If you’ve ever seen the inside of an airplane cockpit, there are a lot of buttons. Aside from all the technical information about aerodynamics and engineering that a pilot needs to know, flying an airplane seems quite stressful. Sure, there’s not always much you can do, but the stakes are literally high.
But it also seems like flying a plane can be amazing, when done right. Luckily, if you’re looking to experience that thrill from the comfort (and safety) of your home, there are tons of flight simulators you can play. Take to the skies with these 10 best flight simulation games.
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Il-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Bodenplatte
Image via 777 Studios
The main focus of the game is the Battle of Bodenplatte, a massive airborne operation by the German Luftwaffe in January 1945. It takes place during the final stages of the war. The P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang, Spitfire, Bf-109, Fw-190 and Me-262 fighters are just some of the many aircraft the player can fly for the Allies or the Axis.
Combat Air Patrol 2: Military Flight Simulator
Picture via Sim155
For a more modern yet equally detailed military flight simulator, Combat Air Patrol 2 has everything you need. It is a graphically beautiful game and features air and sea combat options. It’s also surprisingly accessible in terms of controls and mechanics.
Flyinside flight simulator
Image via Flyinside Inc.
You’ll still be “flying inside” your house with this one, but it won’t seem like it. With ten different planes and the entire United States, you can see it all in virtual reality with Flyinside Flight Simulator. If you have a VR setup, you won’t want to miss this one.
GeoFS
Image via GeoFS-Wiki
GeoFS is a unique game that offers a realistic flight experience, including day and night cycles, dynamic weather conditions, and multiple airports and runways to take off and land. It is based on WebGL technology, which allows it to run directly in a web browser without the need for additional software or plugins.
infinite flight
Image via Infinite Flight
With mobile devices becoming more and more advanced, it wouldn’t be fair not to include a mobile title on the list. Infinite Flight might be your best bet if you’re on mobile. Presents actual weather conditions, such as wind speed and direction, temperature, and precipitation, which affect the flight experience. The game also includes a multiplayer mode, where players can fly together and communicate through a chat system.
Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Steam Edition
Picture via Microsoft
It’s hard to go wrong with one of the oldest and most popular flight sim franchises of all time. While the original version may have been released in 2006, a new edition with updated graphics was released on Steam in 2014. There are over 24,000 different locations that you can fly over with 24 different aircraft.
deal with helicopters
Image via Bohemia Interactive
If you are looking for the ultimate helicopter simulator, this is it. It may have been released in 2011, but it still holds its own with super high-fidelity flight mechanics.
war thunder
Image via Gaijin
Officially released in 2016, War Thunder it is much more than a flight simulator. It is a complete vehicle warfare simulator with air, land and sea vehicles. Flying is fun, and with robust multiplayer and a thriving community, you can play this game for years. Many other players have done so. It’s also free, which is definitely worth a try.
Plan X 11
Image via laminar search
If the aforementioned ridiculousness isn’t your thing, X-Plane 11 is a much more “grounded” experience with exceptional polish. It came out in 2016 and doesn’t look a day old. The graphics and level of detail go beyond even Microsoft Flight Simulator X. For the smoothest, most faithful flight simulation, we highly recommend X-Plane 11.
YSF flight
Image via Soji Yamakawa
Is YSFlight the most attractive flight simulator? No. It pales in comparison to many other games mentioned in the list. But not everyone has a high-end PC, and this 1999 freeware will work on virtually any computer and is still a joy to play. Check out this classic if you’re out of options, it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
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