| 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.
|
| 97 |
Gamezilla!
A complete package, giving a remarkable performance in almost every aspect of the game.
|
| 96 |
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.
|
| 95 |
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.
|
| 95 |
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.
|
| 95 |
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.
|
| 95 |
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.
|
| 95 |
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.
|
| 94 |
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.
|
| 94 |
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.
|
| 94 |
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.
|
| 92 |
Armchair Empire
Amazingly engrossing online play, near-flawless visuals and sound, strong overall gameplay, and lightning-quick control responsiveness.
|
| 92 |
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.
|
| 92 |
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]
|
| 91 |
Game Revolution
Oozes style and substance, matching its PC counterpart bullet for bullet and raising the stakes with its upgraded control.
|
| 91 |
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.
|
| 91 |
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.
|
| 91 |
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.
|
| 91 |
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.
|
| 91 |
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.
|
| 90 |
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.
|
| 90 |
Next Level Gaming
Then I got this puppy online, and I was totally blown away. This is a great game.
|
| 90 |
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.
|
| 90 |
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.
|
| 90 |
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]
|
| 89 |
Da Gameboyz
With a surprisingly good single player game and an addictive online multiplayer component, this game has replay value.
|
| 89 |
GameSpot
The awesome online mode and strong single-player segment combine to make Crimson Skies an easy game to recommend.
|
| 88 |
Electronic Gaming Monthly
It's your plane's incredibly fluid feel that turbo boosts the fun here into the stratosphere. [Jan 2004, p.148]
|
| 86 |
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.
|
| 85 |
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.
|
| 84 |
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.
|
| 80 |
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.
|
| 80 |
Weekly Famitsu
9 / 8 / 8 / 7 - 32 gold [Vol 805; 28 May 2004]
|
| 80 |
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.
|
| 80 |
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.
|
| 80 |
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.
|
| 80 |
Xbox Nation Magazine
In defiance of the weak missions, air battles are frantic affairs, and they are great. [Dec/Jan 2004, p.78]
|
| 80 |
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.
|
| 80 |
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]
|
| 80 |
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.
|
| 80 |
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.
|
| 75 |
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]
|
| 70 |
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]
|
| 70 |
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.
|
| 65 |
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.
|
| 60 |
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]
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