Microsoft Flight Simulator. August 2020 – Best Video Game Releases

Release date: August 18

What is Microsoft Flight Simulator?

It's an iconic series of realistic flight simulators whose roots go back to 1979, raising from the dead. The series enjoyed great popularity for about 20 years, but it began to rapidly melt in the 21st century – the last installment of the series was released way back in 2006. In 2012, attempts were made to revive the series using Microsoft Flight, but the production wasn't really popular with most players. This year's Microsoft Flight Simulator is another attempt to resurrect the brand, led by Asobo Studios – the team behind the well-received action adventure game A Plague Tale: Innocence.

What's gameplay like in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

Microsoft Flight Simulator is intended as a full-fledged simulator in which we will take controls of 14, realistically mapped airplanes, getting the chance to explore virtually the entire globe (sic), recreated using satellite images. Extended tutorials will allow us to tame the flying beasts step by step and learn how to take off on your own, for example. Fans of casual gameplay will be able to take advantage of a number of optional features to tailor the gameplay to their own needs.

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OUR EXPECTATIONS

I admit I'm interested to see how players and reviewers will react to the launch of the flight simulator in the Game Pass subscription service (otherwise full of “ordinary” games) more than I am to see Flight Simulator itself since, as impressive as it is, I don't expect to be particularly surprised by anything. It's the first time this happens since 2003. Since then, flight simulators have become a niche for enthusiasts, and all news has been reported mainly by specialized portals and fan forums. Over the past few years, the gaming market has changed dramatically. Will Microsoft rekindle the passion of flying with a new generation of gamers who enjoy slightly slower gameplay? Will Flight Simulator be one of those games that, after an initial phase of interest, will quickly return to niche? I'm afraid it's the latter.

Dar "DM" Matusiak