5 Best Flight Games of All Time, Ranked

As gamers, we get to live through various amazing experiences just by sitting behind a monitor. While most people dream of being warriors, astronauts and mages, video games provide us with the opportunity to achieve all of this virtually. Such is the case with flying; those who dream of scouring the skies and piloting aircraft can do that and more, thanks to flight games. From Ace Combat 7 to Heroes of the Pacific, these games allow us to experience incredible flight stunts that would make a real-life pilot jealous. 

Over the years, the gaming industry has offered us plenty of outstanding video games filled with cracking aerial action. In this article, we take a look at some of the greatest flying games. We're talking about the likes of Birds of Prey and The Falconeer, games that left an unshakable mark in the industry. Here are the five best flight games of all time.

5. Star Wars: Squadrons

When listing down the best flight games of all time, we cannot fail to mention Star Wars: Squadrons. The game features some of the most intense space combat and dogfights, not forgetting the epic visuals that come with it. The campaign mode may be short, but it's a fantastic adventure from the beginning to the end. What is bound to keep you tied to the game for months, however, is the multiplayer mode that makes this one of the best Star Wars in the history of the series.

Since the game is class-based, you have to pick the part you want to play on the battlefield; which side do you prefer? New Republic or the Empire?. After which, you can choose between four available groups; Support, Fighter, Bomber and Interceptor. Your team of choice also affects the type of weapons and defenses your ship gets. It's, therefore, more practical to select team members from variant groups for your team to balance.

4. Heroes of the Pacific

Heroes of the Pacific starts off pretty serious; straight with the 1914 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Having lost his beloved brother as a result of the attack, the protagonist, Pilot William Crowe, swears to make the Japanese pay for his loss. Players embark on a brutal revenge mission triggered by the infamous attack as well as the duty to protect one's country. The campaign mode featured is a lengthy singleplayer mission that is sure to keep you strung. Not to mention the online multiplayer mode, which lets you form a squad to battle against your enemies.

All the fun in Heroes of the Pacific lies in combat, which you can enjoy even if you're a fast-timer. This game lets you play within your skill level since you can choose to go pro or just a regular mode. You may prefer an arcade-like set-up where the piloting seems more assisted or go with a more professional approach. Which also provides a more realistic experience. Either way, it's the enemies you need to look out for as they attack from every angle.

3. The Falconeer

In The Falconeer, players ride on gigantic birds and engage in aerial battles against pirates also on their own flying creatures. The visuals on this game are mostly mood effective as the background often changes from oceanic blue to black, gray and green depending on the players' movement. This game provides you with an exciting change in flight mode as you move across the ocean on top of your combat-ready falcon. Attached to it are two battery racks that allow you to shoot lightning bolts at your enemies. Subsequently, you'll have to recharge these batteries by going through storm clouds.

The controls are sensitive, as it takes a few plays to get the hang of them. You may also need to learn a few tricks to help you get ahead. For instance, sky diving downwards helps boost your flight speed, which you may need to evade attacks or gain on your enemies. In addition to the lightning bolts, you can also pluck the variant mines floating on the ocean to drop on your foes. As bizarre as it may sound, The Falconeer is not only one of the best flight games but also the most relaxing. That is compared to the rest of the titles on this list.

2. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a realistic, 3-D flying game that has been popular with PC gamers for many years. It offers a wide variety of aircraft, from small private planes to large commercial jets, and allows you to fly in a variety of landscapes, from cityscapes to rural areas to airports.

Microsoft Flight Simulator is designed for people who enjoy flying and want to experience the challenges and excitement of real-world flying. The game can be quite challenging at times, but it's also great fun to fly around in different aircraft and landscapes. If you're looking for a realistic flying experience, Microsoft Flight Simulator is definitely worth checking out.

1. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown is a hardcore combat flight simulation game from renowned developer Bandai Namco Entertainment. The game focuses on more realistic gameplay. However, the degree of this depends on which game mode you pick. You can choose to play between novice or expert level, with the latter featuring most of the exciting moves such as high-g turns and rolls. This is a title to appreciate since it's not every day you come across a combat game like Skies Unknown; following recent years of lack of good flight games.

The gameplay features fierce air combat; you will be fighting against drones while at the same time dodging lightning strikes. Not forgetting the ferocious warships you have to face during boss fights. It's a fairly challenging game but one which does not lack rewarding aspects. Such as a variety of aircraft you can unlock, each with its own special weapons. And for the game's campaign missions, the developer has gone all the way to ensure it meets all players' expectations.

Which game from the above list do you think is the best flight game of all time? Share your pick with us in the comments below or over on our socials here!