Flight simulation games, once limited to computers, are now successfully available on consoles like the PlayStation 5, with titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 leading the way.
This new release on Sony platforms comes about a year after a difficult launch elsewhere. The developers, Asobo Studio, have included all the bug fixes they’ve worked on over the past year right from the start. It’s worth acknowledging the beta testers on other systems who helped make these improvements.
The game is definitely better now, but it’s still incredibly complex and struggles a bit with everything it tries to do.
The size of this offering is undeniable, with options ranging in price from $70 to $200.
The main difference between the packages is how many planes and airports they include. Fortunately, you can always upgrade from the Standard Edition later, so you can try it out first and then add more content if you enjoy it.
Even in its most basic format, though, this is a robust package.
Let’s begin with Career Mode, since you’ll likely be spending most of your time there. It also serves as a tutorial, guiding you through everything the game offers, starting with earning your Private Pilot License.
You’ll begin your training in a Cessna 172, starting at an airport you select. You’ll practice essential skills, including preparing the plane for flight, taxiing, and taking off.
As a flight simulator, this game is more complex than other similar games, such as Train Sim World 6. Unlike modern trains which largely operate on their own, this game requires you to actively control the aircraft and focus on things like speed and landing.
MFS24 focuses much more on skillful flying. You’ll need to carefully control the yoke to maneuver the plane precisely.
Even after playing for more than 30 hours, we still weren’t experts at controlling our altitude and speed. However, the game’s tutorials did a good job of explaining the basic ideas, so we understood how to do it, even if we hadn’t mastered it yet.
We believe the user interface needs more visible information, especially for players using consoles. For instance, important details like RPM are only shown on the in-game plane display. When playing from a typical distance on a TV, it can be very difficult to see this crucial information.
The game’s controls don’t quite feel natural with the DualSense controller. There are a lot of button combinations to learn, and while some repetitive tasks have been simplified – like quickly starting up any of your ships – the analog stick isn’t always precise enough for subtle steering.
Honestly, flying a plane really comes down to finding those sweet spots – those tiny adjustments you make with the controls and throttle to go up, stay level, or turn. It’s all about feeling those subtle changes and working with them, you know?
If you’re serious about improving your gaming experience, the Thrustmaster T.Flight Hotas 4 is compatible with this game and typically costs around $100 when new.
This feature offers much greater control and realism in your flight experience. Combined with the planned PlayStation VR2 support in 2026, it should create the most immersive way to play the game.
As you progress through the tutorials and earn licenses in Career Mode, you’ll unlock new missions that guide you from a beginner pilot to a seasoned professional. It’s rewarding to watch your skills grow and your reputation improve along the way.
The main downside of this game is that it requires a genuine interest in learning to fly aircraft, and the voice acting, created using AI, is unfortunately quite bad.
If you don’t enjoy the tutorials, don’t worry! The game has a Quick Flight mode that lets you start flying from almost anywhere in the world. You can even choose to start mid-flight if you don’t want to begin at an airport.
You’ll be amazed by the incredible scenery, with some places looking unbelievably realistic. From the famous pyramids and Sphinx at Giza to the bustling streets of Tokyo and the charming neighborhoods of Paris, there’s so much to see. If you like exploring places virtually, this is the best game you’ll find.
MSF24 is visually stunning, but its appearance isn’t perfect. The world largely depends on satellite data to create its shape, and while it looks good from a distance, closer inspection reveals some imperfections.
The game’s hand-crafted locations also have issues on the standard PS5, with objects appearing suddenly and noticeably as they’re downloaded during gameplay. While this technology keeps the game’s download size small, it results in some clear problems, such as lengthy loading screens.
The game excels at showcasing its stunning environments, and its photography mode is so well-designed, it feels like a puzzle game in itself.
To get the best photo of a landmark, you’ll need to find the ideal spot and also think about the time of day – especially if you’re hoping to capture a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
Beyond the main gameplay, Challenge Mode lets you race against other pilots in fast-paced competitions using military planes and even land passenger aircraft. Your scores determine your ranking, and you’ll move up or down each week based on how well you perform, with new challenges appearing regularly.
The game has a lot going for it, but it’s important to mention some frustrating bugs. We’ve encountered issues where we had to restart our console just to begin a flight, and other times we’ve started mid-flight after a crash, even though we didn’t cause it.
Similarly, we don’t think enough has been done with the PS5’s unique features.
Although this game is made by Microsoft, it could have used the PlayStation DualSense controller’s special features more effectively. The controller’s vibrations and responsive triggers are used for the plane’s controls, but they don’t feel as detailed or immersive as they could.
The audio feels a bit rough around the edges, and we think the PS5’s 3D audio capabilities could have been used much more effectively to create a truly immersive experience. Considering the high level of detail in the graphics, the sound quality doesn’t quite measure up.
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2025-12-08 22:08