Time moves fast, too fast even. And without realizing it, Microsoft and Asobo Studio's Flight Simulator already dates back to 2020, already 4 years ago, and the least we can say is that Asobo Studio and Microsoft surprised us with a game, or rather a successful simulation with a clever mix of a new graphics engine, data from Bing Maps, but also flight data, air traffic and even weather. To understand, all the data is real data so that true fans but also new fans could only appreciate the work of Asobo Studio at its true value. By the way, we don't know if you know, but since then, Microsoft Flight Simulator has served as the official simulation for some schools and it's impressive for a video game to serve as an educational basis.
The complaints of the 2020 version
So obviously, everything was not rosy and that's why we will welcome Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on November 19. Also, last September, we were able to participate in a hands-on session of Asobo Studio's next flight simulator. In the complaints, we obviously talk about the limitations of the graphics engine, both in terms of models and mapping, the growing size of the installation, a certain lack of challenges to get back into it or to discover the game in a different way. Also, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 aims to correct and respond to the complaints of the 2020 version.
A new installation
We start with the installation. In the 2020 version, everything was downloaded and installed on your computer or console. In 2024, we will be entitled to a hybrid installation with the vital part installed on your PC or console while the data of the different missions will be installed in real time from the cloud. Be careful, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is not a cloud game. We are talking about access to data stored on the cloud that are downloaded when needed and will be deleted if not used after a certain period. The advantage of such a choice saves a lot of space on your PC or console but it also allows much faster loading times.
The new engine
So, as you can see, the engine has been revised to take into account not only this new hybrid installation but also to offer a more efficient engine. And the least we can say is that during our first tests, we found Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 very beautiful. The mapping has changed a lot and we find a whole bunch of reliefs that we didn't have before. Even more interesting, buildings and others are superbly modeled and it's a real pleasure to fly over these more real-than-life areas. According to Microsoft, we're talking about a level of detail up to 4000 times higher. Moreover, we can even land anywhere and get out of our aircraft. Crazy.
Depending on your version, you will be entitled to a different number of flying devices and airports at the start. If you stick to the Standard version, you will be entitled to 70 flying devices and 150 airports, while the Aviator version offers 125 flying devices and 160 airports. And speaking of flying machines, we have all kinds, from airplanes to helicopters, and the cherry on the cake is that wear and tear is part of the game and we will have to pay attention to the condition of our flying machines.
Career and Photo Modes
We found the 2020 version a little weak in terms of content to motivate players to continue or come back? Asobo Studio and Microsoft have listened to all the feedback and are now offering a very comprehensive Career mode. We are talking about more than three million activities to do during your career, such as playing Death Stranding for example (including delivering packages from point A to point B), doing helicopter rescue missions, etc. Of course, not everything is accessible at the beginning and you will have to pass skill levels like the licenses in Gran Turismo 7. And we cannot stress enough that this is a simulator and that you will have to be good and competent to progress in the game.
But Career mode is not the only way to progress and have fun in the game. Indeed, Asobo Studio offers a new Photo mode that is very interesting. As we have understood, you will have to take photos but with mandatory criteria such as seeing your camera from behind, using the wide-angle or having the sun in front. In short, for a beginner like us, this Photo mode turned out to be super fun and allows you to gently learn the joys of aviation. In addition to that, you can discover magical places all over the world. Impressive.
A huge lifespan
And as this is what Asobo Studio has been offering since the beginning, the game will now be able to offer content regularly with new game areas, new exams, new devices, etc. We also don't forget the competitions that Asobo promises to organize, over different durations, in order to keep players connected and motivated. These new challenges will arrive every week and will allow players to compete against the entire community.
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