Microsoft Flight

Almost three decades after the debut of Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0, Microsoft Game Studios brings you Microsoft Flight, a fresh perspective on the long-standing genre.

Microsoft Flight, the latest in the long running simulator series, is an impressive free to play title full of things to do, that looks great and is suitable for players of all levels.

The sky's the limit! Now anyone can enjoy the fun, freedom and adventure of flight. Feel the power at your fingertips as you take to the skies and launch into thrilling missions and exciting challenges over the free-to-play Big Island of Hawaii. Take off today and fly into the ever-expanding world of Microsoft Flight. Thanks to a free-to-play release model and a huge variety of gameplay options to experience, Microsoft Flight welcomes everyone, including long-time fans, to experience the magic of flight!

In Microsoft Flight, players view the world from above in a visually stunning and realistic representation of the earth, complete with region-specific weather patterns, foliage, terrain and landmarks. Players can choose to take the helm using highly rendered, accurate cockpits and authentic piloting procedures, or simply use their mouse and keyboard to control the plane in an exterior view. More experienced players can tailor the flight controls to match their skill level, making Microsoft Flight easy for beginners while still challenging for the most accomplished PC pilots. This free download gives you the opportunity to explore the skies over the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii in the state-of-the-art Icon A5 or the classic Boeing Stearman. Enjoy hours of gameplay with a variety of exciting missions, challenges that will test your skills, and hidden Aerocaches that will give you yet another reason to explore.

Take off is easy

Microsoft Flight is easy to play right from the start. The tutorials are excellent and they don't assume you have any experience. Simulator purists might dislike this new casual feel, but realism can be increased whenever you want.

To start with all the activity centers around Hawaii, but more locations and planes will be added over time - some of this will be premium content and some not, but there have been no detailed announcements yet. Every mission you complete earns you experience points, which open up more things to do. If you sign into Microsoft LIVE, you'll get a Microsoft Flight Pilot Profile which displays your achievements

Like Nintendo's PilotWings, Microsoft Flight is a gentle game. For example, your second mission will see you landing your instructor next to a yacht so she can play ukulele at a wedding! This chilled lifestyle feel reminds me of an even more laid back Test Drive Unlimited (which shares Hawaii as its location). Enjoying the scenery and simple flight is essential, and made easier by the attractive island and beautiful skies.

Challenging whatever your level

Increasing the realism and changing the flight conditions in Microsoft Flight can make it significantly more exciting. Darkness, fog, rain or wind make accurate flight more difficult and you can get extra points in many missions by doing acrobatic maneuvers.

In Microsoft Flight's free flight mode, you are limited only by your fuel tanks, but they do take a long time to empty! The two planes included in the beta test are small and easy to fly - we'll have to see what Microsoft studios have in mind as far as jumbo jet flying goes!

Microsoft Flight is the most accessible version flight simulator yet. It looks great and is easy to pick up and play. Whether it can recapture fans of the original series, which was anything but casual, is yet to be seen. Check out the demo for 2007's Flight Simulator X (FSX) for a comparison.

Game Size: 

 11 MB