Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge | Xbox Retrospective & Review

[@QuestioningLogic]

Man that intro really brings me back to my childhood. I miss being a kid when all that mattered was waking up on the weekend or getting home from school and firing up my old Xbox. I played this game so much that the disc stopped working, which broke my lil heart at the time. It’s one of those really good games that too few people know about

[@joshmorgan1792]

You ain't wrong man, I still play and collect Xbox games. I got more sucked into Need for Speed. Like most wanted and Carbon. But since I have a modded console I get to try games from other old consoles like Nintendo NES, PlayStation 1, even arcade games. I still think of crimson skies as my favorite though I did the playthrough over and over again getting more than 1000 of the winged metals.

[@AstralFrost]

I played this game again a couple of years ago and it still holds up really well. Obviously if you play it via BC it comes with a massive resolution boost, but the assets and the gameplay really hold up.

[@likemike1799]

A remaster of this with modern online support would be crazy

[@isaacpowell7948]

I always come back to play through this game once or twice a year, never gets old for me

[@ThommyofThenn]

This is a pretty underrated game. Too bad it didn't get more love as I feel it is one of the best flying games of the generation

[@HabanyGaming]

Oh man, I had heard this game was good, but now I really want to play it.

[@campxbox]

It's on game pass if you currently have a subscription. Otherwise it's definitely a good pick up.

[@jacobhebert667]

Such wonderful times, great levels. I love this game

[@The_Cadaver]

Found this game via demo disc that was included in an issue of Official Xbox Magazine. Online gameplay was insanely fun, story mode is clean and elegant. Truly a classic.

[@campxbox]

Yeah its a fantastic game, still ranks up as one of the best I've covered on this channel!

[@bronsondiamond2025]

Loved it so much, got a free Xbox sx today and gonna have some mad nostalgia today

[@treytison1444]

Crimson Skies had a lot of potential especially with modern hardware.

[@ryanmarshall7994]

Was definitely one of my favorite Xbox games. Definitely the one I played most often.

[@sammitaylor3942]

I loved this game on the OG Xbox. And was so happy that it was on Series S

[@SkyScourgeGod]

This is one of my favorite Xbox original titles. If someone were to ask me what a good first game to get for the OG Xbox that doesn't cost a fortune was, I'd immediately point to Crimson Skies High Road to Revenge. The nice thing about this game if you want a great multiplayer experience, especially since its backwards compatible on ALL Xbox consoles to date, is its System Link mode. Currently, my gaming setup has an OG Xbox, Xbox 360 S and an Xbox One X all linked together by an ethernet router and I can play Crimson Skies on all three consoles together with up to 5 other friends (I also have two flatscreens and a CRT in the same setup so two players get their own TV screen to use). It's a blast to play it this way, though it does require a lot of hardware, a lot of extra discs and a lot of overall space. XLink is probably the better option for a smaller setup or for those who don't have too many available bodies to come over to your house, but like you mentioned before it requires a good amount of other online players to be present which doesn't always happen.

[@campxbox]

Wow that sounds like an awesome set up I would love to try this game out like that. Its such an awesome game, maybe one day I can get to play with a good group of people and revisit it in a video. Thank you for the comment, I really appreciate it.

[@SkyScourgeGod]

@@campxbox Thanks for the compliment my dude. I've got close to 20 consoles all hooked up and ready to play at a moment's notice. I've been working on my setup for a number of years, so I've had time to upgrade and refine it lol. My friends who also love gaming were my inspiration. We love to gather once every week or so, pick some of my games out and just play. The whole thing cost a truck ton of money even over the span of 5 years, but the fun and memories we make playing these games is well worth the asking price to me. Great way to escape the everyday stresses of life and just unwind. Would I recommend other people to build a similar setup? Eh... not really. It's a pain to setup and maintain. I recently tore it all down to build it back up with upgraded equipment as well as to deep clean everything and generally organize it better. That project took me over a week to finish. I tolerate it because it's what I enjoy, but it may not be everyone's cup of tea. I can't even begin to calculate how much money has gone into this monster of a gaming setup that I've got lol. XD

[@RGBtheRhinoOverwatcher]

@@SkyScourgeGod I thought the original version of this game was cinematic point and click role playing adventure game where Nathan interacts through multiple choices given by the player, with linear combat missions controls Nathan's plane Hughes P21-J MKII Devastator.

[@jacobkindsvatter4055]

Damn its crazy, 20 years later and i still remember the controls

[@JohannesJ7539]

Loved this game to death, I think it got me into pulp style fiction and diesel punk. I fell in love with it while playing a demo version at a department store, my dad saw how much fun I was having and bought it for my birthday.

[@AbsolutelyCasual]

First game I ever played online and it was extremely fun

[@AbsolutelyCasual]

Just realized this video is basically only mentioning the campaign or story of this game and a big character flaw I had personally after getting my Xbox in the year 2001 was being 10 years old and experiencing online gameplay for the first time and completely losing interest in any game that did not have online multiplayer even if a game did have online multiplayer I would not even touch the solo content there used to be a very distinctive logo on the front of the game cases that said you could play online and if it did not have that logo I didn't even take a second look at it play online with voice chat was the funnest thing I had done in my entire life

[@campxbox]

You know since making this review I’ve played the amazing multiplayer for this one. I don’t love the quality of this review and I want to redo it at some point.

[@coltonowens5305]

Still one of my favorites

[@georgie9303]

Currently binging your OG Xbox reviews, keep them up! You should review more OG Xbox exclusives, like Mech Assault since you brought up FASA

[@campxbox]

Thank you, I'm glad you are enjoying it! Currently have been really busy but be on the look out for some new stuff soon.

[@SkyScourgeGod]

@@campxbox I definitely agree that you should try out Mech Assault. Both are absolutely phenomenal, but I lean slightly more towards the first one.

[@RGBtheRhinoOverwatcher]

@@SkyScourgeGod Fun-fact: The initial concept of Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge was a single-player action role-playing game that blends arcade-y plane combat of the first game with point and click-style gameplay, in which the player takes the role of Fortune Hunters leader Nathan Zachary from a third-person perspective. The core gameplay consists of two; the point and click-style cinematic gameplay where Nathan interacts through multiple choices, while arcade-y plane combat gameplay controls Nathan's plane Hughes P21-J MKII Devastator through linear missions. Hughes P21-J MKII Devastator's appearance, background, combat-training and name are determined by the player before the game begins. There are six different classes for the player to choose from and each of them have different talents that provide enhanced combat capabilities. For example, the Attack class is trained in weapon damage and has improved health, while the Defend class is trained in protecting and healing allies. At one point in the game, players may evolve their base class talent into one of two specializations, which depend on the class chosen by the player. Although any class can use any weapon type, each class is only effective with the weapons they are trained in. The concept's main goal is to complete quests through various linear locations. Most of the quests that progress the story consist of plane combat missions, while optional quests generally involve the player gathering items or interacting with non-player characters. As the player progresses throughout the concept, six squad members become available, each with their own talents that can be developed. Experience points are gained in multiple ways, such as completing quests, defeating enemy planes, or finding and collecting items around the environment. Each time a sufficient amount of experience is obtained, the player "levels up" and is awarded a number of Talent Points that can be used to develop talents for both Nathan and the members of the squad. Each talent has 12 ranks that can be unlocked, with each rank costing one Talent Point. The player's primary mode of transportation is a zeppelin called Pandora which serves as Nathan's base of operations. Aboard the zeppelin, the player can interact with the squad members, buy new equipment, and travel to various locations. Although the game features a large number of locations for the player to examine, only a few of them can actually be landed on and explored. Some of them can also be surveyed to search for valuable resources and quest-relevant items. Equipment items, which include armor, weapon, and ammunition upgrades, can be found around the environment or purchased from merchants in settlements. Combat in the concept is squad-based and two squad members accompany the player on the battlefield. The player manually controls Nathan's plane Hughes P21-J MKII Devastator while the squad members are controlled by the game's artificial intelligence. Battles take place in real-time, but the player can pause the action at any time to calmly target enemies and select different talent abilities for the squad members to use. The concept's combat uses arcade-style gameplay akin to the first game. The player may also issue orders to the squad members, such as sending them to take cover behind an object, scout ahead, regroup, or focus their fire on a designated target. Weapons range from machine guns to cannons, missiles, bombs and energy beams. Although all of them have unlimited ammunition, they overheat if fired continuously for prolonged periods. In addition, the player can use missiles or bombs which latch onto targets or flat surfaces to be exploded. Nathan and the squad members are protected by a health bar and damage-absorbing shields. The health bar only takes damage once the shields have been destroyed, but environmental hazards like heat or toxic agents may directly affect the health bar if they are not negated entirely by wearing appropriate armor. The health bar can be restored with the use of crate items, while shields automatically regenerate when not taking fire for a brief period. Some talents and equipment items can improve the healing rate or shield regeneration. The player can revive fallen squad members with the use of the Unity talent. However, if Nathan's Hughes P21-J MKII Devastator is shot down, the player must start the game again from the last saved point. During conversations with characters, the concept employs a radial command menu, called Dialogue Wheel, where the player's dialogue options depend on wheel direction. The left side of the wheel is normally reserved for options that will continue the conversation in depth, while options on the right side tend to move the conversation towards completion. Responses at the top are generally more polite and selfless, while those at the bottom are more aggressive and hostile. Dialogue choices impact how others react to Nathan and affect the player's chosen morality. Morality is measured by Paragon (charm) and Renegade (intimidate) points. These points allow the player to develop talents that affect the availability of new special Paragon and Renegade dialogue options with significant impact in the game. The concept's plot, while same as the final, originally starts with Nathan Zachary and the members of the Fortune Hunters, attempted to hijack the casino resort at the Countryside of Nevada. The concept's plot was expected to have mythical elements of first-three Indiana Jones films, such as finding an idol in the deep jungle of Amazon or finding a jewel in Egypt. The concept's plot also going to have Luftwaffe returning from the first game rather than Die Spinne of the final game, with the appearance of The General.

[@suqma-dik8506]

Hey man great video, i found the actual game disc and popped it in, got curious to see if anyone did reviews on it, but one thing you forgot to mention about gettin some money is you can rob random blimps in the area, just take out there turrets, and there engines and they drop money bags for you to catch, not a big deal but i thought that little detail goes really well with you being a “sky pirate” and all

[@campxbox]

Yeah that is a nice touch! The theming in this game is excellent. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Meerkat000]

Sky box is nice

[@fogblades6811]

Game was so godlike to me as a kid and replaying it, it surprised me that this wasn't a LucasArts Game.

[@CheesusSVT]

Loved this game growing up. ❤

[@aaronskuse2207]

It’s a shame there was never a 360/ One sequel.

[@firetiger1021]

I remember this, so fun

[@13Carrey1]

I bought this today because of ur praising the game and i was curious how it is :) Looks good on the Series S :)

[@campxbox]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@13Carrey1]

@@campxbox for now after the prologue mission i do!! :)

[@djflax8806]

A high quality awesome exclusive. Love it.

[@JaysonCarmona]

I was 6th on the leaderboard back in 2003

[@Galiant2010]

I had this game. Beat it, played the multiplayer with friends sometimes, doing dogfighting. But it wasn't really a super notable game in my memory. But that may be because my least favorite period of history (as far as settings in books/movies/games) is the 1800s-1970s. Red Dead has helped change my opinion a little bit lol. But of that range specifically the start to mid 20th century just doesn't interest me and I find it overdone and boring... that may have something to do with the fact that my parents passtime of choice was watching WW I & II documentaries lol, so I saw a lot more than I wanted at a young age. I mainly bought this game as someone who went Xbox after having an N64 and Gamecube, and it looked like it might scratch the itch I had for games like Rogue Squadron. Because I did enjoy flight games, but only because Rogue Squadron and Battle for Naboo got me into them lol.

[@dgeo8939]

Its on xbox gamepass

[@G74]

Another way you can make money in this game is to attack the zeppelins that are floating around and they will eventually drop money bags that you can pick up. You are a pirate afrer all.

[@campxbox]

That's a good tip! Crimson Skies is an absolute blast, thank you for the comment!

[@donhatter159]

I love this video game

[@Warrandpeace]

Hey how did you capture this? Is this running on an xbox with fancy capture cards?

[@campxbox]

I captured it off of the original Xbox using the pound hdmi converter into a fairly cheap capture card. I don't have too much money, so for now I have to go with the cheaper end of capture devices.