Close to the first anniversary of its initial release on PC and the Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 came out on the PS5 earlier this December.
I must admit, my experience with the game is quite limited. Friends have let me play around with the game, including the complete home setup (joystick and all), so I was excited to get a first-hand trial at how this game would fare on a console controller, and if it would still emulate that same feeling of “flying a plane” rather than a traditional gaming experience.
New To Flying? They’ve Got You Covered
As mentioned, I am someone who is a novice at this game and hadn’t played it since it was released. My experience with it was taking flight a couple of times, and just flying through the air aimlessly; more specifically, having a friend tell me which buttons to click and to just go. So, really getting to know the ins and outs of Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 honestly shocked me.
For those who haven’t played before, I highly recommend completing the training. There is so much content in the game, and to really be able to benefit from what the game has to offer, you have to understand how everything works before being able to truly enjoy it. It can be tedious and meticulous, but without it, the game just isn’t fun.
Trust me, I tried just getting straight into it, thinking that my limited experience was enough, and I was having a hard time grasping why this game was supposed to be fun. But once I went through the training, which is again, quite long and monotonous, I was able to appreciate and enjoy being able to jump into the different modes of the game.
And starting with “All Assists On” is a hot tip for newer players, too.
PS5 Features That Take Flight
Our original review of the Xbox Series X version covers more of the additions in this specific version of the game and how it compares to the 2020 version. But there really aren’t any massive changes to the game, having moved platforms, with a lot of the same features and modes still included in the PS5’s version.
The biggest and most exciting difference is that bringing this game exclusively to PS5 meant that they were able to take advantage of the features on the DualSense wireless controller. The features included Adaptive Triggers, creating that dynamic tension and resistance based off of your flight; Gyro Controls, allowing users to physically move the controller to fly the plane rather than using the left and right sticks; Lightbar Support, where the lightbar emulated that of an aircraft’s annunciator panel through visuals cues; A Customisable Touchpad, allowing you to control the throttle of the aircraft with just a swipe; and the Controller Speaker, with audio from air traffic control that really helps build onto the reality of flying a plane.
While initially it did feel odd to be holding onto a controller rather than a joystick, these features were a great aid in creating the immersive environment of being in a cockpit. And after a while, it’s easy to forget that you’re holding onto a controller rather than a joystick, particularly with the Gyro Control giving that similar feel of gliding through the air.
Final Thoughts
Those familiar with the game know that you can spend hours and hours playing and flying through the skies, and that’s honestly the beauty of it. Being able to see places around the world that feel so realistic, from the comfort of your own couch, is something that people could only have dreamt of doing years and years ago – and is honestly quite surreal.
So while you’re able to genuinely fly anywhere and everywhere, there are still a few little glitches in the game on the PS5 that could hinder that experience. Including some graphic rendering glitches, but there haven’t been any real issues during my gameplay so far.
It’s a great game for aviation enthusiasts, but also a great game for those who may just be a little bit curious.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: The DualSense features are fantastic and really bring the experience to life
Lowlights: A few glitches are still present
Developer: Asobo Studio
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows PC
Available: Now
Review conducted on PlayStation 5 with a pre-release code provided by the publisher.
Featured header image provided by the publisher.
