To be fair, Microsoft's Crimson Skies is much more of an arcade dog-fighting game than a true aerial simulator. Nevertheless, it's a fresh and fun diversion that's unfortunately marred by a few technical bugs. The game's roots are obviously tied to pulp fiction of the '30s. The 24-mission linear campaign spans several locations, including Los Angeles' Hollywood Hills, Hawaii, New York City and the Rockies, all of which are rendered in incredible detail. There are more than 10 kinds of planes to choose from, each with its own attributes.
Players can also design flying fortresses.
Crimson Skies is a visual wonder, with some of the highest production values ever to grace a computer game. And the audio is equally impressive, thanks to the professional voice-over acting, crisp sound effects and a soundtrack that really swings. Crimson Skies would be a great game, if it weren't for some glitches that should have been fixed before the game shipped to consumers. Saved games that aren't actually saved are the biggest problem. If a multiplayer match is played over the Internet, or if a player customizes a plane at some point during the Instant Action mode, saved games vanish and players have to start the entire game over.