Crimson Skies (based on v1.2) Developer: Zipper Interactive Publisher: Microsoft Category: : Arcade Flight System Req: PII 350 Mhz, 128 Mb Ram, 32Mb Video Card (D3D) Might look like: Air Power Date posted: 18 February 2001 Written By: Jochen - This game was reviewed on PIII 550, 128 Mb RAM, 32 Mb Geforce2 GTS, Win98 SE - We also test other games on "PlayDevil.com Game Machine" Indy in the Sky ! Microsoft sure doesn't want to miss the high-speed gaming train this year ! They are releasing quality titles at a speed faster than I can say 'Wow' I'am also looking now to the imminent "MechWarrior 4", but in the meantime we can all play around with the excellent 'Metal Gear Solid' (watch out for the review soon !) and the very fun-to-play 'Crimson Skies'. As with MechWarrior, Crimson Skies is based on a board game and both are from the same company : FASA. Where 'MechWarrior' is set in a distant future, 'Crimson Skies' is set in an alternate past. The overall feel lets you think you're in the '30s but the technology available is not exactly what you would call realistic by our known standards, but I'll get to that later. The game is based around an airpirate, 'Nathan Zachary' (you) and his crew and their many adventures. The game and especially the voices made me think of Indiana Jones and that can only be good ! Daredevil Zachary And it is good ! When I looked at the screenshots at the back of the box I was tempted to think that this was going to be a flight simulator. Boy, was I wrong ! This game is action all the way with a little resource management trown in for good measure. I actually play it with a gamepad and it works great. Controls are super smooth and very responsive (unless you get blown to pieces :-) throughout every mission and key combo's are kept to a strict minimum. An action gamer's dream !    Graphics ... excellent! Graphics are indeed just excellent. "Zipper Interactive" is also the team behind 'MechWarrior 3', so if you played that game you know you can expect a lot of big explosions with debris flying in every direction, smoke and rocket trails, superb lighting effects and crisp colours in every menu. The only downsides I can point out is the animated main menu, which is way too slow with that waving flag in the background and the overall resource-eating aspect of all this graphical splendour. The recommended specs should be considered as minimum !    Sound & Music Sound is very well done too, with the superb voice acting springing to mind. Every member of the crew has its distinct voice, not only in the briefings but in the game as well. The radio chatter adds alot of atmosphere. Too bad the voices are scripted, so they are the same every time you play the mission. The sound FX for the different weapons are also very good and you can surely distinguish between a 30mm and a 50mm gunround from the sound alone. Top stuff from Zipper Interactive and of course Microsoft! Next Page Up Previous Page If you want to review your favorite game, or if you work with a computer game company and want your products reviewing, mail info@playdevil.com. All contributions are welcome. Any problems and/or suggestions are always appreciated on webmaster@playdevil.com Nothing of this entire Site, animation & logo's included, may be reproduced, stored, saved, transmitted, in any form or means, electronic, written or otherwise without the prior permission of PlayDevil. Other Logos & Names are Copyrighted Material of its respectful owners. All Rights Reserved. PlayDevil Productions © 199/8-199/9-200/0 "rip your own stuff"