Test machine specs: MSI X670E, AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D, AMD Radeon RX 7900XTX, 48gb RAM
Review sim: MSFS
Add-ons: FSLTL, GSX Pro, REX AccuSeason (which may misrepresent some colours in certain light conditions)
Greenland is, suffice to say, a bit of a ‘niche’ area within the simulator but it can be a wonderful place to fly; particularly at this time of year when the nights are insanely short (almost non-existent, in fact!) and there’s still a dusting of snow on the ground.
I had regarded the three versions of Nuuk — all released around the same time — with interest but wasn’t prepared to pay full price, given how obscure a place this special region of Denmark is. M’M Sims’ version went on sale pretty soon after its release and has been periodically discounted ever since (incidentally being at its lowest price right now). FSDG discount once in a blue moon, while FSimStudios have only offered a tiny reduction… until now (currently available for only $11.99/£8.80 at their own webstore).
DETAIL
Those who know FSimStudios’ work will likely be familiar with what’s presented here. In short, it’s very, very good, without being truly exceptional. One thing they’ve managed to do better than the competition is the custom ortho, which is arguably more detailed than the other two, particularly around the taxiway and apron edges.
The terminal building also looks superior in every way to that in the other versions — likely as a result of the team’s visit to the real airport, and their use of high-tech gadgetry to take accurate measurements. Exterior modelling has never been a weak area for FSimStudios and it’s very pleasing here. Moving inside, we get a reasonably detailed interior that, despite not being the absolute best in 2025, manages to outdo both M’M and FSDG. Let’s just say, it recreates the sort of atmosphere you’d expect in these parts.
Out on the ramp, taxiways and runway we’re treated to some very nice texture work, featuring a decent amount of weathering and crisp ground markings. Colours look just right: not too garish, but not too muted (M’M Sims are the weakest here — their markings just look too bright, even for a new airport). There’s a good amount of ground clutter, the majority of it custom (plenty of Air Greenland-branded vehicles and some heavy snow-clearing equipment, unsurprisingly). There are a few default Asobo ramp workers, which is a touch too few devs seem to consider these days. Amazing how just a few guys wandering around, looking busy, can add to the feel of an airport. Finally, FSimStuduios have included a couple of Air Greenland Dash 8s — one on the main apron and one on the maintenance ramp. I’ve see complaints about this but, in the dev’s defence, most AI traffic mods don’t include Air Greenland’s domestic schedules — therefore I find the featured models add a bit of life/immersion (they’re very good models too, although they carry the same registration).
The maintenance area is well done, the team having included a basic interior for one of the hangars (along with the aforementioned Dash 8 sitting outside). I particularly like the night-lighting in this area but I have to admit, the ATC tower could be a little better lit. It also offers no interior but for me, that’s not really an issue.
Arriving landside, we see FSimStudios’ typical weak point make an unwelcome return. To be fair, it is at least custom-modelled but, save for streetlights and a few custom cars, it’s pretty sparse. We do get the signpost highlighting the distances to various world cities, though, plus some flagpoles (unfortunately with non-animated flags). It’d be nice to see some people, especially since the terminal interior features plenty. FSDG definitely have it nailed in this department, with various bits of signage and other clutter dotting their landside.
Perhaps the biggest disappointment is the default autogen right opposite the terminal. The ski-lift and its associated building have been modelled but an exact duplicate of this custom building exists a few metres down the road, in the maintenance area. The strip of land just east of the runway (i.e. town side) has also been left largely to default.
FSimStudios often include POIs a good distance from their airports and Nuuk continues this trend. By day, the included buildings look pretty good but at night, they’re not self-illuminating, being lit only by the Asobo ‘globes’ in their vicinity. This is another disappointment, made less palatable by the fact that FSDG have included a lot more of the town. In FSDG’s Nuuk, there are plenty of those typically Greenlandic coloured houses; while in FSimStudios’ they’re left to default autogen. Even M’M Sims’ version — so far behind in almost every way — offers a somewhat more detailed townscape, including the huge murals that adorn the sides of several apartment buildings. The FSimStudios team did suggest there’d be more updates to come, concentrating on Nuuk itself, but so far we’ve not seen any. I’d love to see the town receive more attention, in the form of proper night-lighting and a bit more fine detail. As I say, the buildings themselves are reasonably well textured but do look a bit bland.
PERFORMANCE
Several comments upon release suggested that the performance of FSimStudios’ airports is typically weak, however in this instance that’s not at all the case. I’m actually quite surprised by how good the performance is, given that Calgary on Xbox is one of the most demanding airports I’ve ever used (quick reminder: this review is for the PC version!). At no point during take-off or landing do I get any ill-effects such as fps drops or stuttering, even with heavy weather.
VERDICT
Unfortunately, as is so often the case, we get more than one scenery for the same airport but there’s no clear winner. All things considered, however, I think FSimStudios offers the best version, particularly if you want the most detailed airport overall. With regard to JUST the airport, the only area in which a competing product is better is the terminal landside, which is unquestionably less important than the airside.
If you buy FSimStudios’ version of Nuuk, it’s best to view the town as more of a bonus than a detailed, integral part of the scenery. Just a bit of eye candy to perhaps look at from afar when on short finals. FSDG without doubt offer a better town, while M’M’s is harder to assess without having the scenery in hand (its buildings look at the very least on a par with FSimStudios’).
If FSimStudios can spruce up Nuuk town a little — by adding a few more custom buildings (even if they repeat in places) and proper night-lighting — they’ll undoubtedly have the winning product. At this moment, I’d say they have that already, but more subjectively. If a complete rendition of Nuuk (i.e. a reasonably decent airport and a great townscape) is what you’re after, you may want to look towards FSDG. I honestly don’t think M’M are in the running here, unless some of the finer detail they included in town takes your fancy.
In summary, FSimStudios have created the best version of the airport. It’s not perfect but it generally does everything more pleasingly than the other two. If the thought of flying around at midnight in June— with the sun still up and snow still on the ground(!) — appeals to you, you’re probably going to want Nuuk. You just have to decide which one best suits your simming needs. But for anyone looking for somewhere new and unique to fly, Asobo’s updated terrain data for Greenland (part of World Update 15) will ensure you get to see some pretty stunning terrain as you fly around this Danish territory.
On a final note, it’s worth bearing in mind that the sim’s Greenland airports selection has expanded considerably in the last few months, with both Nuuk and Kulusuk (FSDG) being added to MK’s superb Kangerlussuaq pack. A region such as this certainly needs a few airports to make investing in one or two worthwhile. At the moment, Air Greenland are using a Jettime B738 on both domestic and international services, and Headwind are in the process of developing the A330-800 to go with their -900. If Majestic produce the goods with their Dash 8 series, Greenland really will become a great place to fly!
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