ORIGINAL: malcolmm

Has it already been a year that FS One has been out? I bought FS One about a month ago - I was waiting like you for some updates, but I needed something to practise 3D on.

Graphics are nothing special, but I don't care about graphics. I much prefer the user interface in G2, which is the only other sim I have owned. In G2 everyhing in menu driven, so you can change fields/airplanes/options without much of a delay. To do the same in FS One, you have to exit the flying field and go back to the main menus. My PC is equivalent to the recommended (not the minimum) system, I spend a lot of time waiting for screens to load.

Realism (physics) is good - good enough to practise most 3D manuevers. Some things aren't modeled (wing rock), but basic physics is good. However, from what I understand, the basic flight model hasn't been updated since it was released, which I find very disappointing. I thought the main focus of FS One was realism, but they seem to be focusing on everything but realism up to this point.

Other drawbacks - essentially there is no documentation, after almost a year, this is very bad. As you mentioned, there is a lack of plane/helicopter selection. A lot of the planes in FS One are pretty outdated. I've asked serveral times if the new models are going to be free, but I've never received a clear answer. So my guess is you will have to buy an add on, but I would love to be told I am wrong. For me, none of the views provided are quite right. Apparently they don't offer the wider field of view that other sims offer for performance reasons, hopefully they will offer this as an optional view.

My overall impression of FS One is somewhat positive, I guess I would say "recommended with reservations". In hindsight, I should have waited longer to see if the improvements to the flight model, field of view and new and more up to date models are released.

Malcolm