Xbox Live launched in 2002, and if you ask anybody who purchased the subscription they probably told you they bought a copy of MechAssault right along with it. MechAssault was Microsoft's justifiable answer to owning Xbox Live, MechAssault offered gameplayers with a shooter that was fast-paced, and a bevy of online modes to make it easily the most entertaining of the bunch. Now Microsoft has finally released a new title to replace MechAssault, all in the form of Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge. Crimson Skies delivers just about everything you want from a shooter, offering intense mayhem, coupled with some really fun multiplayer modes, all in all its a solid purchase for any of those who are looking for a great Xbox Live game. The games single player mode puts you in the shoes of Nathan Zachary, a idealistic overconfident pilot, after losing his plane in a drunk poker match he sets of to take back whats his, all in fashion of course. Once he gets his plane back, you'll learn some tricks and tips. After that the games single player mode starts right off the bat. The games single player mode is thrilling and nonstop rush considering some of the missions you'll have to endure, yet it does feature escort missions, but Crimson Skies manages to make these escort missions, not all too difficult and and doesn't require you to babysit the zeppelins, not only that but the zeppelins can take quite a bit of damage. Suffice to say its escort missions are done right, and aren't all too frustrating. The games overall combat mechanics work quite well, as your plane is easy to control, unlimited guns, but you also have a limited amount of missiles. The games first plane the Devastator, is powerful, but some of the new planes you'll acquire from purchasing are really amazing too, since they offer their own variety of weapon combos, you also have tons of moves to evade oncoming missiles, and planes. The game also features a special meter which will allow you to speed up fast and get away from pursuing foes if to many are on your tail. Perhaps the most appealing aspect of Crimson Skies is the fact that its really a game anybody can pick up and play, the games controls are just plain simple, but when you see your plane on the screen it handles all to elegantly, and also features tons of acrobatic maneuvers. Crimson Skies is an easier game to recommend than say MechAssault, considering both we're easy to play, Crimson Skies manages to make the the overall gameplay a bit easier to pick up and play. The Xbox Live component in Crimson Skies is amazing, and will offer you tons replay value. It also offers downloadable content of maps, planes, and new levels. The modes in Crimson Skies is plentiful and superb. Crimson Skies includes five multiplayer maps, and six different modes to compete in all an all out shoot out frenzy with your pals. It would have been more convient and exciting if there we're more maps, but with Xbox Live maps can be added in the shooter. It also offers solo, and team oriented combat, such as keep away, or perhaps its most entertaining game in the game king of the hill. The games presentation is nothing short of breathtaking, considering some of the enviorments in the game feature amazing details, and effects. Perhaps one of the coolest effects is when you use your special meter, as your plane goes faster the games view tends to distort, do to engines flaring up. Its well done in all aspects, but when your missiles strike a target such as a plane, or a stationary vehicle the explosion from your attack make a fabulous sight of destruction. The planes too as well look detailed and polished to perfection. The effects as you launch your missiles or your guns blazing away are appreciative in every way, nonetheless Crimson Skies is full of visual effects that make it truly an amazing looking game on all fronts, but your also capable of seeing from far away from the games delicate and elegant enviorments to prepare yourself from an onslaught of planes that you'll encounter throughout the game. As great as its graphics are, its no surprise that Crimson Skies also adds in great voice acting, yet Zachary adds a bit of Indiana Jones persona to go along with his looks, its a solid offering in the voice acting department, but yet its sound effects are to no surprise are just as great as the voice acting itself, whether it be the realistic explosions, or as your engines blare at full speed, and simply just swooping in on a target its every bit as impressive as the games overall quality. Crimson Skies reeks full of replay value, with its Xbox Live component, and its single-player mode, all in all its really a game you can be playing for quite sometime, if your looking for something to justify that Xbox Live purchase, its all here in Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge--its easily as addictive as MechAssault but what truly makes Crimson Skies amazing isn't its graphical presentation, its sound, nor is it its multiplayer, but the fact is that its easy to pick up and play.
Other Helpful Reviews for Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
I had a blast playing Crimson Skies: high road to revenge. Never before has a game mixed 2 genres so skillfully without there being alot of problems. Even the ace combat games had a few problems. Crimson Skies: high road... Read Full Review
I got this game around christmas when it came out. I did play it on xbox live sometime after, but I didn't like it online. The single player was more fun for me, even though missions were linear. The gameplay is mos... Read Full Review
