Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge is a first-party video game developed by FASA Studio (part of Microsoft Game Studios) for the Xbox. The game, like the earlier Crimson Skies for the PC, is an action-oriented arcade flight game. Nonetheless, there are significant differences between the gameplay of High Road to Revenge and that of the original PC title. For example, while the Xbox game has a more open-ended mission structure, it offers less plane customization than the PC game. A Microsoft Windows port was planned but was cancelled.
| Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | FASA Studio |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Director(s) |
|
| Producer(s) | Sean Gilmour |
| Designer(s) | Bill Morrison |
| Artist(s) | Robert Olson |
| Writer(s) | Jeffrey Howell |
| Composer(s) | Stan LePard |
| Series | Crimson Skies |
| Platform(s) | Xbox |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Action, Arcade flight |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Set in an alternate 1930s in which the plane and Zeppelin become the primary means of transportation, the game focuses on the adventures of Nathan Zachary, leader of the Fortune Hunters air pirate gang. Players assume his role as he undertakes a crusade to avenge the death of his old friend, "Doc" Fassenbiender.
The game was originally announced in March 2002 for a release that fall. The developers postponed the release date to give them time to retool the game. As a result of this overhaul, which delayed the game's publication to October 2003, several issues were addressed and new features added, most notably the addition of Xbox Live support. Critically the game was very well-received, most notably for its graphics, audio, gameplay, and Xbox Live features.