Summary
- We grab our Xbox Wireless Controller and fly into the sky with the Xbox Series X | S.
- An improved flight training feature and majestic discovery flights highlight some of the new features available.
- Microsoft flight simulator on Xbox Series X | S will be available July 27th with Xbox Game Pass.
I’ve just flown an Airbus A320 from my couch and can’t believe I just typed this. After logging in with the PC version of for a while Microsoft flight simulator I admit that I remained cautiously optimistic about how well the simulator experience would carry over to a console.
Well, as an avid fan of airplanes and flight simulators, I’m happy to share that Microsoft flight simulator absolutely mastered the landing on the Xbox Series X | S, delivering gamers a rugged, exciting, and rewarding experience not found on any other console today.
Start flying right away
After a solid day on the Xbox Series X | S version of Microsoft flight simulator – especially on my personal Xbox Series X – I flew over black bears in Yosemite National Park, crossed the old pyramids, hummed Seattle’s Space Needle and even visited the Mauna Kea observatories on the island of Hawaii.
These fast trips around the globe are possible thanks to the new Discovery Flights feature, which takes you over curated landmarks in ideal weather conditions and lets you fly over iconic landmarks, monuments and other splendid areas with ease. It basically spins Microsoft flight simulator into a killer sightseeing tour operation. You can also create manual waypoints using the robust world map (now with real map telemetry data) to design a flight route with just a few simple clicks. Or you can just drop a pin anywhere in the world, which makes it a lot easier for you to fly over your house.
Back to (flying) school
The flight training with the Cessna 152 has been revised a little. Many of the flight lessons now award points for your performance, give more detailed feedback on how well you did your last flight lesson, and are given an A, B, or C grade. I found this extremely useful, especially when transitioning from a flight stick to an Xbox wireless controller, as I had to relearn how to fly.
Speaking of the Xbox wireless controller, I found it translates well into a console flying experience. In the cockpit, it feels like you’re playing a flying first-person shooter (Ego-Flyer?): The left analog stick controls the elevator and ailerons, while the right analog stick controls your pilot’s head. The rest of the default mapping makes a lot of sense as the triggers control your rudder, the surface buttons control your throttle and brakes, the control pad controls the landing gears and flaps, and the bumpers act as modifiers for some of the more complex tasks (trim, camera position, etc. ).
It certainly takes a bit of practice, especially if you’re playing with a flight stick / keyboard and mouse setup Microsoft flight simulator on the PC. But by the time you’ve completed most of your flight training, you should feel right at home with an Xbox wireless controller in your hands when you take to the skies.
Too much good
Console pilots jump in Microsoft flight simulator is spoiled for the first time on the first day with a huge amount of instantly available content. After a year of world updates with improved 3D photogrammetry in real places like Japan, Scandinavia, and the UK, along with some free and paid DLC (some that will only stay PC for now), there’s almost so much good that it’s hard to find knowing where to start.
Additionally, all of the existing activities come back to provide some great pre-planned scenarios to try out. Landing challenges are not for the faint of heart and offer an incredible challenge that will cut your teeth off the pilot as you wonder, “Have you seriously built an airport? there
There is also my personal favorite, Bush Trips. These are some of the most scenic flight routes you can take Microsoft flight simulator This is a real test of your piloting and terrain reading ability where all you have to do is rely on VFR (Visual Flight Rules) to get from point A to B – that is, following roads, rivers and other landmarks to get on the right path to stay. There are assists in case you lost your way, but I imagine these will be some of the hardest accomplishments in the game (I’ll make it all the way to Mariposa without help … one day).
It still settled in on how fine I am Microsoft flight simulator has been translated into a console experience on the Xbox Series X | S. It comes very close to a 1: 1 experience that can be found on a humble gaming PC, albeit with an Xbox wireless controller in hand instead of a flight stick – and if you’re looking for a console flight stick, can i help you with that here.
It will be great to relive this simulator on the console, on a big 4K screen, and from the comfort of my sofa. Not to mention the Xbox Series X is way more powerful than the gaming laptop I’ve played before Microsoft flight simulator
Microsoft flight simulator on Xbox Series X | S will be available on July 27th with Xbox Game Pass.
Microsoft Flight Simulator: Standard Edition (Xbox) pre-order
Xbox Game Studios
$ 59.99
Microsoft Flight Simulator is the next generation of one of the most popular simulation franchises. From light aircraft to wide-body jets, fly highly detailed and breathtaking aircraft in an incredibly realistic world. Create your flight plan and fly anywhere in the world. Enjoy flying day and night and face realistic, challenging weather conditions.