Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Acceleration breathes new life into the base sim by introducing a high-adrenaline multiplayer race mode that pits pilots against one another in head-to-head competition. Gone are the days of solitary cross-country cruising—now you can duke it out with friends or strangers as you navigate twisty pylons and tight turns at breakneck speeds. The race mode strikes a satisfying balance between accessibility and challenge, offering customizable laps, weather presets, and AI competitors for those who prefer solo practice before jumping into online dogfights of flying skill.

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Beyond racing, Acceleration delivers 20 fresh missions that range from stunt shows over sprawling cityscapes to daring rescue operations in stormy conditions. Each mission is carefully crafted to test different aspects of flight: precision aerobatics in the Mustang, carrier operations in the F/A-18A Hornet, and hover-based rescues with the EH-101 Helicopter. Mission briefings are concise but informative, outlining objectives and performance criteria so you always know exactly what the developers expect you to achieve.

Multiplayer integration feels seamless, with built-in chat channels, friend lists, and lobby systems that reduce the friction often found in online flight sims. You can create or join leagues, set up private races, and even spectate other pilots in real time. The addition of these community-focused features turns MSFSX into a living, breathing arena where competitive events and casual fly-ins thrive side by side.

Graphics

Acceleration showcases the enduring strengths of the FSX engine, enhanced by new scenery packs that spotlight six iconic locations around the globe. The Red Bull Air Race courses—stretched across Rio de Janeiro, Perth, and Abu Dhabi—are rendered with crisp pylon graphics, accurate water reflections, and vibrant city backdrops. These signature race tracks not only challenge your piloting finesse but also serve as stunning setpieces.

Each of the three new aircraft receives dedicated weathering, paint schemes, and cockpit textures that feel both authentic and polished. The P-51D Mustang’s metal surfaces gleam in sunlight, while rivets and panel lines stand out in close-up views. The F/A-18A Hornet cockpit is packed with functional switches and screens, and the EH-101 Helicopter’s cabin details hold up under scrutiny. Pop-ins are minimal even at lower settings, and the dynamic lighting effects excel during dawn, dusk, and night operations.

Although Acceleration adheres to FSX’s decade-old technology, clever use of shaders and particle effects elevates cloudscapes, engine contrails, and runway dust. The rain streak animation on windshields adds a layer of immersion during stormy missions. You may notice occasional texture tiling in distant terrain, but it rarely distracts from the overall visual feast, especially when you’re slicing through archways of water or spiraling above city lights in a Mustang showrun.

Story

While traditional narrative arcs are scarce in a simulation expansion, Acceleration crafts its own thematic “story” through mission variety and progression. Pilots begin with introductory aerobatic displays in the P-51D Mustang, easing into basic loops and rolls before earning the trust to pilot the F/A-18A Hornet on naval strike runs. This implicit storyline of skill growth and aircraft mastery keeps you invested in each next challenge.

The rescue-themed missions with the EH-101 Helicopter inject a sense of urgency and heroism into the sim experience. Hoisting survivors off a storm-tossed oil rig or delivering medical supplies to a remote mountaintop creates an emotional throughline that resonates more than simple waypoint flights. Each mission’s setting—from scorching deserts to icy fjords—doubles as a narrative backdrop, giving you context for why precise hovering and power management truly matter.

Multiplayer races also develop their own emergent narratives, as friend groups forge rivalries and legends are born from photo-finish finishes. The lack of a traditional single-player campaign story is offset by the community-driven tales of triumph, spectacular crashes, and last-second overtakes. In that sense, the “story” of Acceleration lives within its pilots’ shared experiences.

Overall Experience

Microsoft Flight Simulator X: Acceleration succeeds as an expansion by delivering content that both complements and significantly expands the core FSX package. The addition of a competitive multiplayer mode and a robust mission suite ensures that pilots of all skill levels find fresh objectives. Whether you’re an aviation veteran or a newcomer looking to turn take-offs into race starts, there’s something here to ignite your passion for flight.

The three new aircraft add meaningful variety: the P-51D Mustang for classic warbird aerobatics, the F/A-18A Hornet for jet-powered precision, and the EH-101 Helicopter for low-and-slow rescue ops. Combined with the six new scenery regions, you’ll find hours of replayability chasing perfect laps, improving mission ratings, or simply exploring new airfields. Community tools and online components give Acceleration a long tail of activity, with regular community-hosted events and leaderboards keeping the competition fierce.

While it doesn’t overhaul FSX’s aging core engine, Acceleration smartly leverages existing strengths and patches in enough new features to feel like a worthy investment. For anyone who owns Flight Simulator X, the expansion pack feels less like a throwaway add-on and more like the missing piece that turns a sprawling flight sandbox into a dynamic, interactive arena. If you’ve been waiting for a reason to dive back into FSX, Acceleration might just be the perfect lift-off point.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10