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Better than expected

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 177 / 178
Date: November 06, 2001
Author: Amazon User

***** First of all and very important - Frames per Second *****
Before install this new version, I was afraid about the Frame Per Second (FPS) performance. The FPS in the previous version (2000) was hilariously bad and, as this new version has a lot of visual improvements over the previous version, I expected something like slide show. GUESS WHAT? The image runs smoothly, even at the highest screen resolution and all scenery options turned on. The frame rate stability (stutters) has been greatly improved since Flight Simulator 2000. Hats off to Microsoft on improving the image flow.

***** Install the simulator *****
The install engine reports that a complete install will require 1.6G of hard disk space - it will actually require 2.3G. The load time is about 20 minutes using full install option, but the CD is not required to run the game. All of 3 disks are required during the installation process.

***** Running by the first time *****
The first time you run the simulator, a lot of things are made: The scenery textures are uncompressed, the databases and indexes are built, the navaids and facilities are configured etc. After all (this takes 4~5 min., aprox.), you will be inside the Cessna 182S Skylane cockpit at (as always) Meigs Field runway 36.

***** First look *****
If you do not change any settings and take off, you will notice that something is different in Chicago: There are a lot of small buildings where, in the previous version, are only flat area. This is what Microsoft call auto-generated scenery: The trees, houses, offices, schools and other kind of buildings are automatically generated as you fly over the area, but sky-crappers are not auto-generated, only small buildings. The amount of auto-generated scenery can be changed.

If you turn on the aircraft lights, you will see great improvements: the NAV and strobe lights effect are simply fantastic, even creating aircraft fuselage reflections.

Make a turn and prepare to land on Meigs Field: On the final approach you will see better runway lighting effect. Just before touching the runway, set your view to spot plane and watch: your tires generate smoke at the moment of the touch.

***** Air traffic control *****
Microsoft Flight Simulator now comes with integrated air traffic control (ATC) system. You work with ATC using a semi-transparent window that shows messages and options. For example, if you are on Meigs Field and call the ATC window (to display or hide the ATC window you must press SCROLL LOCK), you will have the ATC window as following:

CHOOSE A MESSAGE TO TRANSMIT TO MEIGS GOUND ON
1 - Tune MEIGS Ground on 121.800
2 - Request Taxi - Remain in Pattern
3 - Request Taxi - Depart Straight Out
4 - Request Taxi - Depart North
5 - Request Taxi - Depart South
6 - Request Taxi - Depart East
7 - Request Taxi - Depart West

You choose an item using the correspondent number. After each choice, your ATC window modifies, so you have another set of options applicable to each situation. When you select an item from the ATC menu, you will see the text of the message on screen and hear the pilot voice saying the phrase. Your messages to controllers are audible (unless you turn the pilot voice off).

Other cool feature of ATC is the autotune. When autotune is on, your radio and transponder are automatically tuned to correct frequency. This frees you to concentrate on flying the aircraft and navigating to your destination.

The ATC adds a new level of realism of Flight Simulator. If you already have knowledge of the ATC system, you will love this new feature. If you are new to ATC, the guys worked hard to make your introduction to the system fun and easy.

***** Crowded skies *****
You are not alone in the sky. There are a lot of planes around you, and these planes make use of ATC messages. You can even listen the communication between the controllers and these planes. This is a very welcome feature.

***** The fleet *****
Now we have the Boeing 747-400 with great sound and panel. All planes now come with painting schemes. For example, you can fly the Boeing 737 using one of the three virtual airlines painting schemes provided.

***** Other cool stuffs *****
Improved textures, improved aircraft design, improved lighting effects, improved, improved, improved... Everything is improved with this new version.

***** This guy should have a powerful machine *****
Average...
I have a P-III 800 MHz, 256 Mb RAM, Asus GeForce2 MX 32 Mb and Quantum Plus AS 40 Gb 7200 RPM. Oh, I am running Windows XP Corporate. As you see, it is an almost ordinary configuration.

If you have an average processor, enough RAM and a good graphic card, try Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002. You will love it.

Highest-caliber PC game I've ever owned.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 64 / 69
Date: December 25, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 isn't only, by far, the best Flight Simulator ever in the venerable Microsoft series, but it's also the highest quality and best PC game I've ever owned.

The game, for very obvious reasons, does have some very steep hardware requirements. I have a Pentium IV 1.7 GHz processor with 256 MB of RAM and a 62 MB graphics card and run the game at 1600x1200 resolution. It runs well..barely. If you want to run it at an optimal framerate I'd recommend 512 MB of RAM and a 2.0+ GHz processor. The steep hardware requirements are accounted for by the game's excellent graphics engine and its hefty 3 gigabyte installation. The 3 gigabytes should come as no surprise considering that the game.. er "simulation" only includes the entire world! It includes about 22,000 airports and every stretch of land or water on earth between every airport. I don't know how many gross number of airports exist on this planet but I would think 22,000 is about 99% of EVERY airport existent. Even airports in small, unknown villages (of 50 people or less such as in remote Arctic Inuit villages) are included. Another plus is that, once installed, the game runs WITHOUT the need for the CD being in the drive, which is a rarity in PC gaming.

As stated before, the graphics are great, in fact much better than FS 2000's graphics. The terrain and building textures, though very good, still aren't quite there yet -and leave a little to be desired- but the clouds, weather effects and airplane graphics are superb and virtually indistinguishable from real life counterparts. Airplane cockpits are 3d-rendered and very realistic looking as are the flashing lights on exterior parts such as wings and tailgates. The airplanes' sound effects seem very realistic, also.

As far as I can tell, though I'm no pilot, the flight physics are extremely accurate and realistic. I can't discern any difference, whatsoever between flying an aircraft in this game and doing it in real life.

Flight Simulator 2002 is certainly very unaccessible and not a game for everybody. The learning curve is extraordinarily-steep. Unless you love simulations and enjoy PC titles that are as realistic as possible, you'll certaintly find FS 2002 the antithesis of fun, interesting, or exciting: It's very tedious, takes a long time to learn all the commands and fly and land correctly and even the actual flying can seem very, very slow moving. However, if the quintessence of simulation (that is, "realism") -no matter how difficult or challenging- is your "cup of tea," there is no other game out there even remotely comparable to this title in terms of quality, realism, or sheer size.

Considering that Microsoft Flight Simulator 2002 includes the whole world, not to mention 16 aircraft (and "downloadable" airplanes. I've downloaded several jets including the Lockheed SR 71A Blackbird), real-time weather, tons of options and even voice-command capabilities, I consider this game a bargain at the $70.00 price I paid for it. It's probably worth about $400.00

I Love It, But...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 55 / 57
Date: November 27, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I love this program! But rather than lull you all into a false sense of security with a lot of platitudes about buying it, read on... especially you people with older machines:

First of all, Microsoft did NOT program this... it was farmed out to a third-party company and programmed FOR Microsoft.

Second of all, don't believe the minimum system reqirements on the box for a second. If that's the best your computer can do, stick with FS98. I have an AMD-K6-2 CPU, 533 mhz, 256 megs of RAM, in 1024 mode screen resolution with all the detail sliders maxed (except Tree/Bldg density), and I get the choppies when flying over Honolulu and (of course) Manhattan. I also have less than 50 megs RAM free out of 256 after FS2002 is fully loaded, so the min RAM requirement that M$ put on the box is a total crock.

If you don't do the Full install, (which takes up 2 gigs of your HD) you won't be able to use any of the cool freeware add-ons available at sites like (...). It will also take a VERY long time to unpack the humongous .CAB files on Disc 3 EVERY time you crash, or change locations, and the waits are lengthy enough when the full install is used.

Personally, I love having a printed manual. Microsoft gives you a full manual in PDF format, but this is of little consolation when you want to lie on the couch and read it. And it would cost you a fortune to print it out on your inkjet printer! And Microsoft telling you in the pamphlet that comes with the discs: "to save ink, don't print the color pages" irked me to no end. FS2000 Pro retailed for the same price as FS2002 Pro, and that included a proper printed manual. A shame to be stingy to such a good piece of software.

Even though FS2002 Pro is more money than the standard version, the extra planes & scenery make it worth the extra few bucks (If you're a registered owner of a previous version of FS, you qualify for a $(...) rebate, which offsets the cost of buying the Pro version, so it's like getting the Pro version for the cost of the Standard one).

Like I said earlier, I love it, but you had better have the Mhz & the RAM to properly run this thing. If you do, you'll have an absolute blast! BTW, I'm not a pilot in reality, but have been an FS fan & user since 1979 (Apple II - FS1).

The "Sim" World...crossing the line of reality?...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 36 / 37
Date: October 22, 2001
Author: Amazon User

One word.

WOW.
In the past, these flight simulators have always given me a thrill. I have always enjoyed the ones that I have used, especially from Microsoft. But they have gone above and beyond the call of duty. It is truly a simulator. Or is it?

You actually need permission to take off, land, and even taxi.(You can do it without, but I wouldn't recommend it.) The controls are so different from the previous. I am going to have to take a few lessons just to get back into the swing of things. And the airports, I mean, wow. I went to a small airport near my house on this simulator, and (Like the previous versions didn't have) there is actually traffic at these airports. And they look like they would in real life.
Lets just put it this way; I bought this game the day it came out. After a night out on the town, I came home and wanted to get a "quick" flight in from O'hare to Meigs field. Decided to take the Cessna, with the traffic set to 100%. They asked me to taxi to 14. I was 5th in line for takeoff! Great...quick flight my keister. I finally took off with an east departure to Meigs. As I was approaching Meigs, and contacted them, I was 3rd behind two Cessnas that were landing as well. Needless to say, sleep that night was deprived for me, as I wanted to fly so much more, and so many different places.
I cannot even begin to describe what else this game er...simulator has to it. I hope you all enjoy, and if you would like more help or explanation, point the plane toward Meigs, and ask for the owner of the Caravan. I will probably be cursing at the air traffic, and thinking to myself...
Wow.

Always the best...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 31 / 31
Date: October 03, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I think that FS2002 is going to be the greatest simulator out there. Vapor reviews: I believe that all of us are aware that FS2002 is not yet out for a real public review, and therefore assume that most of the words on these pages are just "Educated opinions" of what think FS2002 is going to be like. Having said that, there are a lot of previews out there made by people who had actually seen and played this game, which let us know how great this game is going to be.

From what I have "the middle of the road performance machine anticipated for FS2002 is a 600 MHz, Nvidia equipped, 128 meg of ram machine. Accordingly to what most previews say microsoft has taken a lot of time dealing with the frame rate problems, and have try to fix them as well as they can. "FS2002 will represent the third generation rendering engine from microsoft. If CFS2 is smooth on your machine, you can be pretty well assured that FS2002 will perform much faster than FS2000 has for you."

"One of the most stunning new features Which we all are waiting for will be the new virtual cockpits. In fact, some on the FS team and I agreed that the use of the virtual panel could become the default method of flying the FS2002 aircraft, rather than using the two dimensional panel that we have all become used to."

"The 172 virtual panel, as an example of the technology to be incorporated in the other models of FS2002 is a wonder to behold. The graphics are stunning, the resolution excellent, and the functionality a snap to learn. The subtle tone and shading changes as the sun moves or the aircraft changes position relative to the light source. You are going to love this new addition! " Another long awaited feture is the, AUTOGEN, "the next generation in 3-D object placement in FS2002. Textures, trees, buildings, shapes and objects that had previously existed in BGL's will now come alive via AUTOGEN. As just one of the high-resolution areas in FS2002, taking a flight through the Grand Canyon will convince you that you virtually there."
"Better news yet - the AUTOGEN system allows you to use all your previously downloaded or purchased scenery. When AUTOGEN detects that an area has scenery BGL's available, it automatically prioritizes that and the BGL becomes the default scenery for that area."

"Tire smoke on landing, tire marks on the runway, rolling wheels, dirt kicked up while taxing, water landings, contrails, and much more; they have all been incorporated in FS2002 .Take off the 172. Go to exterior view. Both tires are still spinning from the take off roll. Now press the left brake. The left tire stops spinning as the right continues to slow its rotation. Step on the right brake and you will see it too come to a stop. Amazing."

"Tire smoke and rubber left on the runway... Yes, you now have tire smoke on landing, and you have the tire marks to prove how far off centerline you actually were. Watch the tire rotation on landing."

"What about animations, and the like? Yes, animations have been added to the sim, and they look great. Thrust reversers now deploy. Leading edge slats now sync with flaps, landing gear doors raise in sequence and as expected."
Lighting has also been greatly altered. We have been told that landing lights will be in FS2002."
"Real voices and a well thought out approach to air space management are the hallmarks of this new feature. Whether your flight be VFR or IFR, you are in for a treat here Those of you that own and use FSTraffic will surely ask, as I did, "okay, but what about other aircraft and collisions and the like?". There are other aircraft in your airspace. The MS team is working hard to determine the maximum number of aircraft that can be allowed in your space before they start to have an impact on system performance. The team have tested the system with as many as 30 aircraft in the skies around them, and are pushing that envelope even further. The ATC is a thoroughly impressive new feature that is sure to add to the "as real as it gets" environment of FS2002. "
This quotes were taken from Tom Allensworth @ .avsim. if you are really interested in flight simulator, and if you have not yet read avsim's, reviews and suggest that you go read their available reviews .....
By the way Have I used FS2000 on a 166mhz, w/o 3d card.............etc. Have you? And if you have, I'm sure you figured out that minimal requirements also mean, minimal terrain mesh detail, minimal object detail, minimal terrain density.... Well you get the point.

In conclusion I think flight simulator will be hands donw best simulator out for sale. I can't wait to get it and start flying...Well worth the price. Don't you think...

Realistic, addictive

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 31 / 32
Date: September 15, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Although I'm a computer enthusiast since the days of the TI-99 and the Commodore 64 this is actually my first flight simulator experience.
Why the interest now? I'm currently doing a lot of traveling and you kind of start thinking a lot about how these darned birds actually work.

Flight Simulator 2002 (FS2002) is definitely immersive and addictive. It's totally thrilling to feel the plane's response to your actions and more so the fact that it is not that complicated to get started flying and having some action.
The software (I don't like to call it a game) gets you started with a quick set of short videos that explain the basic controls and terminology to start flying immediately. You actually have the opportunity with these first interactive introductory lessons to land the plane with the help of Rod Machado, a much respected flight instructor.

There are plenty of menu options available. The recommended approach is to go through the 'Learn to fly' section while reading the ground school documentation to obtain a deeper theoretical comprehension of these fun interactive lessons. The lessons teach you simple tasks such as take offs, and the basics of maneuvering and landing your plane plus more complex topics such as traffic patterns, VOR navigation, and ILS approaches. All documentation is stored in Adobe (PDF) format and is easily accessible from the menus.

A very interesting feature is the ability to create your own flights by entering parameters such as your favorite aircraft, the airport location where you want to take off from, weather conditions, and time of day. You can even set the weather and time parameters based on the location's current weather and time. This requires an Internet connection for the software to download this information. There are hundreds of airport locations available to choose from, national and international.

Of course, there is the favorite menu option of choosing one of the many available sceneries. They have also included sceneries from FS2000 for you to enjoy. Depending on the difficulty level of the specific scenery, you start out either on the air to sightsee a specific landmark or at the airports runway to start one of the many fun tasks.

You can customize the level of physical realism when landing hard or crashing. In the default novice mode, as long as you have your landing gear set, you will land in one piece no matter how hard or fast you were flying your plane, you can also fly through buildings. Make sure to tweak these options for a more satisfying experience

FS2002 is an extremely entertaining and valuable piece of software and a fantastic learning tool. I recommend using a joystick for a more rewarding experience, and if you have bucks to spare, buy the Force Feedback 2 and a set of rudder pedals.

Another great upgrade to the Flight Simulator Series.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 33 / 36
Date: November 11, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Every time I buy the new version of FS I'm always amazed at how far this game has come. I've been using the series since Sublogic's Simulator was available for the Apple II in the early 80's.
FS 2002 has some nice upgrades over FS 2000. It includes a 747-400 which is fun to fly on ultra-long flights. You can set the simulation rate to 16X normal speed with the autopilot; previously you could only run it at 4X speed. This is important if you want to run 5,000-7,000 mile intercontinental flights without the wait of getting to your destination. The scenery continues to improve. There are realistic looking aircraft at the commercial airports. There are more trees and buildings on the ground. If it's raining you can hear the rain hit the plane (while on the ground) and see it shooting by the side windows when looking left or right (especially neat during night landings). It includes an interactive air traffic control feature which I haven't tried yet.
One thing I'm not thrilled with (no biggie, though) is that you have to set the autopilot with the tiny buttons on the instrument panel, rather than just filling in boxes on a menu. If you want to set your jumbo jet to cruise at 39,000 feet you must click on a little box on the panel and hold down your mouse button until it clicks up to 39,000. Also I'd really like to receive more commercial aircraft on future versions of the game, like the MD-80, the 757/767, and some Airbus aircraft. I guess this will take some time, though. Meanwhile FS 2002 is a worthy upgrade for enthusiasts.

Very Realistic Flight Simulator

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 39 / 46
Date: September 21, 2001
Author: Amazon User

One of the best games ever is coming for PC again, with much better graphics, much more realisic gameplay, new and exciting planes, and best of all a Advanced Traffic Control System. Could this be any better. I think not! The graphics in this game are so detailed that you can see the reflection of the terrain onto the bottom of a 747. The Air Traffic Control is so realistic that it even tells you which direction to go if another plane is in your path. Other new things include dynamic ground traffic, air draffic, and fantastic multiplayer gameplay. Although this game is excellent, the requirements are extremely high. And if you dont have what it takes, this game will run like a slug on your computer. Recommended System requirements are a Pentium 3 600/700 with 128 RAM and a 32MB 3d card. If you are a serious flight sim fan, go get your copy the day it comes out!

Microsoft does it even better with FS2002

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 26 / 28
Date: October 30, 2001
Author: Amazon User

If you liked Flight Simulator 98 or 2000, then you're gonna love this one! FS 2002 is another evolutionary step up the ladder in their great sequence of flying software.

If you've got a fast computer (Pentium 4), crank up all the settings to max and you will have a virtual flying experience like never before, complete with trees, houses and buildings, gorgeous fully operational planes with complete shading and cast shadows, radio calls to control towers -- the list goes on. And if you don't have the latest and greatest computer, don't despair. It took my latest P4 to finally tame the frame-rate beast that FS 2000 was; FS 2002 runs at least as well if not better, with greatly improved visuals! I cannot get enough of the soft, transparent clouds, shimmering water and sun reflections, and cool looking cities -- they even made the major landmarks visible from a much greater distance, so your city skyline doesn't just disappear when you travel a few miles away.

And, I love the water action -- you can take off and land on water with the float plane, or watch little waves come into the shore as you fly over the beach.

As I indicated, this version is evolutionary, not revoluationary. Microsoft kept the nice organized menu from its earlier versions, so you're not reading a huge manual trying to figure the thing out. And it runs pretty much like the earlier versions as well. I just loaded it up, made a few little adjustments, and took off right away.

I did find a few glitchy things here and there, but nothing major; I'm really looking forward to the inevitable add-ons to appear as well; that will be even better.

One other thing I enjoyed, surprisingly, is the air traffic control chatter; I never thought I would want to ask for permission to takeoff, etc. but it's actually quite fun, and can be turned off if you get tired of it.

I've been waiting for awhile for this, and for anyone who loves to just fly around and look at the world, be it cities, mountains, the sky, without having to shoot at anybody -- it was worth the wait.

Omigosh, now I'm going to have to start looking forward to FS 2004 -- no, maybe I'll just go fly for awhile instead.

A thoroughly entertaining simulator!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 18
Date: November 21, 2001
Author: Amazon User

This flight simulator is the best yet! If you're a total beginner then this simulator will have you up and flying around fantastic scenery in minutes. The choice of airplanes can be further increased by adding free add-ons from various websites. One thing that concerned me was the conflicting reports regarding minimum system specification. I'm running it on a P3 500Mhz Toshiba Laptop with 256Mb RAM and 8Mb S3 graphics without any problems - the frame rates are excellent. A must buy.

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