Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

"The most beautiful flyer I have ever seen"

The story goes in this alternate reality '30s game that WWII and the Great Depression weakened the United States' core. The nation ended up dissolved, and the new small nations destroyed the roads and bridges between them, leaving only one mode of travel available: Air. Aircraft and Zepplins now rule the skies, and of course, with the rise of Zepplins, came the rise of Air Pirates.

Gameplay: The storyline in this game is near unparalleled by anything I have seen for the Xbox. One of its best aspects is that it dosen't drag you by the nose through an uninteresting and unvarying campaign. You can choose to follow the main storyline and beat the game, but while you're at it, you can fly around, steal planes, blow stuff up, and rob other Zepplins. And I'll say that it's worth it just to fly around, with the rich and detailed environment greeting your eyes.
10/10

Controls: The simple Xbox controller is used to the fullest extent in this game; allowing you to pull off high-G barrel rolls and Immellman Turns with simple movements. However, the lack of aviation instruments makes it difficult for people used to playing Jetfighter IV and Red Baron II to fly in this game.
9/10

Graphics: Not much I can say here. The graphics are incredibly detailed (if you look closely, you can tell that every airplane, in the air or otherwise, is as detailed as your own) and very realistic. As you buzz the ocean, spray flies up and leaves drops on your screen. As you blast Zepplins to bits, twisted girders fall through massive, smoldering holes in the canopy. As you gun your engine, vents open to release hot, wavering air. And as you get shot up, the tanks in your wings are punctured and little vents of flame trail from them.
10/10

Sound: You can hear planes fly right over you in a AA gun. You can hear bullets whiz past your cockpit. You can hear the violent explosions as a Zepplin disintegrates in mid air. Not only that, but these are incredibly realistic, with Doppler effects and 3d positional effects. Then, of course, there are the voice-overs. These defy description they are so good.
10/10

Buy/Rent: BUY. If you rent it, there's no way you'll ever make it through the incredibly deep and complex campaign. Then, of course, there's the multiplayer aspect...

Overall: The most beautiful game I have ever seen... *sniff*
10/10

Thank you for reading my review.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 05/21/08

Game Release: Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge (Platinum Hits) (US, 2005)