Top 6 must-try flight simulation games

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Glenn Carstens Peters

Flight simulation games are a perfect option for those who want to learn air combat skills or enjoy flying anywhere in the world by simply sitting on the couch. The market of flight simulation games has to offer a lot from the software and Xbox versions to even mobile applications. Flying around the world has never been that easy.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 

In 1982, a series of flight simulator programs began. Microsoft Flight Simulator is one of the longest-running and most comprehensive home flight simulator programs on the market. Also, Microsoft Flight Simulator might be the longest-running PC game series of all time.

The high-class flight simulator offers an exclusive package for the flying lovers and aviation professionals. Microsoft Flight Simulator contains many aircraft types from light planes to wide-body jets. Also, it is possible to create an individual flight plan and fly anywhere in the world. It is easy to enjoy the highly detailed and stunning aircraft in amazingly realistic graphics. Microsoft Flight Simulator is available on Windows and Xbox One.

X-Plane 11

X-Plane 11  is one of the most advanced flight simulators. Firstly, it appeared as an X-Plane 1.00, in 1995. X-Plane 11 can be not only an incredible flying game but also an engineering tool used to predict the flying qualities of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft with incredible accuracy.

X-Plane 11 contains complete 3-D scenery for more than 13,000 airports globally, including terminal buildings, hangars, jetways and many more that make these airports look real. X-Plane 11 is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

Digital Combat Simulator World (DCS)

DCS World as well known as Digital Combat Simulator World is a digital air-battlefield game, released in 2008. The flight simulator offers effectual mission planners and complete network play. DCS World allows a player to plan and play highly advanced air missions.

DCS World delivers high-quality and extremely realistic simulations of military aircraft. The free version of DCS World contains simulations of the Sukhoi Su-25T Frogfoot attack aircraft and TF-51D Mustang, an unarmed training modification of the P-51D Mustang. Also, DCS World is available only on Windows.

Rise of Flight

The combat flight simulation game created by Russian developer 777 Studios and released in 2009 as well known as Rise of Flight: The First Great Air War is a World War I. The simulation game is a perfect option for both new pilots who have just begun their journey into the flightsim class and veteran flight simmers with years of experience.

The simulation game highlights advanced flight models, adjustable difficulty settings, progressive damage system and real-world physics. Additionally, to the extraordinary sensation of flight, Rise of Flight contains detailed 3D models, impressive visual and sound effects, also innovative AI, trained to be a challenging enemy. Rise of Flight is available on Windows.

GeoFS

The browser flight simulator that operates in a similar manner to downloadable flight simulators, was initially released in 2010. The flight simulation game contains numerous aircraft types and advances the use of satellite and aerial imagery. 

The unique feature of GeoFS is- a multiplayer environment for pilots to interact with each other. Also, if a person likes playing on the go, GeoFS offers an app for both Android and iOS devices. The mobile version was released in 2018.

World of Warplanes

War of Warplanes is an air-combat action game, which takes action in military aviation. The flight simulation game was released in 2013 and is available for free.

War of Warplanes is an incredible option for those who want to learn air combat skills by trying out at least five out of 250 different aircraft types. Also, the simulation game offers to upgrade the aircraft from more than 4600 diverse configurations. 

Most of the World of Warplanes maps are original and players can choose from many different corners of the planet. World of Warplanes is available on Windows, macOS.

DCS World

DCS World is to this date one of the most realistic air combat simulators available. Mastering some of the more accurately modelized aircraft, such as the Russian combat helicopter Ka-50 or the famous tank-killer A-10 Warthog can take hours. Additionally to the air combat, DCS also simulates land, and even naval platforms, in order to create a fully immersive combat environment. While the game is free-to-play and offers two planes to choose from (the Sukhoi SU-25T Frogfoot attack aircraft and the TF-51D, an unarmed version of the P-51D Mustang), virtual pilots will need to buy each additional aircraft separately.

Whether just to fly around or to carry out a complex mission with your friends, DCS World offers an excellent simulator, provided you invest a minimum of time and money into it.

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