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Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe DVD Review (continued)
More User Submitted Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe DVD Reviews
Date: 2008-06-14
Flight Simulator X
I will start with this statement: You must install Service Pack 1, and if your system has 2GB of RAM and a dual-core processor, Service Pack 2. If you don't install either of those, your FSX experience will be miserable. Now, on to the review.
Flight Simulator X (FSX) can be run on most any system nowadays, but running it on a computer that barely meets the minimum requirements will give you an experience with poor framerates and poor graphics. That said, if you want to run FSX with around medium settings with good framerates (what I mean by good is 20-30FPS), I suggest using my system requirements, metioned below:
2.0GHz dual core processor
2GB RAM
Nvidia 7600
Windows Vista SP1 or Windows XP SP2
Of course, with the system specs metioned above, you would get better performance with Windows XP. If you want to run it on Vista and use DirectX 10, I suggest something along these lines:
3.0GHz dual core processor, 2.40GHz quad-core processor
4GB RAM
Nvidia 8800, or an ATI card with DirectX 10.1
Windows Vista SP1
Using DirectX 10 actually speeds up the performance I have found using my system, but I generally use DirectX 9 because there are a few bugs such as flickering on the runway using DX10.
I can run FSX on Ultra High settings with this system:
Intel Core 2 Quad 9450 2.66GHz
4GB Kingston HyperX 800MHz RAM
Nvidia GeForce 8800 512mb
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE
Windows Vista Home Premium SP1
In more detailed words, here are my FSX settings:
Graphics: Ultra High
Aircraft: Ultra High
Scenery: Custom (scenery complexity is highter than in ultra high)
Weather: Medium High (I don't run it on ultra high because drawing a lot of detailed clouds cuts performance a lot. Of course, you could always use simple clouds, which would give you a nice performance boost).
Traffic: Custom (I like traffic, so I put everything at 50%, ultra high is 20%)
I get 30+ FPS while flying high and 20-30 while low, except in highly-detailed areas. At first, I was getting lower than expected framerates even at the default Friday Harbor (barely more the 20FPS), with the FPS locked at 60. I changed the lock to unlimited and now I get much better framerates.
It seems to me, that locking the FPS helps a lot on single core systems and helps some in dual-core systems, but it hurts quad-core systems.
Now, on to the game.
What's New: the Dynamic Living World
Now there are moving animals, people, cars, boats, jetways, airport vehicles, and also wing flex. Enable them to appear by enabling advanced animations and adjusting traffic options. Except, animals seem a little hard to find. So far, I've only seen them in videos and in a mission where are saw four elephants.
What's Improved: the graphics
The graphics have improved. You won't notice it as much low to the ground, but get 1000+ ft and you will notice a difference if the settings are high enough. Night effects and water effects are improved also.
Should you get this game?
Yes, if your computer meets my suggested system requirements. If they barely meet the ones on the box, stick with FS2004. Also don't get it if you want 60+ FPS all the time. This isn't a 1st-person shooter, this is a non-combat flight simulator. You don't need anymore than 20FPS to have an enjoyable flight experience.
I hope his review was helpful.
P.S. This game is CPU limited. A good CPU is more important than a good graphics card. But that doesn't mean you can skip out on one. Just don't bother with SLI if FSX is all you are going to play. It doesn't improve FPS much.
Date: 2008-06-13
Quite enjoyable on average system
Flight Simulator runs better than expected on my P4 2.8GHz (single core), 2GB RAM, nvidia 7600GS 256MB, Windows XP computer. I run at 1600x1200 (native LCD resolution) and the frame rates do not ever drop to a point where the lag is annoying or where it would become a hinder in playing the missions. I can confirm that if you want to have all the details on high, the game will run miserably, but the medium+ level of detail is not needed for a good experience. I had to customize the graphics detail to reduce quality on the items not important to me, and seeing what the game can do with the right hardware does encourage one to get a faster machine, but the simulator is very enjoyable on my "older" hardware.
Complaints: Installation was horribly slow. The game takes a while to load each time, especially the first time. Limited paper documentation (this may be a pro, since I'd rather spend the difference on the reference/guides of choice). A better interface for the flight review desired. Only runs on Windows (Flightgear and X-Plane support Linux and MacOS).
Pros: Runs on my computer today, with graphic options to take advantage of tomorrows hardware. Missions are fun and well done. Nice choice of planes, quality models. G1000 cockpits. Price is right.
Date: 2008-06-10
Depends
If you are an aviation enthusiast, BUY THIS GAME!
Pros:
The physics are perfect.
Great planes.
Fly anywhere in the world.
You can download planes to use in it off the internet.
Over 25,000 airports.
Missions are fun.
Cons:
You need a REALLY GOOD computer to run this game well.
The water can get a very shiny at times.
Don't use light bloom.
Keep thee settings down with an older or less powerful computer.
Verdict: The visuals are AWESOME if you have a great computer. The physics are perfected. Many great planes. BUY THIS GAME!
Date: 2008-06-05
The missions are alot of fun!
This version of Microsoft Flight Simulator is best for mission use. I came from using FS2004 which was great for flying complex jets cross country. With FSX, the frame rates often grind to a halt when using complex aircraft at large airports (using a computer with quad core processor @ 3.46 ghz and dual 8800gtx cards). It's not a very well optimized program even with the service packs. However, I found the missions in FSX are a breath of fresh air which added a great new angle to flight simming. They start off simple and get progressively harder. Missions include everything from cargo trips to rescue missions to scenic flights around Hawaii, and glider missions. The mission variety is awesome- it's worth a purchase for that alone. I've also added on FSX Acceleration, Aerosoft Flight Tales, and Rescue Pilot, all of which add fun new missions. In general, the missions run smoothly provided the graphic/scenery options are not maxed out. It does however take a powerful computer to enjoy this game fully. I originally played it on my old Pentium 3.0 and had to turn down nearly all graphic options. Since getting a quad core pc, the missions are night and day difference, now I can enjoy the scenery during flight.
Date: 2008-05-15
Not as good as expected
This game was not at all what we expected. I think in a flying game if you hit something your plane should at least crash. In this game the plane will bounce off of the ground if you hit it. If you fly into the water, your plane should crash. I guess it is just not what I was looking for when I bought it.
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