Flight Simulator 2002

"With a good franchise foundation, Microsoft delievers once again..."

Intro: A long time ago, when I was 15, I owned a game called Flight Simulator for my 486DX PC. Well, I never knew how to do anything with it, and all my flights consisted of me taking off from Meigs field and either crashing into the ocean, or hitting something. I didn't care to learn more, there were other games out there, and this one didn't perk my intrest as much (see falcon 3.0).

Well, I'm nearly 19 now, and browsing through the local Walmart a week ago, I came upon a shiny new box upon which rested a picture of a Cessna Caravan floatplane flying above a mountain lake. I was strangely attracted to the big metal beast, and to the ability to test my new video card (Geforce 3 ti 200 MSI) with a new cutting edge game. So, without even checking on the status of my bank account, I did what so many americans do everyday; pulled out my Visa. Because, like the Cessna Caravan floatplane, it's everywhere you wanna be, baby!

Now... the game.
I took the game home, set it on my desk, plugged in my microsoft Sidewinder joystick, and began opening the box. I was expecting a shower of documents, maps, and a huge 500 page book to fall in my lap. I was not ready for what did come out of the box... a cardboard CD holder and a little CD case sized floppy 20-30 page manual. Surprised to say the least, I figured that this was just a mistake in packaging and decided to go ahead and install the game. Only when I clicked the ''full install'' button did I know where the manual and maps went... straight onto my hard drive! that's right, try nearly 2 gigabytes of data to intall this puppy. I quickly exited the intallation and deleted all my old games to make room for this massive file, and then, and only then, installed it.

intros/menus/manuals: 8/10
Upon running the game, you are greeted by an easy to view into screen containing a short WMV video about the game and what to do if you're new to the series. The menu layout is very reminiscent of Simcity 3000 unlimited for its easy to view layout and washed blue appearance. All the buttons are set on the left for easy access and all menus are very well arranged for quick navigation.

For all you newbies (me) there is a very easy into flight and then a series of lessons that teach you the basics of flight in combination with a series of prinitble lessons you should read in conjuction.

For those who know their way around a flight simulator, you can either select flight missions pre-made or create your own from a list of over 21,000 airports around the world.

The only real dissapointment here is a big one in that the lack of handheld maps really bites. While the effort in putting all the info onto the CDs was nice, and cut costs, it did so at the cost of the flier not having reference materials intheir hands, and really downplays the whole ''I'm a pilot, here's my chats with my flights mapped out'' feeling of some of the older itterations of this franchise.

Gameplay: 10/10.

From having to set your trim tabs to stay in somewhat level flight to being rocked by turbulence passing through a convergence level, the gameplay of this game is terrific.

The air traffic controllers actually talking to you and able to guide you realistically is the feature that puts this game over the top. Instead of boring long flights, you may all of a sudden have a ATC yelling at you about a plane on your flight path at three miles out and wanted you to verify his location. If you don't know your way around a airport, the controllers will guide you around the taxiways using a purple beam of light.

There are other planes in the game that are flying predetermined routes around you, as well. I was landing in Daytona Beach today, and the controller told a piper cub to hold short on his takeoff, because I was landing, then, once I landed, he began taking off and head them talking. It makes you become a part of the game in a way that few games do.

Graphics: 9/10

The terrain is REALLY well done in FS2002, and it is pretty believeable, especially from 10,000+ feet. With airport lights appearing as hazy dots in the distance, to raindrops bleeding across your windshield, the grapics are top notch.

Most of the game's planes have a 3d cockpit viewpoint, in which you are actually looking from the pilots head perspective, and you sway your view around using your hat key. This is the view I've always wanted in a flightsim, and it one ups even the padlock view in most combat flight sims.

The planes, airports, sky and water all are beautiful, as well, and give the game a very realistic feel to it. The only major faults I've seen are the rain effects if you view your plane from the outside (horrible) and the floating trees that exist. Well, they don't REALLY exist, but microsoft would have you believe that in the mountains, trees like to hover in the air. Also, the ground is good, but there are certain spots in the world where the terrain is moddled, but the textures have not been applied to them. While I've only seen this twice, and it was in remote parts of thw world, i would have prefered a terrain pattern that's visually boring to a total lack of one.

Features and replayability: 10/10

Again, nothing to complain about here. I'll be playing this until FS2003 somes out. With downloadable planes and internet flight groups, this game is one that won't die soon.

For added realism, you can even go online and download real-world weather patterns and fly through them! That's unheard of realism, and aside from hopping into a real cessna 172, I don't see how to top that.

Overall: 9/10

Microsoft scroes bigtime with this game. From taking off from my hometown airfield to landing big Boeing bird in Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport, FS2002 is a real enjoyment. A few minor faults, but otherwise this game is the most enjoyable commercial flight sim ever. I highly suggest you go get this game, for you won't be dissapointed!

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 02/08/02, Updated 02/08/02