Reviews / previews
The year is 1937. War, Prohibition, and the Great Depression have torn apart the great country that was once the United States. Fighting factions have taken to the skies, where they battle it out for supremacy. Welcome to the world of Crimson Skies, the upcoming air-combat game from Microsoft set in an alternate-reality 1930's America where planes are the transportation of choice and pirates have taken over the airways.
As the swashbuckling air pirate, Nathan Zachary, players will fly through more than 24 objective-based missions, interacting with dozens of characters, including fighter aces and movie stars, while engaging in dogfights over fantasy locales such as the Nation of Hollywood and the Empire State. 12 planes will be available, including the Whitley and Douglas Raven and the Hughes Devastator, many of which have been modeled after actual prototypes. Crimson Skies should be ready for take-off in summer 2000.-- Brian Wright / GamePro
Microsoft is taking off in Crimson Skies, an action flying game that puts you in the pilot's seat of some wild propeller planes inspired by the heyday of Hollywood, and the golden age of flight. Like Activision's Interstate 76, which was a funkified display of an alternate 1970's time period, Crimson Skies presents a different take on the year 1937, in which national governments have fallen apart and the armies have taken to freelancing. In the world of Crimson Skies, bands of mercenaries and pirates rule the air, attacking innocent civilians, as well as military and industrial targets. You play Nathan Zachary, buccaneer of the skies and leader of his own band of freelance pilots. You'll get into the cockpit for every mission, but the story is set against a backdrop of political intrigue, romance, revenge, and death.
As a Crimson Skies pilot, you'll get to fly a number of different aircraft that look like they were designed by the Wright brothers on acid. Tails mounted under the fuselage, rear-mounted propellers, and angled wings make the planes in Crimson Skies fun to fly and to look at. You can also design and outfit a custom plane based on one of the game's existing designs. Add your own armor, engine, and armament, then splash on a custom paintjob, nose art, and tail art. As you progress through the game, you'll capture and gain access to new and more powerful aircraft.
The mission structure in Crimson Skies is quite varied. You'll have to attack specific ground targets, take out huge zeppelins, fly reconnaissance missions, provide escort cover, and perform some pretty daring rescues. You'll also have plenty of dogfighting to do, usually against a numerically superior enemy squadron. In addition, you'll get to fly against other human pilots on Microsoft's MSN Gaming Zone.
The physics engine in Crimson Skies isn't as demanding as hardcore flightsim enthusiasts mightwant, but it still provides a good challenge for both beginners and ace dogfighters since the missions require you to perform some pretty hairy stunts. The enemy AI is also quick to get on your tail and tough to shake.
You'll often be flying close to the ground, and the scenery is very detailed. Farmland, forest, and cityscapes are all sharply rendered, and the fog and clouds are very realistic. Plane models are smooth, and although the sky can be full of planes at times, the game's framerate holds up well.
If you're looking for an airborne adventure, but dislike the sci-fi madness of space combat and the hardcore requirements of jetfighter simulations, Crimson Skies finds a middle ground that should grab a range of gamers. Watch for Crimson Skies as it flies onto the PC in September.-- John Marrin / GamePro
Flying a plane has never been this much fun! Crimson Skies combines the thrill of a good dogfight with high-flying stunts and swashbuckling adventure.
Crimson Skies takes place in an alternate-reality 1930s America after war has torn the country apart and left in its place a group of rival territories, such as the Republic of Texas, the Nation of Hollywood, and the Confederation of Dixie. Most of the streets and railroads have been destroyed, leaving air travel as the most popular - and most dangerous - form of transportation.
As the gallant air pirate Nathan Zachary, you must lead your band of gypsy Fortune Hunters through a series of missions, fighting off dastardly villains, rescuing damsels in distress, and maybe pocketing a little cash in the process.
Crimson Skies plays more like an aerial Interstate '76 than Falcon 4.0. Rather than just shooting down hordes of enemy planes, many missions require you to perform hair-raising stunts, like docking with an enemy zeppelin or rescuing a hostage from the top of a speeding train. These stunts add excitement to the game, though some of the more difficult ones can be very frustrating. Thankfully, Crimson Skies allows you to skip a mission after three failed attempts, which means even novice flyers will be able to play through the entire game.
The world of Crimson Skies is filled with some eye-grabbing sights. Details abound, from parts flying off a plane under fire to a cloud effect that rivals that of any other flight sim. But what really brings the 1930's era to life is the sound. Humorous radio-chatter combines with an awesome soundtrack that mixes Indiana Jones-style theme music with Big Band swing.
Controlling your planes is easy, but you'll definitely want a joystick for the best Crimson Skies experience. The various planes handle differently depending on their engine and size, with larger aircraft like the dual-hulled McDonnell Kestrel offering greater stability in exchange for limited maneuverability, and smaller models like the Hughes Bloodhawk sacrificing control for speed.
Crimson Skies does suffer from a few technical problems. Choppy frame rates and sound skips crop up periodically, and painfully long load times between missions bog down the gameplay. Also, your wingmen may occasionally appear from out of nowhere and ram directly into your plane; it's hard enough dealing with actual enemies without having to worry about kamikaze attacks from your allies. Hopefully, a patch will take care of these issues.
Even if you've never touched a flight sim in your life, you'll have a blast shooting down fighter aces, skimming Hollywood studio lots, and buzzing Manhattan skyscrapers. Crimson Skies is simply the best air combat action the PC has to offer.-- Brian Wright / GamePro
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