Crimson Skies (video game)
| Crimson Skies | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Developer(s) | Zipper Interactive |
| Publisher(s) | ACES Studio, Microsoft, Tsunami Visual Technologies (arcade) |
| Designer(s) |
Jordan Weisman John Howard |
| Series | Crimson Skies |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, arcade |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Action, arcade flight |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 84 of 100 (based on 42 reviews) |
| Metacritic | 83 of 100 (based on 32 reviews) |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| Edge | 5/10 |
| GameSpot | 7.7/10 |
| GameSpy | 84/100 |
| IGN | 8.8/10 |
Crimson Skies is an arcade flight video game developed by Zipper Interactive and published in 2000 by Microsoft Game Studios. Although a flight-based game, Crimson Skies is not a genuine flight simulator, as the game is based less on flight mechanics than on action. According to series creator Jordan Weisman, Crimson Skies is "not about simulating reality—it's about fulfilling fantasies."
The game is set in an alternate history of the 1930s in which the United States has fragmented into a number of smaller sovereignties, and in which air travel has become the primary mode of transportation in North America. The game centers on Nathan Zachary, an adventurous air pirate seeking to rob the affluent of their wealth and power. Throughout the campaign, Zachary leads his gang of air pirates, the Fortune Hunters, on a quest to gain fame and riches.
Crimson Skies is often regarded as a "cult success", commercially successful only to a limited extent. The game has received generally favorable reviews; it has been noted for its high-quality voice acting, gameplay, and atmosphere. Notable technical issues, however, have been known to plague the game, the most notorious of which was the tendency to delete saved game files until a patch was released.
Crimson Skies is a cross between an authentic flight simulator and an arcade flight game. Although flight mechanics such as lift are still present, the game's planes are generally overpowered, allowing them to perform aerobatic maneuvers impossible in reality under similar circumstances. According to lead game designer John Howard:
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