Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 review

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 earns the top spot because no other game here documents as much flying. The Steam page describes a career mode where you build a reputation and earn certifications for Medevac, remote cargo, aerial firefighting, search and rescue and airline passenger flights. The Standard Edition includes over 65 aircraft and 150 handcrafted airports, and a procedural system generates 40,000 airports and 80,000 helipads around the globe. Physics now handle more than 10,000 rigid-body surfaces, aircraft systems cover electrical, pneumatic, fuel and hydraulic models, and a built-in planner supports IFR and VFR routes. For variety there is the Challenge League and the Red Bull and Reno air races. The weak points are clear too: overall English Steam reviews are Mixed at 59%, although the last 30 days sit at 82%, and the minimum spec asks for 16 GB of RAM. It has no combat, so dogfighting fans should look lower on this list.

Who it is for

PC players who want the most complete plane flying experience, from light aircraft to airliners, with structured career goals.

Price

Standard Edition $69.99 on Steam (US store), one-time purchase.

pursuing your aviation career within Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024. $69.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• Career mode with Medevac, remote cargo, aerial firefighting, search and rescue and airline passenger work
• Standard Edition with over 65 aircraft and 150 handcrafted airports
• Procedural world with 40,000 airports and 80,000 helipads
• Challenge League plus Red Bull Air Races and Reno Air Races courses
• Flight planner with IFR and VFR layers, fuel, payload and ETOPS planning

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: The largest documented world and fleet of any game here
• Strength: Career mode gives new pilots clear goals and certifications
• Strength: Recent Steam reviews are Very Positive: 82% of 587 in the last 30 days
• Weakness: Overall English Steam reviews are Mixed, at 59% of 13,527
• Weakness: Minimum spec is 16 GB of RAM and a broadband connection
• Weakness: No weapons or combat, so it does not serve dogfighting fans

Key facts

• Developer: Asobo Studio (publisher Xbox Game Studios)
• Price: $69.99 Standard Edition
• Released: November 19, 2024
• Steam reviews: Mixed, 59% of 13,527 (English)
• Minimum RAM: 16 GB

Where it ranks

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is No. 1 in our Best Flight and Dogfighting Games verdict.