he development of Crimson Skies was loaded with turbulence and a near record-setting number of delays. Yet, despite the hardship that Microsoft endured in getting this product to retail shelves, the game has come together brilliantly and emerges as one of its most notable first-party  efforts.

Set in an alternate 1930s where land-based transportation was never fully realized, players assume the role of Nathan Zacharay, an airborne gun for hire who will accept missions if the price is right. Flying high in a warplane that is armed to the teeth, you’ll find yourself combating a squadron of heavily armed zeppelins, racing through rings, flying escort to a speeding train, and scouring the landscape for hidden tokens that can be used to upgrade your birds.

Unlike most games of this ilk, it won’t take a 100-page flight manual to understand the control scheme. While the physics and sensation of flight prove to be incredibly realistic, the gameplay design veers away from true simulation and hones in on the intensity of an arcade shooter. You won’t find yourself lining up the perfect trajectory of your shots, or circling enemy bogeys just to get them in your sights. The game is designed for non-stop action. As such, you’ll mow down countless enemies in no time flat. The skirmishes that unfold are lightning quick and very much in your face at all times.

Microsoft’s flight sim also excels in producing a high level of variance in its challenges. Along with the different mission types, gamers can change their strategies on the fly. Rather than confronting a group of bogeys in a fighter; you can land, hop out of your plane, and man a stationary turret on a base.

The single-player campaign is a rip-roaring good time as is, but Xbox Live is where this title shines the brightest. Using the headset to coordinate attacks with your wingmen is a truly amazing experience. The battles that unfold are just as intense and rife with skill.

This title also preys on your senses with incredible sound effects and some of the most detailed visuals around. Mid-air explosions shower flaming wings and spinning propellers to the ground; pilots eject and parachute to safety; and the sound of a bogey screaming past your six is too cool to accurately describe.

Rising high above the likes of Ace Combat and Airforce Delta Storm, Crimson Skies earns its wings as a game that is an absolute riot to play. It’s a console flight simulator with a serious bite.   

ADAM BIESSENER   9 I had more fun with Crimson Skies than I’ve had with any console flight sim since Rogue Leader. The control works surprisingly well for a gamepad; flips and loops are easier than ever before. The graphics are as pretty as we expect out of the big box, and the music makes for good enough background noise. Where Crimson Skies really excels, though, is in the gameplay and level design. Each stage is composed of several missions with no menus to break them up, and every task is unique. At the end of each stage, an impressive boss impedes your progress. Flying around and shooting stuff is fluid and natural, making for a solid experience. Multiplayer is a blast too and – between split-screen, Live support, and the system link – you should be able to find some way to get your dogfight on. The variable difficulty makes this title worth it for flight sim junkies and casual pilots alike.