Microsoft Flight Simulator

Microsoft Flight Simulator, from 2020, revived the brand's long history and delivered a civilian flight simulator that, thanks to satellite data and cloud processing, renders the entire surface of the Earth at very high quality. The game, from studio Asobo Studio, lets players fly a wide range of civilian aircraft, from small sport planes up to airliners, while focusing on maximum visual and meteorological authenticity of the environment. Real weather, current air traffic, and precise terrain models make it an experience close to actual civilian flying, including a simulation of turbulence and airflow over different types of terrain.

The core of the game is a refined flight model together with a detailed simulation of each aircraft's systems, though the level of detail varies by aircraft type and by third-party add-ons. Players can choose between simpler assisted modes and fully manual controls, making the title accessible to both casual players and flight simulation enthusiasts. Another strength is the extensive support for mods and add-ons from the community and third parties, which keep adding further aircraft, airports, and scenery with a high level of detail, often matching specific real-world locations.

The game's visual and technical execution was praised enormously at launch and became a new benchmark for civilian flight simulators, especially thanks to the combination of real satellite data with machine-generated buildings and vegetation that together create a convincing picture of the landscape and cities. Through successive updates, the game has expanded its content with further world regions and new aircraft, and improved both the performance and the detail of existing areas. Today, Microsoft Flight Simulator is regarded as the modern flagship of civilian flying on PC and the successor to a long-running series that has existed on computers since the 1980s, making it one of the longest-running game brands of all.

Why play it: For lovers of civilian flying seeking the most convincing image of the real Earth PC simulators have ever offered, thanks to the combination of satellite data and machine-generated landscape.