Solo Flight

About

Solo Flight is a single player simulation game. It was developed by Microprose and was released on January 21, 2022. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

In 1983, none other than the legendary Sid Meier created Solo Flight, one of the first, realistic flight simulators, and possibly the first to include a game mode designed to test your skills as a pilot. There is no autopilot here, no computer-aided navigation. This is old-school dial-based flight instrumentation, which will challenge your skills when bad weather takes away the horizon and pr…

Genres & Tags

Simulation

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

64%

Audience ScoreBased on 11 reviews

atmosphere2 positive mentions

graphics3 negative mentions

Solo Flight offers an innovative and immersive flight simulation experience, focusing on navigation and problem-solving rather than combat.
The game runs smoothly on modern PCs thanks to DOSBox, making it accessible for those looking to relive a piece of gaming history.
Despite its simplistic graphics and dated mechanics, Solo Flight provides a nostalgic trip for players who appreciate retro gaming.

The steep learning curve and reliance on a manual can be daunting for newcomers, making the game less accessible.
Graphics and terrain representation are very simplistic, leading to a lack of visual engagement and atmosphere.
The long-term appeal of the game is limited, as its mechanics may feel overly simplistic or outdated for modern audiences.

gameplay
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
14%
43%
The gameplay is characterized by objective-driven missions that create a sense of urgency, enhanced by mechanical failures and instrument malfunctions that challenge players' flying and problem-solving skills. While the innovative mechanics were groundbreaking at the time, they may now feel simplistic or outdated, and players will need to reference the included manual for navigation and copy-protection elements. Overall, the engaging gameplay and atmospheric audio design contribute to its status as a classic, despite some dated aspects.
- “This objective-driven gameplay introduces a sense of purpose and urgency, distinguishing it from other flight simulators of the era.”
- “The inclusion of mechanical failures and instrument malfunctions further adds layers of complexity, requiring players to be adept not only in flying but also in troubleshooting and problem-solving under pressure.”
- “The audio design complements the gameplay, with sound effects that enhance the atmosphere of flight.”
- “Its mechanics and gameplay, while innovative for their time, might feel overly simplistic or dated by modern standards.”
- “The PDF manual can be found in the installation directory and includes maps of all the in-game regions; these hand-drawn maps are not just for show, but are actually required in order to view the coordinates needed for the VOR navigation mechanics. You will need the manual anyway because the game implements a rudimentary version of copy protection where you have to enter some numbers that are only found in the game manual.”
- “The gameplay lacks depth and variety, making it feel repetitive after a short period of time.”
graphics
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
100%
The graphics in Solo Flight feature a top-down perspective with simplistic representations of terrain and aircraft, which may feel outdated and janky, often running at around 10 fps. Despite these limitations, the visuals effectively communicate essential information, and some players find a certain charm in the minimalistic design, enjoying the gameplay experience for short sessions.
- “There's something soothing about delivering mail to randomized airports that look just like a pixel smudge on the screen.”
- “If you can get past the extreme jank, ~10 fps, and the utterly simple graphics that will make you want to stick a needle in your eyes, solo flight manages to be fun for a few hours; there's something soothing about delivering mail to randomized airports that look just like a pixel smudge on the screen.”
- “While the visuals are modest by today's standards, they effectively convey the necessary information to the player.”
- “Graphically, solo flight utilizes a top-down perspective with simplistic yet functional representations of terrain and aircraft.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
50%
The audio design effectively enhances the flight experience, contributing positively to the game's atmosphere. However, some users feel that the overall atmosphere falls short compared to other outer-space games, which can create a more immersive environment despite their vast emptiness.
- “The audio design complements the gameplay, with sound effects that enhance the atmosphere of flight.”
- “I have seen outer-space games with wide open nothingness that have better atmosphere than this.”
- “I have seen outer-space games with wide open nothingness that have a better atmosphere than this.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Players appreciate the added complexity of mechanical failures and instrument malfunctions, which enhance the game's realism and challenge. This aspect requires them to develop skills in troubleshooting and problem-solving while flying, contributing to a more immersive experience.
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to enjoy the experience.”
- “I encountered multiple bugs that disrupted gameplay, leading to frustrating moments.”
- “The stability issues are so severe that I often find myself questioning whether I should continue playing.”
music
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The game's music is minimalistic yet impactful, successfully enhancing the tension and challenges encountered during missions.
- “The game's music, though minimalistic, effectively underscores the tension and challenges faced during missions.”
- “The soundtrack is a perfect blend of atmospheric tones that enhance the overall gaming experience.”
- “Each track is thoughtfully composed, adding depth and emotion to every moment of gameplay.”
story
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's story is enhanced by its minimalistic music, which effectively heightens the tension and challenges encountered during missions, contributing to an immersive narrative experience.