I didn't like the IGN review... but I never liked IGN reviews, because they are a little...over-critic...
What he criticises about the manual maybe partly true, but all of the abbreviations are explained and the manual has a list of all abbreviations in the supplements. He criticises that the manual doesn't tell him, where to adjust the graphic options, well, they are located in options -> video...like in every other game. Where can he find the tutorials, well maybe under "Flight School" and ingame via Training... He criticises that self eplained things like tat are not explained in the manual...
Then he criticises about Missile smoke trails, that disappear. Well, what does he think how a rocket motor works? Burning fuel all the time while in flight? Maybe the Sidewinder should get a space shuttle fuel tank attached then...
I think the author thought he will test H.A.W.X. 3 or something like that... and not a hardcore study sim with its balance laid on realism