I find X-Plane (and any sim) incredibly boring compared with flying the real thing. But I can sharpen up my IFR on the sim for a lot less money (read, zero cost) and that has a lot going for it when you're a pensioner like me
My X-Plane config doesn't have the peripherals to qualify as a valid sim for logging purposes (something X-Plane can do, and MSFS cannot), but I don't need the hours or the log - I just need to keep sharp. I keep the ratings valid the hard way, in the sky.