Crimson Skies

Crimson Skies takes off in a wild airborne adventure set in a hardboiled version of 1937. You'll command a squadron of oddball aircraft in this Microsoft "flight sim lite" for the PC.

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.

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