reasons to ditch FS2002 and get FS2004, what are they?

**Bruce** · 07-31-2003, 02:32 PM

this is what FS2002 looks like on my machine, although this does show added AI traffic. now i have read that FS2004 is a leep foward, and having seen the advance FS2002 was over FS98 (i never got FS2000), i expect this to be true. What are the advances i could expect to see, because to be honest all the screen shots i have seen do not impress me that much; IMHO they do not look any better than FS2002 to me. so to my mind there is no graphical improvement, so we have the much vaunted improvements to the weather/clouds and ATC/AI. first the weather; i have no additions other than those done by FSUIPC, but using the built in stuff with the game i can download real world weather and look out of the window and see it, i also find the 2D sprites very convincing, so what extras can i expect to see. and then we have the improved ATC/AI, i have puchased a couple of programs that give me very realistic traffic with many aicraft visible both in the air and on the ground, and the air traffic controller talks to me in a local accent (i am from the UK, and the air traffic controllers here do not speak with an american accent). Finally how can i expect it to run, does it have a higher requirement than FS2002; my system just about manages to run FS 2002 at the level i am prepared to accept (no point in having everything turned off or down, i might as well use FS98 maxed out).

so to sum up from what i have read and seen:
There seems to be no graphical improvement.
The aircraft are a little better (maybe a lot with some), but still not up to the standard of the best addons that i already have.
The weather is improved but i am happy with what i have.
The ATC is improved (but it does not seem as good as that provided by UT), but i would lose my english speaking air traffic controllers, so in actual fact would be a backward step.
In my experience every game or program that comes out has a higher system requirement than previous versions, so it likely to run slower than FS2002. In other words it could well be inferior to what i allready have if i have to turn anything down from max to get it to run.

**shwncplnd** · 07-31-2003, 02:42 PM

You can take off or land @ ANY runway you want. Using AFCAD or UT has nothing on what ATC improvements FS9 has made. When sitting on the ramp, you can check the winds and decide which runway you want to uuse. When landing, you can choose which type of approach you want to use as well as which runway to use. That alone has convinced me, although it really didn't take much. I've seen AI take off and land at small airstrips, which would take quite a bit of work with AFCAD. UT I'm sure doesn't allow you to approach an airport however you want.

**slarente** · 07-31-2003, 02:50 PM

The graphics are way better than FS2002. You really have to use it to realize that. The clouds, the skies look better and the 3d clouds are a big improvement.

The water textures are better as well as the effects.

The autogen is "smarter". You don't see trees in the middle of nowhere, the line up along the fields. You can see more types of buildings and the cities look much better...

Simon

**Bruce** · 07-31-2003, 03:04 PM

i use the photographic scenery over the UK, where i fly most, and as far as i know this works in FS2004, and this looks more realistic than any autogen as i can see my home as i fly over devonport. do the ATC use local accents, as far as i know they speak american? mind you i must admit the shots of the water i've seen look very good, do th esailing boats move?

**jhender501** · 07-31-2003, 03:07 PM

I like the step climb feature.

Jim

**elpez7** · 07-31-2003, 03:08 PM

Its always fun to read reviews from people who have not yet played the sim. You have to play it to get the real affect.

**Kerosene31** · 07-31-2003, 03:15 PM

The weather engine (3d clouds, winds, precipitation, turbulence) is simply amazing. Well worth the price imho. Add in the new atc features, taxiway signs at airports (even small ones), wind socks, the list of little things just goes on and on.

The new weather effects just don't come across in screenshots. You really have to feel it. It really adds a huge level of fun, especially to general aviation aircraft.

**slarente** · 07-31-2003, 03:18 PM

Yeah,

People are free to buy it or not, but those who don't really have not idea about what they are missing ;)

It's my opinion, of course...

Simon

**superbrett** · 07-31-2003, 03:26 PM

Here is my big reason: interactive Virtual Cockpits!!! I was able to do a flight last night and I never had to leave the VC at all! Finally, there is no reason to ever have to use a 2D panel ever again. Anyone know when the new version of Active Camera is going to be released? Thats the only thing missing from a great flying experience in the VCs.