THE #1 classic flight simulator. I still have the manual for this one within arms reach at my computer desk and fire it up for nostalgic value from time to time in emulation. Yeah, I play the latest MSFS, DCS, and X-Plane 11.5 in VR on a top-end PC these days, but this is where it all started. Technically, I first played FSII on an Apple II in high school, but it was tough to ever get time with it. When it came out for my Atari at home, I couldn't buy it fast enough. Yes, you need to use some imagination with this title and the low frame rates will irritate any modern gamer, but it was less the sensation of flying than the ability to to "real" things like plan flights and learn a bit about avionics and navigation using VOR that made it more than just a game. This one used high res mode and aliasing to make color, making it a unique looking title that squeezed about as much as was possible on a low-res composite monitor. I think I played nearly every version of FS since then, but this one will always be particularly special. |