“Come fly with me, let’s fly, let’s fly away,” I sang as I excitedly loaded up Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on its launch day.
When you release a new product or creative endeavour, you anticipate a smooth and celebratory launch, a chance to showcase your creation to the world. Sadly, as millions discovered, the launch of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 did not go as planned. Players faced lengthy queues and interminable loading screens. Even those who managed to enter the game encountered a broken world, with non-loading maps and invisible aircraft piloted by folk stranded in mid-air.Â

The initial days of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 were undeniably turbulent. But now, the dust has settled, and the skies have cleared.
The initial problems stemmed from the game’s reliance on server-side data streaming, which overwhelmed the servers upon launch. However, the situation has significantly improved, with only minor graphical glitches remaining. The main menu now presents a variety of enticing options, including the highly anticipated career mode. Here, you select a pilot and embark on an extensive journey through various aviation career paths.
You begin with comprehensive training in a Cessna light aircraft, learning the intricacies of aircraft operation, instrumentation, takeoff, landing, and basic flight manoeuvres. A notable addition to this version is the ability to explore the aircraft and its surroundings in first-person, adding a new layer of immersion. These lessons are both informative and engaging, preparing you for the challenges ahead. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals, you can obtain your pilot’s license and embark on your chosen career path.
You select a starting airfield, and I opted for one near my location in southern England. Your initial career missions involve ferrying passengers on sightseeing tours, showcasing the highlights of the region, such as flybys of Rochester and picturesque villages. Each completed mission earns you air miles and experience points, which unlock new skills, training opportunities, pilot licenses, and eventually, diverse job offers.

The commercial airline and helicopter training missions are both challenging and rewarding. As you progress, your career options expand to include search and rescue operations, firefighting, and even crop dusting. The sheer variety of activities and aircraft ensures hours of aerial entertainment. The ultimate goal is to establish your own aviation company, acquiring new aircraft and expanding your operations. For aviation enthusiasts, the opportunity to unlock and purchase some 70 available aircraft will be compelling.
The other menu options offer equally extensive content. Photo mode tasks you with capturing stunning images of global landmarks, from the Pyramids of Egypt to the Statue of Liberty in New York. You’ll earn points and stars by fulfilling specific photographic requirements, such as capturing images from specific angles or at certain times of day. This mode provides a unique way to explore the world’s wonders and hone your virtual photography skills.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 also features a challenge mode with time-based races and online leaderboards, as well as the freedom to embark on personalised journeys, flying between any airports worldwide. The sheer volume of content in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is staggering, offering countless hours of gameplay.
Visually, the game remains impressive some years on from its initial Xbox Series X|S release, faithfully recreating global locations with stunning detail. When the servers are cooperative, the rendering of oceans, mountains, cityscapes, and diverse landscapes is breathtaking, evoking a sense of wanderlust and adventure. However, while you can land and explore these locations on foot, the ground-level visuals are not as impressive as the aerial views. The character models are well-designed, and the aircraft themselves are meticulously detailed, showcasing the developers’ commitment to realism. And thankfully, the menus are intuitive and easy to navigate, with a clean and user-friendly interface.

The soundtrack is relaxing, with calming synth melodies that complement the aerial exploration. The voice work is generally good too, though occasional glitches result in jarring AI-generated voices that detract from the immersion. And, even though I am no expert, the aircraft sounds seem realistic, especially the warning alarms, that while effective, can be somewhat anxiety-inducing.
After a turbulent launch, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has successfully landed and recovered. While the initial server issues were frustrating, the game now delivers on its promises, offering a vast and immersive aviation experience. The career mode is extensive and rewarding, and the additional activities, such as photo mode and challenges, provide further depth and replayability. This is a game that will continue to evolve and improve over time, offering endless hours of aerial exploration and adventure.
So, if you’ve ever dreamed of taking to the skies, don your captain’s hat, take control of the cockpit, and embark on a journey with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Soars to New Heights on Xbox, Game Pass and PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/microsoft-flight-simulator-2024-soars-to-new-heights-on-xbox-game-pass-and-pc/
Download Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/Microsoft-Flight-Simulator-2024–Standard-Edition/9P2VGCTBMM52
Maybe the £199.99 Aviator Edition takes your fancy – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/microsoft-flight-simulator-2024-aviator-edition/9NV2Q5P1L5CC/0010
Want a physical edition of Flight Simulator 2024? – https://amzn.to/3D0i0GU