6 Best Flight Simulator Games for PC to play in 2022

At some point in our gaming careers, we have all been interested in flying through the skies in a brilliant PC Flight Simulator. Whether your interest has just piqued or you want to take your gaming experience to the next level, there are plenty of flight games in the market that can launch you into the stratosphere.

Just like other games, flying simulators also have varying genres, from dogfighting WW2 scenarios to peacefully flying the latest Airbus, your flying options are limitless. Today we review the best flight simulator games on PC and bring you a step closer to your favorite flight simulator.

6 Best PC Flight Simulators

Without further delay, let’s get right into the best flight simulator games in the market.

1. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

If you have not heard of Microsoft’s Flight Simulator, then you are missing out on life. Microsoft’s Flight Simulator series has been around for quite some time, and in 2020 Microsoft dropped their most realistic and incredible game yet.

Microsoft’s Flight Simulator 2020 is unquestionably the best simulator game around, and it beats the competitors by a considerable margin. With the newest release, Microsoft gives you a very realistic and immersive opportunity to fly to any destination in the world courtesy of Bing Maps and Azure AI.

With this game, you are able to take real-world flights from any airport in the world, in any airplane you choose, and in extremely real-life weather conditions. The intense realism within the game is illustrated in the demanding and sometimes complicated use of ATC, autopilot system, or even standard landing procedures. Moreover, the digitally distilled images that are fetched from the cloud server, generate a very accurate 3D representation of the world.

The Microsoft Flight simulator 2020 is a generational game, but the high demanding specs may put your PC to shame. The game requires a powerful gaming PC with minimum specs of 8GB RAM and a whopping 150GB available disk space, not to mention the GPU requirements. Lucky for you, here is a list of the best computer for flight simulator 2020.

2. War Thunder

Developers at Gajin Entertainment have revamped War Thunder to be one of the best flying games in the market. In addition to aerial combat, the game now also boasts naval vessels and tanks destroying each other to bits.

In War Thunder, as you soar above the mountains and the deep blue seas, the gaming experience is truly surreal. Air combat in War Thunder is quite simply the most intense and realistic we have seen in a long time. Every dogfight is vivid, immersive, and requires a tactical strategy.

Additionally, it is the intense combat detail that truly makes War Thunder the amazing game it is. The incredible armor penetration simulation makes every aerial fight realistic. Despite the occasional technical issues that make you want to uninstall the game that very instant, War Thunder still is a very exceptional title.

The free-to-play game might have you grit through some irritating technical issues like errors with login authentication, flight controls going haywire, or having your settings reset to default out of nowhere. At times bad renders can make flying through the world a jagged and blurry mess.

In spite of all this, War Thunder’s authentic aircrafts, realistic flight physics, and ballistics make it truly standout.

3. Arma 3

Arma 3 is one of the best war games we have seen, and unlike most aerial combat games its sole focus is not just dogfighting. The game boasts realistic expansive battlefields and meticulously recreated military equipment. With patience and skill, you can have a lot of fun within this game.

The controls are by no means simple, you will need to use almost every key while also memorizing key combinations that vary depending on whether you’re flying, on foot, or in a tank. The gameplay mechanics albeit complicated allow you to engage in unique large-scale combat that just cannot be experienced in other games. But once you do master these controls, you are in for an impressive gameplay experience.

Aerial combat with Arma 3 is about effectively managing your position and taking down targets from a distance. The game also features laser-guided missiles and anti-armor cannons that grant air-to-ground aircraft a vital role in the battlefield. If you don’t fancy yourself airplanes anymore, feel free to soar the skies and engage in combat with a wide range of available helicopters.

All in all, Arma 3 is an amazing war game and emulates flight simulation and combat in an incredible manner.

4. X-Plane 11

If you like Microsoft Flight Simulator X, then you’re going to definitely enjoy X-Plane 11 as well. Better graphics, menu systems, and incredibly realistic cockpit interfaces make your in-flight experience truly exhilarating.

X-Plane 11 brings a new meaning to detail in flight simulators, developers have not left any stone unturned and have even included catering trucks. However, what sets X-Plane 11 apart is the immaculate detail of flight dynamics. You can even feel the effect of crosswinds on lighter planes as compared to heavier planes. Engine performance is affected by altitude and external environment, these accurate dynamics have made X-Plane a favorite among pilots and gamers alike. Moreover, within the game, you are able to feel the plane rivet in turbulence and will most definitely run out of fuel if you fly at the wrong altitude.

X-Plane 11 truly offers an incredibly realistic simulation of flying aircrafts and features a range of weather conditions, airplanes, and dozens of airports to choose from. The controls can be set up for ease through automation so that your gaming experience does not have a steep learning curve. The ATC in particular has an accurate working model within the game that professionals often utilize as a training resource.

All in all, the X-Plane 11 stacks up pretty well as a flight simulator, and between this and the Microsoft Flight Simulator X, it might just come down to personal preference.

5. Microsoft Flight Simulator X

If the 2020 Microsoft Flight Simulator is too demanding for your PC, you might want to consider tuning into the Flight Simulator X. The game itself is pretty incredible and offers a great amount of detail and realism. As a non-combat flight simulator, it is undoubtedly one of the most complete packages available.

Originally developed in 2006, the graphics are not as neat and as good-looking as other entries on this list, but if you want a realistic flight simulator that does not dent your bank account to be able to play it well, then this should be your go-to choice. Microsoft’s Flight Simulator X offers over 2,400 airports, a number of flight roles, and a range of top-notch aircrafts to choose from.

The game is quite obviously not as detailed as the Flight Simulator 2020, but in its era, it was a pretty incredible game. In addition to just casual flying between different airports, the game also features a series of goal-oriented missions and at times surprising mid-flight twists. With over 30 missions in the standard version alone, you are bound to get hooked to this game.

6. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

Ace Combat has always been at the forefront of aerial combat simulations and this title is no different. While flying within the game has never been as real and immersive as other entries on this list, the game however is incredible at providing highly detailed animation and intense aerial combat.

The game boasts a wide range of weapons available for combat, there are visible effects of gameplay due to weather and environment changes, unlike previous Ace Combat titles. In combination with immersive 360-degree movement, experience aerial combat unlike ever before.

The storyline, however, is quite far-fetched and baffling. Canyon dogfights, close calls with collapsing buildings, and dramatic campaign missions may make you feel like you are part of a Michael Bay film. As an arcade game, Ace Combat 7 does its job spectacularly.

As part of the campaign missions, you chase down enemy pilots, blow up enemy bases and dismantle bombers across a wide range of scenarios and terrains. Despite the surreal storyline, dogfights within the game are truly incredible and a test of skill. Only once you figure out the tricks and maneuvers of the advanced turning controls will you be able to master dogfights during aerial combat.

However, it is quite disappointing to see the lack of help or tutorial guides within the game. So if you are relatively new to the Ace Combat series, you might have to grit through a relatively steep learning curve.

Overall, Ace Combat 7 is a spectacular arcade aerial combat video game, but the ludicrous storyline and inconsistent mission objectives bring down its weight considerably.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an intense realistic flight simulator then you need to check out the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, the X-Plane 11 is also a notable consideration due to its incredible attention to detail and flight dynamics.

However, if instead you want a flight simulator that focuses on aerial combat then we recommend getting War Thunder.

Closing the discussion here. Once you are done with selecting the software platform, you may checkout this amazing guide to build a Home Flight Simulator Cockpit.