Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 — first impressions

Flight Simulator 2024 did not have a good launch. On day one, the game suffered from well-documented server problems, leaving me — and many others — unable to play at first.

Once in, though, I’ve had a great time.

What do I like?

In general, 2024’s new modes add more “game” or structure, compared to the pure sandpit free flight experience in the 2020 version.

As someone who loved sightseeing in the 2020 version of Flight Simulator, 2024’s new “world photographer” mode is tailor-made for me. This includes 319 (by my count) separate photography challenges, some of which have multiple objectives. Typically, these require the player to photograph a famous site, landmark, or in some cases, animal or aircraft from a specific angle. For example:

• The Paris City Tour includes an objective to photograph the Invalides with the Grand Palais in the background.
• “Iconic Sights of Asia” includes a challenge to photograph Itsukushima shrine in Japan with three separate objectives.

Below is the photo that I snapped of another objective, the Hagia Sofia at sunset:

I’m still in the early stages of the new career mode, which features missions and a progression system, beginning from raw trainee. After earning my Private Pilot Licence (PPL) yesterday, this unlocked the first mission type — taking local enthusiasts up on sightseeing flights:

The next steps will be working towards a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) and certifications for flying more sophisticated aircraft and under different conditions. Eventually, the game unlocks mission types such as aerial firefighting, medevac, aerial agriculture, and flying charter, passenger, and cargo flights:

There is also a new weekly challenge league, complete with a leaderboard. So far I’m still in the top 10 for my group!

Of course, the free flight option is still there. Here is a very pleasant short flight I took over Milford Sound, New Zealand in an Icon A5, before I landed on the water:

And here is Sydney:

What problems have I encountered?

• Crashes and freezes — particularly annoying at the end of a flight. 2024 crashed three times while I was writing this piece — it’s not usually this bad!
• Buildings looking “melted” or “damaged” up close.         
• NPCs, such as the instructor in career mode, being replaced by a red placeholder figure holding an ERROR sign — now seems to be resolved.
• The game failing to load ground textures (beyond a green smear) when previewing airports — now seems to be resolved.

Conclusions

As I have slightly over 2 hours of flight time in 2024, these are very much first impressions — but I think there is a lot of potential here:

• Building on 2020’s foundations, 2024 captures the beauty and wonder of flight. There is something magical about being able to fly over, and recognise, everything from the world’s landmarks to locations I know very well in real life — right down to my old office.
• The new modes and features in 2024 should appeal to those wanting a “game” on top of the “sim”.

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