Sound: 8.5
Graphics: 8.5
Gameplay: 8
Replay: 9
Multiplayer: Yes, Online and Offline

Microsoft Games Studios has really been providing some good games for the Xbox recently. From MechAssault to Amped 2 the games have all featured incredibly good graphics, and most importantly, solid multiplayer. Although some of the sports games like NFL Fever really haven't impressed me, most of the games are worth the buy. All of the recent games really take advantage of the Xbox in every aspect, they have fast loading times and of course, they all have Xbox Live play, and that is what makes them so special. Does Microsoft hit the spot with Crimson Skies?

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". That is a little phrase my dad always tells me (because personally, I think he is ugly, but try to convince him of that). This game has a little bit for everyone, and so some will really like it, and others won't. Overall the game has a good mix of flight simulation and fast paced arcade shooting. So if you like the mix, and don't like to fully go one way or the other (for instance Flight Simulator 2011 isn't your style), then this is a good game to pick up.

Controlling this game is a breeze. There is a brief tutorial and the beginning of the campaign that teaches the controls, and they are very simple to learn. That is what makes this game so much fun for newcomers, that fast pace, good explosions, and easy controls. However, die hard gamers will find a lot to love in the gameplay as well. There are a lot of different planes to master, each with different weapons and a slightly different feel (some being faster but lack in armor, others are just tanks and naturally they don't fly very fast). Learning to fly all of them effectively, for instance going balls out with the heavy fighters isn't a bad idea, but try doing so in one of the smaller ones and you will find yourself being fried fast.

The planes and characters all look very good. The planes look like they should, a 1930's style with the double wing's. The characters look very good as well, however the they aren't seen very often, mostly just when jumping in and out of different planes. The environment and background are some of the most spectacular of the graphics. The environments are highly detailed for a flying game. Especially the water effects, the water moves and ripples very realistically. The most important part of the graphics, of course, lies in the explosions, and sadly, I had to lower the graphics rating just because of those alone. The fact is, every plane that is shot down explodes the exact same way. That really takes away from the experience. It just feels as if you're shooting the same exact guy down over and over and over again, and that isn't good in any type of game.

The sound in the game is good enough. The planes give off the steady hmmmming noise as you fly around. Machine guns make the expected rat-tat-tat-tat as you unload your unlimited amount of machine gun ammo into the belly of the other plane. The voice acting is the best part though. The scientist really sounds like a scientist, and the main character really sounds like a womanizer. The voices also match up with mouth movement in the game, which is rare in games, and is also very welcome in my book.

Xbox Live is the biggest upside to this game. In fact, a lot more games would be much more successful if they would implement Xbox Live. Everyone everywhere loves multiplayer, and what better way to do it then having the whole screen to yourself and not having to share it. Being able to pull in behind your enemy and fill his plane with bullets before firing the missile to finish him off and letting him know about it is always a satisfying experience. This alone will bring a lot of people back to play the game over and over again. On top of that, the game has a lot of unlockables, so that makes the single player experience worth playing through as well.

The game is worth buying if you have friends who are into the genre. The single player is solid but is nothing spectacular. The multiplayer, especially over Xbox Live, is what makes this game shine. Without Live the game is just another average game, and wouldn't be worth buying. Without Live the game is still worth the rental. It's really too bad that the game didn't include some type of cooperative split screen mode, that would definately have the offline replayability.