Crimson Skies is a board game that was released in in 1998. It is set in an alternate history where the United States has fragmented into independent nation-states and air travel has become the dominant form of transportation. Players take on the roles of air pirates and mercenaries, engaging in aerial combat and daring missions.
Game Components of Crimson Skies
Maps: Three 22″ x 34″ full-color mapsheets, including ground illustrations and sky maps with a zeppelin.Aircraft: 24 full-color, die-cut, three-dimensional cardboard miniatures of combat aircraft, with later metal miniature planes available separately.Rulebooks: A 48-page rulebook (“Issue 1: The Rules of Air Combat”), a 72-page book of combat aircraft and aircraft construction rules (“Issue 2: AAW’s 1937 Aircraft Review”), and a 56-page book of pilot biographies and scenarios (“Issue 3: Warriors of the Air”).Damage Template: A clear plastic damage template.Record Sheets: A 24-page record sheet book for tracking aircraft and pilot attributes.
How To Setup Crimson Skies
To set up the game, players need to create their pilots and wingmen by allocating points to six attributes: Natural Touch, Dead Eye, G-Force, Quickdraw, Heightened Senses, and Muscle. Each pilot has 450 points, and each wingman has 350 points. Players then choose their aircraft and prepare record sheets detailing the aircraft’s weapons, armor, and performance. The game includes pre-made record sheets and blank sheets for custom designs.
Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective
Movement: Simultaneous movement planning using a movement template; players write down their desired hex and hexside orientation before executing the moves.G-Force and Speed: Aircraft have speed and G-force ratings; exceeding these can result in loss of control or damage.Combat: Resolved in order of highest to lowest Quickdraw skill; success determined by a single D10 roll, adjusted for range, angle, pilot condition, and weapon type.Damage: Calculated based on the weapon and ammunition used in the attack.Objective: The goal is to engage in aerial combat, either in dogfighting or dive-bombing missions, aiming to defeat opponents while managing the attributes and capabilities of your aircraft and pilots.
Player Experience
Crimson Skies offers a fast-paced and entertaining gameplay experience, blending elements of pulp-fiction style air combat with strategic planning. The game’s unique setting and detailed character creation add depth to the gameplay. Players appreciate the quick playtime and the satisfaction of scoring hits, even though the game can be challenging due to its simultaneous movement and combat resolution mechanics.
Pros
Engaging Setting: An alternate 1930s North America with a richly detailed universe.Fast Gameplay: Quick turns and simultaneous movement keep the game moving at a brisk pace.Customizable Pilots and Aircraft: Players can tailor their pilots and aircraft to suit their playstyle.Award-Winning: Won the Origins Awards for “Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Board Game” and “Best Graphic Presentation of a Board Game” in 1998.
Cons
Complex Assembly: Aircraft counters can be fiddly to construct, and some require guesswork due to the lack of instructions.Two-Dimensional Gameplay: Altitude is not a factor, which might reduce realism and enjoyment for some players.Large Scenarios: No clear “begin here” scenario, and scenarios can be quite big, making it crowded for large games.
Personal Thoughts on Crimson Skies
Crimson Skies is ideal for fans of aerial combat games and those who enjoy strategic, character-based gameplay. It appeals to players who appreciate a blend of fantasy and historical elements, set in a unique alternate history setting. While it has some drawbacks, such as the complexity of assembling aircraft and the lack of altitude rules, the game’s fast-paced action and detailed universe make it a compelling choice for enthusiasts of board games and aerial combat simulations.
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