Microsoft Flight Simulator

All the comments saying that you have to download the game whilst its running are correct. You will not be able to play the game until multiple hours of downloads are completed (that count towards your playtime) preventing you from a refund.
This should be changed, its scummy and promotes disgusting business practices.
That being said, if you look past it's major flaw (the download system) it is the premier and most advanced flight simulator on the market. Everything except the download system is absolutely amazing. I would also recommend installing the MFS2020 map enhancement mod. It enables you to overlay google maps/different data rather than the default Bing map that is integrated into the game.

The game recreates the whole Earth using satellite maps and AI. You can take off from your local airport and fly over your own house.
The graphics, especially the clouds, lighting, and weather effects, are stunning and make you feel like you're actually flying.
You can turn on real-time weather, so if it's raining somewhere in the world, it's raining in the game. You can also see real flights happening around you.
The 40th Anniversary edition adds many new aircraft for free, including helicopters, gliders, and famous historical planes like the Wright Flyer and the Spirit of St. Louis.
You can make it as easy or as hard as you want. Turn on all the help to just enjoy the view, or turn it all off for a super-realistic challenge.
Many major airports are handcrafted to look just like their real-life counterparts, and the cockpits of the planes are incredibly detailed and functional.
The developers regularly release free "World Updates" that make different parts of the world look even better.

After 2,549.1 hours of playing this game I have finally decided that now is the time to post a review.
My review?
It's a pretty good game.
My final verdict:
"Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020: the only game that ends up costing about as much as what it simulates."

I don't really understand. When I pre-ordered this game and when it was released, it was simply known as Microsoft Flight Simulator.
The idea was that it would be constantly updated and it would be the ongoing version for the foreseeable future.
In 2022, a "40th Anniversary Update" was added, and the game suddenly changed it's name to "Microsoft Flight Simulator 40th Anniversary Edition"... this wasn't what I originally purchased.
Now, Microsoft have a new version, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
I can't help but feel that I was missold the game. I bought a sim that would be the base game, with DLC, Updates and patches added going forward, but it seems that they have shelved that idea, renamed this version and added a new version of the game that I have to shell out another £70 for...
Don't get me wrong, this version is really good, and I don't have any issues. I just can't help but feel cheated by the game studios when they release a game and concept, rename it 2 years down the line and then replace it for a newer version and charge me for the priveledge. Why isn't it DLC?

I'm gonna need to wait before installing this, but I felt it important to make sure buyers are away that this game is 400gig+

whats crazy is that the game takes 2 hours to download no matter what kind of internet you have just so you cant refund. these developers are so petty

Highly recommend if you have the money, or more importantly, the space. Also get this one nowadays because it will get discounted heavily, and is a better experience than Flight Sim 2024. My only gripes with the game are that it can NOT run on a HDD, it takes up a large amount of space, and that a lot of community content is locked behind a paywall.