Oldies But Goldies: Crimson Skies

I have been saving this for a good day folks! Crimson Skies! With a trailer like that, there really is not much else I can tell to introduce the game. But I will, because this is my top favorite game of my childhood and one that I am -desperately- waiting for a reboot, remastered, or at the very least a GOG version!

Crimson Skies, is an arcade flight simulator, which you play as Nathan Zachary, an aspiring air pirate, as he unfolds his plan to become rich and famous. The game emulates the old school adventure romance style -perfectly-.

Set in an alternate 1930's where the biplane became the staple of transportation, from giant zeppelins to simple biplanes, in order to transport precious cargo between the fragmented nation-states of the United States. With airplane designs that are less realistic and more focused on style, lets break down the game to see how it handles things

The gameplay does not do anything different from what one would expect from the arcade flight sim of the era. Like Rogue Squadron, ATF and other similar games, it is responsive, offers a variety of different planes, weapons and ammo and the levels are surprisingly varied -even- for the single player "custom senario" mode.

One thing that stands out in my opinion is the way the game approaches physics. With areas called "Danger Zones" (Yes, Kenny Loggins intensifies), which are places dangerous to fly through that give you certain bonuses if you do so, the game clearly approaches Movie logic. If its fun and looks cool, it can happen.

Furthermore, with various ship parts, color patterns and decals, you can spend as much time playing the game as you are building your dream biplane.

Crimson skies, is a -blast- to play, and with you, your teammates -and- the enemies chirping into the radio every now and then, every combat feels dynamic, fluid and action packed. One of the most stressful things in the game is when you hear your squadron mates shout that they are ejecting one by one, while the enemy chirps in with menacing taunts and the usual one liners as one of their Ace pilots arrives on the scene.

The game graphics were very good for its era. Colorful and smooth, the game was truly beautiful to watch, with great skyboxes, amazing animations and textures on the planes and extremely well made cockpits (for those of you that enjoy the first person flying) make for a joy to watch.

What stands out however, in my opinion, is the 1930's approach in posters, cutscenes and loading screens. In case you did not notice from the intro, the game approaches this as an adventure romance, and the visuals fit so perfectly. With the necessary rogue charm, and an aesthetic that makes everything look as if they are rendered from photographs, the game completely draws you into the world.

What is even better? When in the cockpit camera (the only acceptable camera) you have damage appear live on your screen. Bullet holes, smoke from the engines, everything. Is it stressful? Yes. Is it -awesome-? Yes. Yes it is!

This. This is where the game takes over its competition by storm. The game emulates the campy nature of old school adventure flicks -perfectly-. From the music, to the voice acting to the very nature of the story itself, the game looks, feels and sounds like an Indiana Jones-esque movie.

Another thing that fascinated me is how the game expositions you to story. Aside from the usual, loading screen exposition, in which the game gives you the story briefing as it loads the game, so you wont be bored staring at a screen, the game shifts from the usual cutscenes to a more fluid storytelling, as most things that happen will be given to you through radio -as- you play the game, without interupting the action. Sure, there are cutscenes, but they are so short that they basically only serve to draw your attention somewhere, and take a breather, without letting the adrenaline fade away.

Its campy, its cheesy, with voice acting to match the tone. It. Is. The. Best