Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight

aka: Flight Simulator 9, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: Cien Años de Aviación, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: Das Jahrhundert der Luftfahrt, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: Un secolo di Aviazione, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: Un siècle d'aviation
Moby ID: 9946
Add-on (unofficial)

Description official descriptions

As the name suggests, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004: A Century of Flight, is that year's version of the popular simulator from Microsoft and celebrates 100 years of flight. Flight Simulator 2004 includes 9 historical aircraft such as the Wright Flyer from 1903, DC-3, Vickers Vimy, Curtiss Jenny and the Ryan NVP 'Spirit of St. Louis’ that you can pilot and new challenges centered around the historical aircraft. It includes a new help system called 'Learning Center' and an improved ATC, and a new dynamic weather system. The GPS systems in Flight Simulator 2004 have been completely overhaulled and are now based on real world Garmin 500/295 GPS systems.

Spellings

  • 模拟飞行2004:飞行世纪 - Simplified Chinese spelling
  • 模擬飛行 2004:百年飛行史 - Traditional Chinese spelling

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Credits (Windows version)

250 People (221 developers, 29 thanks) · View all

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Reviews

Critics

Average score: 82% (based on 22 ratings)

Players

Average score: 3.7 out of 5 (based on 12 ratings with 2 reviews)

Simply superb!

The Good
This simulation is huge. The problem in writing anything about it is where to start.

The scenery is something I never paid any attention to until I recently loaded some additional scenery packs in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002. That showed the failings of the default scenery in general. Here the default scenery is similarly bland but in major cities it is excellent. I was particularly impressed with the New York skyline and the renditions of the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. So there's detail where it matters and the space in between is good enough. One thing I noticed in this simulations default scenery that I haven't seen in previous versions (makes mental note to go & check later) was waves on the sea gently lapping against the shore.

The number and range of planes is excellent too and the detail again is first rate. Trying to fly 'The Spirit of St. Louis' is a real challenge. I'd read about this plane years ago and getting a chance to fly it in this simulation brought those stories flooding back. It's a real challenge. It, and all the planes, looks really good too.

Some of the add-ons I've got for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 were sold as applying to this version as well and they slotted right in - no problems. For me that's a good sign because it extends their useful life. Other add-ons were 2002 specific but this flight sim has an easy to use feature that enabled me to add additional scenery files manually so I've no need to buy scenery specifically for this game.

3rd party aircraft integrate into this package seamlessly too. OK, that's what's supposed to happen but I've had problems in other games when trying to use their official expansion packs which is why I feel that the smooth integration of 3rd party enhancements is such a neat trick to pull off.

Then there's the way the game controls are laid out and the ease with which a predefined flight can be selected or a new flight constructed and saved. Everything just works and is right where I expect it to be.

The depth of documentation is excellent to and it's readable and it's in a logical order. This is essential for me as a novice pilot and is much appreciated. I've recently loaded an add-on to an old simulator and, while it's obvious that the plane was developed by real enthusiasts, the number of acronyms used is simply bewildering.

Finally, the whole simulator is so accessible and yet it remains so flexible. I can get flying in minutes if I want to but I know that if I put in some effort I can increase the realism factor on the standard planes and by the use of imported planes. I've a Concorde add-on that comes with full instrumentation and to fly it properly involves the full 40 minute pre-flight checklist, pumping fuel between the different tanks in-flight to maintain trim, etc. My understanding is that this degree of detail is only possible because these controls are supported by the flight simulator.



The Bad
It's not something that I plan on using but when I tried, in 2012, to use the on-line gaming options they didn't work for me. Not surprising really and there are other sites dedicated to running virtual airlines that I could go to if I get sucked into e-piloting in a big way.

The Bottom Line
Great. Get it, even if you're not a total propeller head there's so much to do and it's so easy to get started that you won't regret it.
Added bonus - It runs under Windows 7 (well it does for me) yet it's considered an old game so it's ridiculously cheap.

Windows · by piltdown_man (232904) · 2012

The most amazing Flight Simulator release

The Good
My installation of FS2004 was quick and during the install, there was time to install Adobe Reader 6.0,DX 9.0a,WMP9. Quite easy to install-fewer steps in the install process. Starting Flight Simulator 2004 was quite speedy, and when the main screen opens, I chose the what's new video-John and Martha King are funny, and they explain the new features in simple language. The historical flights are steady paced, some can take many hours to complete,while the modern flights can be a challenge,plus the new kiosk flights are a quite amazing demostration of the new kiosk mode. First, the historical aircraft-such as the Wright Flyer are quite superb in flight dyamnics, and in detail. The modern aircraft-eg. C208 Grand Caravan, is one of the most easy plane to takeoff and land and flys quite well. The King Air and the Anniveresery variation of the Learjet is my favourite aeroplanes -as it very close to a Cessna bizjet as you can get, even though it's not by Cessna-fast and they are great for long-haul flights. The new Word Travel livery is nice. The Mooney Bravo is a superfast aeroplane, great to pilot. And also one livery is quite similar to Virgin/Virgin Blue livery.The interactive virtual cockipt is quite nice on some aircraft, but the DC-3 one could be easier to seee. The Boeing aircraft are quite nice-all the modern airplanes have quite effective flights dyamnics and easy to takeoff or land. FS2004 graphics are so amazing in detail, even with Intel Extreme Graphics, they are great with the improved Auto-gen and ground textures are quite spectacular. The weather themes are magnificent and a quite good challenge for flying,and the new weather system makes the FS sky vibrant and dyamnic. Also, you can choose to select a option that updates the real world weather every 15 minutes. The ATC is greatly improved-with many new options and the Garmin GPS is a cinch to use-eaiser than the FS2002 GPS



The Bad
Nothing-it was all enjoyable. But I'd would like to see the historical flights could be organised better, and a flight management computer for aeroplanes in Flight Simulator added to a future version

The Bottom Line
Overall-a amazing version of FS, it is highly recommended for anyone interested in piloting a veriety of aircraft on their PC and for first time PC pilots this game is ideal purchase.

Windows · by A.A. Fussy (126) · 2003

Trivia

Aircraft

The Cessna 182RG, and the Sopwith Camel are no longer included with Flight Simulator 2004.

Limited Edition

The game is also available in a limited edition tin packaging in the USA.

Online servers

The game's online servers (which were hosted on MSN Gaming Zone) were shut down on 19 June 2006 in the wake of MSN Games' shift from "CD-ROM matchmaking service" to casual online games.

Awards

  • Computer Gaming World
    • March 2004 (Issue #236) – Flight Simulation of the Year
  • GameSpy
    • 2003 – PC Simulation of the Year

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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by A.A. Fussy.

Additional contributors: Unicorn Lynx, Indra was here, lobo rojo, Sciere, Xoleras, Garcia, Paulus18950, Patrick Bregger, Plok.

Game added August 9, 2003. Last modified March 3, 2024.