Hello fellow simmers,

I've been flying since the FS2000 era, and I can confidently say that flight simulation as a platform and community has made huge strides forward. However, I’ve never used Microsoft Flight Simulator—neither the 2020 version nor the upcoming 2024 release. That said, I still watch hundreds of videos about the new platforms and their addons.

Unfortunately, what I’ve noticed is that MSFS feels more like a toy simulator. It seems the company is leaning toward an Xbox/PS5-oriented experience, likely for extra revenue, which has disappointed the core flight sim community. I’m hoping for major improvements in the future, especially in the following areas:

 

The Weather Engine

The weather engine isn’t as good as it seems. Just look at the high-altitude thunderstorms and cloud formations like CBs—they’re not convincing. Compare that to the new X-Plane weather system: it’s night and day. That’s real flight—you have to deal with hazards like weather. In this regard, MSFS falls short. Even the weather radar, in my opinion, lacks accuracy.Even when braking, the simulation doesn't feel realistic. The aircraft doesn't respond with proper deceleration, especially in icy or wet conditions, which makes the experience less immersive.

The Lighting System

The lighting system is definitely unrealistic. You’ll probably agree that difficulties arise when moving around the ramp—the overall feeling just doesn’t seem accurate. Again, compare it to other flight simulators and you’ll notice the difference

Ground Handling
As you can see when flying or watching videos, ground handling issues—like rudder response and friction—still haven’t been properly addressed. The simulator needs better tire grip and more realistic rolling resistance.

Visual Effects

Rain and snow effects on the windshield in MSFS still feel underdeveloped. The way precipitation hits and moves across the glass lacks realism—there’s no convincing streaking, smearing, or dynamic visibility changes. In real-world flying, these effects are critical for immersion and situational awareness, especially during taxi, takeoff, and landing. Other simulators have done a better job simulating how weather interacts with cockpit surfaces. MSFS needs improvement in this area to match the visual fidelity of its environment.

I hope these concerns reach the right people at Asobo and lead to improvements in these and other areas of the MSFS platform. Of course, feel free to add your own suggestions for what needs improvement.

Have nice flights!

 

When are you releasing your version of a flight simulation? 

11 minutes ago, OAL809 said:

However, I’ve never used Microsoft Flight Simulator—neither the 2020 version nor the upcoming 2024 release. That said, I still watch hundreds of videos about the new platforms and their addons.

Yeah you lost me there pal, you cannot determine *ANY* physics of a simulator by watching other people on youtube, visual effects & weather I'll give you some credence but in order to come to a full opinion that's worth responding in detail you need to be playing the game first. 

@YukonPeteThere is a simulator that handles these aspects well, but it lacks high-quality graphics. However, this isn't about comparing platforms—it's about suggesting improvements.

Edited November 4, 2025Nov 4 by OAL809

12 minutes ago, YukonPete said:

When are you releasing your version of a flight simulation? 

That answer is a bit throwaway isnt it?

If you took your car back to the garage and criticised it for a few niggly faults and they turned around and said 'when are you releasing your version of a car',  I bet you wouldnt like that.

Your comment seems to be designed to just rile someone rather than to engage in meaningful discussion.

11 minutes ago, OAL809 said:

@YukonPeteThere is a simulator that handles these aspects well, but it lacks high-quality graphics. However, this isn't about comparing platforms—it's about suggesting improvements.

Is it the same simulator where the default avionics are behind MSFS 2024? Wake me up when the default avionics match the G1000 NXi, G3000, G5000, G3X, GNS 530, GNS 430, Honeywell Primus Epic 2, and Universal UNS-1 in MSFS 2024.

Edited November 4, 2025Nov 4 by abrams_tank

Here we go again.

same topic wrapped in a different cover!!!

"Watching YouTubers", seriously. That will get you nowhere. They are just content creators out there for revenue!

The BEST advice I can tell you is they work on it continuously and will not be reading your thread for direction!

This forum is littered with content like this with one person complaining about a game!

Yes, it feels like a "toy simulator" because it basically is! Might be why it is offered on the Xbox platform.

 

Edited November 4, 2025Nov 4 by tpete61

I'm afraid I stopped reading at - 

28 minutes ago, OAL809 said:

However, I’ve never used Microsoft Flight Simulator

 

You have lost me also when you pretty much state  that you don't use the sim but arrive at your own conclusions by watching videos. Then again everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just cant lend much credence to one who has not personally used the product.

 

Edited November 4, 2025Nov 4 by Maxis

33 minutes ago, OAL809 said:

 However, I’ve never used Microsoft Flight Simulator—neither the 2020 version nor the upcoming 2024 release. 

Amazing. 

We are talking about improvements. While there are other important aspects of flight, and yes, another simulator might do them better, please keep it simple here. This topic is not for comparing, talking about who is bigger, or making comments like "make your own sim" or "wake up.

Probably an AI blurb.

dd

Guys, you could explain why I am wrong or not. Yes of course you can see what the platform lacks by watching videos from different platforms, looking at channels, or reading comments from real pilots.As I'm repeating myself, that is not the point of this discussion.

8 minutes ago, OAL809 said:

hat is not the point of this discussion.

And the actual point is? 

So what is the point then ? What enhanced benefit do you think you will get by having this discussion here as opposed to the sims official forums and participating there? or participating in their Q&A or putting in a feature request on their forums and having it voted on where you may actually have a chance of getting the devs attention ?

Why do you think the publisher and developer should give your opinion or wants any weight when your on the outside looking in, have not used the product and not even made a cursory attempt to get their attention using the means that they want you to use to get their attention ?

What makes you think that the issues you mentioned in your opening post are static in development  and not a work in progress ? 

Edited November 4, 2025Nov 4 by Maxis