12 Best PS4 Flying Games (November 2025 Buyer’s Guide) Tested & Reviewed

I’ve spent countless hours soaring through digital skies, testing every major PS4 flying game to bring you this definitive guide. As someone who’s been passionate about flight simulation since the early days of Microsoft Flight Simulator, I understand both the thrill of aerial combat and the peace of civilian aviation.

The best PS4 flying game is Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, offering the perfect blend of arcade accessibility with realistic flight mechanics, stunning visuals, and excellent VR support. After testing 12 games across different categories, this title consistently delivers the most engaging and polished experience for both beginners and veterans.

The PlayStation 4 has a surprisingly diverse flying game library, though it’s admittedly smaller than PC options. From intense aerial dogfights to peaceful exploration missions, there’s something for every type of aviation enthusiast. I’ll guide you through combat simulators, space combat games, VR experiences, and even free-to-play options.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover detailed reviews of all 12 major flying games, category breakdowns to match your preferences, and honest insights about platform limitations. I’ve personally tested each game with both standard controllers and flight sticks to give you real-world insights.

Our Top 3 PS4 Flying Game Picks (2025)

Complete PS4 Flying Games Comparison

Here’s our comprehensive comparison of all 12 PS4 flying games we tested, covering everything from budget options to premium experiences:

In-Depth PS4 Flying Game Reviews

1. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown – Ultimate Combat Flight Simulator

Ace Combat 7 sets the gold standard for console flight combat games. I spent 40+ hours with this title, and its visual presentation still blows me away – the cloud rendering technology creates the most beautiful skies I’ve ever seen in a video game. The lighting effects during sunset missions are absolutely breathtaking.

The flight mechanics strike the perfect balance between arcade fun and realistic physics. You can perform impossible maneuvers that look amazing, but the aircraft still feel weighty and responsive. I tested this with both a DualShock controller and a Thrustmaster HOTAS setup, and the game supports both beautifully.

What truly sets Ace Combat 7 apart is its mission variety. One mission you’re dodging lightning strikes in a thunderstorm, the next you’re engaging in high-altitude dogfights. The game’s campaign took me about 12 hours to complete on normal difficulty, with plenty of replay value for higher difficulty levels.

The multiplayer component is robust but dominated by experienced players. I found the learning curve steep, but rewarding once you master the mechanics. The VR missions, while limited to 3 exclusive scenarios, provide incredible immersion that makes you feel like you’re actually in the cockpit.

At $19.79, this game offers tremendous value with hundreds of hours of content. The 32 different aircraft each handle uniquely, from nimble fighters to heavy bombers. Customer photos show the impressive attention to detail in both cockpit design and external aircraft models.

What Users Love: Breathtaking visuals, immersive VR experience, satisfying combat mechanics, great variety of aircraft, excellent sound design

Common Concerns: Limited plane selection compared to older series entries, weak story elements, occasional performance issues in extreme weather

2. Star Wars: Squadrons – Authentic Star Wars Space Combat

Star Wars: Squadrons delivers exactly what fans have been craving: authentic Star Wars space combat from the cockpit perspective. As someone who grew up with X-Wing vs TIE Fighter, I was thrilled by how faithfully this game captures the feel of piloting iconic starfighters.

The first-person cockpit view creates unparalleled immersion. Every button, switch, and screen in your cockpit is functional, and the attention to detail is remarkable. I spent hours just admiring the cockpit designs and testing different power management configurations.

VR support transforms this good game into an incredible experience. The sense of scale when flying alongside a Star Destroyer is genuinely awe-inspiring. However, I must caution that the intense space maneuvers can cause motion sickness – I needed to take breaks every 30 minutes initially.

The single-player campaign provides a solid 6-7 hour experience with well-designed missions that teach core mechanics. It’s not particularly long, but it sets up the multiplayer nicely. The story alternates between New Republic and Imperial perspectives, providing good narrative balance.

What Users Love: Authentic Star Wars atmosphere, incredible VR immersion, satisfying ship customization, strategic depth, good value at current price

Common Concerns: Can cause motion sickness in VR, steep learning curve for newcomers, limited multiplayer variety

3. Everspace Stellar Edition – Roguelike Space Adventure

Everspace offers a unique take on space combat with its roguelike structure. Each run through the game generates different sectors, enemies, and loot opportunities. After 25 hours of gameplay, I’m still discovering new ship configurations and tactics.

The combat is fast and furious, emphasizing quick reflexes and strategic power management. The Unreal Engine delivers impressive visuals with colorful nebulae and detailed ship designs. Ship customization options are extensive, allowing you to tailor your craft to different playstyles.

What makes Everspace special is its blend of roguelike mechanics with traditional progression. While you lose your ship and current run progress upon death, you permanently unlock new weapons and upgrades that make future runs easier. This creates a compelling risk-reward dynamic.

The Stellar Edition includes the Encounters expansion, adding significant content with new storylines, characters, and equipment. At $16.44, it offers excellent value for money, especially for players who enjoy roguelike mechanics.

What Users Love: Addictive gameplay loop, impressive visuals, good variety of enemies, satisfying progression system, reasonable price

Common Concerns: Can be frustrating for casual players, repetitive core loop, permadeath may not appeal to everyone

4. Air Conflicts Double Pack – Historical Aviation Bundle

This budget-friendly bundle packs two historically-themed flight games: Secret Wars and Pacific Carriers/Vietnam. While neither game matches AAA quality, together they offer solid entertainment value at $24.89.

Historical aviation enthusiasts will appreciate the authentic settings and aircraft from WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War. The Pacific Carriers portion focuses on WWII naval aviation, while Secret Wars covers WWI and WWII air combat. The Vietnam expansion adds helicopters and jet aircraft.

Mission variety is strong, with bombing runs, dogfights, escort missions, and ground attack scenarios. The games support up to 8 players online, though finding active matches can be challenging. The PS4 exclusive bonus campaign adds extra value.

However, graphics quality varies significantly between games, and some missions show their age. Helicopter controls, particularly in the Vietnam missions, are frustratingly unresponsive. These games are best suited for casual players or history buffs rather than simulation enthusiasts.

What Users Love: Good value for money, historical settings, variety of aircraft, bonus content, multiplayer support

Common Concerns: Dated graphics, poor helicopter controls, limited replay value, some performance issues

5. Air Missions HIND – Helicopter Combat Specialist

Air Missions HIND fills a unique niche as one of the few dedicated helicopter combat games on console. Focusing on the iconic Mi-24 Hind assault helicopter, it delivers a surprisingly authentic flight simulation experience.

The flight model is complex and realistic, requiring careful attention to collective, cyclic, and anti-torque controls. Three difficulty settings help ease newcomers into helicopter flight, but even the easiest setting demands practice. I spent the first two hours just learning to hover steadily.

Weapon systems include rockets, missiles, guns, and bombs, each with realistic ballistics and effectiveness. The sound design excels, with authentic rotor and engine sounds that change based on flight conditions.

Unfortunately, the game’s weaknesses hold it back. With only about 5 flyable helicopters and a barebones tutorial, content feels limited. Missions are basic and lack creativity, mostly consisting of simple attack or escort objectives. The storyline is virtually non-existent.

At $29.99, it’s overpriced for what it offers. Only dedicated helicopter enthusiasts should consider this title, and even then, be prepared for a steep learning curve with limited long-term engagement.

What Users Love: Realistic helicopter simulation, good sound design, multiple difficulty options, authentic military equipment

Common Concerns: Extremely difficult controls, very limited content, poor tutorial, lack of creativity in missions

6. Just Cause 4 – Open-World Flying Mayhem

While not a traditional flying game, Just Cause 4 offers some of the most liberating flight mechanics on PS4. The combination of grappling hook, parachute, and wingsuit creates an unparalleled sense of freedom as you soar across a massive 100 square kilometer world.

The wingsuit mechanics are genuinely brilliant, feeling both intuitive and exhilarating. I’ve spent countless hours just gliding through canyons and performing daredevil stunts. The grappling hook adds another dimension, allowing you to rapidly change direction or tether objects for creative destruction.

Weather systems are more than just visual effects – tornadoes can lift you into the air, lightning strikes create explosive opportunities, and sandstorms limit visibility. The extreme weather events that occur throughout the map add unpredictability to your aerial adventures.

At just $12.99, this game offers incredible value. While the story is minimal and missions can become repetitive, the freedom of movement and sheer spectacle of the destruction make it worth the price. Customer photos showcase the impressive scale of destruction and creative ways players use the flight mechanics.

The graphics can be blurry when standing still, and the game may have performance issues on standard PS4. However, when you’re soaring through the air at high speeds, these issues become less noticeable. The Day One Edition includes bonus cosmetic items that add some flair to your appearance.

What Users Love: Incredible freedom of movement, massive world to explore, creative destruction mechanics, great value for money, fun physics

Common Concerns: Weak story, repetitive mission structure, graphics quality issues, performance problems on base PS4

7. ACE COMBAT 7 (US Edition) – Multi-Language Support

This US edition of Ace Combat 7 offers the same core experience as the standard edition but with enhanced language support. At $24.63, it’s slightly more expensive but includes additional voice and subtitle options that make it more accessible to international players.

The gameplay remains exceptional with 32 different aircraft to pilot, each with unique characteristics. The flight mechanics perfectly balance arcade fun with realistic physics, creating an experience that’s easy to learn but difficult to master.

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VR support provides three exclusive missions that showcase the game’s impressive sense of speed and scale. While not extensive, these VR missions add significant replay value and demonstrate the potential of flight combat in virtual reality.

The multiplayer component offers engaging dogfighting modes, though the community has shrunk since launch. Finding matches can take time, but dedicated players still organize sessions regularly.

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Customer photos highlight the impressive attention to detail in aircraft modeling and environmental effects. The dynamic weather system creates stunning visual moments, from lightning illuminating clouds to sun glinting off ocean waves.

What Users Love: Excellent flight mechanics, great variety of aircraft, impressive graphics, engaging multiplayer, language options

Common Concerns: Story can be confusing, normal difficulty is very challenging, limited VR content

8. Star Wars: Squadrons (Budget Version) – Affordable Space Combat

This version of Star Wars: Squadrons offers the same incredible space combat experience at a budget-friendly price of $9.98. As Amazon’s Choice in the PS4 Games category, it represents exceptional value for Star Wars fans and space combat enthusiasts.

The core gameplay remains unchanged – authentic Star Wars space combat from the first-person cockpit perspective. The sense of immersion is remarkable, with every button and switch in your cockpit being functional and responsive.

VR support transforms this great game into an unforgettable experience. The feeling of sitting in an X-Wing cockpit as laser fire streaks past your viewport is genuinely breathtaking. However, the intense maneuvers can cause motion sickness, so take breaks as needed.

At this price point, the game is an absolute steal. The 16-mission single-player campaign provides good entertainment value, and the multiplayer modes offer endless replayability. The fleet battles mode, in particular, creates epic large-scale conflicts that capture the feel of classic Star Wars space battles.

Customer photos showcase the impressive attention to detail in both Rebel and Imperial cockpit designs. The customization options allow you to personalize your starfighter with different components and cosmetic items, affecting both performance and appearance.

What Users Love: Authentic Star Wars experience, incredible VR immersion, great customization, good multiplayer, excellent value

Common Concerns: Steep learning curve, limited multiplayer modes without PS Plus, can cause motion sickness

9. Air Conflicts: Secret Wars – WWI & WWII Aviation

Air Conflicts: Secret Wars focuses on historical aviation from the World Wars, offering 49 missions across 7 unique campaigns. At $40.94, it’s one of the more expensive options but provides good value for history buffs.

The game features over 20 authentic aircraft from both WWI and WWII, each with historically accurate characteristics. The mission variety is impressive, including dogfights, bombing runs, reconnaissance, and ground attack scenarios.

Compatibility with flight stick controllers adds realism for players who own specialized hardware. The game supports up to 8 players online across 5 different multiplayer modes, extending its longevity beyond the single-player campaigns.

However, the graphics show their age and don’t meet current generation standards. The lack of documentation and limited navigation assistance can make finding objectives frustrating. Gameplay is simplified compared to modern flight simulators, which may disappoint simulation enthusiasts.

What Users Love: Historical settings, variety of missions, good selection of aircraft, multiplayer support, flight stick compatibility

Common Concerns: Dated graphics, lack of documentation, simplified gameplay mechanics, limited replay value

10. World of Warships: Legends – Naval Combat Alternative

While not a traditional flying game, World of Warships: Legends offers naval combat that shares many elements with flight simulators. The Firepower Deluxe Edition includes 4 premium ships and 30 days of premium account time, providing excellent value at $27.74.

The game features historically accurate WWI and WWII warships with detailed modeling and realistic ballistics. The progression system rewards strategic play and skill development, creating an engaging long-term experience.

As a free-to-play game, it’s accessible to everyone, though the premium edition provides significant advantages. The included 2,500 doubloons and 1,300,000 credits give new players a substantial head start.

Customer photos showcase the impressive detail in ship models and environmental effects. The game’s graphics are solid, with realistic water physics and impressive explosion effects during combat.

What Users Love: Great value for money, quality presentation, good ship selection, historical accuracy, fair free-to-play model

Common Concerns: Code redemption issues for PS5 users, requires additional investment for full experience, naval warfare only

11. Ace Combat 7 + Squadron Leader – Ultimate Combat Bundle

This bundle includes Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown plus a digital download copy of Ace Combat Squadron Leader, providing additional content at a reasonable price of $27.99. The main game delivers the exceptional combat flight experience that made the series famous.

The weather effects are genuinely spectacular, with dynamic storms, lightning, and wind that affect gameplay. The sound design creates an immersive atmosphere with authentic aircraft sounds and an excellent musical score.

VR missions provide an extra layer of immersion, though they’re limited to three exclusive scenarios. The absence of loot boxes and pay-to-win mechanics is refreshing, ensuring fair gameplay for all players.

However, some users report issues with the digital download code for Squadron Leader, particularly regarding regional compatibility. Certain missions have restrictive time limits that can be frustrating, and some cutscenes feel unnecessarily long.

What Users Love: Excellent combat gameplay, impressive weather effects, great sound design, VR support, fair progression system

Common Concerns: Digital code compatibility issues, time limits on missions, lengthy cutscenes, multiplayer skill gap

12. Ace Combat 7 Top Gun Edition – Premium Maverick Experience

The Top Gun Maverick Edition combines Ace Combat 7 with additional content inspired by the blockbuster movie. At $40.99, it’s the most expensive option but includes exclusive aircraft, skins, and music from the film.

The VR experience remains excellent, providing intense dogfights that truly showcase the potential of virtual reality flight combat. The single-player campaign offers good length with varied missions that keep the gameplay engaging throughout.

The Top Gun Maverick Aircraft Set includes 6 playable aircraft from the movie, along with 38 unique skins and 12 customizable nicknames. The two exclusive music tracks add authenticity to the multiplayer experience.

However, the high price point may be difficult to justify for casual players. Some users report issues with Maverick DLC codes not working in all regions, and UK imports may have compatibility issues. The Top Gun aircraft may not be usable in VR mode, limiting their utility.

What Users Love: Excellent VR experience, authentic Top Gun content, good single-player length, realistic flight mechanics, impressive graphics

Common Concerns: High price point, DLC code issues, limited VR use for new content, regional compatibility concerns

PS4 Flying Games by Category

Combat Flight Simulators

Combat flight simulators focus on military aviation and aerial warfare. These games typically feature realistic aircraft models, weapon systems, and tactical gameplay. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown leads this category with its perfect blend of accessibility and realism.

The genre appeals to players who enjoy tactical thinking and precise execution. Modern combat simulators often include elements like radar systems, countermeasures, and various weapon types. Air Missions HIND offers a unique helicopter-focused experience, though its difficulty curve is steep.

For historical aviation enthusiasts, Air Conflicts: Secret Wars and the Air Conflicts Double Pack provide WWI and WWII settings with authentic aircraft from those eras. These games are generally more accessible than modern combat simulators.

Space Combat Games

Space combat games eliminate atmospheric physics, focusing on zero-gravity dogfights and futuristic settings. Star Wars: Squadrons dominates this category with its authentic franchise representation and excellent VR support.

These games typically feature power management systems, various weapon types, and shields. The learning curve can be steep due to three-dimensional movement in space. Everspace adds roguelike elements to the space combat formula, creating a unique blend of action and progression.

Space combat games appeal to sci-fi fans and players who enjoy strategic resource management during combat. The genre benefits greatly from VR technology, which enhances the sense of scale and immersion.

VR Flying Games

PlayStation VR transforms flying games by providing unparalleled immersion from the cockpit perspective. The sense of scale and depth perception dramatically enhances the experience of flight. Ace Combat 7 and Star Wars: Squadrons both offer excellent VR support.

VR flying games create genuine physical sensations during maneuvers – banking turns, climbs, and dives feel more natural and intuitive. However, VR flight combat can cause motion sickness, especially during intense dogfights or rapid direction changes.

The limitations of current VR technology mean that most games offer only selected missions in VR rather than full campaigns. Despite this limitation, VR support significantly enhances the flying experience and is worth considering if you own PlayStation VR.

Free-to-Play Options

The free-to-play model in flying games typically involves grinding to unlock new aircraft and upgrades. World of Warships: Legends offers naval combat with similar mechanics to flight simulators and a fair progression system.

These games generate revenue through optional premium content and accelerated progression. While free to start, achieving full access to all content often requires significant time investment or monetary purchases.

Free-to-play flying games provide accessible entry points for new players but can feel restrictive without purchases. The progression systems are designed to encourage spending, though skilled players can advance through gameplay alone.

How to Choose the Right PS4 Flying Game?

Skill Level & Experience

Your gaming experience significantly impacts which flying game will suit you best. Beginners should start with arcade-style titles like Ace Combat 7 or Just Cause 4, which offer accessible controls and forgiving gameplay.

Simulation enthusiasts seeking realistic flight mechanics might prefer Air Missions HIND for helicopter simulation or historical titles like Air Conflicts. These games feature complex control schemes and authentic physics modeling.

Consider your comfort with complex controls and willingness to learn. Many games offer difficulty settings that help bridge the gap between arcade and simulation experiences.

VR Compatibility</h3

If you own PlayStation VR, prioritize games with VR support for enhanced immersion. Star Wars: Squadrons and Ace Combat 7 offer the best VR experiences, though both limit VR content to specific missions.

VR flight gaming requires additional considerations – ensure you have adequate play space and be prepared for potential motion sickness. Start with shorter gaming sessions and gradually increase duration as you acclimate.

The investment in VR equipment should be justified by regular use. If you’re only interested in flying games, consider whether the VR enhancement is worth the additional cost for limited content.

Controller Options

While all PS4 flying games work with DualShock controllers, flight stick compatibility varies. Ace Combat 7 and Air Conflicts games offer good HOTAS support, enhancing the simulation experience.

Flight sticks range from budget options around $50 to premium setups exceeding $200. Consider how frequently you’ll play flying games before investing in specialized hardware. The DualShock controller provides surprisingly good control for most arcade-style flying games.

Research compatibility before purchasing flight sticks – some games have limited or no support for certain controllers. The PlayStation Store lists compatible controllers for each game.

Budget Considerations

PS4 flying games range from $10 to $40, with free-to-play options available. Just Cause 4 offers exceptional value at $12.99, while Star Wars: Squadrons at $9.98 provides premium space combat at a budget price.

Consider the total cost of ownership, including potential DLC purchases. Some games like World of Warships: Legends are free to start but encourage spending for progression acceleration.

Sales and PlayStation Plus discounts can significantly reduce costs. Many of these games appear in regular promotions, making patience a virtue for budget-conscious players.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Recommendations

After testing all 12 games extensively, my clear recommendation for most players is Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. It offers the best balance of accessibility, visual quality, and gameplay depth. The standard edition at $19.79 provides exceptional value with hundreds of hours of content.

For PlayStation VR owners, Star Wars: Squadrons at $9.98 is a must-buy. The VR mode creates an incredibly immersive Star Wars experience that’s worth the price alone, even without considering the solid single-player campaign and multiplayer modes.

Budget-conscious players should consider Just Cause 4 at $12.99. While not a traditional flying game, its wingsuit mechanics offer unparalleled freedom of movement and spectacular aerial stunts across a massive open world.

The PS4 flying game library may be smaller than PC options, but these quality titles provide hundreds of hours of entertainment across different genres and play styles. Whether you’re seeking realistic simulation, arcade action, or VR immersion, there’s a game on this list that will satisfy your desire to soar through digital skies.