X-Plane Critic Reviews

Tired of jetting around the Earth? Visit Mars where the atmosphere is thin, the gravity is low and the dirt is red and the flying is accurately modeled from NASA's data.

X-Plane may not be for everybody because of its focus on accuracy and its sometimes steep learning curve, but it will reward the diligent user with a simulation worthy of the word.

One of the most accurate flight sims ever created... Where X-Plane falls short is with its substandard graphics.

The learning curve is extremely steep, so if you decide to take the pilot's seat, be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride. It's exactly the sort of title you would expect from a small, grassroots developer—made with obvious enthusiasm but lacking a lot of the polish of its market-dominating competitor.

Deserves two ratings: one for players who are plane-enthusiasts and one for the casual gamer. The first rating is high due to the incredible level of accuracy and detail; the claim on the box of being the most realistic commercially available flight simulator would be difficult to argue. Conversely, the second rating would be low since the appeal for gamers who crave a bit of action or a solid story line is so small.