Real Flight Simulator - How Realistic Can a Flight Simulator Possibly Be?

So just exactly how true to life and realistic can a real flight simulator be? How does the flight experience of a simulator compare to flying the real deal?

Here are 5 examples of how the line between simulation and reality has narrowed as computer software technology has evolved over the years:
The instrument panel in a simulator is programmed to look and operate exactly like its real world counterpart. Every button, dial, knob, and instrument looks, behaves, and responds exactly as the real aircraft would.
The simulator airplane's control surfaces can be manipulated in exactly the same manner that it would in real life using the standard flight controls found in a typical aircraft.
Weather phenomena In a simulator affects the aircraft's aerodynamic performance in the same way that it would in real life.
Just as G-forces, center of gravity, weight and balance considerations all play a role in affecting aircraft performance in real life, these are also programmed into a real flight simulator to have the equivalent effect.
Anything that could damage or adversely affect the airplane in real life can also cause damage or harm to the virtual aircraft in a real flight simulator as well.The computer software engineering technology that has given rise to the development of today's modern flight simulation programs has evolved, and continues to evolve, over the past several decades to become more realistic, authentic, and credible.

So much so that, flight simulators are more than just high tech video games. They are bona fide training tools used to train real pilots.