Crimson Skies High Road to Revenge (Xbox)

Reviewed by JON MINIFIE

Herald rating: * * * *

Microsoft and FASA Studio (MechAssault, Mech Warrior 4) have taken a lot of time getting Crimson Skies High Road to Revenge primed for the Xbox. But now that we've been given permission to take off, the wait appears to have been worth it.

The game's plot plays out like an old-school Hollywood blockbuster. Set during an alternate 30s, you play hotshot flyboy Nathan Zachary. As the dashing young aviator, you must avenge the death of your friend by successfully completing a swag of daring airborne missions.

Control-wise, Skies is a breeze to pick up. The feel is much more arcade-like than you'd expect from a flying game that evolved from the PC. Once in the cockpit, the left thumb-stick controls your direction, while the right will put your plane into a spin. The triggers activate the machine gun and secondary weapons, such as rockets or guided missiles -- each of the game's 10 fantasy aircraft has its own handling characteristics and armaments.

Even if you've yet to earn your wings in the world of virtual airborne combat, you will quickly pick up a couple of air shows worth of manoeuvres, all of which can be used during the game's rousing dogfights. These can be played online via Microsoft's recently announced Xbox Live service, which launches here in December. Up to 16 players can shoot it out in Dogfights, Team Dogfights, Flag Heists, Keep Away and Team Keep Away.

Similar to the Rogue Squadron series, Crimson Skies features low-to-the-ground aerial combat. Large interactive environments include picturesque oceans, coastlines, open plains and lush, rolling valleys. From your plane you can initiate landslides, demolish buildings and bridges. You'll also notice green friendly zones where you can land, take up a temporary position on a gun turret and then zoom off in your plane again.

Crimson Skies High Road to Revenge should be one of the most action-packed Xbox exclusives yet, delivering flawless visuals, touch-perfect control, all the mission-based airborne adventuring you could ever need, plus the prospect of online dogfights and free downloadable content, including new maps and aircraft.

$109.95

* Email Jon Minifie