Simviation Forums

Hi,
I've been a big CFS2 fan until I started looking at FS2004, I Just want to know the pros and cons of FS2004 and I want these questions answered:
1. How realistic is FS2004?
2. Is there any "missions"?
3. Can I become a commercial pilot?
4. Do I need a cable modem for the "real world" weather

Thanx alot
CFS2 person

Yes its worth it.
No there are no missions as such, but lots of nutters doing ace stunts or flying around the world and other crazy things
You can go up to commercial pilot.
You can get away with a relatively low-tech modem to do real world weather

Ozzy

I have never seen CFS2 so I can not compare FS2004 with it.
All I can say is that there is a big differance between FS2004 & FS2002.
There are no missions per say to fly. And as far as having real world weather if you wanted it I would use a cable moden so it wont slow FS2004 down. I do not fly with real world weather I either make my own weather as I go or use one of the weather theems in FS2004. You need a descent computer and a good 3d video card to really see all the bells & whistles.
If you have 128 meg ram or less and a 3d card with 64 meg ram or less. You are not going to be able to enjoy FS2004.
To say that FS2004 is graphic intensive is a under satement.
My system has windows ME a pent 3 running just under 1 GHZ 640 meg ram FX5200 128 ddr ram agp 3d card
I am able to max out the settings with max weather and still get descent frame rates.I could probably do better if i shut down some of the unneccassary programs that run in the back ground.
But I am happy with the way it is.

FS2004 has "adventures", not "missions", in which you learn the ropes from basic flying to long range cargo flights, going from the Cessna to the Boeing 747.

You do not need broadband to dowloand real weather - as long as you're connected to the Internet when you load up FS2004 to get the weather.  If you're paying a per minute charge, well, download the current weather and leave it static for the time.

Having said that, there are adventures that you can download, many forums have topics of the most dangerous approaches, and other challenges.  So you can't blow up things, as in CFS, but there are other challenges in FS you can enjoy.

FS2004 is good at a couple of things, and not so good at some other things.

Pro's
Lots of stock aircrafts to choose from, and even more to download for free!
Beautiful new weather!
You can customize loads of things, so the simulator runs the best in your computer. You can also adjust the realism settings, good for beginners.
More than 23.000 airports, so the sky's the limit where you want to fly.  :)

Cons.
Although you can select many display options, the game is still a resource hog and requires a fast processor to run smoothly (and that's not a guarantee either)
Yes the title is called Flight SIMULATOR, but the default jets are no way near to be called a simulator. Huge disappointment for you if you have ambitions of becoming a commercial pilot.
Aircraft physics is not accurate either, if you want to have that buy X-plane instead...crappier graphics but more 'natural feel'  :)

It really depends on what you are looking for. I think the key lies in the description eg 'Flight Simulator' as opposed to the inclusion of 'Combat'. There are pros and cons with any 'game' - although I don't really subscribe to the term 'game' for FS2004, although others will no doubt have their own views about that. Each 'game' has its own challenges but if you're looking to learn a little more about the theory of flying and navigation and actually put it into practice, albeit within the limitations of a computer 'game' then I would go for it. The scenery, weather etc in FS2004 and very good and certainly bring a sense of realism to the bigger picture but for me the challenge of accurately flying from one point to another in the world is the challenge; and of course landing safely at your destination. Sure the flight dynamics leave a lot to be desired but you can get reasonably close if you're prepared to search out upgrades. I hope this helps.  

My two cents worth!......

1.  It is a Total Global Aviation Environment within which to practice the art of aviation at any level at any time.
All countries, airports, sceneries, weathers, day or night, airways or back country. All there sitting on my desktop. Wonderful!
2. I have a B-in-law who is a Capt 747-400 and his response was I thought, succinct and true. ' It is a good  and very solid Representation of the aviation environment and all its disciplines.....' For me that describes it.
Not Total Realism but it shows me enough and gives me enough not to be surprised by any thing in the real world of aviation.
A solid, reliable representation. Go buy it.

FS2004 can't even be compaired to CFS2 it's so far ahead. I'm probably one of the few people here that doesn't like CFS2. Nexus says that the planes aren't realistic. I'm not sure about that but no worries. FS2004 has literally thousands of civil jets to choose from. All the original FS jets have been replaced with better models anyway. I never fly the default jets.

It is a big resource hog but it's worth it. I have a lower end system and it runs pretty well on medium high settings.

As for realism, Microsoft has done a very good job. Realistic sunsets, weather, even hydro poles and KFCs dot tha landscape. The vintage planes are really well done.

As for using a cable modem for the Real World Weather, you don't need it but it's better with one. The reason being is if you have it set to 15minute updates, you'll have to remain logged on to the net therefore tieing up the phone line. If this is a problem, just select static RWW instead.