget the infamous Assassin's Creed Unity? But the ultimate benchmark for broken launches has to be Cyberpunk 2077, which is still talked about for its numerous glitches.
But let's get back to Flight Simulator 2024. It's worth noting that despite its rocky start, the game has the potential to become a classic. However, this is not a guarantee. As someone who has been playing video games for years, I can tell you that it's always a challenge to review a game that's still in its early stages.
One of the main issues with Flight Simulator 2024 was its use of streamed assets instead of downloading everything onto your local hard drive. This was meant to reduce wait times and save storage space, but it ended up causing major problems for players who had already paid a significant amount for the game.
Even now, after several patches, the game still has its fair share of technical issues. The initial load time can feel like a blast from the past for older players, reminiscent of the days of cassette loading on the Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. And even on Xbox, where quick resuming is supposed to be faster, there are still some hiccups.
But let's move on from the technical problems and focus on the actual gameplay. Flight Simulator 2024 is, as the name suggests, a simulator. However, this release has taken a more gamified approach, which is a departure from the franchise's traditional style. The game now offers a Career Mode, which allows players to start off as a private pilot and work their way up to more complex and challenging flights.
But don't be fooled, this is not just a simple flight simulator. The level of detail and intricacy in this game is mind-blowing. It covers everything from basic flight training to more advanced skills like night flying and flying different types of aircraft. And as you progress, you'll also have the opportunity to open up new commercial possibilities and even start your own aviation business.
However, it's not all smooth flying. The game still has some technical issues, such as textures failing to load and reflections going haywire. And on Xbox, there have been reports of the game crashing during quick resumes. But despite these problems, Flight Simulator 2024 offers a truly immersive experience, with a digital twin of the entire Earth and the ability to take off and land virtually anywhere.
You can even get out of your plane and walk around, although you'll quickly realize that the walking speed is accurately simulated, making it feel frustratingly slow compared to other games. And speaking of visuals, the game also offers World Photographer missions where you can capture stunning shots of global landmarks. However, the surrounding buildings and streets may not look as impressive due to their use of AI interpolation.
It's clear that Flight Simulator 2024 has a lot to offer for those who are willing to overlook its technical faults. The mechanics of flying are incredibly detailed and refined, and the differences between different planes are noticeable even when using a standard controller. And let's not forget about the accurately modelled cockpit instruments and switch gear.
So, is Flight Simulator 2024 worth playing? That depends on your tolerance for technical issues and your love for flight simulation games. But if you're willing to give it a chance, you may just find yourself lost in the vast and intricate world of aviation.
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