I’m incredibly frustrated and disappointed with MSFS 2024. Over 200 € spent on a product that feels unfinished, riddled with bugs, and lacking proper testing. To make things worse, many of the promises made for MSFS 2020 remain unfulfilled, and now we’re paying for what feels like an incremental update disguised as a new simulator (which honestly would be fine, considering everything we’ve got, if it wasn’t more of a downgrade).
MSFS 2020: A Revolutionary Product
Before diving into my frustrations with MSFS 2024, I want to acknowledge the incredible foundation laid by MSFS 2020. For what we paid, MSFS 2020 delivered a groundbreaking simulator that changed the landscape of flight simulation.
Microsoft and Asobo repeatedly assured us that MSFS 2020 would be a 10-year product, evolving and improving over the decade. This promise gave many of us confidence to invest heavily in the platform.
And honestly, I didn’t mind paying for MSFS 2024 initially. Everything Microsoft and Asobo delivered for MSFS 2020—the world updates, content, and overall quality—felt like it justified the extra expense. I saw MSFS 2024 as a way for them to make some well-deserved money and continue supporting the simulator we love. But what we’ve received with MSFS 2024 feels incomplete, unpolished, and disconnected from the promises of the original platform. It’s hard not to feel let down.
The world updates brought stunning visuals and immersive realism to the platform, and the consistent stream of new content kept the community engaged. While some promised features remain missing, the sheer scope and ambition of MSFS 2020 made it a joy to use and a favorite among simmers worldwide.
It’s precisely because MSFS 2020 set such a high standard that the state of MSFS 2024 feels so disappointing in comparison.
Here’s What I’ve Experienced (and What Others Are Reporting):
VR Issues: The toolbar in VR is missing, no matter how much I tweak the settings. If the goggles aren’t on, it prompts me to click “OK,” but the option to click doesn’t even work. The menu just hangs, requiring a restart. VR feels worse than MSFS 2020, with degraded performance and persistent bugs. Many users have reported similar issues, including crashes when switching to VR mode.
Connectivity Dependency: Why is everything tied to the cloud now? If my internet is down or the server misbehaves, I’m locked out of the simulator. Even without photogrammetry, I should still be able to enjoy a functional simulator. Many users have noted that server issues can cause missing textures, blurred terrain, or even entire airports to disappear mid-flight.
Server Problems: The servers frequently experience interruptions, even after paying a premium for the product. “Connection lost” and “connection resumed” messages constantly pop up, disrupting immersion. I—and many others—should not spend more time troubleshooting connectivity issues than actually flying.
Performance Issues: While MSFS 2020 ran beautifully on my setup, MSFS 2024 struggles. Stuttering during complex approaches and FPS drops are common complaints, even from those with high-end hardware like mine (RTX 4090). Others have reported increased load times and memory leaks on longer flights.
Minimal Improvement from MSFS 2020: While the ground looks better, gameplay and functionality feel worse. Bushes and rocks pop up at the last second, ruining immersion during off-runway landings. Autopilot functionality, especially VNAV, remains inconsistent, and the overall experience feels like a downgrade.
Buggy UI and Features: The toolbar, flight planning menu, and ATC windows continue to experience glitches. Broken achievements, bush trips, and training missions are still unresolved issues carried over from MSFS 2020. Many users report that these longstanding problems should have been addressed by now.
No backwarfd compatibility: Developers all complaint…and i can’t view my scenery without issue in the sim for a lot of them
Visuals: Based on the video, trailers, … I was expecting something else. Honeslty, not that easy to tell the difference. In any case, not a huge leap forward such as once could expect (lookg at GTA4 - GTA5 - GTA6… for instance). Just had a flight around Bora bora, flat texture… it’s is still the same data from bing after all.
While most of these issues can be fixed over time, I’m really worried about the cloud agenda. For years, a lot of cockpit builders like me have hoped for MFS2020 to become more of a simulator than a game (like Xplane, P3D,…) but in my opinion, the new architecture is a massive step back for users like me.
Incremental Changes Disguised as a New Simulator
Beyond the shift to a cloud-based system, it feels like much of what’s new in MSFS 2024—like the updated UI and ground polygon improvements—could have been added to MSFS 2020 as a major update. Aside from the improved ground textures and environmental details, the simulator doesn’t feel like a true evolution. Many users in the community share the sentiment that this release feels more like a rebranding with incremental improvements than a full-fledged next-generation simulator.
Promised Features Still Undelivered in MSFS 2020
While MSFS 2020 was an incredible product, there were several features announced that remain incomplete or missing, even as MSFS 2024 charges users for an updated experience. Here’s what’s still lacking:
- DirectX 12 (DX12) Support: Still in indefinite beta status.
- Multithreading Enhancements: Performance improvements on multi-core CPUs remain minimal.
- Shared Cockpit Functionality: Promoted as a key feature but still absent.
- Dynamic Seasons: Promised early on but never implemented.
- Realistic Extreme Weather Conditions: The simulator still doesn’t fully simulate extreme weather scenarios accurately.
- Missions and Activities: Largely overlooked in 2020, now a major focus of MSFS 2024.
- Advanced AI Air Traffic Control (ATC): Implementation falls short of expectations.
- High-Fidelity Graphics: Visual fidelity does not match promotional materials.
- Aerodynamic Simulation: Still not at the level initially marketed.
- Ray Tracing: Announced but remains missing.
Despite these missing features, MSFS 2020’s world updates and overall experience felt worth the investment, which is why the shortcomings of MSFS 2024 are so disappointing.
A Concerning Shift Toward Cloud Dependency
The increasing reliance on cloud-based features feels like a step backward. While I understand the need for online capabilities to enhance realism, users should have the option to play offline in case of connectivity issues or server downtime. At a minimum, adding an “Offline Mode” button would go a long way in addressing this frustration.
It’s hard not to feel like this shift is more about cost-saving measures than improving the user experience. Cloud-based features may reduce local data requirements for developers, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of basic functionality for end users. This approach risks alienating loyal players who supported MSFS 2020 for its groundbreaking innovation.
My Trust in Asobo and Microsoft
Despite these frustrations, I still trust Asobo and Microsoft to address these issues and deliver a simulator worthy of their reputation. However, I strongly believe these concerns need to be officially acknowledged in the next developer podcast to prevent further anger within the community.
Right now, many of us feel like we’ve been fooled. Hearing directly from Asobo and Microsoft on how they plan to address these issues is critical for restoring trust. Their transparency and commitment are key to moving forward.
Final Thoughts
MSFS 2020 set the bar high, and for what we paid, it delivered an experience that exceeded expectations. MSFS 2024 has left many in the community feeling disappointed, not just because of the bugs, but because it seems to undermine the trust we placed in Asobo and Microsoft to honor their promises.
If these issues aren’t addressed, the risk of alienating a loyal and passionate community grows. Please prioritize addressing these problems and delivering on your promises. The MSFS community deserves nothing less.
