I don't know if this is going to be a popular statement, since I have seen a lot of people expressing unhappiness and frustration about FSX (which is understandable, I have to say).
Personally, in spite of all the issues, I like FSX and I am going to stick to it.
I don't have a system capable of taking advantage of its full potential, but I can see that potential in the future.
Most of my payware doesn't work with it. Chances are I will need to pay for upgrades to get that payware to work.
I can see graphic glitches all over the place, especially where the water meets land or where water is shallow.
Pulling up one or two extra sub-windows (like the G1000) slows the system to a crawl.
When the issues are fixed and the payware is working ... and I got a new system (it will take a while, I don't grow money on trees, but let's tell the truth ... sooner or later you gotta upgrade to a new system, I mean, none of us are not running 80286 anymore, are we?) ... FSX will shine.
In the meanwhile I still like it as is. I think that the modelling of the acceleration effects on the Point of View in the virtual cockpit contribute IMMENSELY to the immersion.
I fly in real life and I can't claim I am a "super pilot" (I had a flight in Pitts once and pulled a few Gs ... I fly a Piper Cherokee most of the time and 99% of my flights are takeoff, straight and level, land ... all in good weather). But I have to say that I find it exciting landing in a vicious crosswind with moderate turbulence ... and FSX, given similar conditions, does give you a feel of "adrenaline rush".
The feel of having to fly the path and fight the plane at the same time is something that FS9 never quite gave me.
True, moderate turbulence in my world, means getting my ass kicked. Moderate turbulence in real life is nothing to sneeze at. In FSX in order to get close to the same "feeling" you need to turn the intensity all the way up ... but the feeling of "fighting" the plane and the weather is there all right.
I also love the fact that you can fly out of the atmosphere. I can't wait for developers to come up with some kick-ass X-plane and then take that into VATSIM ... or the pilot-club network. Let's watch the controllers deal with a space-shuttle re-entry for once!
FSX has issues, yes, but it's got potential and even with all the effects turned to medium-low (which is the most my system can take) I am still getting a kick out it.
I think that as it is right now FSX for me is already beating FS9. I am already finding it difficult if not impossible to go back to FS9. In fact at this point, I can't fly FS9 anymore ... as is, FSX is my game.
FSX is a worthy successor of FS9.
Sorry to say: I like it.
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