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Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2014

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Quick resume

Take to the skies in the World’s favourite flight simulator! The multi award winning Microsoft Flight Simulator X lands on Steam for the first time. Take off from anywhere in the world, flying some of the world’s most iconic aircraft to any one of 24,000 destinations.

Global score

87/100

Genres

Simulator

Pros

  • Highly realistic flight simulation with extensive aircraft and global scenery
  • Strong learning and training tool for real-world aviation
  • Large and active modding community with many free and paid add-ons
  • Multiplayer support for cooperative flying
  • Good value for price with included expansions and missions

Cons

  • Outdated graphics and performance limitations due to 32-bit engine
  • Steep learning curve requiring patience and external resources
  • Multiplayer can be chaotic and lacks structured competition
  • Some bugs and technical issues remain
  • Expensive and fragmented add-on ecosystem

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have full control over their flight plans, aircraft choice, and flight execution, with freedom to explore the entire world."

  • Competence
    5

    "The game offers complex flight mechanics, realistic aircraft systems, and skill-based challenges including instrument flying and mission tasks."

  • Competition
    -3

    "Focus is primarily on personal skill development and individual flight experience; multiplayer exists but is casual and not heavily competitive."

  • Continuation
    5

    "Players report very long playtimes, habitual use for training and entertainment, and extensive engagement with add-ons and missions."

  • Cooperation
    2

    "Multiplayer mode allows flying with others and some community interaction, but solo play is dominant."

  • Creativity
    4

    "Extensive modding community enables creation and customization of aircraft, scenery, and missions."

  • Domination
    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared experiences and mutual respect rather than exerting control or superiority."

  • Escapism
    5

    "Players use the sim as a way to escape real life, learn aviation, and enjoy immersive virtual flying."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Engagement is driven by intrinsic interest and personal desire to learn and enjoy flying."

  • Experimenting
    4

    "Players explore different aircraft, flight conditions, and add-ons, experimenting with various flight scenarios."

  • Exploration
    5

    "The game features global geography with 24,000 airports and encourages discovery of landmarks and new locations."

  • Expression
    3

    "Customization through liveries, add-ons, and scenery mods allows personal expression within the simulation."

  • Fantasy
    -3

    "Focus is on realistic aviation simulation and plausible scenarios rather than imaginative fiction."

  • Fellowship
    2

    "There is a community of flight sim enthusiasts and multiplayer servers, but many players engage individually."

  • Growth
    5

    "Strong emphasis on learning flight skills, navigation, and aviation knowledge, including training for real pilot licenses."

  • Health
    -5

    "Gameplay is sedentary, involving sitting and using computer controls."

  • Idle
    -4

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during flights and missions."

  • Intimacy
    -3

    "Social interactions are mostly surface-level or functional within multiplayer; deeper emotional connections are limited."

  • Leadership
    -2

    "Some players may lead in multiplayer flights or communities, but generally participation is collaborative or individual."

  • Progression
    4

    "Players accumulate aircraft, add-ons, and experience; missions and flight hours contribute to progression."

  • Relaxation
    3

    "Many players find the simulation relaxing and a way to achieve flow, though some missions can be challenging."

  • Sensation
    2

    "Visual and auditory feedback is realistic but not highly stimulating; focus is on simulation fidelity."

  • Status
    -3

    "Recognition is limited mostly to community and multiplayer groups rather than broad social status."

  • Story
    -4

    "No overarching narrative; missions provide context but the game is largely context-free open flight."

  • Strategy
    4

    "Flight planning, navigation, and aircraft systems management require analytical thinking and problem solving."

  • Thrill
    1

    "Some missions offer suspense and challenge, but overall the experience is controlled and predictable."

  • Value
    4

    "Considered good value for price, especially with free and paid add-ons enhancing the experience."

  • Violence
    -5

    "The game focuses on constructive flying and training, with no combat or destruction emphasis."

  • Survival
    2

    "Players manage flight safety and emergencies, but the environment is generally stable and low-risk."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026