Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 PS5 Review
Summary: Surprisingly Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 works quite well on the PlayStation 5 and is the perfect game for some escapism.
3.8
PS Flight!
The Fourth Wall between consoles is breaking as Microsoft brings one of its most iconic franchises to Sony’s PlayStation 5 and the result is a release that feels less like a simple crossover and more like a bold statement that console players can now enjoy the same depth of simulation once reserved for PC gamers. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 is not just another entry in the series but a showcase of how the PS5’s hardware and the DualSense controller can elevate the experience into something uniquely immersive, tactile and visually spectacular.
The graphical presentation is one of the most striking achievements of this release as the digital recreation of Earth reaches a level of detail that feels both ambitious and deeply impressive. Major cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, New York or Paris look extraordinary with dense skylines, rich photogrammetry and a sense of scale that feels alive while smaller towns can appear more generic which is understandable given the sheer size of the world and the reliance on procedural generation to fill in vast regions. Enhanced elevation maps, hundreds of TIN cities and extensive photogrammetry blend with handcrafted airports, heliports and points of interest to create a world that feels vibrant and authentic.
Procedural generation fills in tens of thousands of airports, billions of buildings and trillions of trees while wildlife, maritime traffic and real-world air traffic add movement and life to the environment. For the first time you can land anywhere and explore biomes on foot which allows you to discover seasonal vegetation, dynamic environmental details and living ecosystems that make the planet feel more alive than ever. The ambition of this visual scope can occasionally cause the PS5 to feel a little sluggish particularly in dense photogrammetry or heavy weather but these moments are brief and never diminish the overall experience which remains consistently impressive.
Audio design supports the sense of immersion with solid engine noise, wind effects and environmental ambience that help sell the sensation of flight although the voice acting for mission briefings and radio chatter can feel flat which slightly softens the emotional impact of some scenarios without ever detracting from the broader experience.
The DualSense controller becomes a major part of the simulation’s identity on PS5 as adaptive triggers simulate air resistance with a convincing sense of pressure that shifts with speed and terrain while motion controls allow precise pitching and rolling through natural movement. The touchpad can be customised for throttle control through intuitive swipes and the controller light provides subtle visual cues that echo cockpit warnings while the built in speaker delivers air traffic control audio that cuts through cockpit noise and adds immediacy to every exchange. These features work remarkably well and create a tactile connection to the aircraft that feels unique to the PlayStation version.
Gameplay depth is expanded significantly through a wide range of activities that transform the simulator into a more structured aviation experience. Career mode begins with lessons and the pursuit of your license before opening into advanced missions that include search and rescue, aerial firefighting, VIP transport and cargo operations which give players a sense of progression and purpose.
For those who enjoy competition the Challenge League introduces global air races, rally events, precision landings and low altitude challenges that test your skills against pilots from around the world while explorers can embrace photography challenges that encourage sightseeing and the capture of awe inspiring vistas to preserve in a personal travel book. Free flight remains available for those who prefer open exploration and the marketplace continues to expand the simulator with new aircraft and content.
The simulation itself reaches new levels of depth with aircraft systems modelled in remarkable detail from hydraulics and fuel to payload and avionics while preflight inspections and walkarounds add immersion that extends beyond the cockpit. The flight planner supports IFR and VFR maps, route planning, fuel management, vertical profiles and ETOPS planning which allows every journey to be prepared with the same precision as a real-world flight.
Final Thoughts?
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on PlayStation 5 is more than a crossover release. It stands as a statement of unification that allows console players to experience the same depth of simulation once reserved for PC while benefiting from the tactile feedback of the DualSense controller and the introduction of new modes that give purpose to every flight. Whether you are chasing realism, competition or exploration this is a visually spectacular and deeply immersive aviation adventure that feels perfectly at home on PS5 and sets a new benchmark for what simulation can achieve on consoles.
Wow.
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
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