Crimson Skies Review

Typically I only play flight Sims in space because anything planet bound is toooo boring. Not Crimson skies.

Story(Taken from official site)

The year is 1937. The United States has shattered under the combined weight of the Great Depression, regional Prohibition and mounting isolationism. The transcontinental railroad and the budding highway system have become useless as they now cross hostile borders. Commerce and trade leave the ground as air travel now becomes a vital lifeline connecting allied countries -- and a national obsession -- while daring air pirates and valiant air militia’s battle for control of the skies. Giant zeppelins crisscross the skies, carrying both passengers and cargo. It is a time of gunship diplomacy and airship piracy. It is the age of the fighter pilot and a time of daredevil adventure and sinister intrigue. It is the world of Crimson Skies… You are Nathan Zachary, one of the most famous Air Pirates known for his skills as a pilot and his compassion as a human. Once he shot down one of his own pilots for unnecessary shooting of defenseless people.

Game Play

The controls are similar to every other flight sim, use of joystick is required. You might also need to use the keyboard for weapon control but if your joystick is advanced enough then you don't need it. You have 3 different view in which to play from; Behind your plane, inside your cockpit (which you still see your plane) or 1st person where all you see is the game and your indicators are on the main screen.

Starting the game, you begin on a really easy mission that has you flying by three different locations in search of treasure. This mission gives you familiarity with the basic planes plus some small dog fighting skills against planes and a Zeppelin. From here, the story line really takes off following a great story of intrigue, piracy and saving the day. Each mission contains certain areas where you can do special stunts that get added to your scrapbook if you do them correct. You know if you did them correctly if you hear a click of a camera (on first mission, if you fly through the cave, you get a picture taken). At the end of each mission you can look at the pictures and even make them your background pic. One some levels you have to fly your plane at a certain distance from another object (plane, trains and an automobile) to either drop off a passenger or pick one up which can be difficult if enemy planes are on your tail.

I really enjoyed this game and can recommend it to anyone who likes flying combat Sims. Even the multiplayer is fun which has the basic types: Deathmatch, capture the flag and defend your Zeppelin. In each type, there is a refuel station that once you fly through, all damage is repaired and all ammo is replenished. The game also comes with a plane builder when you can create your own type of plane with different weapons, hard points, etc which you can use in multiplayer. The only downside so far is that Microsoft is making the sequel only for the Xbox which sucks if you don’t have one.