Get ready as Microsoft takes over the skies this fall with Crimson Skies as you take the role of air pirates and set the skies ablaze.  Crimson Skies captures all the excitement and adventure of a typical Indian Jones movie.  Fun is what its all about and let me tell you Crimson Skies delivers big.

Sim skills are not needed as Crimson Skies is designed to make you feel like a fighter ace right out of the box. Though you won't find realistic flight models and authentically modeled aircraft even the most hardcore of simmers can find lots to entertain themselves. From dog fighting high above in very realistic thick clouds to an air to ground attack on refueling trucks to rescuing a fellow comrade from a moving train or better yet docking with a real live Zeppelin. Crimson Skies has it all.

During mission briefings you get the feeling of being part of a team by hearing the other members pipe in with comments and small talk.  Then during the actual missions you not only get a healthy dose of team chatter but the enemy talking smack while you battle adds to the whole immersion factor as you carry out your mission. 

Though the missions at first will seem a bit complex this is another area that the team radio chatter comes in handy as your teammates as well as your own voice will keep everyone on track even in the most complex mission.  Missions range from simply guarding a docked Zeppelin to docking with a Zeppelin, having your co-pilot board the craft while you undock and defend your position, then re-dock to pick up another passenger and then fight your way back to your Zeppelin to dock and head home.

As I said before none of the aircraft in Crimson Skies are like anything you have seen before.  They do however do a great job of looking like an alternate reality 1930's and the overall sense of the game especially the soundtrack gives you the feeling of the time period.

From what I have seen of the beta I can safely say this is one classy game that was not only well thought out but it is exactly what the doctor ordered.  This certainly fills a hole that was sadly needed for some time.  A good flight combat game that anyone could enjoy without having to be the ultimate reality.

Seeing as the screenshots I posted before didn't show off the interior view Here are 15 more screenshots.

Preview by: William Gall
Date: September 12, 2000

I have had several people request that I get some shots of Crimson Skies out immediately as they are all wanting to see how it looks and here how it is.  Let me just say if you are one of the many waiting for the release of Crimson Skies you won't be disappointed.  Though the copy I have is merely a beta it is fun beyond comparison.  This is one of the most fun aerial games I have played.