Flight Sims – the very reason I got into computers 😆 😳 😥
A genre that was at the leading edge (pun intended) of gaming 20 or so years ago, but has become a niche market abandoned by most publishers and gamers…
IMHO the ability and desire to replicate every button and function killed it off. If it takes x years to train a real F16 pilot, then the clue is there that mist armchair drivers aren’t going to have the time / inclination to learn the systems…
Anyway, I’ve always found Microsoft FS to be boring, despite having flow som excellent add one from the likes of Just Flight (Mosquito, Hawk, Lancaster, Vulcan) and A2A Simulations (various US warbirds)
Personally, combat sims are more “engaging”, but not everyone want that…
As above ^^^, the Il-2 franchise is worth a look (Battle of Britain, Stalingrad). IIRC thes can be relatively accessible for new players
Beware, a joystick is a must, then you’ll find a throttle would be good, and possibly even rudder pedals 😯 (WW2 aircraft need a fair bit of rudder input 😉 )
And then, if you / your kids really get into it, there are the so called “study sims”
Have a look at videos posted by Eagle Dynamics, DCS World, Razbam, VEAO Simulations etc. Jaw dropping attention to detail 😮
[video]http://youtu.be/9db7_njIgGE[/video]
[video]http://youtu.be/4Y3-wnVBq6w[/video]