X-Plane 8 Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 6 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 5 Ratings

  • Summary: Plane simulates anything that flies: single-engine fixed wing props to multi-engine jets; gliders to dirigibles; helicopters to spacecraft to VTOLs such as the V-22 Osprey and AV8-B Harrier.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. If you're hunting for the ultimate flight sim or learning tool then look no further.
  2. For novice “simmers” you may be taken aback by the sheer amount of details and realistic gameplay, but veterans should be hungry for more sooner than later.
  3. Even though it is better looking and easier to grasp than any flight sim to date, X-Plane feels unfinished. Serious fans of flight sims will enjoy X-Plane, while casual fans may want to wait for a more streamlined interface, hopefully in "X-Plane 9."
  4. Sure, you can fly a zeppelin on Mars if you want, but aside from slightly more responsive flap settings, blowier wind (to use the technical term) and a guest appearance from Stephen Hawking as the voice of air traffic control (joke), X-Plane offers very little that Microsoft's doesn't already do both prettier and more intuitively.

See all 6 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. MathhewF.
    10
    X-Plane is designed to be the most accurate flight simulator out there, and it is. Although its graphics are still lagging behind Microsoft's eye-candy, no real pilot will neglect the huge difference between these products. For pretty colors, go with Microsoft's FS 2003. For accurate flight dynamics, choose X-Plane. Expand
  2. ChrisH.
    10
    Microsoft Flight Simulator is a game, and X-Plane is an FAA certified SIMULATOR. Actual aircraft have been designed using X-Plane's flight dynamics engine. MSFS is fine for casual play but for true flight physics simulation (not just running predefined aircraft flight models), X-Plane is the only way to go. Expand
  3. The most realistic flight simulator, period. Graphical and ATC inferiority with microsoft FSX is being addressed in V10. Outside of those 2 things, X-Plane is the flat-out best flight simulator, and many of the add-on planes are free and good also (thanks to x-plane.org). Expand