 |
Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge |
by Guest
11/10/2003 |
 |
 |
Reviewed by Jet Black Ninja
Blown away. Both figuratively and literally, Crimson Skies blew me away. Where do you even start with a game this good? The single player is rich and finely detailed, in FASA Studios previous effort Mechassualt, the single player game felt like an afterthought. That won’t be a problem here, as Crimson Skies was originally concived as a single player experience. On the issue of Live support… it’s beyond reproach.
Working History:
Crimson Skies was slated to be released before Xbox Live, and have only minimal multi-player capabilities. Due to some personnel issues early in the games development stage, the project was put back in the oven with Live intentions.
In single player mode you play as air-pirate supreme, Nathan Zachary. You will follow his adventures through the cockpit of 10 different aircraft as well as a myriad of Anti-Aircraft weaponry. The missions are semi-free roam, and add a degree of replayability to an already amazing, story-driven game. Set in the 1930’s where air is the only travel option, the design and flavor of this game is as unique as anything I have played in along time.
 
But it really hits the fan online, right?
Yup. Take you flying skills online and prepare to be humbled. Online modes include both solo and team dogfight, Capture the flag, solo and team keep-away, and a little something called Wild Chicken.
Solo and team dogfight should be basically self-explanatory to anyone who has been on Live already. In solo it’s every man for himself. In team you’ll last slightly longer, as you get a few teammates to watch your back.
Solo and Team Keep-away consists of a large coin, referred to by the sexy in-game announcer voice lady as “the booty”. Whichever team stays in possession of the booty for the longest period of time wins. To acquire the booty, you kill the person currently holding the booty.
Capture the Flag goes by the Halo rule system. You get the enemy flag and return it to your base, if your flag is currently out, you cannot score until it is returned.
Wild Chicken is Crimson skies most unique mode, and owes a lot of its rule system to the “bombing-run” mode of Unreal Championship. There is 1 “chicken” that begins at the center of the map, both teams attempt to get the chicken and run it through the enemy’s base. A successful run will earn your team 7 points, and shooting down an enemy with the chicken earns your team 1 point. If you shoot down the person with the chicken you must grab it right away or the chicken will reset to its starting position.
But to me a game can look great, sound great, and be basically bug free, and still suck the big one, the difference is always the game play. Crimson Skies is almost perfect. If your not used to flying in video games there is a little bit of a learning curve, but once you conquer that it’s all heat. The planes are for the most part amazingly responsive and fast.
 
 
GRAPHICS: 9
Sure you’ve seen these particular bells and whistles before, but if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
SOUND: 9
My 5.1 system was a deal maker for this game, I feel right there with all that action popping around the room.
CONTROLS: 8
They operate exactly the way they are supposed to, but that ain’t gonna help the newbies much. Hard to master, but fun as possible while your learning.
IMMERSION: 9
I have never got this “into” a Live game. Video games as a painful, debilitating addiction are back!
All in all Crimson Skies has changed my outlook on what Microsoft can do with Live, and I am impatiently waiting for more in this same vein.
Book of Ninja Score: 9
Related News, Images & Links
Reviews & Previews
Features & Interviews
News
|
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Judahin
X365 Member
|
i loved this game.. got boring fast tho... made it to arizona (2nd level) and i was bored
|
|
Posts: 199
Member: 1790
IP: i.am.a.member
|
...
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Seteo-Bloke
Heckler
|
Nah, you got to be kidding me this game does not get boring at all. I´ve just completed it and by far one of the most enjoyable games to date on the Xbox...and I´ve yet to play this on Live!.
|
|
Posts: 0
Member: 2112
IP: 81.129.42.85
|
...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
doa3
Heckler
|
this is a good game.i can play this game over and over without getting bored.Now if you said doa volleyball i would understand when you say boring.boy is it boring and difficult.cant complete all the SS close to imposible.
|
|
Posts: 0
Member: None
IP: 209.165.24.63
|
...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
texcobb
X365 Member
|
Man if you dont have broadband,GET IT,because this it the coolest xlive game ever.I think unreal sucks compaired to this gameand that says alot.If you have a friend that has it go there and try it you will be blown away at how much fun it it.....
|
|
Posts: 1
Member: 2114
IP: i.am.a.member
|
...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maverick
X365 Member
|
yeah, CS rocks - not Counter Strike, but Crimson Skies, I can´t stop playing it online - I´m glad MS pulled it, and then remade it with xBL in mind. 10/10 for me
|
|
Posts: 408
Member: 5
IP: i.am.a.member
|
Talk to me Goose!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles72489
Heckler
|
Cool,
Someone rate Rainbow Six 3 now!! LOL..Its like 2000x better!!
-Neocrash
PS i still love Crimson Skies!!
|
|
Posts: 0
Member: None
IP: 24.90.253.66
|
...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*Grampa Game*
X365 Member
|
I played this game non-stop until I beat it, then I emmersed myself in the excellent online game. I´ve stopped temporarily because I got caught up in true crime and R63 online.
My only issue is with the stores currently bursting at the seams with awesome xbox games. Its hard to get oriented and make a choice with so much to choose from and not enough cash to go around.
However this game rocks! and I shall return! (after I get some much needed practice for the stiff online competition)
|
|
Posts: 506
Member: 1841
IP: i.am.a.member
|
...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
q/u/e/e/r q/u/e/e/n
Heckler
|
u guys are a bunch of f/uc/k/i/n/g f/l/a/m/e/r/s
|
|
Posts: 0
Member: None
IP: 216.209.175.102
|
...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
fgbgfd
Heckler
|
S K I D S!!!!!!!!!!!
|
|
Posts: 0
Member: None
IP: 216.209.175.102
|
...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
grrrgg
Heckler
|
i l l K i l l a l l u f u c k i n g s k i d s
|
|
Posts: 0
Member: None
IP: 216.209.175.102
|
...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
coach
X365 Member
|
i'm new to xbox....never saw a reason with so many good PC games. i was wrong. @!*% game was Crimson Skies. i am addicted. i haven't played a PC game in a week. this game is basically free with a 1year Live pack. no reason not to get it. does it get better than this?
|
|
Posts: 1
Member: 2864
IP: i.am.a.member
|
Man who can catch fly with chopstick can do anything!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
