Thank you for sharing your criticisms - I didn't realise people needed to log-in to this platform to comment!

I think your criticism of me being biased is fair. You're right that at the time of writing, I wasn't aware of exactly how the modelling worked. I have since done a bit of research and found the model is more or less an update to the original FSX/FS2004 modelling which used first/second order static and dynamic stability equations on a 3D free-body. Thank you, by the way, for the link to the video, it is not one I was aware of previously. As much as I might jest about plastic tables, the FSX modelling is sophisticated - the kind taught in flight mechanics at university - and so is its descendant, the modelling is FS2020. The problem is, as you saw in my review, I didn't find the modelling translated into realistic behaviour. The point of my comparison was not to compare how the simulators work, but what the experiental results are. There is, however, no excuse for lack of research, especially in background/contextualising information, so your observation of bias is entirely justified.

I disagree however with your point that it is unfair to compare the two simulators owing to their current lifecycles. First, I think it is incorrect to call FS2020 a "beta" release. There was a beta, released to reviewers and developers over the summer last year, but the full game is not sold as a beta, and hence should not be reviewed as such (even though it has many shortcuomings that could be considered "beta-ish"). Second, I think it is entirely fair to compare FS2020 to the fully matured XP11. For one, XP11, when released five years ago, was already well ahead of where FS2020 is today regarding its navigation databases and aerial handling dynamics. For another, the whole point of a "game changing" simulator, is that it has to be better than what already exists. FS2020 has had five years to be better than XP11, and it isn't even a match for the 2016 default version (sans payware) in fundamental areas. As an example, XP11 was completely useable to fly IFR when it came out, but in FS2020 there are woefully incomplete procedures and glidepaths/slopes that are wildly out of aligment. I think the fact FS2020 has be be given leeway as a "good sim in-potentia" because it is still being updated is more damning than dispensation.

Regarding your point on "games", I agree that all simulators are games, and you are correct I disparage FS2020 as a "mere game". My point, however, is that we (as simmmers) make a distinction between "flying games" and "simulators". I wasn't intending to suggest simulators aren't games, but that FS2020 isn't up to scratch as a simulation in many respects.

Thank you also for sharing your experience as a pilot and simmer. I can't say I relate to enjoying FS2020 for more than sightseeing, but I am glad you're getting more out of it as a simulator than I have been.