X-Plane 10 Global

About

X-Plane 10 Global is a highly realistic flight simulation game, offering a vast, detailed world for players to explore. It features accurate aircraft systems and performance, as well as flexible and advanced flight modeling. With its global coverage and extensive features, X-Plane 10 Global provides a truly immersive and authentic flight simulation experience.

Genres & Tags

Simulation

Play Modes

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 601 reviews

graphics36 positive mentions

stability12 negative mentions

Excellent flight model that feels realistic, making it enjoyable for both casual players and serious flight enthusiasts.
Great cross-platform support and a large community providing numerous add-ons and mods to enhance the experience.
Runs well on lower-end hardware, making it accessible for users with less powerful systems.

Lacks detailed airport scenery and many default aircraft do not have 3D cockpits, leading to a less immersive experience.
User interface is clunky and not very intuitive, making it difficult for new players to navigate and configure settings.
ATC functionality is poor and often unrealistic, detracting from the overall simulation experience.

graphics
109 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some praising the stunning visuals and realism when run on high-end systems, while others criticize the overall quality as lacking compared to modern standards. Many users note that achieving optimal graphics requires significant hardware investment and extensive setup, including third-party add-ons, which can be frustrating for beginners. Overall, while the graphics can be impressive, they are often seen as inconsistent and not as user-friendly as expected.
- “The graphics are fantastic and the platform runs stable, which is what drew me into trying out this sim.”
- “The 'Google Earth' quality of graphics made it so I actually recognized the places/runways/airstips/mountains/streams/topography as we flew over and landed... absolutely incredible.”
- “Amazed by the great graphics of this game.”
- “It has the worst graphics, and I have a GTX 1060, but at the highest settings, it's still terrible.”
- “The graphics in the demo are misleading, as most of those shown are costly add-ons.”
- “The graphics on this game are not impressive at all, and controls are difficult, and the flying characteristics are not realistic, which may be due to the lag caused by playing a game online that has to be run through another program (Steam).”
optimization
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
65%
13%
The optimization of the simulator has received mixed reviews, with many users noting that while the game offers impressive graphics and a solid performance once set up, the initial configuration process can be cumbersome and frustrating, especially for beginners. Users emphasize the need for a high-performance PC to achieve optimal results, as performance issues such as low frame rates and camera movement glitches can detract from the experience. Overall, while the simulator excels in physics and visual fidelity, it requires significant effort to optimize for individual systems.
- “Have a high single-thread clock and a decent GPU if you want to get the best performance.”
- “Absolutely the best modern flight sim featuring aerodynamic modeling at 64-bit performance, cross-platform compatibility, and a growing add-on community with great support.”
- “The sim is well optimized and graphically pleasing.”
- “Setting the sim up for optimal performance is an absolute pain in the arse!”
- “The weather engine simulates proper low visibility, icing, and turbulence; however, the clouds have a huge effect on computer performance (framerates), and a very decent PC is required to run this simulator.”
- “Still, no matter your system, performance will suck if you intend to crank up the textures.”
story
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
71%
14%
The story aspect of the game is largely absent, as it primarily functions as a flight simulator without any built-in missions, tutorials, or structured objectives. Users express disappointment over the lack of guidance for beginners and the absence of engaging content, contrasting it unfavorably with other titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator X, which offers a wealth of missions and training resources. While players can create their own objectives, the overall experience lacks the narrative depth and structured gameplay that many expect from a game.
- “It can both teach you how to fly a plane (at least the basics) and give you fun missions to complete, rewarding you with in-game achievements.”
- “It's mainly fun for me because I can make my own objectives within the simulation, though it doesn't have the pre-made missions that FSX had.”
- “Don't expect a walkthrough or missions; this is all about flying, and it's up to each pilot to set it up for the purpose in mind.”
- “There is zero incentive to purchase this product if you are a beginner. If you're looking for an introductory, learning experience into the flight scenario, if you expect missions, tutorials, a proper main menu, flights, a convenient setup, then you'll have to look elsewhere.”
- “Another thing is, right out of the box it does not come with training missions and just missions in general.”
- “There is not much in the way of a tutorial and no in-game missions.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is notably poor, with frequent freezes occurring during various flight scenarios, regardless of the aircraft or plugins used. Users report significant bugs in both the aircraft and ATC systems, leading to a frustrating experience that requires extensive troubleshooting and addon management. Overall, the game lacks a solid foundation of stability, particularly in the Mac version, making it difficult for players to enjoy a seamless flight experience.
- “Unfortunately, this game does get buggy without all sceneries installed.”
- “It freezes every flight with different planes and different plugins.”
- “Many of the planes I have tried to fly are buggy, or just do not work at all.”
gameplay
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
38%
38%
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with many users criticizing its basic mechanics and the reliance on paid DLC for essential features, such as aircraft and airports. While some players find the flight mechanics acceptable, others feel they lack depth and polish compared to other titles in the genre. Overall, the gameplay experience is seen as underwhelming, particularly given the additional costs associated with improving it.
- “The appearance and gameplay of this game is more than just okay.”
- “Not to bash FSX, but it gives a more mechanical feel to flying.”
- “Perhaps some of these issues could be remedied with 'plugins' that you can pay extra for, but I am not accustomed to seeing such basic gameplay mechanics relegated to DLC.”
- “Poor graphics and gameplay; you have to buy the airport if someone hasn't done it for free. The same goes for the plane, which costs the same amount as the full game ($60). The free planes look ugly, and most of them do not have a 3D cockpit.”
- “That's an example of a bad game because you have to pay for everything if you want better gameplay.”
atmosphere
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The atmosphere in the game is highly praised for its accurate weather and atmospheric pressure simulations, enhanced by the ability to download real-world weather data. Users commend the beautiful atmospheric effects and impressive level of detail, though this comes with demanding system requirements. Overall, the program creates a scientific and professional ambiance, particularly excelling in atmospheric conditions compared to its competitors.
- “The atmosphere effects are beautiful, and the level of detail was astounding - although that level of detail came at a cost of very high system spec requirements.”
- “Scenery in X-Plane is better for atmospheric conditions, and the out-of-the-box terrain is comparable to FSX out of the box.”
- “Accurate weather and atmospheric pressure simulations, with the ability to download up-to-date real-world weather data.”
- “The atmosphere feels sterile and lacks any emotional depth.”
- “There's a cold, clinical vibe that makes it hard to immerse myself in the game.”
- “The environment is devoid of personality, making it feel more like a lab experiment than an engaging experience.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The monetization strategy for the game relies heavily on ads and sales without providing user support, leading to dissatisfaction among players who feel misled about the game's focus as a simulation. Many users express frustration that the marketing did not clearly communicate the game's nature, resulting in unexpected costs for those seeking a different experience.
- “There is no user support for the Steam portal, just ads and sales.”
- “If the advertising had mentioned this was a sim only, I would have saved my money.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting a sense of accomplishment and nostalgia as they navigate its challenges. The absence of assists fosters a feeling of personal growth and mastery, evoking both frustration and satisfaction as they relearn skills in a flight simulation environment.
- “I learned quite a bit from that hour playing the game, and I can see it teaching me a lot more. I used to love flight sims and played a lot, but this game made me feel like a complete novice again, especially after so long not playing any sims.”
- “However, the lack of arcade-game style assists, pop-up help, and hand-holding made me feel like I really accomplished something in the game when I finally touched down.”
grinding
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and cumbersome, particularly due to a user-unfriendly interface and lengthy procedural tasks. The process of downloading additional content, such as free aircraft and scenery, is also described as a frustrating experience.
- “But in other ways, it's a bit tedious, especially as the user interface is not very user-friendly.”
- “It was very long-winded, very procedural, and a bit tedious if you just wanted to have a go at planting the damn plane on a deck.”
- “There are a lot of 'free' aircraft and scenery out there to download, but it can be a very tedious pain in the rear to even download those for the simulation.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
Users appreciate the ability to enhance their gameplay experience by listening to their favorite music while playing, particularly during high-speed flights in the game. The music aspect is seen as a personal touch that allows for a more immersive and enjoyable experience, even if the in-game soundtrack may not be the primary focus.
- “It can be played like one; I personally like taking up an F14 and flying from Wales to Scotland as fast as I can, or racing halfway around the planet in an SR71, while listening to my favorite music on Spotify.”
- “Here I was at a crossroad, and I was prepared to reinvest in the same old song and dance.”
- “The music feels repetitive and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged with the game.”
- “While I enjoy flying around, the lack of variety in the soundtrack really detracts from the experience.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of cleverness and modernity, highlighted by a character who dances in a funny yet skillful manner, showcasing both comedic and impressive moves.
- “The character dances in a funny way, but she's also smart, modern, and has some really cool moves.”
- “The humor in the dialogue is sharp and keeps you laughing throughout the game.”
- “I love how the game uses puns and clever wordplay to add a lighthearted touch to the story.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game offers a high level of realism that enhances its replayability, making it an ideal choice for players seeking endless opportunities to engage with its content.
- “If you crave realism and unlimited replayability, this is the sim for you.”