heavy 747 ready on runway 05
Written: Oct 06 '02 (Updated Oct 06 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Amazingly realistic, variety of airplanes, world flying.
Cons: A very serious flying game, resource hog, cpu requirements.
The Bottom Line: Perfect for the hardcore flying fan or anyone who wants to raise their hand if a stewardess ever runs into the cabin screaming "can anyone here fly a 737!?!?".
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| zlmajors's Full Review: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Standard for Windo... |
Ever had that dream where you are flying? Ok I haven't either but I always thought it would be cool to fly. With this game you will have to wonder no more. I've seen the different variations of this game over the years, it is after all a popular game series. Now I know why.
REALISM
This game is so on the mark that it is scary. I felt like running around with my shirt waving in the air screaming "gooooaaaaallll" when I qualified on the single engine cessna for private pilot certification. On the other hand when I thought I had that down and moved on to the more advanced flight models, I felt like curling up in a fetal position holding a teddy bear whimpering "mommy". Anything that is on a normal plane will be in this game. That includes everything from the richness control on the cessna to the gps mapping system on the 737. If you want to experience what it is like flying any one of the numerous planes in this game, well you should get this game.
LEARNING CURVE
Ok they have a great tutorial, but it is totally in the game, there is nothing to read, well not much at least. That was just a little dissapointing because the items I had trouble with I couldn't pour over in a manual but had to replay the in game tutorial. Plus due to the high realism of this game it take a LONG time to learn any one type of plane. Don't think you will be able to jump into a 737 after learning a cessna either, times the amount of time taken to learn the cessna by about 2 or 3 and you'll get the accurate amount of time to learn that heavy bohemeth.
FLIGHT MODELS
Oh yes there are a great deal of flight models, from the basic cessna to the greater caravan cessna (very powerful single engine prop plane) which comes in normal runway design and a water landing variety. Also included are a number of larger jet planes, and two engine prop planes. Very impressive overall.
GAMEPLAY
Um what gameplay, you sortof like just fly around. LOL thats what I figured out after getting certified for a number of the planes, I thought that maybe you could join one of the airlines or something but alas all you do is fly around. So on that note if you love the sheer joy of flying, and the challenge of realistic flying the gameplay in MSFS will be perfect for you. On the other hand if you like to learn realistic flight controls then use them in SOMETHING other than flying around doing landing, take offs and well nothing much else, then this isn't the best game for you.
WEIRD STUFF
There are a couple of weird things in this game. FIrst of all you can't crash, yea that is weird, I thought that if I ran into the ground at 600 mph at a 60 degree down angle, you'd see debree thrown 10 miles downwind, but no you sort of dig into the ground then skid on it, if you then pull up you are flying again. They definently are stressing no antics in this game.
CPU POWER
This game does use a lot of resources, since it has well the world mapped into it (you can fly anywhere in the world and have very good and accurate maps)it takes a lot of harddrive space, and it takes a pretty good computer to run it, refer to microsofts home page to see the specs.
COMPETITION
Surprisingly with a game with so much realism and so few alternate perks, this game isn't the most realistic (shock and gasps of amazement can be inserted HERE) yes indeed pro-pilot got significantly higher ratings by pc gamer magazine as a pure flight simulator. But MSFS does give you many more airplanes to fly, while pro-pilot really concentrates on instrumental flying and learning to really fly (it is a recommended tool to people thinking about getting their private pilots license).
SOUND
What this game does do very well is give you a honest idea of how chaotic flight radio can be, there is a lot of radio traffic going on at any one time, and it can be a little stressful, or confusing to be concentrating on your instruments and hear other planes giving headings and getting orders and so forth. The other sound elements are definently good, but only about what you might expect for a higher end flight simulator.
AND THE REST
The price of this game was a bit daunting when it came out ($60) but now it is a much more affordable $40, don't be dupped into paying more for a game you can easily find a lot cheaper online.
I honestly don't know if there is a mac version out, of course microsoft hasn't always been the most mac friendly company out there, so I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't.
Oh and if you don't have a joystick, and are not willing to buy a joystick, or flight yoke or flight stick, then you shouldn't buy this game because its hard enough with all the recommended equipment.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
zlmajors
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 - Top 1000 |
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Member: Zach Majors
Location: Portland, OR
Reviews written: 62
Trusted by: 16 members
About Me:
Husband and father, picky when it comes to products for my family or myself.
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