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Missed opportunities
I usually fly military sims (Falcon 4.0, LOMAC, Forgotten Battles), and I was really looking forward to try a "peaceful" one for a change. I was a bit disappointed. I can't really judge on the flight models (although the Wright Flyer is a tad too easy to fly compared to the dedicated Wright Flyer sim, that can be purchased online), but the planes felt good engough (with the exeption of helicopters).
Cons.
Graphics. Well, that's something that should have been improved. In 2004 no sim should be having the clumsy 2D-3D cockpit views; the Il-2 came out in 2001 and it had perfect, photorealistic virtual cockpit!!! Three long years ago!!
The surroundings are the other problematic part: you actually have to buy the photorealistic USA if you want to see "real" scenery. And how about the rest of the world? Again; it's 2004. Take a look at LOMAC's (or Il-2's for that matter) terrain, cities, etc! In the Forgotten Battles, you can actually fly around in Leningrad, and find every house, every bridge in its place! In FS2004 they didn't model even New York accurately!
Traffic: you also have to buy an aftermarket-software to have "live" airports, with moving vehicles, etc.
Airplanes: true enough, you can download airplanes from the web, but it's still very frustrating to see only American-made planes given with the game. I'd like to see an Airbus shipped with the sim! The world is actually bigger than the North-American continent, you know!
How long does it take for Microsoft to get to the same level as the smaller publishers in these fields?
Pros: excellent tutorials and lessons... that's something that every sim is missing on the market.
Very flexible, many additional planes, sceneries, etc can be purchesed, downloaded or created for it.
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