Imagine a United States split into factions by economic decline, where rich and poor are separated by supply and demand and pirates prey on corporations like leeches. Admittedly, it doesn’t take an incredible imagination for this. Okay, so imagine that scenario in an alternate 1930s populated by zeppelins and buccaneering sky pirates.

The player takes on the role of Nathan Zachary, the hero of the previous Crimson Skies PC game from a couple of years ago. The tale begins with Nathan waking to discovery a heavy night at the gambling table had cost him his plane and zeppelin to a fierce rival. His attempts to regain his craft begin a tale of piracy, skulduggery and a fair amount of swashbuckling.

The adventure takes place in a succession of beautifully rendered environments with the player being offered a choice on the order in which missions are completed. With a nod to the Grand Theft Auto series, this involves free roaming around the environment and looking for blue icons that show someone wishes to hire Nathan’s services. Some of these missions are part of the overall plot of the game; others are side quests that provide more money to upgrade aircraft.

Behind this veneer of choice lies a fairly linear plot. But it’s so well presented with excellent voice acting and superb lip-synced cut-scenes that the actually progression does not seem dull, nor forced. Once all the major missions in an area have been completed the action movies on to a new location.

The actual gameplay dynamics are pretty simple. The player controls one of ten spiffy 1930s retro-sci-fi aircraft each armed with some kind of gun, usually a machine gun, and a simple missile or rocket system. The Y button activates a rechargeable speed boost; the B button opens the speed breaks to make tighter turns. Missions take the form of delivery, defence or attack – but whatever the case usually involve destroying other aircraft. Players can jump into gun turrets on ground bases and zeppelins and it’s even possible to complete an entire mission this way.

So far so good. But many gamers won’t even see much of the single player because Crimson Skies is the finest Xbox Live game yet. The split screen multiplayer is fun but going online is a total hoot. Game modes include team and regular dogfights, capture the flag, and chicken. It’s all standard fare, but in action, it works beautifully. Of the five maps on offer Chicago is the lushest, with buildings and bridges offering the ideal way of running for cover.

Graphically the game shines. High-resolution bump-mapped textures abound, creating a believable yet stylised retro environment. The aircraft are extremely detailed with a nice use of heat haze effects when using the speed boost. From explosions to water effects, this is a game that has had time lavished on it, and it shows. It’s one of the best-looking games released on Xbox this year. The voice acting is superb even though it is cheesier than Gorgonzola shampoo; it really evokes those Saturday morning serial shows and movies such as Raiders of the Lost Ark.

[Alex]

If you have Xbox Live then Crimson Skies is an essential purchase. For those contemplating signing up – this is the ideal game. Crimson skies comes complete with two months subscription to the online multiplayer system. Even without Xbox Live, Crimson Skies: The High Road to Revenge is a gorgeous action packed shoot ‘em up with a wonderfully quirky setting.

[Jen]

I found the single player campaign a little simplistic – mainly it was just defending or attacking without a whole lot of variety. But Alex’s is right – as a multiplayer game, it can’t be beat. The game is easy to pick up and play and the controls very well laid out – which means anyone can pick up and play this online with no hassles.

[Harry]

Being a fan of the original game on the PC I was really looking forward to Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge. I am disappointed with a couple of omissions from the original. Firstly, there’s no cockpit view – the game is played from a third-person viewpoint. Secondly, there’s no ability to customize the weapons in the Xbox game. Apart from that, Crimson Skies is a wonderful game – especially when played on Xbox Live.