I am quite relaxed about the world of simulators in 2020. My favorite has been settled for a long time and it would take quite a lot to change that.
What is the best simulator of 2020? When Microsoft unexpectedly unveiled Flight Simulator 2020 at the E3 2019, I was surprised. Such an announcement came totally unexpected – nobody had on their radar that Microsoft wants to release a new flight simulator now. There were no major announcements beforehand.
Furthermore, the first trailer looks simply incredible. I could hardly believe during the presentation that this is the in-game graphics. And then the developers claim that the game will actually look “like this”. They are using satellite data from Microsoft’s Bing and measurements from Open Street Map to represent the world. Clever idea!
My first thought: Awesome! Then I can see our village from above and fly past my house. I MUST try that!
Check out the E3 trailer of Flight Simulator 2020 for yourself. Then you’ll know what I’m talking about:
Flight Simulator 2020 – Groundbreaking already?
What makes Flight Simulator 2020 so good? Microsoft writes about the trailer that you have the choice between all sorts of models – from light aircraft to airliners. The airplanes are all presented in detail and the world looks unbelievably realistic. Day and night flights with realistic weather conditions.
As a player who doesn’t want to be fooled by PR texts anymore, one approaches this announcement with skepticism. Of course, I couldn’t imagine that either.
However, more and more screenshots and video material are being released, showing that Microsoft has likely understated with the announcement. And that makes me extremely happy.
This love for detail combined with an incredibly strong graphics makes Flight Simulator 2020 just damn good for me. Already.
My love for simulators has lasted for several years now, but I only discovered flight simulators for myself in 2018. The outdated graphics and noticeably poor technology had previously left a bitter taste when I sat in the digital cockpit. But the rest is already super in the old games:
- Plan a flight route
- Add layovers
- The takeoff with its many checks beforehand
- Set flaps
- Contact with tower and air traffic controller
- Fly past landmarks
- See the cities from above
- Turn knobs to adjust to new conditions
- Difficult landings at challenging airports
- Challenges that require a lot of practice
With all its facets, flight simulators never get boring.
Let’s address the obvious point of the best flight simulator of 2020: The graphics. In direct comparison to Microsoft Flight Simulator X on Steam, the last entry in the series (released in 2006), this is a strong improvement. Check out the trailer for the old game. I repeat: This is the most recent title in the series.
That looked okay back then. The cockpits were present, there were many details and buttons to play with.
But with the graphics and details in the new Flight Sim, the developers are exceeding expectations.
For those of you who, like me, are into graphics, there is a gallery of screenshots taken by players in the current (December 2019) alpha version.
This also convinces: In a simulator, it’s not just about a nice look. Much more important are the functions and realism. I want to have to turn as many knobs as possible to make sure everything runs as it should. And it should best feel “real” while doing so.
Realistically, you can download the current weather conditions for every point on Earth and use them in Flight Simulator 2020. Real air traffic is also planned to be incorporated into the game, so you can see the “real” planes on their routes – shipping traffic is also planned.
The weather plays a big role in flying. That’s why a lot of attention has been paid to this area. The atmosphere is divided into 32 layers in which clouds move. So if I fly through a rain shower, the drops on my window are not some animation, but physically calculated. Let that sink in!
Speaking of the water of the clouds: If you see a rainbow, it was calculated by the game. So it’s as real as it can be in a digital game.
And then there’s the flying itself. As a pilot, I don’t just want to observe the landscape and enjoy the rain all the time. A dedicated team at the developer Asobo is working to ensure that the cockpit looks as realistic as possible. Take a look inside:
I can’t wait to feel the wind while flying. Over 1000 surfaces of the aircraft will be calculated, where physical forces are at play. It wobbles and sways when the weather is bad.
A huge wave of realism is coming my way – and I can hardly wait. Even setting the right fuel mixture, suitable for the cruising altitude, is one of my tasks. YES!
In the GameStar video, you will gather more impressions of what this game has to offer and why it excites players like me:
Are there really no alternatives?
Which simulator could be better? Of course, you can now accuse me of taking a very naive approach by crowning the best simulator for next year in December 2019. After all, I don’t know how the game will perform at release. How the multiplayer or co-op factor looks is also still completely unclear.
Certainly, Kerbal Space Program 2 could provide a lot of fun if you’re into rockets and flights into space. The Tank Mechanic Simulator could also exude charm and attract many people. However, in my opinion, the announced simulators for 2020 are not ones that could compete with Flight Simulator 2020.
Clearly, the new features, the graphics, and all the promoted realism score points for me. Those are, besides solid gameplay, simply the cornerstones that make a good simulator.
Well, if SCS Software decides to surprisingly launch Euro Truck Simulator 3 in 2020 with built-in multiplayer, then it will get tight at the top of the best simulators of 2020. But so far, there is no sign of that. A currently important competitor would be the Farming Simulator, which boasts its own e-sports league.
Feel free to try to convince me otherwise. But what I have seen so far of Flight Simulator 2020 from Microsoft convinces my simulator heart. And until this thing is out, I’ll do some kilometers on the highway:
