Unofficial Review: FSX Play

[Thin2win]

Hello Friends.

This week I took advantage of one of the upgrade deals from Foresight to install FSX Play on my computer for use with my GC3. Up to this point, I have been using the FSX2020 software package. I haven't had any issues with FSX2020, the physics all seem real enough for sim golf and it has been fun. I would say that the knock on it, would be that compared to the other graphics I see on E3 or other options out  there, it looks a little pedestrian. FSX Play is Foresights upgraded graphic package. It is a paid upgrade, and not a cheap one. But this week it included both Torrey Pines and Harborview... so I ordered it up.

In theory, all the courses I have on FSX2020 will transfer over to FSX Play. One day they probably will. But not all the courses have been updated to the new graphics engine yet, so I have a number of courses on 2020 that I cannot use on Play yet. Pebble, Spy Glass, St Andrews... Once they are available, I should be able to use them on both. I did run into a licensing issue and had to deactivate my course licenses on 2020, then activate them on Play, then reactivate them on 2020 for the courses that are on both platforms. I haven't had enough time with using Play yet to say that it is better or worse. It is a newer more minimal UI, I'll come back to this after more use.

But, does FSX Play actually look any better? Here are some comparisons:

FSX2020 Driving Range

FSX Play Driving Range

FSX 2020 Pitch n Putt hole 1

FSX Play Pitch n Putt hole 1

FSX 2020 Real Valderrama

FSX Play Real Valderrama

 

I mean, yeah, lol. It looks a lot better. Valderamma is still a tree lined hell. I'm sure @Kenny Bcould go around it just fine, but for me that course is the hardest test of Sim golf ever. I can't imagine trying to play the "Real" Valderrama. But the colors are more natural, the lighting and shading is much better. I'll have to test the physics of these new trees and see if my ball hits them. FSX2020 trees really are 90% air and you can often just hit through them as if they aren't really there. But then, sometimes a single blade of grass in the rough will act like Gandalf.

So hopefully Play has fixed some of that. Again, I'll follow up and let you know. But for now, mostly just some eye candy to prod you into thinking that you really do need a Sim after all and the GC3/Launch Pro isn't really all that expensive on a cost per shot basis. Factor in cost of driving to and from the driving range(gas, time, stop for snack), and the cost of like 600 large buckets of balls and you should have gotten yourself an indoor hitting bay with projection screen and a launch monitor. The math works, trust me, my wife did.

 

[Kenny B]

6 minutes ago, Thin2win said:

Valderamma is still a tree lined hell. I'm sure @Kenny Bcould go around it just fine, but for me that course is the hardest test of Sim golf ever. I can't imagine trying to play the "Real" Valderrama.

Well... it would be fun trying on the "Real" Valderrama.

[Thin2win]

7 minutes ago, Kenny B said:

Well... it would be fun trying on the "Real" Valderrama.

I watch them play that every year for one of the Euro events, and always thought it looked tight and narrow. Its beyond tight and narrow, it more like the Trash Compactors on the Detention level.

[cnosil]

13 hours ago, Thin2win said:

But for now, mostly just some eye candy to prod you into thinking that you really do need a Sim after all and the GC3/Launch Pro isn't really all that expensive on a cost per shot basis. Factor in cost of driving to and from the driving range(gas, time, stop for snack), and the cost of like 600 large buckets of balls and you should have gotten yourself an indoor hitting bay with projection screen and a launch monitor. The math works, trust me, my wife did.

 

I’ve convinced my wife,  just need a new house to be able to set one up.  

[fixyurdivot]

Thus far, your reviews have me thinking the G3 is the system to get.  

[heavygolffeels]

On 4/28/2022 at 5:32 AM, cnosil said:

I’ve convinced my wife,  just need a new house to be able to set one up.  

Still cheaper then needing a new wife and house.

[gman8966]

This looks very interesting, nice write up and thanks for the comparison images. I have a GC2 along with FSX2020 and use it just about every other day. It's been huge for my game, can't say enough how much knowledge and insight I have gained from having the ability to hit balls any time. If I'm sitting inside and think of something I want to try, I can go out in my barn and try it! If anyone is a serious golfer and on the fence, it is worth it. I saw they even offer financing now for their systems. I'm waiting to see if the upgrade goes on sale, that's when I'll probably snatch it up.

[pakman92]

Very nice.   I abandoned FSX 2020 and FSX Play and hopped on GS Pro band wagon.   I'm liking it so far.   I'll do a review of it at some point.    Here's the second tee box at the "Georgia" country club.   Ball physics seems close to Foresight's.  Peaks a little lower and curves a little less.  Carry #'s were spot on.

Good alternative for GC3/BLP owners.