Flight Simulator X: Acceleration
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ESRB:
Mild Violence
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Genre(s): Simulation Home Page: http://www.microsoft.com/games/fli...
Spicing Up The Flight SimThe starkest content additions come in the form of new missions, many of which make use of the three new aircraft: the time-tested P-51 Mustang, workhorse AugustaWestland EH-101 helicopter and F/A-18A Hornet fighter. In a departure from the generally quiet classic missions, the new missions offer some variation and - gasp! - excitement to the gameplay. Mission structure is the same, with a briefing and voice-over walkthroughs, but the tasks are presented with a sense of urgency that gives the simulation a sense of purpose.
From at-sea rescue calls and gondola repair jobs with an EH-101, to nighttime carrier landings with an F/A-18 Hornet, the new aircraft are used in a variety of challenging missions. By far the most exciting missions are delivered by the air races, from the classic Reno Air Race to the newer (and equally dangerous) Red Bull Air Race events. The timed Red Bull races, flown in nimble Extra 300 craft, use a point scoring system as pilots manoeuvre through pylon-delineated courses close to the ground in urban environments. These events are strictly for expert pilots, as the required acrobatic manoeuvres require hours of practice.
With Acceleration, the single-player experience is extended and moved in a new direction. It's not a fundamental change in simulation mechanics - the same menu system, controls and views are available - but the missions are finally enjoyable. Where the set tasks in the original Flight Simulator X often feel like unpaid work, the expansion adds a sense of purpose (for rescue and retrieval missions) and fun (for air racing missions) to the simulation. Even die-hard flight simulation veterans have admitted to cracking a smile after successfully navigating a Red Bull course, and it's hard to scoff at the new aircraft and added scenery detail (covering Cape Canaveral, Edwards Air Force Base, Berlin and Istanbul). By no means does Acceleration move in a direction to obsolete third-party enhancements; the aftermarket for detailed scenery packs, weather effects and aircraft will continue to be supported by Microsoft. In this way, the content in Flight Simulator stills feels like a half-full toy box, waiting to be filled with new gifts come the holidays. But now that Microsoft has opened the game world up to a new dynamic - air racing - casual and commercial third-party developers are sure to follow suit.
Mutiplayer: Hello? Hello? Tower Calling... Anyone!While single-player air racing is exciting, the new game mode is purpose-built for online multiplayer. Competition does require a GameSpy ID, though hosting and joining matches is simple once an account is created. While the new Competition modes are available online, the lobbies are mostly empty. The old standby multiplayer mode, Free Flight, is packed full. I did find one eager participant ready for an air race, but my connection was severed mid-way through the loading. I tried again, this time as a client instead of a host, but had the same issue.
Free Flight is as boring as it ever was, and the banter in the lobby ranges from utter trash to off-topic. It seems that engaging in a true competition experience requires joining one of the many Flight Simulator fan sites, building a rapport with the regulars, and then waiting for an invite to a scheduled match. It's definitely not a plug-and-play experience. Additionally, the multiplayer interface is horrid, with a too-small chat window and archaic server browser. Voice chat is included, and worked well in the Free Flight mode, but I would have preferred to engage in some light-hearted trash talking in Competition mode.
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