Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)***** First of all and very important - Frames per Second *****
Before install this new version, I was afraid about the Frame Per Second (FPS) performance. The FPS in the previous version (2000) was hilariously bad and, as this new version has a lot of visual improvements over the previous version, I expected something like slide show. GUESS WHAT? The image runs smoothly, even at the highest screen resolution and all scenery options turned on. The frame rate stability (stutters) has been greatly improved since Flight Simulator 2000. Hats off to Microsoft on improving the image flow.
***** Install the simulator *****
The install engine reports that a complete install will require 1.6G of hard disk space - it will actually require 2.3G. The load time is about 20 minutes using full install option, but the CD is not required to run the game. All of 3 disks are required during the installation process.
***** Running by the first time *****
The first time you run the simulator, a lot of things are made: The scenery textures are uncompressed, the databases and indexes are built, the navaids and facilities are configured etc. After all (this takes 4~5 min., aprox.), you will be inside the Cessna 182S Skylane cockpit at (as always) Meigs Field runway 36.
***** First look *****
If you do not change any settings and take off, you will notice that something is different in Chicago: There are a lot of small buildings where, in the previous version, are only flat area. This is what Microsoft call auto-generated scenery: The trees, houses, offices, schools and other kind of buildings are automatically generated as you fly over the area, but sky-crappers are not auto-generated, only small buildings. The amount of auto-generated scenery can be changed.
If you turn on the aircraft lights, you will see great improvements: the NAV and strobe lights effect are simply fantastic, even creating aircraft fuselage reflections.
Make a turn and prepare to land on Meigs Field: On the final approach you will see better runway lighting effect. Just before touching the runway, set your view to spot plane and watch: your tires generate smoke at the moment of the touch.
***** Air traffic control *****
Microsoft Flight Simulator now comes with integrated air traffic control (ATC) system. You work with ATC using a semi-transparent window that shows messages and options. For example, if you are on Meigs Field and call the ATC window (to display or hide the ATC window you must press SCROLL LOCK), you will have the ATC window as following:
CHOOSE A MESSAGE TO TRANSMIT TO MEIGS GOUND ON
1 - Tune MEIGS Ground on 121.800
2 - Request Taxi - Remain in Pattern
3 - Request Taxi - Depart Straight Out
4 - Request Taxi - Depart North
5 - Request Taxi - Depart South
6 - Request Taxi - Depart East
7 - Request Taxi - Depart West
You choose an item using the correspondent number. After each choice, your ATC window modifies, so you have another set of options applicable to each situation. When you select an item from the ATC menu, you will see the text of the message on screen and hear the pilot voice saying the phrase. Your messages to controllers are audible (unless you turn the pilot voice off).
Other cool feature of ATC is the autotune. When autotune is on, your radio and transponder are automatically tuned to correct frequency. This frees you to concentrate on flying the aircraft and navigating to your destination.
The ATC adds a new level of realism of Flight Simulator. If you already have knowledge of the ATC system, you will love this new feature. If you are new to ATC, the guys worked hard to make your introduction to the system fun and easy.
***** Crowded skies *****
You are not alone in the sky. There are a lot of planes around you, and these planes make use of ATC messages. You can even listen the communication between the controllers and these planes. This is a very welcome feature.
***** The fleet *****
Now we have the Boeing 747-400 with great sound and panel. All planes now come with painting schemes. For example, you can fly the Boeing 737 using one of the three virtual airlines painting schemes provided.
***** Other cool stuffs *****
Improved textures, improved aircraft design, improved lighting effects, improved, improved, improved... Everything is improved with this new version.
***** This guy should have a powerful machine *****
Average...
I have a P-III 800 MHz, 256 Mb RAM, Asus GeForce2 MX 32 Mb and Quantum Plus AS 40 Gb 7200 RPM. Oh, I am running Windows XP Corporate. As you see, it is an almost ordinary configuration.
If you have an average processor, enough RAM and a good graphic card, try Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002. You will love it.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002, Professional Edition is the latest version of Microsoft's highly realistic aviation simulation--the top-selling PC flight simulation ever produced. FS 2002 Pro introduces many exciting features, including interactive air traffic control (ATC) and auto-generated scenery, plus challenging new aircraft and stunning visual enhancements that truly make Flight Simulator 2002, Professional Edition "as real as it gets."
Flight Simulator 2002, Professional Edition includes a wide variety of aircraft for you to fly--from a new Cessna 172S single-engine trainer and a Caravan floatplane to the Boeing 747-400 jumbo jet. You can splash down in a lake, hover in the Bell 206B JetRanger III helicopter, or practice aerobatics in the Extra 300S. FS 2002 Pro includes 16 aircraft, four more than in the standard edition.
Features exclusive to the professional edition include tools for creating your own planes and buildings, and a multiplayer "instructor's seat" capability. The most dramatic new features common to both editions are the interactive air traffic control system, crowded skies, and auto-generated scenery.
The interactive air traffic control feature adds a new dimension to Flight Simulator. Now you can ask for takeoff clearance, get vectors for an instrument approach, and hear other traffic as you fly. In fact, the "other traffic" is itself a new feature: a new artificial intelligence system generates air traffic around and between airports.
It'll be hard to pay attention to the air traffic, however, as the scenery in FS 2002 Pro is so attractive. As you fly above cities, towns, farmland, and dramatic landscapes, Flight Simulator adds buildings and vegetation appropriate to the terrain below. Office buildings, factories, homes, farmhouses, and trees smoothly blend in on the horizon and fill the entire area with detail that adds unprecedented depth and reality to the game.
Other features include more than 21,000 airports, multiplayer capability, improved weather effects, a moving map and GPS system, in-depth flight analysis, and more.
Click here for more information about Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 Professional
