X-Plane 11

X-Plane 11 is another edition of one of the most advanced flight simulation games that debuted back in the 90s on Macintosh. The title was released for PC and was developed by Laminar Research again, a studio connected to the NASA. Traditionally, a multitude of engineers and aviation experts were involved in the development process, which has been keeping the X-Plane series at the top in terms of gameplay realism for many years now.

Mechanics

In terms of gameplay mechanics, X-Plane 11 does not deviate from the series’ tradition and offers its players the possibility of piloting a wide range of civilian and military aircrafts, including light planes (e.g. Cessna 172SP), giant passenger planes (e.g. McDonell Douglas MD80 or Boeing 737-700), and even choppers (e.g. Sikorsky S-76). All machines were, as always, modeled with great attention to details, both in terms of visual elements and technical specifications. The game also features a myriad of configuration options that let us adjust realism to our liking. Moreover, thanks to user-friendly tutorials that explain ins and outs of flying and navigation, the title can be enjoyed by both veteran simulator players and beginner adepts of aviation.

Similarly to all major installments of the series, X-Plane 11 introduces a number of novelties and changes in the gameplay. The game features, among other things, enhanced avionics and even more detailed, fully functional 3D cockpits with realistically-behaving onboard instruments that let us fly in accordance with the Instrument Flight Rules even when the weather conditions severely limit visibility from the cockpit. Other noteworthy elements include new buildings and roads that better reflect the characteristic of different parts of Europe as well as more “living” airports where we can see various vehicles – both those that service our airplane and AI-controlled machines. The last notable novelty is the completely revamped user interface that makes the use of the game easier and more intuitive.

Technical aspects

X-Plane 11 for PC is powered by the latest version of the engine used in its direct predecessors. It generates even more impressive graphics and utilizes the great computing power of the modern processors and graphics cards. Audio-wise, the game features a new sound effect engine that is responsible for the sounds of the airplane and the environment (e.g. lightning or explosions). The production comes with editors that let us modify maps and create our own aircrafts.

Last updated on November 9, 2016