Microsoft Flight Simulator’s Top Gun: Maverick expansion is released as a free update

Microsoft released the Top Gun: Maverick expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator on Thursday. This update is available for free to all players on Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, PC and supported smartphones. It brings new missions and challenges to the game inspired by stunts performed by real Top Gun pilots. This update was supposed to arrive alongside Top Gun: Maverick in November 2021. However, the film’s release was postponed by Paramount Pictures due to the increase in COVID-19 cases at the time.

With the Top Gun: Maverick expansion, Microsoft Flight Simulator gets three practice missions for the Super Hornet that will allow players to test their skills while attempting unrestricted take-offs, split S-manoeuvres, and low-level flight and at high speed over complex terrain. There’s also a new mission that will allow players to fly to the stratosphere, the second-lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere.

This expansion adds five new challenges that feature high-speed, low-altitude flights just over mountains and through canyons. It also comes with a landing challenge on the deck of the aircraft carrier. Additionally, this expansion adds a new hypersonic aircraft to the game that can reach speeds of Mach 10 and fly 150,000 feet above sea level. This free expansion also includes a Top Gun: Maverick livery for the aircraft. F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter.

As mentioned earlier, this update has been delayed due to the postponement of Top Gun: Maverick. The film now arrives on Friday. It features Tom Cruise reprising his iconic role as Pete “Maverick” Mitchell after more than two decades. This movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski of Tron: Legacy fame.

Top Gun Maverick Review

The Top Gun: Maverick expansion for Microsoft Flight Simulator is available on Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows Store and Steam for Xbox Series S/X and PC. Players on Xbox One, low-end PCs, and supported smartphones can get this update through Xbox Cloud Gaming.

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