XP 12...worth the update over XP 11?

[johneski]

I'm on the fence on whether to buy XP 12. Is it that much of an update over XP 11?

[Echo Kilo]

Personally, I have been happy with XP12 and I have had no regrets. If you're just looking at the graphics, it may not look like a huge difference, but under the hood there are some significant changes. It really depends on what your expectations are and what you're looking for in the sim.
I'd suggest you try out the XP12 demo (https://www.x-plane.com/desktop/try-it/) first and see how you feel about it. The demo is also a good way to check that your hardware is compatible.

[johneski]

Originally posted by Echo Kilo:

Personally, I have been happy with XP12 and I have had no regrets. If you're just looking at the graphics, it may not look like a huge difference, but under the hood there are some significant changes. It really depends on what your expectations are and what you're looking for in the sim.
I'd suggest you try out the XP12 demo (https://www.x-plane.com/desktop/try-it/) first and see how you feel about it. The demo is also a good way to check that your hardware is compatible.

Thank you

[Platano Canario]

for me is a huge change, good performance, clouds, weather, rain effects, lighting, textures, default airports, and many more, all improved with vanilla installation.

[johneski]

Originally posted by Platano Canario:

for me is a huge change, good performance, clouds, weather, rain effects, lighting, textures, default airports, and many more, all improved with vanilla installation.

Thank you

[dclonghorns]

Just make sure your PC is up to the task though. It can be a resource hog at times!

[Bagpipe]

No, not really to be honest. Where Xplane 11 ended, coupled with environmental addons and payware aircraft, was in a much better place than Xplane 12 is or will be for a long time.
All Xplane 12 really achieved was looking slightly better at the drastic expense of what performance they had managed to claw back. If pretty graphics is what you want then fly MSFS. If not and you already have a nicely modded 11 install then just stick with that.

[Romandv]

For those whose main goal is to see a pretty picture, of course you shouldn't. And, yes, airplanes cost 50-100 dollars each. If $80 is a hefty price tag for you, it's best to move past flight simulators. MSFS doesn't give away airplanes for free either.

[MugHug]

Upgrade to XP12 and no real regrets. Most XP11 AC DLC works ok but ideally you get the best out of it by using an XP12 version. XP12 seems to run better then XP11 on same hardware.

Found no need to regret upgrade and no reason to revert.

XP12 may not be like moving from FSX to MSFS, it is a 'subtle' upgrade that will/has shown it's positive benefits over time and I feel that while the cost was substantial for me, the upgrade price was worth it.

[MagusLucidus]

If you want to stay with XP I would recommend XP12. Just wait sales, I bought it -40%, If you have lot of addons in XP11 then gain is not so big. And check if your addons support XP12.

[Fastkill]

I would say, it depends on your expectations and the price.

What is disappointing is that it visually looks like a strong evolution of XP11, but at first sight not so much. In fact, sometimes the game looks extremely good, with a rendering much more realistic than MSFS20, but MSFS20 's environment details are in another league. And to get something satisfying in XP12, as in XP11 (but vanilla XP11 didn't suffer the comparison with its competitors), modding is mandatory.

Graphics put aside, there are many improvements, which may need also mods : for example the accumulated rain and snow mod brings more realism and the feature will be included in next versions of the game. These are details, not small, which may be important for some but unsignificant for others.

If you are not into the details, if you generally fly in good fixed weather conditions, it probably isn't worth the buy. If you use real weather, try to make realistic flights, as a casual sim pilot, but have some doubts about the graphic upgrade, seeing the game as an evolution of XP11, getting in on sale is a good option (I got it during the low priced EA period and it was worth the buy at 100%) ; I repeat, the redering with new lightning effects is way ahead of XP11, there is a real difference ; it is in terms of modelisation that the difference is less obvious. If you are a serious sim pilot, you probably should not wait anymore. Although it is obvious XP11 has a lot more modded quality planes, there are already a good amount of good ones on XP12.