The Game Basics

It's a Pirate's Life For Me!

Microsoft promises that Crimson Skies will have a "fully interactive storyline in a gaming universe that captures the sweep and romance of 1930s America." What does this mean? Do you remember the venerable Wing Commander series? Those games referred to themselves as "fully interactive movies," and it's not likely that Crimson Skies is going to stray far from the model.

Hawaiian Map

Nathan Zachary

Instead of having to develop an intricate backdrop for a space opera, Microsoft has FASA's Crimson Skies to build upon. What's the big draw about Crimson Skies? Well, it's still mostly real-world, albeit set back in time and with a alternate reality, but there is definitely something to be said about seeing real cities and the like. Remember the disappointment when the original Rainbow Six featured only fictional locales for missions? The expansion pack and sequel both advertised real world locations as a selling point, and with good reason. Hmm… Crimson Skies seems more like Strike Commander, come to think of it.

So who are you in the game? You're Nathan Zachary, a "notorious air buccaneer and ladies man." You'll be blazing through 24 missions across all the new states, and these aren't ordinary missions either. Anyone can be a flyboy in a computer game and shoot down scores of enemies, but how many games out there make you bail out of an airplane into a secret enemy complex to steal blueprints? Remember those TV cowboys who saved damsels tied to railroad tracks? Try to do it from an airplane, hotshot!

Wooo… Sounds Cool! What Do I Fly?

Keeping with its fantastic theme, Crimson Skies lets you fly some pretty outrageous aircraft. From a nitro-charged Whitley and Douglas Raven to the latest Hughes Aircraft prototypes (you know, Howard Hughes? Spruce Goose?), you get your pick of a dozen different aircraft. Don't fret, it's not all fantasy. Nearly all the aircraft are modeled after contemporary, experimental, and concept planes.

Secret Plans

Hello Spruce!

Zipper promises that they won't go hardcore with the flight model either. Crimson Skies is a fantasy/action game, and there's no point in grounding a player for a week while he learns how to taxi the plane.