The Microsoft Flight Simulator series returns for the first time in six years with Microsoft Flight. Instead of arriving in traditional retail form, MSF will be free to play, and will feature the futuristic ICON A5 amphibious mono-wing and the entire island of Hawaii to explore. If you wish, you can branch out beyond your beautiful basics and purchase additional regions and aircraft using the money earned in your daily labors. To keep you coming back, there’ll also be “daily aerocache challenges” and a variety of mission goals to complete.

Realizing that the age of the joystick is over, Microsoft wants everyone to experience Flight, regardless of what peripherals they own. According to the company, “Players can choose to take the helm using highly rendered, accurate cockpits and authentic piloting procedures, or simply use their mouse and keyboard to control the plane in an exterior view.”

Microsoft Flight seems to be separate from its Games for Windows platform, which is a blessing. However, if players sign in using their GFW accounts, they’ll unlock extra content, including “the legendary Boeing Stearman plane.” Flight will be released, free of any puns, on February 29.

Sources: PC World, Game Informer