Microsoft Flight Sim 2004 (PC)

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 is the best Flight Simulator for the PC. Microsoft Game Studios have once again proved their expertise and knowledge of PC Flight Simulation with this, the ninth installment of the amazingly popular Flight Simulator series. I bought FS2004 upgrading from Flight Simulator 98 and I am truly amazed at the massive improvements and new features. Amongst the new and improved features are almost real life graphics, an ultra-realistic Air Traffic Control feature and over 20 planes. Getting Started: The basics of getting flying are fairly simple, you select your aircraft, with livery and choose an ATC name for ...  Read the complete review

Cynics of Microsoft?s regular developments of this product may be expecting a revamped version of the 2002 simulator with a few old planes. I guess, in essence that is what you get. But WOW! What a revamp. HISTORY First of all a little history. Flight simulators have been around for about 25 years and obviously initially were a collection of lines and numbers on the screen. It is only really since Microsoft Flight Simulator 95 that the graphics have become a significant part of the package. In Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 the graphics had such realism, the world?s gaming press was positively drooling. Now! Be prepared to be blown away. The graphical ...  Read the complete review

I have been playing flight simulators since 1999. I have always had an interest in civil aviation but at the age of 16 this is about the closest to flying an airliner I can come at the moment. First of all, I have to say Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 is very realistic. If you want something to muck about on, this isn't for you. This game requires a lot of skill and has a slow learning curve. If you are new to flight simulation or aviation, then the flight tutorials by Rod Macho will come in handy. If however you are in training for you PPL, CPL, ATPL or any ratings, this simulator would be great to familiarize yourself with the flight deck of the aircraft ...  Read the complete review

Reviewing a Microsoft flight simulator is always a tricky affair. Not because of the merely reasonable graphics, or the below-par sound effects, but because it isn't a game in the true sense of the word. Before all the flight sim aficionados start complaining, let's look at the facts. A game needs an objective. In the majority of flight sims, this objective is to blow something up and return to base to collect points or promotion. But FS2004 doesn't have an objective or a challenge. It's flying purely for the sake of flying. As its title suggests, this latest version commemorates the 100th anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight ...  Read the complete review

When I first started up the game I expected it to be just another of the attempts at simulting fliying with limited terrain and control. How wrong I was, the choice of aircraft was extensive and varied. From antique craft of a bygone era through World War 2 up to the present day with the best known aircraft i.e Boeing 747 'Jumbo' and many variants within a type. Setting up the aircraft, flying conditions and default control settings was a task in itself. All this preperation was certainly worthwile as it made the actual flying extremely realistic, especially with a 'Force' Joystick. I must admit my first attempts were dismal failures, but like 'the ...  Read the complete review