Xbox Review Corner
Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
By soulfate1
The game is set in a 1930’s America where the states are no longer united; Texas withdrew from the union during the great depression, and as a result other states also began to withdraw, until the U.S.A split back into all of its regional nation-states. As each state fought to defend and isolate themselves, bridges, roads, and train tracks crossing almost every border were demolished, making it unsafe and practically impossible to travel across the country in train or car. People took to the skies, and the zeppelin soon replaced the train, the airplane replaced the car, and in doing this the war between the states was brought to every ones doorstep. War was now fought in a different way; between individuals, and in the sky. The thing that makes this game so enjoyable is its diversity. Though it’s a game whose main focus is flight, many elements have been put into the single player game that it almost feels as though it’s something completely different, which is fantastic. The single player game is extremely well thought out with a nice difficulty curve, which is refreshing and enjoyable to play. The storyline is quite weak at times, but this wont seem to matter as you become more enthralled in the gameplay that anything else. You follow the life and love of a man named Nathan Zachary, his life being a sky pirate, his love being money and airplanes. Each level is usually a huge area with missions to be completed that are assigned to you by people in the area, for the exchange of money, and information that will lead you further on your way. You need to go and activate most missions in your own time, some are compulsory and some are not, so you have plenty of time to practice your flying, and to find secret upgrade tokens. There are ten different planes available to you in single player mode once you unlock them, and an extra five in multiplayer, four of which are only available via download on Xbox Live. Each plane is very unique with different weapons and abilities, and nine of them can be upgraded in single player by the use of large amounts of both money, and upgrade tokens. The tokens can be found scattered around the levels, and you are also rewarded tokens at certain times in the game. Each plane is quite drastically different, and each pose a challenge to get used to. Rest assured, each plane has its strengths, and each plane has its place. It’s apparent that a lot of time has gone into balancing out each one, because it’s hard to say that any one of them is actually bad, once you’ve seen it in the right hands that is. On top of this there are four different types of AA (Anti-aircraft) guns that are available to you in both single and multiplayer. Again, each has its use, and each has its place. Very handy for ducking into when your plane is about to explode and you still want to dish out some pain. Though the single player is great and you’ll get a lot out of it, Xbox Live is what this game was really made for. Fast paced action with up to 16 players, smack talking and dog fighting in the skies, it doesn’t get much better than what Crimson Skies delivers. There are currently eight multiplayer modes: Dogfight – You against the world, and the first to get a set number of kills wins. Team Dogfight – Shoot the enemy, not your team mates. First team to a set number of kills wins. Keep Away – There’s loot somewhere on the map, first person to hold the loot for a set amount of time wins. Team Keep Away – Same as Keep Away, but with a team score. Wild Chicken – Team based. There’s a chicken on the loose (yes, a chicken), grab it and deliver it to the enemy base to receive 7 points, shoot down an enemy plane for 1 point. Team with the highest score at the end of the time limit wins. Chicken Pox – Grab a chicken and shoot down those that don’t have one, you’ll score 2 points and while you’ve got the chicken your health will regenerate. Shoot down someone holding a chicken and you’ll score 1. Look out because there’s only one chicken for every three people. Gun Heist – Team based. There are three turrets on the map, and your team must control all three for 60 seconds in order to win. Failing that, the team controlling the most turrets at the end will win. Very good tactical game for organized teams. Crimson Skies has eight multiplayer maps at its disposal to wage war against the world with, three of which are only available by download over Xbox Live. Following the standard of the game, each map is well balanced and best suited for a specific job. Some game modes are better than others on certain maps, and the amount of people in the fight is also important depending on which map you’re playing. You’ll quickly find which ones are your favorites, but it’s best to know all of their secrets before you go in with all guns blazing. Knowing where to find health, cover, and a spare plane when you’re in real trouble is key in winning over Xbox Live. Hitting other people with bullets helps too. The graphics for Crimson Skies are amazing, honestly amazing. Landscapes have an almost too artistic feel to them, but it all adds to the flavor of the game. The same kind of artistry has gone into the planes, buildings, you name it… it all looks great, from the still ocean water to your battered flaming plane, it’s all a treat to look at. The sound tops it off like the icing on the cake; bullets whistling past your head, wind rushing by, the sound of your plane on fire, all presented in stunning Dolby digital 5.1 crisply and with class. The voiceovers are done well, though you will get annoyed with Nathan and his crew’s horribly cheesy jokes. Crimson Skies is one of the best Xbox Live games available. It will keep you busy, and you’ll have fun, which is what all games should be like. Now go, and may the skies glow crimson with the wreckage of your enemies! Overview Gameplay: 9/10
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