Microsoft Flight Review - IGN, 5.0/10

[Dain Arns]

Here's something I discovered this weekend, and sorta applies to the review.

I just got my new computer on Friday.
I wasn't going to install 'Flight' because it was so unimpressive to me, on my old system.
But I had close to a dozen or so hours in 'Flight' on the old box.
Intel Quad Core 1.8Ghz, 3 GB ram, 9500GT
Cartoonish graphics, no working force feedback, panning in the VC was iffy.
The flight dynamics felt arcade like, I couldn't see how people were describing them as 'accurate'.

So on a lark I installed 'Flight' on my "spanking new super-computer I've always wanted" I put together this weekend.
i7 2600k 2nd gen Intel 3.4Ghz with boost to 3.8, 16GB ram, GTX 550 ti...etc.
I figure, "Hey!", I'll see what it looks like with full on settings, for giggles.
Be fun to see the high FPS...

I was blown away.

It's almost a totally different experience.
Graphics are huge improvement (duh, obviously I know), force feedback works great, panning in VC is smooth and controllable.
Flight dynamics feel a whole lot better, (force feedback helps too).
I can understand the improved flight dynamics statements others have made, now.

So now I can see how a handful of folks are excited about 'Flight'.
I've gone from having no further interest in it based on my experiences with my old computer system, to actually looking forward to the 'Alaska' release now.

Will it replace my FSX? Nope.
I've been wanting a better box to improve the FSX experience anyway, I want to continue with FSX.
It still affords me the freedom I want in my sims.
Plus there are some other sims I haven't been able to run on the old system, like 'Rise of Flight'.

These are totally un-scientific observations, of course, I know.
But I can't help but wonder if 'Flight' is somehow automatically scaling back certain features based on an individual's computer performance?
Maybe with faster systems, it's not so bad a product after all?

Anyway, for me personally, right now, it looks like 'Flight' just got an indefinite extension on it's life.

 

[BASys]

Hi Folks

If you haven't yet, try some of those landing challenges...there's not easy way out:mixedsmi:

Roger -
Loved the Landing Challenges.
Glad someone else is enjoying them.

I've never felt so frustrated,
died so frequently/spectacularly/or needlessly,
yet had so much fun, in a long time.

FLIGHT - Earn your wings !

But I can't help but wonder if 'Flight' is somehow automatically scaling back certain features based on an individual's computer performance?

You are correct, it does.

Shader code tests your hardware,
and accordingly enables/disables features,
and some menu options.

IIRC the shaders might be runtime compiled.

Great that you're open-minded enough to retry installing FLIGHT
and are now experiencing good graphics/gameplay.

Good to also hear that Force-Feedback is working.
Which stick are you using please ?
I need to replace my recently broken one.

PS
Happy nice new box.



HTH
ATB
Paul

 

[Dain Arns]

Hi Folks...

You are correct, it does.

Shader code tests your hardware,
and accordingly enables/disables features,
and some menu options.

IIRC the shaders might be runtime compiled.

Okay, that makes sense to me.

Great that you're open-minded enough to retry installing FLIGHT
and are now experiencing good graphics/gameplay.

Good to also hear that Force-Feedback is working.
Which stick are you using please ?
I need to replace my recently broken one.

PS
Happy nice new box.



HTH
ATB
Paul

Thanks, I have said that if I had the extra funds, I've always wanted to specifically have a dedicated gaming box for simming and other online gaming I do.
Thank God, I finally have a job again that is allowing me to do that after being basically unemployed for two years after being laid off.

Logitech G940 for the FF stick.

I won't be shy, some folks don't like it.
It is well known that Logitech support for it is almost non-existent.
It does have issues in the Throttle with the wires losing insulation/breaking due to routing through the throttle handles.
The cable on the first ones was not properly attached, don't know if that has been addressed by Logitech.
Mine is doing that now on a couple buttons that are not working, I need to fix it.
There are various posts on how to do that on the internet.

But still its the best stick I have ever owned, in my personal opinion.
Been putting it through its paces in 'Rise of Flight' this afternoon, scored 3 planes on my very first mission.
Worked great because I could feel the stall buffeting.
I really feel like I couldn't fly Helicopters without it in FSX, or even in 'Take On Helicopters'.
In almost 3 years, I know I have logged at least 1000 hours on it alone, just in FSX, and it has held up rather well.
And, yes I will buy another one.

 

[Lionheart]

Bill, just out of curiosity, did you read my response at all, or did your eyes glaze over before you got that far?

Hi Bill. I hope all is well.

I will not be 'told' what to like. I will gather information on something and make my own assumption. I liked the feedback review. It also stated the good points about it and I think it states things about right from what 'everyone' has been saying.

Take care.


Bill

 

[Javis]

It's also important to note that this was not actually a "Review" but rather an "Op Ed" piece.

Well, it says 'Review' at the top.. ( not familiar with 'Op-Ed' xpression.. ? )

It was in my estimation very well done overall, although I don't agree that the missions and challenges are all that boring..

No, me neither. Done all missions i have access to but i'm still sweating away at a lot of these landing challenges ( i just learned that i might have to tweak sensitivity settings, maybe that'll help, particularly with the RV-6 Landing Challenge 5, all i got out of it sofar is a wet suit.. )

There's more i don't agree with ( didn't mind the balloons for one thing.. . And it certainly appeals to me.. ) but atleast he didn't knock it down after a quick look over. His Flight video is the best i've seen sofar. Might make some Flight naysayers give it a spin anyway..

cheers,
jan

 

[n4gix]

Hi Bill. I hope all is well.

I will not be 'told' what to like. I will gather information on something and make my own assumption. I liked the feedback review. It also stated the good points about it and I think it states things about right from what 'everyone' has been saying.

Is that what you think I was trying to do? Really? If so, you are very mistaken.

What I wrote was a "short list" of only ten demonstrably false/incorrect statements in this "review." Just to be clear, I was responding to the original post's quoted review, not the subsequent one quoted, which was on the whole more fair and balanced.

Not one single word in my response was "opinion" nor did I make any attempt to tell people "what to like."

By your criteria then, if "everyone" makes false statements then what "everyone is saying" must therefore be "true?" That's rather disturbing, Bill.

 

[Mikrco]

Is that what you think I was trying to do? Really? If so, you are very mistaken.

What I wrote was a "short list" of only ten demonstrably false/incorrect statements in this "review." Just to be clear, I was responding to the original post's quoted review, not the subsequent one quoted, which was on the whole more fair and balanced.

Not one single word in my response was "opinion" nor did I make any attempt to tell people "what to like."

By your criteria then, if "everyone" makes false statements then what "everyone is saying" must therefore be "true?" That's rather disturbing, Bill.

Ah Bill, ya missed a golden opportunity to use that quote.

 

[Lionheart]

Is that what you think I was trying to do? Really? If so, you are very mistaken.

What I wrote was a "short list" of only ten demonstrably false/incorrect statements in this "review." Just to be clear, I was responding to the original post's quoted review, not the subsequent one quoted, which was on the whole more fair and balanced.

Not one single word in my response was "opinion" nor did I make any attempt to tell people "what to like."

By your criteria then, if "everyone" makes false statements then what "everyone is saying" must therefore be "true?" That's rather disturbing, Bill.

Ah..

<puts saline solution in 'glazed' eyes... >

 

[BASys]

Hi Folks

Logitech G940 for the FF stick.

Dain -
Cheers for the feedback & details.

Much as I'd love one,
still being in similar circumstances,
its a little out of my price bracket.

Many thanks
ATB
Paul

 

[SirBenn21]

Now that's a review that tells it straight!

Not accurate a review in some instances, but I feel it captures the mood of a lot of flight simmers out there, and that includes me! I doubt Flight will have a long life, which is sad really.
Long range haulers, glider pilots and the like will utterly waste their money on Flight.

I hope someone else picks up the reins where MS left off.

Ben

 

[Lionheart]

Not accurate a review in some instances, but I feel it captures the mood of a lot of flight simmers out there, and that includes me! I doubt Flight will have a long life, which is sad really.
Long range haulers, glider pilots and the like will utterly waste their money on Flight.

I hope someone else picks up the reins where MS left off.

Ben

Done.... Go to www.prepar3D.com. Uses the former FSX/ESP, has been upgraded 3X to build 1.3, runs faster then FSX, smooth with no stumbles, no hopping planes, can run cars and traffic now, clouds too, and no blinking clouds.... $49.95 for students, $200.00 for regular, $9.95 a month for Dev's. Runs awesome and takes all FSX scenery and planes. And..... you can use it for official training.

 

[Hughes-MDflyer4]

If he thinks "landing is easy," then he quite obviously did not try the RV-6 Landing Challenge #2, which is a full ILS landing with a 29 knot crosswind off the starboard front quarter. You have to maintain a well-controlled slip all the way down to about 5' AGL, land on the center line, and have no wheel-skid, and less than 5 fps touchdown. So far, no one has gotten a "Gold" for the landing...

I got gold on Landing Challenge #2 in the RV. It sure wasn't easy and took several attempts!