Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge (xbx: 2003): Reviews

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Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge


8.8

based on 49 reviews
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How did we calculate this?

based on 28 votes
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Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge combines the thrills of low to the ground air combat with the swashbuckling style of an action-adventure movie. Players pilot powerful fantasy aircraft in a game reminiscent of a classic Hollywood tale, as they battle enemy aces and navigate tricky stunts in single and multiplayer modes. As the handsome and daring air pirate Nathan Zachary, players barnstorm through 1930s America hunting down the murderers of Nathan's best friend. [Microsoft]

PUBLISHER:	Microsoft
DEVELOPER:	Microsoft
GENRE(S):	Flight Action
PLAYERS:	16
ESRB RATING:	T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE:	October 21, 2003

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

GamePro

The swelling chase music, idealized world, larger-than-life story, and easy-to-master controls combine to cut through the clutter of some more pretentious games and deliver a sense of majesty and bravery straight to your heart.

100

Adrenaline Vault

It combines an enthralling story with addictive gameplay and endless value online.

100

GameNow

The battles are as chaotic and dynamic as "Halo's," but they're in the air... A must-play game. [Jan 2004, p.64]

100

Cinescape

The most interesting mode is a capture the flag type mode. I love it in first-person shooters so it only makes sense that I would love it here. While there is some lag in multiplayer games, it isn’t enough to make the game unplayable.

Gamezilla!

A complete package, giving a remarkable performance in almost every aspect of the game.

XboxAddict

You have great graphics, great sound, 10 different planes which are almost all upgradeable, you have 6 different multiplayer modes, you have the ability to jump out of your plane and man anti-aircraft guns, there are explosions, vendettas, online play. This game has it all.

Gamers' Temple

So much fun to play that you probably wouldn’t be too disappointed if it didn’t support Xbox Live. Oh but it does, and playing Crimson Skies against up to 15 other players is an absolute blast.

GameZone

Plays like a dream! The controller fits this game perfectly, all the buttons are used, and they are conveniently located so players will be able to use them with the utmost accuracy. While flying the planes it feels like they are moving through the air like a hot knife cutting through butter, the gameplay is that smooth.

Kombo

Long after finishing the story the multiplayer will still hold its enjoyment. It offers a drastically different experience from all the other Live action games, making it probably the newest reason to subscribe to Live.

GameReviewer

What we have here is perhaps one of the single most well thought out examples of how to craft exciting dog fights without running the risk of having pig-headed players forever circling each other.

Deeko

The incredible controls, stunning graphics, and beautiful soundtrack simply make Crimson Skies one of those rare games that never waver in its presentation, giving gamers an experience that can truly be appreciated on every level.

GamingTrend

The graphics are better than you can see in the screenshots in this review and simply are jaw-dropping in motion...A title destined for greatness.

Team Xbox

A phenomenal game in nearly every aspect and will set its mark among other great titles like "Halo" and "Star Wars: KotOR" as they did for their particular genres.

Gamer's Pulse

Aside from minor issues related to multiplayer gameplay, Crimson Skies claims to be nearly flawless with intense airborne action and beautiful interactive visuals.

Armchair Empire

Amazingly engrossing online play, near-flawless visuals and sound, strong overall gameplay, and lightning-quick control responsiveness.

Gamer.tv

There's more than enough variety in the weapons and scenarios to make sure you'll be absorbed for the full 10 or so hours it'll take you to complete.

Official Xbox Magazine

Water, sky, textures, animation, design, particle effects, draw distance, frame rates - every visual feature excels and entrances. You have to see Crimson Skies move. It'll move you. [Dec 2003, p.126]

Game Revolution

Oozes style and substance, matching its PC counterpart bullet for bullet and raising the stakes with its upgraded control.

Gaming Age

Visually, Crimson Skies is a great looking game, and definitely a step up from the PC original. Absolutely huge environments, with impressive undulating environments, deep canyons, congested cities full of skyscrapers, and those amazing trademark Xbox water effects in the ocean, ponds and rivers.

Game Over Online

Aside from the well-crafted plot, the intense action and the awesome atmospheric graphics and sound, Crimson Skies also features an incredible multiplayer experience.

Gaming Nexus

There is a pretty cool thrill to chasing down an enemy through a canyon and finally getting a nice kill shot on them only to be taken out by his bastard teammate before you can finish him off.

VGPub

Graphically High Road to Revenge has no peers in its genre. There’s a ton of detail on the planes themselves, and each one has a nice unique look to it.

IGN

Occupies the same space that "MechAssault" held this time last year as one of the most addictive multiplayer games on Xbox Live but with improved visuals and a more rewarding single player experience.

Firing Squad

It's not an innovative wonder that will blow your socks off, but the new Crimson Skies succeeds in providing an extremely well executed and polished dogfighting experience both off and online.

Next Level Gaming

Then I got this puppy online, and I was totally blown away. This is a great game.

XGP Gaming

You should like this game even if you have never played a flying game before. Crimson Skies doesn't get old very quickly nor does it involve redundancy or tediousness as seen in some other games.

1UP

The graphics are among the Xbox's best—the environments are huge and intricately detailed, and tons of smart little effects (like the haze behind your plane when you go into turbo) help add to the atmosphere.

Game Informer

Earns its wings as a game that is an absolute riot to play. It's a console flight simulator with a serious bite. [Dec 2003, p.160]

Da Gameboyz

With a surprisingly good single player game and an addictive online multiplayer component, this game has replay value.

GameSpot

The awesome online mode and strong single-player segment combine to make Crimson Skies an easy game to recommend.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

It's your plane's incredibly fluid feel that turbo boosts the fun here into the stratosphere. [Jan 2004, p.148]

netjak

In addition to the missions being dumbed down, the whole upgrade system that was on the PC is gone, and that's a severe disappointment.

GameSpy

This game exemplifies the sleeper hit; its unique feel, solid gameplay, and great aesthetics offer up something a little left of center, but it's something that anyone who's remotely interested in the genre should be checking out.

Xequted

The multiplayer portions of Crimson Skies are the real hook of the game and the reason that you'll find yourself returning to the game on a regular basis.

Yahoo! Games

Arguments of depth aside, it can't be denied that Crimson Skies strikes a great balance between required skill and the effortless "feel" of being a swashbuckling air-hero, all backed up by swelling production values.

Weekly Famitsu

9 / 8 / 8 / 7 - 32 gold [Vol 805; 28 May 2004]

Frictionless Insight

As good as it is, a little bit more control over the game setup might make Crimson Skies even better. A button to auto-divide players into equal teams would save the ridiculous three-minute Dance of the Switching Flags that precedes each battle.

EuroGamer

It's by no means groundbreaking or remotely innovative, and you might get fed up with some rather samey single-player mission objectives, but it's all delivered with a charm and style that will win over your heart and ultimately offers a satisfying multiplayer facet that helps round off the package nicely.

Gamestyle

Matching the console's strengths with pick-up-and-play action, gorgeous graphics and appealing story, makes for an unqualified winner, and a title worthy of every Xbox owner's library.

Xbox Nation Magazine

In defiance of the weak missions, air battles are frantic affairs, and they are great. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.78]

G4 TV

Gorgeous visuals, incredibly fun but accessible gameplay, and terrific multiplayer action all mark one of the better console games so far this year. While nothing in the game is particularly revolutionary, what is included is expertly implemented.

GMR Magazine

But whoever designed the final level) filled with screen-obscuring lightning attacks) and behemoth boss is a cruel, cruel person indeed. [Jan 2004, p.52]

eToychest

It has a decent, well-acted story and interesting characters but fails to leave a lasting impression. The Online Multiplayer is hands down awesome and a must have for any Xbox Live aficionado.

TotalGames.net

Every silver lining has a cloud and for Crimson Skies this cumulus comes in the puffy form of some occasionally-forgetful frame rates and geographical detail that really doesn't want you to get too close.

Play Magazine

An adventurous, high-spirited air-combat game that mixes campy fun with seriously intense action... There really is nothing else out there like Crimson Skies. [Nov 2003, p.74]

Edge Magazine

Crimson Skies really comes to life online. Up to 16 players can duke it out in the skies and the dogfights are terrific. This is better than you'd ever have expected. [Christmas 2003, p.123]

Total Video Games

Our only concern with the game is that we can see it beginning to grate after only a few weeks; sure the Xbox Live! functions add some replay value, however given the very nature of the title and its pick-up dynamics we can't see ourselves playing this for months to come let alone even till Christmas.

GameCritics

Crimson Skies does so much to propel itself above mediocrity that it seems strange that, though it succeeds, it doesn't capture the robust energy of its larger-than-life story in its gameplay.

games(TM)

While the accessible arcade action delivers thrill-a-minute multiplayer dogfights, over time the game's inherent lack of substance becomes increasingly evident. [Dec 2003, p.121]

The average user rating for this game is 8.8 (out of 10) based on 28 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Sam F. gave it a9:
Great Flying Action Game that has smooth controls, great graphics and music. This title is no flight sim but an arcade type Flying shooter thats loads of fun. With a variety of things to do like racing for money between missions and Landing for repairs, you will be glad you bought this Title.

Rick gave it an8:
Best flying action game on the Xbox. Deserves the praise. What I want to know is when are they going to bring back a remake of Elite from the Commodore 64. An open ended galaxy full of anarchaic star systems, with trade options, ship upgrades, docking stations and unlimited adventure. Sorry am off the track - buy this game, best in its field.

Alex gave it a9:
Too fun. too addicting. too awesome. most all of the planes are based off of real-life designs, which adds a sence of "this really could have happened". One-stick flying takes a few minutes to get used to, but its manageable. some of the bosses remind me of "Wild Wild West" starring Will Smith.

Fire Pants gave it a9:
I love the music, it is really fun to blow up the Zeps, and it is a very good storyline. I just wish the controls were the same as Halo (using both control sticks to move). contrary to Edwin's beliefs, you can control your air speed, press Y and B genius.

Edwin C. gave it a4:
A Disappointment. Flight physics are poor, and compared to the PC version (I played the demo of that) the controls are crappy. With two analog sticks, why not follow the convention of RC planes, and use Right Stick for Elevator/Ailerons, Left Stick for Throttle/Rudder. Knowing how to fly is a disadvantage in playing the game, as little of flying is captured in the gameplay. Game has No Throttle, No Airspeed management, it's not a flight simulation at all!

Doctor gave it a10:
Hands down the best flying game on the xbox. I dig the alternate universe it creates and blowing up zeppelines is way too much fun.

[Anonymous] gave it a 9:
This is a great game! The sound affects are cool, and the graphics are great. Multiplayer-1 word awsome. So why do i give it a 9 well the music really gave me a bad headache after a while, and the gamplay seems too repetitive, but overall a great game. Go and buy it... NOW!