Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Review Summary

Stunning graphics and a praised career mode that outshines MSFS2020, but the career mode is extremely buggy, plagued by poor optimization, and frequent crashes during flights.

Career mode is praised: Players consistently highlight the career mode as a standout feature, noting its completeness, progression system, and variety of activities. It provides structure and motivation beyond free flight, making it enjoyable for both newcomers and veterans.

Graphics are stunning: The game's visuals are widely praised as breathtaking, incredible, and visually magnificent. Players note the high level of detail and realism in the graphics.

Better than MSFS2020: Many reviewers state that this game is a significant improvement over Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, citing better performance, graphics, and quality-of-life features. It is often recommended over its predecessor.

Flying experience is awesome: The core act of flying is highlighted as a major positive, with players enjoying the sensation of flight and the variety of aircraft. The flying itself is described as fun and rewarding.

Free flight mode is excellent: The free flight mode is specifically praised as incredible, enjoyable, and beautiful, with some saying it is worth the cost of entry alone. It is noted as being not buggy.

Career mode is extremely buggy: Career mode is plagued by numerous bugs, including mission-breaking glitches, doors not closing, and crashes. These issues persist even after two years and make the mode frustrating and often unplayable.

Career mode lacks aircraft variety: Career mode only allows a fraction of available planes, often ignoring addon aircraft and those the player owns. This limits gameplay and frustrates players who expect to use their full fleet.

Loading times are excessively long: Players spend a significant portion of their playtime on loading screens, with some reporting over seven hours of loading in a single day. This severely reduces actual gameplay time.

ATC system is unreliable: The ATC menu is slow, glitchy, and often fails to respond correctly. Players report that ATC never works properly, causing frustration during flights.

Flight models are inaccurate: Default aircraft have poor flight models, avionics logic, and system depth. Some aircraft have woefully inaccurate aerodynamics, making the simulation feel fake.

Career mode is core feature: Career mode is a central game mode with generated missions, progression, and a reputation system. It includes various mission types and a business management aspect, making it a main selling point.

Career mode has progression: Career mode involves building a company, buying aircraft, and expanding into new regions. Players start small, earn currency, and unlock larger aircraft and more challenging missions.

Realistic flight simulator: The game is a highly realistic flight simulator with realistic aircraft and aviation simulation. It supports VFR and IFR flying, and includes sophisticated simulation around aircraft and navigation.

Helicopter missions available: The game includes helicopters as a flyable vehicle type, with helicopter missions in career mode. These missions add variety to the gameplay.

Diverse mission types: Career mode includes airline missions, sightseeing flights, search and rescue, cargo pilot roles, and charter flights. It also includes a PPL Check Ride and VFR arrival/departure procedures.

Performance issues and poor optimization: Many players report significant performance problems, including lag, low FPS, and general instability, regardless of hardware. The game is described as poorly optimized and heavy for most systems.

Frequent crashes during flights: A large number of players experience crashes, often after long flights, leading to lost progress. Crashes occur randomly and can happen at any moment, sometimes without explanation.

High hardware requirements: The game demands high-end PC specs, with many players noting that a beefy PC is necessary. VRAM is a particular concern, with 12GB being tight and 8GB only suitable for medium quality.

Stable performance on modest systems: A few players report that the game runs smoothly on entry-level or modest PCs, with no crashes and good frame rates. This suggests optimization may be better than some claim.

Good performance on high-end systems: Players with powerful GPUs like RTX 5070, 5080, and RX 9070 XT report smooth performance at high settings and high frame rates. This indicates the game can run well on top-tier hardware.

Recommended for aviation enthusiasts: The game is frequently recommended for people with a strong interest in aviation, flying, or flight simulation. These players appreciate the core flying experience and visuals, even if other aspects are flawed.

Stick with MSFS 2020: Many players recommend staying with or returning to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 instead of upgrading to the 2024 version. They cite stability, cost, and the lack of compelling new features as reasons to remain on the previous title.

Wait for a sale: A common piece of advice is to wait for a sale before purchasing the game, as many feel the full price is not justified by the current state of the product. This suggests the game has potential but is not worth its launch price.

Do not buy the game: A significant number of reviewers strongly advise against purchasing the game, stating it is not worth the money and should be avoided entirely. This reflects a high level of dissatisfaction with the overall product.

Game is highly recommended: A substantial group of reviewers highly recommend the game, praising it as a worthwhile purchase and a significant improvement. These positive reviews often come from players who are not focused on the career mode.

Community fair range: $30.00 - $40.00.

Session length: 4.0h.

Endgame: 600.0h.

The game starts with a steep learning curve, bugs, and grindy early career missions, but enjoyment typically clicks after unlocking better missions or mastering the controls, despite persistent technical issues.

Friction: steep learning curve; bugs preventing mission completion; repetitive early missions; control/input issues; tedious UI for control setup; grind for money and aircraft.

Unlock drivers: unlocking higher-paying missions; mastering flight controls; unlocking company progression; updates improving stability; learning the UI; unlocking larger aircraft.

Career Mode Grinder: Focuses on career missions, trying to earn credits and unlock planes, but frequently encounters mission failures, crashes, and weather-related frustrations. Motivation: To progress through a structured career mode, earn money, and buy aircraft, but they are blocked by bugs and excessive grind. Stance: no buy.

Free Flight Visuals Enthusiast: Flies freely in small aircraft, focuses on sightseeing and enjoying the scenery, and often uses free flight mode with minimal concern for bugs. Motivation: To explore the world, enjoy stunning visuals, and have a relaxing flying experience without the pressure of career progression. Stance: buy.

Hardcore Simmer / Realism Seeker: Flies with realistic procedures, uses add-ons, and engages in activities like VATSIM or virtual airlines, often focusing on airliner operations. Motivation: To achieve an authentic flight simulation experience with realistic systems, procedures, and immersion. Stance: buy.

Performance across the six hardware cohorts is mixed, with both positive and negative reports of stability, frame rates, and VRAM usage.

Windows 8-11GB VRAM: mixed. Users report a mix of stable flights and frequent crashes, with VRAM usage a common concern even on 12GB cards.

Windows 12-15GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM: mixed. Reports are split between smooth performance on high settings and frequent crashes, freezes, and poor optimization.

Windows <8GB VRAM / 16-31GB RAM: mixed. Some users enjoy playable frame rates, but many experience lag, crashes, and VRAM-related errors on lower VRAM cards.

Steam Deck: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 presents a high-friction experience on Steam Deck/Linux. The game suffers from severe performance issues, frequent crashes, poor controller support, and unreadable UI elements. While some users report it runs well with Proton, the majority encounter significant barriers, and the game is not officially supported on Steam Deck. Tinkering with Proton versions and settings is often required, but stability remains inconsistent.

Linux and Proton: The game generally works well on Linux via Proton, with many users reporting out-of-the-box functionality or minor tweaks. Some users experience stability issues, controller problems, and account login friction, but these are not widespread. The game is not officially supported on SteamOS/Deck but runs on Bazzite. Overall, Linux compatibility is good with occasional need for Proton version selection or minor adjustments.

Monetization: The game is heavily monetized through extensive paid DLC and microtransactions. Essential content like weather, scenery, and even livery changes are locked behind paywalls, and players face a confusing dual-currency system where real-money purchases still require in-game currency. Reviews consistently describe the game as a cash grab and DLC farm, indicating aggressive monetization practices.

External guides: The user feedback primarily revolves around technical bugs, lack of in-game instructions, and the need to seek external help. No complaints mention farming, inventory management, or complex mechanics, so the dependency is on basic navigation and bug fixes.

MSFS 2020 comparisons mixed: Many reviewers compare this game to MSFS 2020, with opinions split. Some find it a step back with more bugs and instability, while others see it as an improvement in graphics and physics.

High price criticized: The game is frequently criticized for its high price, with some versions costing up to $200. Reviewers feel the price is not justified given the game's quality and unfinished state.

Requires strong internet connection: The game heavily depends on a stable and fast internet connection for streaming data, leading to long loading screens and issues with poor connections. This is a common complaint among users.

X-Plane 12 comparisons: Reviewers compare the game to X-Plane 12, with some preferring X-Plane 12 for realism in scenery, weather, and lighting, while others find this game better in physics and specific aircraft implementations.

Feels unfinished or early access: Several reviewers state the game feels like it is still in development or early access, with many bugs and incomplete content. This is a major point of frustration.