Today Microsoft had a lot of news to deliver for fans of Microsoft Flight Simulator, directly from Cologne, Germany, where Gamescom 2022 is being hosted.
First of all, we get two themed releases, starting with the free “City Update 1” which brings five cities enhanced with photogrammetry to the sim. These are Hanover, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, Bonn, and Cologne itself.
Incidentally, I’ve met head of Microsoft Flight Sim Jorg Neumann and Asobo CEO Sebastian Wlock at Gamescom, and I heard from them that the City Updates could continue if this is week received by the sim’s users.
A new “Local Legend” aircraft has also been released, and it’s one of the grandfathers of airlines, the Junker F 13. It includes standard wheeled, floats, and ski versions, and it can be purchased on the official marketplace for $14.99.
Next is a trailer and more details about the free 40th Anniversary Edition, which will be released on November 11 for anyone who already owns the game or is playing on Game Pass.
Specifically, three new aircraft have been revealed, the 1915 Curtiss JN-4 Jenny, the 1937 Grumman G-21 Goose, and the massive 1947 Hughes H-4 Hercules, which is the largest seaplane and wooden-built plane ever built.
We also hear that four classic commercial airports will be included, starting with the historical Merrill C. Meigs Field (KGCX), which was closed in 2003 and is a historical base for the Microsoft Flight Simulator series.
This is the content list of the 40th Anniversary Edition as of now.
- 4 classic commercial airports
- 10 glider airports
- 12 new aircraft
- 14 heliports
- 20 classic missions from the franchise’s past
Speaking of helicopters and gliders, Neumann and Wlock showcased some of their gameplay and features (including the spiffy features to reveal the airflow and showcase wind currents) during a video segment from the Xbox booth at Gamescom which you can watch below.
Incidentally, I was given a chance to fly the Guimbal Cabri G2 during a behind-closed-doors presentation, and it feels quite complex and very interesting to fly.
I was challenged to land it in the courtyard of Alcatraz without assists, and guess what, it was certainly a challenge, but I made it. Guess I still have it.
If you’d like to read more about Microsoft Flight Simulator add-ons, you can enjoy our recent reviews of the Twin Otter, Auckland International Airport, Skiathos Airport, Athens International Airport, Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport, Amami Airport, Bristol Airport, Marrakech Menara Airport, Great Britain Central, Tehran Imam Khomeini Airport, Moscow Sheremetyevo Airport, Shanghai Pudong Airport, Kraków Airport, Fukuoka City & Airport, Fort Lauderdale Airport, Chongqing City & Airport, Manila Airport, Santiago Airport, the Frankfurt City Pack, Key West Airport, the Okavango Delta, Bali Airport, London Oxford Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, the CRJ 550/700, the PA-28R Arrow III, Kristiansand Airport, Macau City & Airport, Bonaire Flamingo Airport, Milano Linate Airport, the Singapore City Pack, Tokyo Narita Airport, Yao Airport, the F-15 Eagle, the Paris City Pack, Greater Moncton Airport, Tweed New Haven Airport, Santorini Airport, Sydney Airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, Reggio Calabria Airport, Bastia Poretta Airport, Munich Airport, Paris Orly Airport, Newcastle International Airport, Sankt Johann Airfield, Dublin International Airport, and Seoul City Wow. We also have a beta preview of Singapore Changi airport.
If you want to learn more about the game itself, you can read our review which will tell you everything you need to know about Asobo Studio’s game.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is already available for Windows 10 and Steam, and Xbox Series X|S.
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