View source for Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge

{{Short description|2003 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge
| image = Crimson Skies High Road to Revenge Boxart.jpg
| developer = [[FASA Studio]]
| publisher = [[Xbox Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]]
| director = {{ubl|Jim Deal|Jim Napier}}
| producer = Sean Gilmour
| designer = Bill Morrison
| programmer = 
| artist = Robert Olson
| writer = Jeffrey Howell
| composer = [[Stan LePard]]
| series = ''[[Crimson Skies]]''
| platforms = [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|October 21, 2003|EU|October 31, 2003}}
| genre = [[Action game|Action]], [[Arcade flight]] 
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}

'''''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge''''' is a [[Video game developer|first-party]] video game developed by [[FASA Studio]] (part of [[Xbox Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]]) for the [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. The game, like the earlier [[Crimson Skies (video game)|''Crimson Skies'']] for the PC, is an action-oriented [[Arcade game#Arcade genre|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.<ref name="IGN Top 10 Xbox">{{cite web | author1=Perry, Douglass C. | author2=Goldstein, Hilary | date=April 15, 2004 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/04/15/the-top-10-best-xbox-games | title=The Top 10 Best Xbox Games | website=[[IGN]] | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] | access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref> A [[Microsoft Windows]] port was planned but was cancelled.

Set in an [[Alternate history|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.<ref>{{cite web | author=Boulding, Aaron | date=March 19, 2002 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/03/19/fly-the-crimson-skies | title=Fly the Crimson Skies | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web | author=Torres, Ricardo | date=April 18, 2003 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hands-on-crimson-skies-high-road-to-revenge/1100-6025340/ | title=Hands-On: Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | website=[[GameSpot]] | publisher=[[Red Ventures]] | access-date=January 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525063750/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/crimsonskieshighroadtr/news.html?sid=6025340 | archive-date=May 25, 2011 | url-status=live}}</ref> Critically the game was very well-received, most notably for its graphics, audio, gameplay, and Xbox Live features.<ref name="IGN Review">{{cite web | author=Boulding, Aaron | date=October 20, 2003 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/21/crimson-skies-high-road-to-revenge-review | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge Review | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="GameSpot Review">{{cite web | author=Gerstmann, Jeff | author-link=Jeff Gerstmann | date=October 23, 2003 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/crimson-skies-high-road-to-revenge-review/1900-6077239/ | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge Review [date mislabeled as "October 5, 2013"] | website=GameSpot | publisher=Red Ventures | access-date=January 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070818080327/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/crimsonskieshighroadtr/review.html | archive-date=August 18, 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[Image:CS HR Arixo.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The player, in an upgraded Devastator aircraft, fires at a target [[gun truck]]. From left to right on the game's [[Head-up display (video games)|HUD]] are health, ammo, and special meters, cash on hand, and a [[radar display]].]]

''High Road to Revenge'' is a flight-based combat game: during most of the game, the player controls an aircraft from a third-person perspective. It is an [[Arcade game#Arcade genre|arcade flight]] game as opposed to a [[flight simulator]]; physics are relaxed, controls are simplified, and takeoffs and landings are completely automated. Project lead Jim Deal explained that ''Crimson Skies'' was built around an arcade design to make the game easy to learn, and to place its focus on action instead of the physics of flight.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers3.htm | title=Crimson Skies Project Lead Jim Deal | website=Xbox.com | publisher=[[Microsoft]] | access-date=August 22, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930165203/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers3.htm | archive-date=September 30, 2007 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

There are over twelve playable [[fighter aircraft]] in ''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'', including planes available to download over Xbox Live. Each aircraft has its own ratings for speed, maneuverability, [[Health (games)|armor]], and a distinct weapons layout. [[Machine gun]]s and cannons, which serve as primary weapons, have unlimited ammunition, but can temporarily overheat. Fighters are also equipped with limited-ammunition secondary weapons, examples of which include magnetic rockets, heavy cannons, and a [[Tesla coil]].<ref name="Game Manual (Gameplay)">{{cite book | editor=FASA Studio | title=''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'' Instruction Manual | publisher=[[Xbox Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]] | pages=18–19, 23, 25–26}}</ref>

In keeping with the game's arcade nature, the armor and secondary ammunition of the player's aircraft can be replenished by flying into health and ammunition crates,<ref name="Game Manual (Gameplay)" /> which are dropped by destroyed enemies and scattered throughout the terrain. Developers also added special maneuvers, such as the [[Barrel roll#Barrel roll attack|barrel roll]] and the [[Immelmann turn|Immelmann]], which the player can perform during flight through manipulation of the [[analog stick]]s. Use of these stunts is governed by a "special meter" which recharges over time during play.<ref name="GameSpot Review" />

''High Road to Revenge'' gives the player the ability to switch out of their current plane during gameplay and commandeer additional aircraft on the ground.<ref name="IGN Review" /> The player also has the ability to take control of fixed weapon emplacements, at which time the [[virtual camera system|camera]] shifts to a first-person view. Turret types include machine guns, [[flak cannon]]s and rocket launchers. They are found in most of the game's maps, built into the terrain or mounted on vehicles such as Zeppelins.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 2">{{cite web | author=Deal, Jim | date=July 29, 2003 | url=http://archive.gamespy.com/devdiary/july03/cshrtr2/ | title=Dev Diaries, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge - Volume 2 | website=[[GameSpy]] | publisher=IGN Entertainment | accessdate=July 29, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705054613/http://archive.gamespy.com/devdiary/july03/cshrtr2/ | archive-date=July 5, 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Single player campaign===
The game's single-player mode has four [[Game balance|difficulty settings]] and spans twenty levels. The player has access to ten aircraft during the campaign; the player starts with one available, and can acquire others by stealing them during some stages of the campaign. Most playable craft can be upgraded once—each using money and upgrade tokens found or awarded during missions. ''High Road to Revenge'', however, lacks the aircraft customization features present in the ''Crimson Skies'' game for the PC.<ref name="IGN Top 10 Xbox" /> Designer Jose Perez III later lamented the game's upgrade system, opining in favor of the one present in the PC game.<ref name="Whatever happened">{{cite web | author=Leone, Matt | date=May 21, 2008 | url=http://www.1up.com/news/happened-crimson-skies | title=What Ever Happened To Crimson Skies? | website=[[1Up.com]] | publisher=Ziff Davis | access-date=January 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110523235639/http://www.1up.com/news/happened-crimson-skies | archive-date=May 23, 2011 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

Several levels in the game are structured similarly to the [[Nonlinear gameplay#Open worlds and sandbox modes|open-world]] missions of the [[Grand Theft Auto|''Grand Theft Auto'' series]].<ref name="IGN Review" /><ref>{{cite web | author=Gifford, Kevin | date=October 21, 2003 | url=http://www.1up.com/article2/0,4364,1359264,00.asp | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | website=1Up.com | publisher=Ziff Davis | accessdate=January 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031230234656/http://www.1up.com/article2/0,4364,1359264,00.asp | archive-date=December 30, 2003 | url-status=dead}}</ref> On these stages, missions are represented by icons located throughout the game map. The player triggers a mission by flying to one of these icons; the events of the mission then unfold on the same environment.<ref name="IGN Review" /> A predetermined set of story missions advances the game's plot during these levels.<ref name="GameSpot Review" /> In addition to pursuing story-based missions, the player may explore the area, steal additional aircraft, complete optional missions, plunder neutral airships, or participate in air races. These actions may earn the player money, which is necessary to use repair stations or to upgrade a player's aircraft.

===Multiplayer and Xbox Live===
Multiplayer in ''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'' is available through [[Split screen (video games)|split-screen]] on one console for up to four players. Multiplayer for up to sixteen players is also available via [[System Link]] and [[Xbox Live]]. In the latter mode, two players may play on one Xbox Live account via split-screen.<ref name="Game Manual (Gameplay)" />

The following multiplayer modes are available for the game out of the box: 
* Dogfight: a [[deathmatch (video games)|deathmatch]] mode, in which players earn points for shooting down enemies.  
* Flag Heist: a [[Capture the flag#Software and games|capture the flag]] (CTF) mode in which the objective is to seize a flag from an enemy team's base and return it to one's own. 
* Keep Away: a mode in which the goal is to capture and hold an artifact (in-game item) for a set amount of time.  
* Wild Chicken: a deathmatch/CTF variant in which points are earned either for killing enemies or for returning a "wild chicken" (in-game item) to a team's base.<ref name="Game Manual (Gameplay)" />

A player's online ranking in High Road to Revenge is based on their performance record, which includes wins and losses as per the Crimson Skies' Xbox Live scoring system. This system incentivizes players to earn higher points by defeating higher-ranked opponents or by achieving victories against stronger teams. The scoring system also credits players who play matches to completion, intended to punish players who "drop" out of an online match they are losing.<ref>{{cite web | author=Anderson, Jon | url=http://fasastudio.com/games/crimsonskies/Rankings.htm | title=Multiplayer Rankings Explained | website=[[FASA Studio]] | publisher=Microsoft | access-date=January 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006050610/http://fasastudio.com/games/crimsonskies/Rankings.htm | archive-date=October 6, 2007 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

In addition, Microsoft released free downloadable content for the game during 2003 and 2004 via Xbox Live. This additional content has included new planes, multiplayer [[Level (video games)|game maps]], voice chat, and the following two multiplayer game modes:<ref>{{cite web | author=IGN staff | date=December 17, 2003 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/12/18/crimson-downloads | title=Crimson Downloads | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref><ref name="04 Downloads">{{cite web | author=Goldstein, Hilary | date=May 28, 2004 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/28/fly-the-downloadable-skies-again | title=Fly the Downloadable Skies Again | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref>  
* Chicken Pox: a variant of Dogfight and Wild Chicken in which chickens are used as power-ups.  
* Gunheist: a mode in the objective is for players to seize and maintain control of the territory's AA guns.<ref>{{cite web | date=May 28, 2004 | url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/crimsonskieshighroadtr/news.html?sid=6099537 | title=Second Wave of Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge Content Lands Today | website=GameSpot | publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] | access-date=October 29, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525080005/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/crimsonskieshighroadtr/news.html?sid=6099537 | archive-date=May 25, 2011 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Plot==

===Setting===
[[Image:Crimson skies map.png|thumb|right|North America in the ''Crimson Skies'' universe.]]
{{Further|Crimson Skies#Universe}}
The game takes place in the ''Crimson Skies'' [[Fictional universe|universe]], set in an [[alternate history]] of the 1930s. In this fictional setting, increasing [[sectionalism]] within the United States of America has caused the country to splinter into numerous [[Sovereign state|sovereignties]], whereas in the southern sovereignty, [[Slavery in the United States|slavery]] had been reinstituted, and was a major driver of conflict between the established nation-states resulting in a constant state of war with one another, and thus an [[Interstate Highway System|interstate highway]] system never developed. This in turn caused the primary means of transportation to shift from the car and train to the plane and Zeppelin; consequently came the formation of [[air pirate]] gangs who plunder aerial commerce over North America.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.microsoft.com/games/crimsonskies/story.aspx | title=Story | website=Crimson Skies | publisher=Microsoft | accessdate=November 15, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080412024022/http://www.microsoft.com/games/crimsonskies/story.aspx | archive-date=April 12, 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

As a result of the events surrounding the world of ''Crimson Skies'', advancements in technology within the game universe proceeded at a faster rate than actually occurred in the same era. Certain designs and technologies were created specifically for the game, some beyond the scope of actual 1930s technology,<ref name="Olson Interview 2">{{cite web | author=Leigh, Violet | url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers1-2.htm | title=Robert Olson Interview, Part 2 | website=Xbox.com | publisher=Microsoft | access-date=March 3, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217094243/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers1-2.htm | archive-date=February 17, 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref> examples of which include remote-controlled rocket launchers, magnetic rockets, [[weather control]] devices, and a [[Tesla coil]]-like weapon. The game's aircraft were designed to be true to the era yet unique, with some models inspired from actual period aircraft or from the experimental designs of the [[Luftwaffe]].<ref name="HR Dev Diary 3" /> Art director Robert Olson has stated that his team faced challenges in developing content that "fit the time setting" and was also "both fantastical and believable", particularly in the design of the game's bosses.<ref name="Olson Interview 2" />

The game takes place in four regions set in North and South America. Sea Haven is an island in the Nation of [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]]; it is a refuge for various pirate groups, but the Hollywood militia attempts to uproot the raiders.<ref>{{cite video game | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | developer=FASA Studio | publisher=Microsoft Game Studios | platform=Xbox | level="A Ship Without a Captain" | quote='''Reporter:''' This is an Eye in the Sky news report: Earlier today, President David Dunbar vowed to extend the jurisdiction of his Hollywood militia to include waters off the coast of Mexico! […] '''Dunbar:''' For many, many years, the islands along our southern trade routes have provided safe haven for criminals, thugs, and wrongdoers.}}</ref> Arixo is a desert nation-state, formed from the remnants of [[Arizona]] and [[New Mexico]]. Due to its vast, desolate, and lawless expanses, Arixo has become a haven for bandit activity.<ref name="Game Manual (Setting)">{{cite book | editor=FASA Studio | title=''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'' Instruction Manual | publisher=Microsoft Game Studios | pages=2–7, 10–13}}</ref> The Navajo Nation is an isolationist and militant haven for the [[Navajo people|Navajo]] [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribes that encompasses territory from the former states of Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado. [[Chicago]] remains an industrial city, while the "Lost City" is a complex of ancient ruins located deep in South America.<ref name="Game Manual (Setting)" /> In designing many of these environments, developers used inspiration from real-world locales, but reworked them to incorporate flight spaces accordingly with the ''Crimson Skies'' universe. For example, Chicago was significantly redesigned for ''High Road to Revenge'' with the addition of avenues for aerial commerce among its skyscrapers and landing areas within the buildings themselves.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 3" />

===Characters===
The [[player character]] is Nathan Zachary (voiced by [[Tim Omundson]]), leader of the Fortune Hunters air pirate gang. The character of Nathan Zachary was redesigned from his previous role in the PC game ''Crimson Skies'', redefined by the darker tone of ''High Road to Revenge'' in comparison to the "[[Camp (style)|campy]]" and "[[Pulp magazine|pulpy]]" tone established in the PC game.<ref name="Olson Interview 1">{{cite web | author=Leigh, Violet | url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers1.htm | title=Robert Olson Interview, Part 1 | website=Xbox.com | publisher=Microsoft | accessdate=April 20, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080222213341/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers1.htm | archive-date=February 22, 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Zachary's character was also modified to have a number of flaws and weaknesses in addition to his strengths.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 4" /> He is described as having a dry sense of humor, and is also portrayed as a somewhat reckless character.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 4" /> Overall, developers wanted to maintain that Zachary was not "born a hero" and instead was forced to become one as a result of extraordinary circumstances.<ref name="Olson Interview 1" />

Other members of the Fortune Hunters include Zachary's wingmate, "Brooklyn" Betty Charles; and "Big John", who captains the Fortune Hunters' Zeppelin base, ''Pandora''. Later joining them is the adventurer Maria Sanchez, who owns a fuel station in Arixo. Another ally of the Fortune Hunters is "Doc" Fassenbiender, a scientist who has developed new technologies for the pirate group and is a close friend of Nathan Zachary.<ref name="Game Manual (Setting)" />

Opposing the Fortune Hunters include rival pirate gangs such as the Ragin' Cajuns, led by Louis "Wild Card" Thibodeaux; and the Red Skull Legion, led by Jonathan "Genghis" Kahn. The game's primary antagonist is Dr. Nicholas Von Essen, a German expatriate and leader of ''Die Spinne'' (German, "''The Spider''"), a [[Fascism|fascist]] militia force. The game originally featured a larger cast of onscreen characters and more abundant character development. These, however, were removed when the game's "playable movie" concept was scrapped.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 4" />

===Storyline===
''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'' begins the morning after Nathan Zachary ([[Timothy Omundson|Tim Omundson]]) the leader of the "Fortune Hunters" air pirates, has gambled away his signature fighter plane "Gypsy Magic" (a Hughes Devastator) and his pirate zeppelin, the ''Pandora'', to the Ragin' [[Cajuns]], a rival band of air pirates. Thibodeaux (Jimmie Woods), the Cajuns' leader, attempts to claim Zachary's fighter and Zeppelin; Nathan, however, with the aid of Betty, another member of the Fortune Hunters, manages to recover them both.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://fasastudio.com/games/crimsonskies/CS+backstory.htm | title=Crimson Skies Backstory | website=FASA Studio | publisher=Microsoft | accessdate=October 18, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071006050429/http://www.fasastudio.com/games/crimsonskies/CS%2Bbackstory.htm | archive-date=October 6, 2007 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Nathan and his crew have another run in with the Ragin Cajuns when Thibodeaux steals Betty's plane, which prompts Nathan to destroy his pirate gang. Later, Nathan receives a distress call from Nathan's old friend Dr. Fassenbiender ([[Neil Ross]]), who reports a break-in at his lab. He informs Nathan of what he believes had been the target of the attempted burglary: his plans to construct a [[wind turbine]], a device capable of artificially generating storms. He warns Nathan about Von Essen ([[Charles Dennis]]), a scientist who had unsuccessfully tried to engineer a wind turbine for a German [[superweapon]] earlier during the [[World War I|Great War]].<ref>{{cite video game | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | developer=FASA Studio | publisher=Microsoft Game Studios | platform=Xbox | level="Send 'Em Packing" | quote='''Dr. Fassenbiender:''' During the Great War, I was approached to work on a project, ''"Starker Sturm"'' (German for "strong storm"), a wind generating weapon that was the brainchild of a rather unscrupulous engineer named Dr. Nicholas Von Essen. […] Fortunately, the War ended before his vision was ever realized.}}</ref> Suspecting that Von Essen had been behind the break-in, Doc entrusts Nathan with the schematics for the turbine.

Nathan and the Fortune Hunters with the aid of a pirate ship captain, destroy the hidden base of the "Hollywood Knights", a militia run by the "Nation of Hollywood" dedicated to stopping Sky Piracy in the surrounding land. They then receive a distress call from Doc who reports being under attack. When Nathan and the Fortune Hunters return to Fassenbiender's lab, they find it under attack from ''Die Spinne'', a large group of planes with advanced weaponry. They destroy the attacking group's Zeppelin, causing it to crash. Although they repel the threat, they find that the attackers have still succeeded in killing the Doc. Nathan, along with Betty ([[Tasia Valenza]]), Big John ([[Wally Wingert]]), and the other Fortune Hunters, embarks on a campaign to find those responsible and have them "brought to justice."<ref name="Zachary dialogue">{{cite video game | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | developer=FASA Studio | publisher=Microsoft Game Studios | platform=Xbox | level="A Mine in the Desert" | quote='''Nathan:''' That night, I made a promise. Doc's killer would be found and brought to justice. The next day, we loaded the ''Pandora'' and headed for Arixo, the last place Doc visited before his death.}}</ref> He and the Fortune Hunters travel to Arixo, seeking out a mine producing [[titanium]], the only material that could be used to build the wind turbine; there, they hope to gain clues as to the identity of Doc's murderer.<ref name="Zachary dialogue" /> During his search, Nathan comes across Maria ([[Nika Futterman]]), who agrees to lead him to the titanium mine on the condition that she is allowed to join the Fortune Hunters.<ref>{{cite video game | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | developer=FASA Studio | publisher=Microsoft Game Studios | platform=Xbox | level="A Desert Mirage" | quote='''Nathan:''' Now, about that titanium mine… '''Maria:''' Yeah, it's just on the other side of Navajo territory. I'll take you there on one condition. '''Nathan:''' What's that? '''Maria:''' You make me a Fortune Hunter.}}</ref> They run into a road block, as to get to the mine they must cross Navajo Nation which has had its borders closed. The Fortune Hunters retrieve a sacred statue and return it to the Navajo as a show of good will. Nathan also passes three tests set by the Navajo to prove his worth. Together they all continue to the mine, and discover that the mining operation is controlled by the Red Skull Legion, headed by a man named Khan, who Nathan personally knows. Nathan then proceeds in destroying the Red Skulls and a giant mechanical worm created by Die Spinne.

With the knowledge that the Red Skulls are working with ''Die Spinne'', the Fortune Hunters proceed to [[Chicago]], which is the Red Skulls' home base. When Nathan goes to confront Kahn, he and Betty are attacked. Betty is captured and Nathan escapes in a hijacked Red Skull plane. Nathan and the Fortune Hunters ally themselves with the DeCarlos, a Pirate gang battling Kahn for Chicago. After several clashes with the Skulls, Nathan rescues Betty and confronts Kahn ([[Keith Szarabajka]]) about his connection to Von Essen. Kahn reveals to Nathan that he had struck a deal with ''Die Spinne'': in exchange for the titanium ''Die Spinne'' would help him destroy the DeCarlos, but Von Essen had gone back on their agreement, and begun using him to collect information. Kahn also discloses that ''Die Spinne'' is preparing to attack Chicago. Joining forces, the Fortune Hunters and Red Skulls successfully defeat Von Essen's invasion force. During the ensuing victory celebration, however, Maria betrays Nathan and steals the blueprints for Doc's wind turbine.

The Fortune Hunters track Maria's movements southward to a "Lost City" in South America, which they identify as Von Essen's principal base of operations. Nathan infiltrates the base and there witnesses Maria and Von Essen have a falling out, following which Von Essen kills her. A firefight then ensues between Nathan and Von Essen, during which Von Essen reveals his plan to use the ''Starker Sturm'' —his completed wind turbine weapon—to force Chicago and eventually all of North America under his fascist rule.<ref>{{cite video game | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | developer=FASA Studio | publisher=Microsoft Game Studios | platform=Xbox | level="Darkness Within" | quote='''Von Essen:''' Chicago will become my new seat of power! With Chicago under my control, the Industrial States will rally under the might of Die Spinne! Then, I lead the great tide of fascism west to the People's Collective, and east to overrun the Empire State!}}</ref> Von Essen activates hidden explosives causing the hide out to collapse. Nathan escapes but the Pandora is damaged by debris in the explosion and Von Essen escapes. After repairing the Pandora, Nathan and the Fortune Hunters return to Chicago and find it already besieged by ''Die Spinne''. The Fortune Hunters and the Red Skulls once again join forces to stop the invasion. Von Essen then appears in the ''Starker Sturm'', and begins to attack Chicago's vital commercial and governmental structures. Nathan destroys the war machines' power turbines causing it to explode, killing Von Essen in the ensuing explosion. As the game ends, Khan invites Nathan and the Fortune Hunters to a party to celebrate, saying he'll call ahead and tell them to put the drinks on ice. Remembering how the whole ordeal started, Nathan declines, saying that he is going to stay away from the gambling tables for a while.

==Development==
Developers insisted early on that ''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'' would not simply be a [[Porting|port]] of its predecessor ''Crimson Skies''.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 1">{{cite web | author=Pondsmith, Miike | date=May 28, 2002 | url=http://archive.gamespy.com/devdiary/may02/cshrtr1/ | title=Dev Diaries, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge – Volume 1 | website=GameSpy | publisher=IGN Entertainment | access-date=July 27, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210153722/http://archive.gamespy.com/devdiary/may02/cshrtr1/ | archive-date=December 10, 2007 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Although Project Art Director Robert Olson complimented the [[Radio drama|radio play]] that frames the campaign of the previous title, he notes that a different presentation was needed for the game's new target audience.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 3">{{cite web | author=Olson, Robert | date=September 4, 2003 | url=http://archive.gamespy.com/devdiary/september03/cshrtr3/ | title=Dev Diaries, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge – Volume 3 | website=GameSpy | publisher=IGN Entertainment | access-date=July 29, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011093938/http://archive.gamespy.com/devdiary/september03/cshrtr3/ | archive-date=October 11, 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref> The development team decided upon an adventure along the vein of the ''[[Indiana Jones]]'' franchise, adding elements of "over-the-top, 1930's [[Pulp magazine|pulp-fiction]] style action", such as the game's [[Boss (video games)|boss battles]].<ref name="HR Dev Diary 2" /> The style chosen by the developers led them to hire [[Drew Struzan]], the artist responsible for the ''Indiana Jones'' [[film poster]]s, to do the box art.<ref>{{cite web | author=Olson, Robert | url=http://www.bigostudio.com/html/Games/Crimson/CimsonMktg.htm | title=Crimson Marketing | website=Big O Studio | access-date=July 6, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100703221852/http://www.bigostudio.com/html/Games/Crimson/CimsonMktg.htm | archive-date=July 3, 2010 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Image:CS HR Zeppelin.jpg|thumb|right|200px|A AA gun targets a [[Zeppelin]]. As the airship takes damage, its skin slowly burns away, revealing its internal supporting structures.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 3" />]] 
Series creator [[Jordan Weisman]] noted that the game had a "difficult development", and went through many different creative directions. Throughout the development process, Weisman worked with the game designers to ensure that "the essence of the [''Crimson Skies''] [[Intellectual property|IP]] was coming through".<ref name="Whatever happened" /> When development of ''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'' was first assumed by [[FASA Studio]], it was conceived that the game be made into an "interactive movie",<ref name="FASA Interview">{{cite web | author=Procter, Keith | url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers.htm | title=Interview With FASA Studios | website=Xbox.com | publisher=Microsoft | access-date=August 16, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930182839/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers.htm | archive-date=September 30, 2007 | url-status=dead}}</ref> a concept that would have involved an elaborate storyline and a large number of [[cutscene]]s. This process would have needed a linear mission design, potentially restricting gameplay.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 4">{{cite web | author=Brunner, Matt | date=September 24, 2003 | url=http://archive.gamespy.com/devdiary/september03/cshrtr4/ | title=Dev Diaries, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge – Volume 4 | website=GameSpy | publisher=IGN Entertainment | access-date=July 28, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706184323/http://archive.gamespy.com/devdiary/september03/cshrtr4/ | archive-date=July 6, 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Programmer Patrick Schreiber later noted about the "playable movie" concept that "it looked great on paper, but […] was difficult to implement in a way where it felt like the player had some control over what was happening".<ref name="FASA Interview" />

Consequently, developers pushed back the game's release date by a year in favor of increased development time.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 4" /> At this point, both [[playtest]] feedback and inspiration from games that offered more gameplay options helped shape the game's development.<ref name="FASA Interview" /> The game's "interactive movie" concept was scrapped, the storyline simplified, and the original [[Nonlinear gameplay|linear]] mission design was reworked to promote more choice-driven gameplay. One example of this is the game's open-ended missions, which allow players to "explore the […] world of ''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'' at their leisure".<ref name="FASA Interview" /> Another is the ability to substitute a fighter plane for a stationary weapon or another aircraft, which was added in order to give the player "different ways to accomplish the same goals".<ref name="HR Dev Diary 2" />

The developers made several graphical improvements during this extended development period, focusing resources on improving the looks of the game's water and aircraft.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 3" /> The team also made the decision at this point to add online support to the game. This was an important decision for the game's developers due to the technical and gameplay obstacles involved, although their association with the team that produced ''[[MechAssault]]'' (another Xbox Live-enabled title by FASA Studio) managed to considerably reduce the amount of time needed to implement Xbox Live in ''High Road to Revenge''.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 2" />

The game's [[soundtrack]] was composed by Stan LePard, conducted by Adam Stern, and performed by the Northwest Sinfonia.<ref name="TeamXbox News">{{cite web | author=Bernardini, César A. | date=November 26, 2003 | url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/5175/Crimson-Skies-Soundtrack-Available-Now/ | title=Crimson Skies Soundtrack Available Now | website=[[TeamXbox]] | publisher=IGN Entertainment | access-date=August 25, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115122152/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/5175/Crimson-Skies-Soundtrack-Available-Now/ | archive-date=November 15, 2006 | url-status=dead}}</ref> The game's music was written to be "period" music true to the 1930s without being too derivative of any one particular style or composer. According to Stan LePard, the soundtrack takes inspiration from various sources, including [[Errol Flynn]] [[Swashbuckler film|swashbucklers]] and the concert music of [[Igor Stravinsky]] and [[Richard Strauss]].<ref name="Audio Interview">{{cite web | author=McLain, Alex | year=2003 | url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers2.htm | title=Interview: Composer Stan LePard and Audio Lead David Henry | website=Xbox.com | publisher=Microsoft | access-date=August 25, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181534/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/themakers2.htm | archive-date=September 30, 2007 | url-status=dead}}</ref> In composing the game's music, LePard chose to incorporate complex harmonies into his music so that the various tracks could be linked without having to make sure that the [[Key (music)|key]]s of the two pieces complimented each other. This allows the game to randomize the order of the game's battle themes and avoid looping the music in a predictable order.<ref name="Audio Interview" /> Initially, the game was to exclusively feature [[big band]] music. The resulting music was lighter in tone than the game required, so developers considered an orchestra in order to achieve a more cinematic approach. As a result, the audio team hired a full forty-piece orchestra to record the game's music.<ref name="Audio Interview" />

Developers decided early in the game's development cycle that they wanted the game to have an interactive environment.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 1" /> When the game was first announced in 2002, features announced for the game included [[destructible environment]]s which could be used to eliminate enemies, hidden areas containing bonus weapons, and "[[Crimson Skies (video game)#Gameplay|danger zones]]" similar in function to those featured in the previous ''Crimson Skies'' for the PC.<ref>{{cite web | date=March 19, 2002 | url=http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2002/mar02/03-19crimsonskiespr.mspx | title=Microsoft Game Studios' "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge" Landing on Xbox | website=Microsoft | access-date=January 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128174139/http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2002/mar02/03-19crimsonskiespr.mspx | archive-date=January 28, 2013 | url-status=dead}}</ref> Although many of these features were scrapped from the final version of the game, the game's art team still designed the environments to be more than just a backdrop. Spaces for planes to fly through were integrated into the game world to allow players to use the environment to their advantage.<ref name="HR Dev Diary 3" />

The [[Xbox 360]] is [[backward compatible]] with ''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'' through a downloadable [[emulator]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/default.htm | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge – Game Detail Page | website=Xbox.com | publisher=Microsoft | access-date=November 17, 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071116212424/http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/c/crimsonskies/default.htm | archive-date=November 16, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The game was also one of the first titles announced for the [[Xbox Originals]] service, which as of December 4, 2007 allowed [[Xbox 360]] users to download the full retail game from the [[Xbox Live Marketplace]].<ref>{{cite web | author=Sinclair, Brendan | date=November 13, 2007 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/original-xbox-games-coming-to-live-marketplace/1100-6182794/ | title=Original Xbox games coming to Live Marketplace [date mislabeled as "November 20, 2007"] | website=GameSpot | publisher=Red Ventures | access-date=January 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110525091252/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/crimsonskieshighroadtr/news.html?sid=6182794&mode=recent | archive-date=May 25, 2011 | url-status=live}}</ref> During Microsoft's [[E3 2017]] press conference ''Crimson Skies'' was one of the first Xbox backward compatible titles for Xbox One.<ref>{{cite web | author=Kohler, Chris | date=June 11, 2017 | url=https://kotaku.com/xbox-one-will-get-compatibility-with-original-xbox-game-1796002721 | title=Xbox One Will Get Compatibility With Original Xbox Games | website=[[Kotaku]] | publisher=[[G/O Media]] | access-date=June 11, 2017}}</ref>

==Merchandise==
In October 2002, [[Del Rey Books|Del Rey]] published the mass market [[paperback]] book ''Crimson Skies'' as an official tie-in to the Xbox game. The book is not a [[prequel]] to the Xbox game; it instead offers the backstory of the world of ''Crimson Skies'', and also details the adventures of three of the series' main characters in the form of three short stories<ref>{{cite book | author=Nylund, Eric | author-link=Eric Nylund | author2=Lee, Michael B. | author3=Berman, Nancy | author4=Trautmann, Eric S. | title=Crimson Skies | edition=1st}}</ref> (the first two of which had been published previously on the ''Crimson Skies'' website):<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.crimsonskies.com/ | title=Official homepage | website=Crimson Skies | publisher=Microsoft | access-date=October 26, 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010619213735/http://www.crimsonskies.com/index.htm | archive-date=June 19, 2001 | url-status=dead}}</ref>

* ''Paladin Blake and the Case of the Phantom Prototype'' by [[Eric Nylund]] 
* ''The Manchurian Gambit'' by Michael B. Lee 
* ''Bayou Blues'' by Nancy Berman and Eric S. Trautmann

Published a year before the final release date of ''Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge'', the book contains several inconsistencies with the final version of the game. Although billed as a tie-in with the game, numerous main characters and prominent aircraft from the book do not make an appearance in ''High Road to Revenge''.<ref>Major characters appearing the story but not the Xbox game include Paladin Blake (''Paladin Blake and the Case of the Phantom Prototype''), and Jack Mulligan (''Bayou Blues''). Aircraft appearing in the book but not the game include the Warhawk (p73), the Defender (p200), and the Raven (p234). Many of these characters and aircraft were, however, featured in the PC game ''Crimson Skies''.</ref> In addition, the book contains a reference to a "Zeppelin casino,"<ref>{{cite book | author=Nylund, Eric | author-link=Eric Nylund | author2=Lee, Michael B. | author3=Berman, Nancy | author4=Trautmann, Eric S. | title=Crimson Skies | edition=1st | page=297}}</ref> which was featured only in the [[Game demo|E3 2002 demo build]] of the game.<ref>{{cite web | author=Lopez, Miguel | date=April 12, 2002 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/hands-oncrimson-skies-high-road-to-revenge/1100-2861273/ | title=Hands-onCrimson Skies: High Road to Revenge [sic] | website=GameSpot | publisher=Red Ventures | access-date=January 31, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930191732/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/crimsonskieshighroadtr/news.html?sid=2861273 | archive-date=September 30, 2007 | url-status=live}}</ref>

The game's soundtrack was later released separately from the game by the record label [[Sumthing Distribution|Sumthing Else Musicworks]]. The soundtrack contains two discs—a [[CD]] featuring 54 tracks from the game, and a [[DVD]] containing [[Dolby Digital]] 5.1 [[surround sound]] mixes of the game trailer and two pieces from the soundtrack.<ref name="TeamXbox News" />

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 88/100<ref name="Metacritic Reviews">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/crimson-skies-high-road-to-revenge/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge for Xbox Reviews | website=[[Metacritic]] | publisher=Red Ventures | access-date=February 1, 2022}}</ref>
| Edge = 7/10<ref name="Edge-Review(Xbox)">{{cite magazine | author=Edge staff | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]] | publisher=[[Future plc|Future Publishing]] | issue=131 | date=Christmas 2003 | page=123}}</ref>
| EGM = 8.83/10<ref>{{cite magazine | author=EGM staff | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] | publisher=Ziff Davis | issue=164 | date=January 2004 | page=148}}</ref>
| EuroG = 8/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Reed, Kristan | date=October 31, 2003 | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_crimsonskies_x | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | website=[[Eurogamer]] | publisher=[[Gamer Network]] | access-date=February 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711221019/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_crimsonskies_x | archive-date=July 11, 2015 | url-status=live}}</ref>
| Fam = 32/40<ref name="FamReview">{{cite magazine | url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=8147&redirect=no | title=クリムゾンスカイ 〜High Road to Revenge〜 | language=ja | magazine=[[Famitsu]] | publisher=[[Enterbrain]] | volume=805 | date=May 28, 2004}}</ref>
| GI = 9/10<ref name="GI Review">{{cite magazine | author=Reiner, Andrew | url=http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/41D339DA-41C6-4093-A534-2103D0EB9C61.htm | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | publisher=[[GameStop]] | access-date=February 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324031425/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/41D339DA-41C6-4093-A534-2103D0EB9C61.htm | archive-date=March 24, 2008 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Dan Elektro | date=October 20, 2003 | url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/31434.shtml | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge Review for Xbox on GamePro.com | magazine=[[GamePro]] | publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG Entertainment]] | access-date=February 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050126032820/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/31434.shtml | archive-date=January 26, 2005 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameRev = A−<ref>{{cite web | author=Silverman, Ben | date=October 2003 | url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/34259-crimson-skies-high-road-to-revenge-review | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge Review | website=[[GameRevolution]] | publisher=[[CraveOnline]] | access-date=February 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821124400/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/crimson-skies-high-road-to-revenge | archive-date=August 21, 2014 | url-status=live}}</ref>
| GSpot = 8.9/10<ref name="GameSpot Review" />
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name="Gamespy Review">{{cite web | author=Nutt, Christian | date=October 20, 2003 | url=http://xbox.gamespy.com/xbox/crimson-skies-high-road-to-revenge/6296p1.html | title=GameSpy: Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | website=GameSpy | publisher=IGN Entertainment | access-date=November 16, 2007}}</ref>
| GameZone = 9.5/10<ref>{{cite web | author=Knutson, Michael | date=October 28, 2003 | url=https://www.gamezone.com/reviews/crimson_skies_high_road_to_revenge_xb_review/ | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge - XB - Review | website=GameZone | access-date=February 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006135544/http://xbox.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r20033.htm | archive-date=October 6, 2008 | url-status=live}}</ref>
| IGN = 9.1/10<ref name="IGN Review" />
| OXM = 9.2/10<ref>{{cite magazine | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] | publisher=[[Future US]] | date=December 2003 | page=126}}</ref>
| award1Pub = [[7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]]
| award1 = [[D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year|Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year]]<ref name="AIAS 04">{{cite web | year=2004 | url=http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-7/winners.asp | title=7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards: Winners | website=[[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] | access-date=February 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603030536/http://www.interactive.org/awards/IAA-7/winners.asp | archive-date=June 3, 2004 | url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}

The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the [[Review aggregator|review aggregation]] website [[Metacritic]].<ref name="Metacritic Reviews" /> In Japan, where the game was ported for release on May 20, 2004, ''[[Famitsu]]'' gave it a score of one nine, two eights, and one seven for a total of 32 out of 40.<ref name="FamReview" />

''[[GameSpy]]'' described it as "one of the most fun, and almost more importantly, unique games to hit the scene {{sic|in a|while|expected=in a while}}".<ref name="Gamespy Review" /> The game's graphics were very well-received by reviewers; of particular note were the game's explosions,<ref name="GI Review" /> long draw distance,<ref name="GameSpot Review" /> fanciful plane models,<ref name="Gamespy Review" /> and large, open environments.<ref name="IGN Review" /> Critics wrote favorably of the game's audio, applauding strong voice acting<ref name="GameSpot Review" /> as well as its swashbuckling and adventurous [[background music]].<ref name="IGN Review" /> Reviewers lauded the game's presentation, highlighting the contribution of the game's visuals and audio to the game's style and atmosphere.<ref name="IGN Review" /><ref name="Gamespy Review" />

''[[Game Informer]]'' and ''[[GameSpot]]'' complimented the game's streamlined arcade control scheme, noting the ease with which it is possible to learn the game in comparison with other flight games.<ref name="GameSpot Review" /><ref name="GI Review" /> However, ''[[IGN]]'' noted that the gameplay would appeal more to casual players than [[Flight simulator|flight sim]] fans.<ref name="IGN Review" /> Reviewers also praised the game's mission design, with ''[[Edge (magazine)|Edge]]'' magazine stating that "the mission structure is surprisingly open-ended", and that the ability to utilize stationary turrets "adds a much needed strategic aspect to combat and spices up the online play immeasurably".<ref name="Edge-Review(Xbox)" />

The game's single-player campaign was generally well-received, partially because critics found its "escort missions" less frustrating than those in other flight games,<ref name="GameSpot Review" /><ref name="Gamespy Review" /> and partially due to its depth in comparison to similar [[Xbox Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studio]] titles.<ref name="IGN Review" /> Critics most notably acclaimed ''High Road to Revenge'' for its [[Xbox Live]] features, many describing the online component as the game's best feature.<ref name="GameSpot Review" /><ref name="Gamespy Review" /><ref name="GI Review" /> ''IGN'' said that "the freedom to fly […] in any direction and unleash tons of firepower on human opponents will want to make you hug your Xbox Live subscription",<ref name="IGN Review" /> and commended elements such the game's capacity for 16-player matches and the quality of downloadable content.<ref name="04 Downloads" />

Although ''Xbox Nation'' likewise approved of the game's action-oriented gameplay, the site criticized the "lame 'favors for everyone' mechanic" surrounding the missions, noting that the player is always forced to perform "chores" for other characters in the game.<ref>{{cite magazine | author=Orlando, Greg | url=http://www.xbnmag.com/article2/0,4364,1374224,00.asp | title=Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | magazine=Xbox Nation | publisher=Ziff Davis | date=December 2003 | page=78 | access-date=February 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040105053228/http://www.xbnmag.com/article2/0,4364,1374224,00.asp | archive-date=January 5, 2004 | url-status=dead}}</ref> ''GameSpy'' noted that the game had "some repetitiveness".<ref name="Gamespy Review" /> ''IGN'' disapproved of the game's undescriptive plane selection screen, which does not inform the player of a plane's weapons loadout. The website also disparaged the game's upgrade system, which was described as "dry and unimaginative" in comparison to the plane customization feature in the [[Crimson Skies (video game)|''Crimson Skies'' PC game]].<ref name="IGN Review" />

The game was not considered a best-selling title on the Xbox.<ref>{{cite web | author=IGN staff | date=March 13, 2007 | url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/13/top-10-tuesday-mmo-hopefuls | title=Top 10 Tuesday: MMO Hopefuls | website=IGN | publisher=Ziff Davis | access-date=February 1, 2022}}</ref> The game had a software-to-hardware attach ratio of about one percent, and is considered to be a "[[cult classic]]".<ref>{{cite web | author=Bramwell, Tom | date=August 20, 2004 | url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/a_bluffersguide_xbox_aug2004 |title=The Bluffer's Guide To Xbox Cult Classics | website=Eurogamer | publisher=Gamer Network | access-date=February 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117094302/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/a_bluffersguide_xbox_aug2004 | archive-date=January 17, 2016 | url-status=live}}</ref>

''GameSpot'' named it the best Xbox game of October 2003.<ref>{{cite web | author=GameSpot staff | date=November 3, 2003 | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gamespots-month-in-review-for-october-2003/1100-6077951/ | title=GameSpot's Month in Review for October 2003 (Xbox) | website=GameSpot | publisher=Red Ventures | access-date=February 1, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031209023032/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6077951/p-3.html | archive-date=December 9, 2003 | url-status=live}}</ref> 

The game was awarded "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year|Console Action/Adventure Game of the Year]]" by the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] during the [[7th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]] (now known as the [[D.I.C.E. Awards]]).<ref name="AIAS 04" />

{{clear}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040818103714/http://fasastudio.com/games/crimsonskies/default.htm?c00=0 Official website] (archived)
* {{moby game|id=/crimson-skies-high-road-to-revenge}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110604213932/http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/d/9/fd90191d-8010-4bc8-818c-a5d668ba796f/CrimsonSkies2_Manual_EN.pdf Instruction manual] ([[PDF]] file)

[[Category:2003 video games]]
[[Category:Alternate history video games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Windows games]]
[[Category:Combat flight simulators]]
[[Category:Dieselpunk video games]]
[[Category:FASA Studio games]]
[[Category:Microsoft games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:Video games about pirates]]
[[Category:Video games about revenge]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Video games set in Chicago]]
[[Category:Video games set in the 1930s]]
[[Category:Xbox games]]
[[Category:Xbox Originals games]]
[[Category:Xbox-only games]]