AirportSim Review: "A Bizarrely Relaxing Title"

30.10.2023 - 15:25 / screenrant.com

There really is a simulation game for everything that video game fans could want. Whether it's the attempts at authenticity seen in the games or the more strange and unrealistic approach taken by the likes of, there's a little bit for everyone if they search for «simulator» on the game platform of their choice. is the next game on the list, courtesy of MS Games and MK Studios.

puts the players in the shoes of the ground crew at an airport, tasking the player with all sorts of ground handling operations. It's for those players who are more interested in the goings-on behind the scenes of than flying around. As such, it's a niche game, but one that might suit a particular audience in spite of its flaws.

When in comes to its bread and butter, looks to provide its players with the kind of experience they crave. The game has four airports to choose from, with Vagar, Keflavik, Warsaw Chopin, and Key West available with their own unique setups. The player then has a variety of different game modes available to them, with different scenarios to play through, a challenge mode to try and get a high score, or open-ended play in a free mode.

As far as the gameplay itself goes, the player has the opportunity to fulfill all sorts of ground crew responsibilities, such as refueling, restocking, marshaling and baggage handling. This means using all sorts of machinery and vehicles, and some of this can be quite engaging in a rhythmic sort of way. Other aspects are less enthralling, such as putting down chocks and cones, but it's all part of the realism piece.

All in all, then provides a moderately satisfying gameplay loop. It's a bizarrely relaxing title when the player gets to grips with their routine, with the conclusion of completing a job well done. It maybe lacks the immediacy of some of its simulation game peers, but it's a decent enough game once the player has grappled with the mechanics.

There are, however, some limitations to that are not quite as apparent in some other sim games. One of the main challenges is that it never quite feels like the player is growing towards anything as the game goes on, such as the aforementioned games or , where the player is growing a business from something small to a mini-empire. is simply about doing a job, rather than personal growth, and that does stop it from becoming as engaging as it could be.

It is also worth noting that doesn't cover every single aspect of airport operation, instead focusing purely on the ground handling operations. This is absolutely fine for those who go in knowing what to expect, but those after something a little more expansive on the passenger operations side should be aware that it isn't part of the package that is offering. Instead, the game is