Have you ever wanted to be a pilot? The latest entry in the Microsoft Flight Simulator franchise, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, allows the flight-curious to get behind the yoke of various aircraft, exploring what Team Asobo calls the “digital twin.” However, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has had a turbulent takeoff, with fans and critics taking to the internet to report issues such as game crashes, FPS problems while streaming the digital twin from the cloud, and numerous bugs that detract from the overall experience.
Four months after initially playing the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 preview, I’m happy to report that while MSFS2024 still has some issues, the latest entry innovates in spades, offering aviators the most ambitious flight simulator to date. That’s saying something for a franchise that has existed for over 40 years. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 introduces so many new concepts that even after 100+ hours exploring the globe’s digital twin and trying every game mode, there’s still plenty to discover.
Like many other simulator titles (and video games in general), Team Asobo has listened intently to its audience and delivered a career mode for aviators. Speaking to Creative Director David Dedeine, he explained that the simulator’s career option is designed to emulate the process of achieving a pilot’s licence and progressing from a base licence to more advanced certifications, such as a helicopter licence. The progression feels natural and immersive.
From the start screen to 20+ hours in, the career mode in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 generates a genuine sense of progression and accomplishment. I went from barely being able to take off and elevate the starting Cessna 172 Skyhawk to above 2,000 feet of altitude to landing it on a grassy runway after completing the tutorials.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the best title in the franchise for newcomers. I initially tried the 2020 version but quickly became discouraged by the professional feel of the menus, aircraft, and sheer optionality. In contrast, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 does an excellent job of guiding players through the growing pains of flight simulation.
Like a dependable co-pilot, MSFS2024 offers many detailed tutorials, and for players like me, it continues to provide helpful tips during missions. I always forget how to start the engine and disengage the brakes on my aircraft, but during every mission, MSFS2024 conveniently reminds me what to press, ensuring the experience doesn’t feel like a memory test. Pilots can disengage these tips once basic functions become second nature, but even after 20+ hours of playtime, I still found them helpful.
Normally, I don’t enjoy slower progression or overly detailed tutorials in video games, but Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is an exception. The smooth onboarding process for taking to the sky feels just right, while the option for seasoned players to skip the growing pains is a thoughtful touch. I wish Genshin Impact—or any game with cutscenes or tutorials—offered players the same option to skip these elements, as Team Asobo does with their optional tutorials.
“Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is the best title in the franchise for newcomers.”
Progression in Career Mode feels similar to a racing title like Gran Turismo. As you advance in your career, you’ll move from piloting basic aircraft like the Cessna to commanding higher-grade planes, such as the Boeing Super Hornet, capable of breaking the sound barrier. Just as no one starts a racing career with a Lamborghini, the same applies to aircraft in this lengthy and rewarding career progression.
The career begins with earning a pilot’s licence, progresses through missions like sightseeing flights, and culminates in managing your own aircraft company and fleet. While the career mode offers serious progression, similar to the aforementioned racing games, aviators can choose to bypass it entirely. They can set their own flight course in free play or take on the newly introduced Challenge League.
Challenge League is a new mode in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 that tests the skills of pilots worldwide. Fans can compete in breakneck time trials with jets like the Boeing Super Hornet, tackle challenges such as low-altitude flying, or attempt to land a helicopter on a small target in Precision Landing.
Like threading a needle in real life, the precision landing mode was challenging and gave me a rush of adrenaline when I pulled it off. These modes are fun but also incredibly humbling. There are so many talented flight simulator players worldwide, and my paltry 302nd-place ranking for the week in Rally Race is hardly worth bragging about.
One of the most impressive features in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is its ability to follow the player virtually anywhere. I was able to run the simulator on my Xbox, suspend the game’s state, and then seamlessly pick up my progress on a laptop using Xbox Game Pass. This feels like actual wizardry. Being able to log a few flights at a friend’s house and continue progress at home is a fantastic function, allowing players to show off their flight prowess while on the go.
“Team Asobo has also added numerous aircraft types to the game, starting with hot air balloons.”
Team Asobo has also added numerous aircraft types to the game, starting with hot air balloons. These charming aircraft are highly susceptible to weather, and adjusting the in-game weather settings can instantly showcase the turbulence a balloon might encounter. The same applies to the newly introduced Zeppelin aircraft. On top of that, Team Asobo added gliders and bush planes to the roster, and the difference in gameplay feels as authentic as one would expect when piloting these unique fliers.
Jorg Neumann, head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, mentioned that the team kept coming up with items they wanted to add to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, so they simply continued adding them. These updates range from cosmetic details—such as visible damage sustained by aircraft mid-flight—to overhauling the game’s foundational framework. This revamped framework allows players to see cultural differences in clothing and appearances between locations like New York City and Tokyo. Additionally, Team Asobo introduced wildlife from a previous project Neumann worked on, Zoo Tycoon, which now populates the ground in Flight Simulator 2024.
All the innovations introduced in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 reach their peak when examining the avionic updates. During the August preview, I had the opportunity to inspect the real-life cockpit of a single-engine Cirrus Vision Jet up close. An experienced pilot pointed out various controls and explained their functions. While I’m not a trained pilot, the pilot highlighted the handle to pull if the plane malfunctioned and the button to press if the pilot malfunctioned.
“Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has done it again.”
Both of these glaring red items are perfectly positioned where they are in the real-life aircraft, and it’s astonishing how Team Asobo has replicated the visual details with such precision. Even the Garmin avionics are identical to those in the actual Vision Jet I saw. Team Asobo has delivered a truly immersive experience with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, and for those passionate about aviation, this title offers an unparalleled virtual home.
That said, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 still has some issues that Team Asobo needs to address. While playing in free-flight mode, I experienced frequent frame rate drops that caused the world below to morph into a muddy brown-and-green canvas. This is likely due to the game’s reliance on the always-online Xbox Cloud Play system. Without it, the install base would be terabytes in size. As the world’s digital twin streams in and out during gameplay, these hiccups are noticeable and can detract from the overall experience.
It’s also worth noting that loading screens in MSFS2024 are significantly longer than in the 2020 version. While gameplay has improved dramatically since the constant crashes that plagued the launch in November, Team Asobo has deployed numerous updates to address many of these issues. Given the team’s commitment to the title, it’s likely these problems will continue to be resolved over time. However, occasional crashes on my Xbox Series X—sometimes during long 20-30 minute flights—can discourage players due to the resulting loss of progress.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 has done it again. The latest release of the longest-running simulator series has innovated beyond expectations with its impressive response to fan feedback. One of the main complaints about MSFS2020 was the lack of progression in the simulator. Team Asobo clearly listened, making progression a major cornerstone of gameplay with a system that feels ever-present. The organic flow of jumping straight into a Challenge League run and finding yourself behind the yoke of an unfamiliar vehicle is always an adrenaline rush, while tackling career missions feels exciting as you practice and work toward success.
General shortcomings, such as game crashes and significant frame rate dips, can feel disappointing—especially when you’re hitting a good stride on a flight—but they don’t completely detract from the title. Team Asobo is committed to improving the experience with regular monthly updates, as they did with the 2020 release. While crashes can be frustrating, the sheer amount of content and innovation added to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 makes these issues more forgivable—provided the development team continues to address them in a timely manner. Given Team Asobo’s proven track record, that seems like a safe bet. When the sky calls, this fledgling pilot will answer.
