But when MSFS gets everything just right...

It can be an out of body experience. I've been having a blast with MSFS lately.

I'm running the beta at the moment. I have a really fast internet connection, and have never had an issue with any of the installs (I always open and log into the xbox app before I try - and if I know there is an update pending, I also open it before launching MSFS - maybe that's why I have no problems?) so I figured why not?

My current test flight is PVD - BWI. It is a short flight with a short 15-20 minute cruise between TOC and TOD. Just right in my opinion. For the past week, I've been doing 5:55AM to 6:15AM departures and the view out of the port side (sorry - boat captain here) is stunning. This morning's live weather was spot on. I had the METARs from the NOAA open and the tops and bases in sim were 100% correct all the way down. My monitor sits in front of a window. After I shut down at the gate, I opened the shades and looked at the sky outside. Aside from some very minor shading, even the current sky conditions were perfect.

The one thing I have been noticing is that MSFS' smoothness makes all the difference in the world (it would be nice if it was smooth looking away from the sun as well, but I'm a patient man). I had P3D running pretty smooth, but I have never experienced the feel of the plane slipping through the air like I have been lately. Skipping along the tops of the clouds until finally dropping completely into them just looks... well... credible. I never felt "fooled" into thinking that what I was looking at out the window was "real" by any sim before now. 

When it gets it right, it gets it right.