4.5/5 ★ – Hazzi's review of Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0.

Simulated Skies, Real Adventures Platform: DOS, Mac, PC-98 Score: 86 So, you fancy yourself an aviator, eh? Well, back in 1989, when the internet was still a weird sci-fi concept, and Windows 3.0 was the new kid on the block, Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 (FS4) was the go-to experience for wannabe pilots. Developed by the Bruce Artwick Organization, this bad boy didn't just let you sit in the cockpit; it threw you into the wild blue yonder with more realism than a flight school brochure. FS4 isn't your typical sit-and-play arcade game; it’s a dedication. The first thing you'll notice is the sheer size of your playground—100 million square miles of Earth, complete with random weather patterns that make every flight unique. You’re not just flying in circles around your virtual airport; you’re taking on the world. And not just with any plane—you’ve got a range of aircraft from the Cessna Skylane RG II to the Gates Learjet 25G and the Schweizer 2-32 Sailplane. Each plane has its own personality, quirks, and flight dynamics, making you adapt your piloting skills constantly. Sure, by today’s standards, FS4's graphics might look like a toddler’s first crayon doodle. But for 1989? The VGA mode at 640x350 resolution with 16 colors was something to behold. The game's dynamic scenery wasn’t just eye candy; it included non-interactive air and ground traffic to give airports a lived-in feel. Add random weather conditions into the mix, and you had a setup that could go from serene skies to pants-wetting thunderstorms in the blink of an eye. One of FS4’s standout features was the Aircraft Designer Module. Imagine being able to tweak flight characteristics and design new experimental aircraft. You could essentially play God with aerodynamics and aesthetics. This wasn’t just a game; it was an aviation sandbox. The Aircraft and Scenery Designer (ASD) integration module even let you build custom scenery and swap them with fellow flight sim fanatics. Talk about replay value! Between 1990 and 1993, a slew of add-ons kept FS4 fresh. The Sound, Graphics, and Aircraft Upgrade (SGA) added digital and synth sound capabilities, plus high-resolution modes for those fancy new video cards. Mallard Software’s Aircraft Adventure Factory (AAF) let you craft custom aircraft shapes and create adventure scripts, giving you even more control over your flight sim experience. Other notable mentions include the Scenery Enhancement Edition (SEE4) and Pilots Power Tools (PPT), which streamlined the management of your numerous aircraft and scenery files. The community around FS4 was vibrant and creative. The game’s open nature meant users were constantly sharing new scenery files and custom aircraft designs. This user-generated content kept the game relevant far beyond its initial release, proving that FS4 was more than just a game—it was a platform for creativity and exploration. Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0 wasn’t just a flight sim; it was an era-defining experience. It combined the technical wizardry of the late 80s with a depth of gameplay that kept you coming back for more. Whether you were battling stormy weather, tweaking your custom plane, or exploring new add-ons, FS4 offered a deeply engaging experience that few games could match at the time. It’s no wonder it remains a beloved classic in the annals of flight simulation. What Would Have Made This Score Higher? FS4 was groundbreaking, but it wasn’t without its flaws. The performance could be a drag on older systems, making high-resolution modes a pipe dream for many. Adding more interactivity with the environment, better optimization for varying hardware, and more intuitive design tools would have elevated the game from great to legendary.