Crimson Skies
Windows - 2000
Description of Crimson Skies
Crimson Skies is a title which you may love for the game it tries to be more than for the game it is. A cross between Red Baron and Star Wars: X-Wing, Crimson Skies puts you in the role of a daring air pirate, leading his crew to booty and glory.
The world-building in Crimson Skies is exceptional. Based on the tabletop game from FASA, CS aims to recapture the feel of aeronautics adventure pulps with a dystopian sci-fi twist. The mission briefings are filled with a colorful cast of quirky pirate companions and are intentionally reminiscent of old radio serials. While you’ll grow sick of a few of the canned lines during the missions themselves (“looks like you’ve got them all hot and bothered!”), the voice acting is top-notch and fun overall.
CS does have issues, both technical and gameplay. The original release was very buggy, but even with fixes, there are problems (the loading screen on the patched version flashes rapidly and could trigger epilepsy). CS has a screwy sense of scale that makes it more difficult than it should be. CS puts a focus on barnstorming and stunt-flying, demanding you do WWI-style trick flying stunts with planes the size of WW2 bombers. Not intentionally, of course; you’re supposedly flying nimble single-seaters, except the model sizes are drastically off when compared to the bridges, tunnels, and buildings you’re flying around. Ground textures are scaled to create illusions of flying high over buildings, but your plane’s model may be bigger than a residential block, so it can be difficult to tell just how close you are to the ground.
While the game gives you the ability to skip levels, you may keep trying in your frustration because you WANT to be able to do it. Just like you’ll want to love Crimson Skies, but it can be hard to do so.
Review By P. Alexander
External links
How to play Crimson Skies Windows
The game version 1.02 with CSfix has been tested on Windows 7 64-bit and Windows 10, works fine. Also, we tested the game with Widescreen fix and dgVoodoo as well, works good too. For more details check our Guide and Notes for details.
Also, you can ask technical questions or find players for multiplayer match on Discord server of Crimson Skies fans
Install & play guide (with CSfix):
- Mount the disc image. You will need the utility for mounting disc image files, like WinCDEmu, UltraISO, Alcohol 52%/Alcohol 120% or Daemon Tools Lite
- Install the game (if autorun doesn't work - simply launch the installation from Setup.exe inside the disc)
- Once you installed the game - install the international patch version 1.02 (English version is already patched to v1.02, so you don't need to patch it)
- After that install CSfix (simply copy files from the archive and put them in game directory, agree to replace original files)
- There's two variants of fix - one with stretched HUD, that will stretch HUD elements in game if you select high resolutions, so HUD elements will look bigger in high resolutions. The other variant is just regular fix, it doesn't stretch HUD elements, so they will look small. Choose one of variants on your taste
- Make sure that DirectPlay and Windows Media Player are enabled, otherwise the fix won't work correctly. Open "Turn Windows Features On and off" in Windows setting, go to Legacy Components -> DirectPlay to enable DirectPlay, and Media Features -> Windows Media Player to enable WMP
- Open csfix.ini and find lines
OverrideRes,ScreenWidthandScreenHeight. If you want to play in widescreen or high resolution: writeOverrideRes=1, then changeScreenWidthandScreenHeightfor desired display resolution (i.e. if you want 1366x768 resolution, makeScreenWidth=1366andScreenHeight=768 - Open the directory with the game and find Crimson.exe. Right click on Crimson.exe - Properties - Compatibility - Set "Run this app in compatibility mode with Windows 98" and "Run as administrator"
- Launch the game, don't change any options in Launcher, press "OK" and play. If the game doesn't work in compatibility mode with Windows 98 - try to launch it in compatibility mode with other version of Windows (Windows 95, 2000, XP, etc.)
That way you can easily play the game on modern systems. Here's also similar guide by PlayOldPCGames how to run the game with CSfix.
But there's also alternative method how to run the game, with Widescreen fix and dgVoodoo. That method allows to run the game without needing to configuring any .ini files, also, with that method you can run the game with anti-aliasing and texture filtering, thanks to dgVoodoo, and get the best graphics.
Install & play guide (with Widescreen fix and dgVoodoo):
- Install the game with patch 1.02
- Download Widescreen fix archive, open it and you will see two folders for two variants of fix - one with stretched HUD, that will stretch HUD elements in game if you select high resolutions, so HUD elements will look bigger in high resolutions, and the other variant is regular. Choose the one you need, open the folder and find your display resolution. Once you found needed resolution - copy crimson.exe from the folder and put to game directory, replace original file
- (If you cannot find the resolution you want - run exe-file in
Custom Resolutionsfolder, show the path to game directory, select the resolution you need and click "Patch", then close it) - After you installed Widescreen fix - download dgVoodoo, copy the dll-files from the MS/x86 folder, dgVoodooCpl.exe and dgVoodoo.conf to the game folder. Run dgVoodooCpl.exe, go to DirectX tab and select next settings: uncheck "dgVoodoo Watermark", check "Bilinear blit stretch", set "VRAM" value the same as your videocard have; set "Texture Filtering" - "Force anisotropic 16x" and "Antiasliasing (MSAA)" - "8x" (not really necessary, that options is for graphics, you can enable it for better graphics). Click "Apply" to save the settings, then close the app
- Now right click on crimson.exe - Properties - Compatibility - Set "Run this app in compatibility mode with Windows 98" and "Run as administrator"
- Launch the game, don't change any options in Launcher, press "OK" and play. If the game doesn't work in compatibility mode with Windows 98 - try to launch it in compatibility mode with other version of Windows (Windows 95, 2000, XP, etc.)
That method is recommended by WSGF community, also, many users said the game works better that way. Note that by default dgVoodoo stretches the display resolution in game, so game menu and videos will be stretched. By default the game menu and videos have 4:3 ratio, so we recommend to select "Scaling mode: Stretched, 4:3 ratio" in dgVoodoo settings, that way you will have in-game videos in correct 4:3 ratio, but the game itself will be working in Widescreen, thanks to fix
Please note that it is not recommended to use CSfix with Widescreen fix at same time, it may result in low performance and graphical glitches. However, it is possible to use both fixes at same time, so if you want to do that - copy csfix.ini and csfix.dll from CSfix archive and exe-file from Widescreen fix archive
Notes:
- If the installation doesn't start - try to launch Setup.exe in compatibility mode with old version of Windows (98, 2000 or XP)
- The game is using SafeDisc DRM protection, which doesn't work on modern systems. Use CSfix, Widescreen fix or NoCD to "break" DRM protection and allows the game to work on modern systems. All that fixes allows to play the game without the disc
- It is recommended to install all versions of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable for the correct work of the game
- Also it is recommended to install RAD Video Tools and K-Lite Codec Pack for the correct work of the game
- For the correct work of the game you need to enable DirectPlay and Windows Media Player, if you're using Windows 8, 8.1, 10 or 11. To do that go to Control Panel, and select 'Programs'. Select 'Turn Windows features on and off', click on 'Legacy Components' and select DirectPlay to enable DirectPlay, and Media Features -> Windows Media Player to enable WMP. Click OK, once the installation is done, restart your computer
- If you're using CSfix and enabled widescreen in csfix.ini - game menu will be in 4:3 but the game itself will be working in widescreen
- If you're playing the game with CSfix on Nvidia video card and has troubles, like low FPS - you will need to edit csfix.ini and configure Nvidia Control Panel setting, check this guide for details
- If you have graphical glitches, like black squares all over the screen - use the method with dgVoodoo, it should fix the troubles. Or just copy DDraw.dll and D3DImm.dll files from dgVoodoo archive, and put them in game folder
- If you have gaming mouse with high DPI, you probably will have troubles on "mouse+keyboard" controller type. Try to lower DPI/frequency of your mouse, to have better control over the plane, or play on "keyboard only" controller type
- The game has some compatibility problems with controllers, for details check this guide
- It is possible to run the game in windowed mode through DxWnd, for details check this thread
- For Russian version - you may have troubles with fonts in game, for solution check this thread
- Don't forget to check PCGamingWiki page if you have troubles, it's very useful!
Captures and Snapshots
Comments and reviews
SkyeFlyer 2025-03-31 0 point
Anyone have any advice for low framerates? I'm getting about 12 FPS during missions. I have a 4080 so it's not my hardware...or maybe my hardware's too new, lol.
BIAX Core 2024-10-02 0 point
Please Install:
1) DirectX 9c June 2010
Note: Search For and download:
Download DirectX End-User Runtimes (June 2010) from Official
Run to extract.
Install By using the file:
DXSETUP.EXE
2) JoyStick Support was removd from DirectX 9c
Therefore Do This:
Open:
Control Panel
Optional Windows Componants
Turn Windows Features On/Off
Legacy Componants
Check Direct Play
Click OK.
Reboot
Cheers!
Rikbikboo 2024-05-20 3 points
Aaah, so nice to find this, I used to play for hours when it first came out. Got to have a little trip down memory lane.
Feedback 2024-03-06 6 points
I tried to play this game with my Force Feedback 2 joystick and it didn't work initially. The solution was to play it in Windows XP SP2 compatibility mode instead of Win 98. Maybe this will help somebody with the same problem.
WildFire 2024-01-30 2 points
Memories! I adored this game and played the heck out of it! I remember beta testing a game down at Microsoft HQ (they used to do public beta tests) and receiving a copy of this game for reimbursement. I hope I can get this to work on my modern system!
Vive_moi 2023-10-07 1 point
Hello,
Thanks for the work.
I think I missed something because, it asks me for DirectX but I do have DX12 and the DX7 coming with the game is not compatible with Windows 10.
Any help, please ?
Best regards,
Hallebarde 2023-10-07 1 point
Hi, I have a doubt, I don't know if I've already thanked you. I'm starting to shoot down airships and peacemakers again, it's a real treat. THANKS
SauceTart 2023-09-25 2 points
TL:DR - Fun game, cool dogfights, give it a try!
Game is a goddamn blast to play (pun intended I guess)! I was initially scared to play it since I only played arcade-style games with basic controls (WASD keys are faded at this point) and you can see why. I expected like millions of keybinds to use in this games but when I got in, it wasn't really that bad! It seems that all you need are the weapon controls and the plane controls tbh. I haven't tried out the other keybinds yet since I don't find any use to them but I know I'll use those in some point.
I do recommend following the instructions the admins put in the desc. The first launch of my copy of Crimson Skies was a bit rough I guess. Weird black pixels at the bottom and during gameplay, the graphics broke and there was a wide, black outline of my plane on the screen. Basically it looked like the datamosh effect. Don't use the game software renderer or what's it's name. Definitely follow the instructions.
admin 2023-09-13 2 points
@HALLEBARDE It is not broken, it was B6I/B6T disc image. However, I converted it to ISO image, to make it easier for you
Hallebarde 2023-09-10 0 point
Hi, the french version doesn't work. the FR file is broken, so I play with the English version, without having the pleasure of hearing the original voices from my childhood. Can you edit the downloadable file? TY
admin 2023-08-27 14 points
We have updated the game, added more language versions, plus fixes and instruction how to use it. Also added repack by Magipack, easy to install and includes fixes
Nathan 2023-03-27 1 point
Hi! ULTRARAPTOR, Read what HARRY and J.D. wrote. I found the solution in this place https://discord.gg/75JR9KWzAn . After that, it worked without intrerrupion.
UltraRaptor 2023-03-26 0 point
"Crimson Skies requires DirectX version 7 or higher. Reinstall from the Crimson Skies CD to install DirectX on your computer."
That's the error message I keep getting while trying to run this at proper 1080p using DgVoodoo. Tried just about everything, installed and reinstalled the game multiple times, testing multiple directories and using all the fixes and patches I possibly could.
I can run it unpatched using only the csfix file but it runs at horribly low res. If I patch the csfix to run at 1080p, it breaks the game again and I can only see half the screen during gameplay (if the game launches at all).
I'll just run it unpatched because I'm happy to be playing this again (used to have an original copy on windows ME back in the day lmao) but it's really a bummer after following every guide on every forum and still not being able to run the game properly. Hopefully someone having similar issues has managed to fix it. If you have, please share. Thanks in advance.
narrowback 2022-11-30 -2 points
I installed everything correctly as far as I understand. 1.02 ISO, copied the CSFIX files, resolution in the ini is the right aspect ratio, set to AGP, still failed to initiate video, still crash. I dunno if its because Im on Windows 11 or what. Really bummed out. This was my favorite game to play with my new HOTAS
J.D. 2022-09-30 5 points
first of all i love Crimson Skies and it's sequel on original XBOX. it's one of the few flight games that i actually enjoyed playing and did not bore me like most flight games do. sadly my original copy has been lost to time. anyway the setup is surprisingly straight forward and not super complicated like other games. i got it to work without any issues and it's so good to play this game once again. all you have to do is download the ISO (ver 1.02) which come's with the patch. open the ISO install the game from "setup" (the "full installation" not the "minimal") after it's done installing, don't start the game yet, then mount the ISO file, copy 3 files from the csfix folder: "crimson.exe", "csfix.dll" and "csfix.ini" to the main game directory (where you install the game) it will override the main exe (unless you want a original exe file as backup), now the game will work properly on modern systems, and also no need to use virtual disc cause the exe file is also a no-cd crack, so you can start the game from the shortcut launcher after installation, but when asked about video device, make sure it's on Accelerator display (AGP). also don't try aiming for really higher-resolution in the "ini" file it will crash the game.
Triad Viking 2022-05-11 0 point
Hi could someone help me, when I start the campaign or instant action to test if the gameplay works it kicks me back to the desktop every time. I've done everything I can and even had to tweak things and download an iso file editor so it's been a pain and I managed to get it finally working right up until this point. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.
SpacePiloten 2021-03-07 7 points
Makknozz, you might find on this link.. https://discord.gg/gyqnuct .. the answer to your problem.
Makknozz 2021-03-06 0 point
The game studders while running way too fast for me. Have tried all in game graphic options and .ini-file options whithout luck. Anyone else having the same problem? Does anyone know of a fix?
Clickity 2021-01-23 -6 points
WHY download this one ? Cuz it s FUN . An old Xbox version that I loved . Sure it has flaws , but damn , it IS a blast to PLAY . Forgiving to a point whereby a guy can actually grab another BEER to stay in the game !
NEW game versions ae TOO TOUGH to be able to 'Make It' to any ending . Also , higher ended grfix are making some players 'obsolete' by budget in keeping up ; just like the Jonses !
SBan83 2020-11-09 7 points
The v1.02 on the site right now works perfectly, however, is there any way to set the resolution to anything higher than 640x480? Also, I have selected the 'joystick+keyboard' control option but my joystick doesn't work in-game. dinput.dll or something is there to address that?
Last Star Fighter 2020-08-29 -6 points
How many missions are there? What is the purpose of Crimson Skies?
Harry 2020-08-28 4 points
@XSYNTRK, the install options they're referring to appear after your click on Setup.exe and follow through the installation steps. You'll have the option to install just the essential files or "all game files, movies and Scrapbook items to the hard drive", which is the recommended one.
Harry 2020-08-28 11 points
The "ISO Version 1.02 with fix" has been working flawlessly so far on a Windows7 x64 machine.
Just a heads up: there is an extremely loud dialog during the installation. Thank god I had taken off my earphones, otherwise my eardrums would've exploded.
helpme 2020-08-24 -11 points
can you help me to play crimson skies in windows 10? What do I have to do? I already download ISO Version 1.02 with fix English version 496 MB. But what is the next step? When I run Crimson skies again, the game still did not started.
Cortezic 2020-08-19 0 point
I continued to get "Error: Failed to Initialize Video" after adjusting graphic settings to 4:3 ratio.
The game worked after switching the 'Crimson.exe' compatibility properties to Windows 95.
Xsyntrk 2020-08-15 -1 point
I mounted the image and extracted the files (downloaded the ISO 1.02 version) to a folder and click on SETUP to install it but it says the setup could not read the specific resource dll to even set it up. I'm running on Windows 10. I know how the rest of the process works, but it can't even set it up to install the game. Is this because of Direct X? Maybe i need to setup the directx in the directX folder in this ISO download? Also in the read me file what does 'Tick INSTALL' mean? Why doesn't it just say install the game from the Setup.exe file?
Netghost 2020-08-06 1 point
I don't have a custom video setting option. For my primary video I only get 640, 800, 1024 options. Loading image color is off, but main menu and game has good quality BUT menus are 1/3 of the screen and gameplay the screen is stretched 3x bigger than my actual screen (so the plane is barely visible in the bottom right).
How do I fix this?
WildEagle 2020-07-08 4 points
Great job! I downloaded only ISO Version 1.02 496 MB and nothing else. I followed exactly the steps from readme file. It works fine on windows 7Sp1 x64 as well as on windows 10 Pro x64. Copy the address discord server https://discord.gg/FSkAuqj for those who want to play online. Thanks a lot!
Max power 2020-06-18 3 points
Downloaded and installed according to instructions provided. Working perfect in W7 x64.
Thanks!
Raptor 2020-06-14 3 points
I downloaded ISO Version 1.02 with fix 496 MB, I followed instructions in Readme and
it works with no problems. If anyone is interested to play Crimson Skies in multiplayer access this link: https://discord.gg/AZZrrxU
HFX 2020-05-15 7 points
Potentially Important Note!
If you are getting 'error: failed to initialize video' crash when launching the game make sure that you set your custom resolution to a 4:3 aspect ratio!
When I left it alone it crashed. When I set it 2560x1440 it crashed. When I set it to 1920x1440 it launched and ran perfectly at that resolution.
Use this calculator if you are unsure what width you need to set https://calculateaspectratio.com/ by selecting 4:3 and the pixel height of your monitor.
lolobananas 2020-04-11 -5 points
My game dont start because it miss ztiff.dll I try to go download the dll but its not available
Tail Gunner 2020-03-28 2 points
I followed the steps for installing the 1.02 patch and CSFIX files, start the .exe file, select Accelerator, click Ok and then get the error: Failed to Initialize Video. Any suggestions?
Steel 2020-02-13 -2 points
Get an error saying I need zTIFF.dll to run the executable.
anyone know where to get it?
Jay 2020-02-08 2 points
"CSFIX" (Crimson Skies Fix) from 2016
https://community.pcgamingwiki.com/files/file/433-crimson-skies-fix-csfix/
You need that
sharky6336 2019-12-18 0 point
If people are having problems with bin ^ cue files its because you need a prg like Alcohol 120 to mount them, dont know if this software is still going, but pretty sure you can get hold of a copy from somewhere...
i haven't got nickname 2019-12-11 1 point
c'est un jeu vieux mais franchement cool. Merci Amixem!?!
Crimson Ace 2019-08-05 -3 points
Instructions unclear. Virtual CloneDrive doesn't work. Daemon Tools doesn't work. Nothing but a useless .bin file that says the game isn't installed on the device.
Habef 2019-03-03 1 point
Maybe this helps: https://www.play-old-pc-games.com/2016/06/10/crimson-skies/
yababa 2019-03-01 -1 point
can't run it , i followed the instructions yet
the game displays stretched and the mouse moves all wrong
G.A.Arts 2018-12-09 1 point
I don't now how i can install the game, i have the game files that i downloaded from this website, i have tried to use the patch but it say : "Crimson skies is not installed."
What can I do ?
Iffy350 2018-09-17 3 points
In my opinion High Road to Revenge doesn't exist. I never liked that the PC version was never as popular as that Xbox game. It's a real shame that this IP is dead. It needs a reboot ASAP.
DF 2018-09-15 9 points
For anyone wondering about which files to apply first:
- After installing the game, apply the 1.02 patch.
- Make a backup copy of the original exe for good measure, then overwrite CRIMSON.EXE with the one from the csfix patch (also add the csfix dll and ini files into the Crimson Skies folder).
- You don't need the no cd crack because the csfix exe already has the safedisc protection removed.
- Open csfix.ini and edit parameters as you see fit. (Beware that aspect ratios other than 3:4 will have stretching.)
- When you run the game, choose Accelerator for the video device.
If you don't know what to do with the iso:
Install a program such as Virtual CloneDrive. When that's done, right click the iso file and click Mount. Install the game as you see fit, then right click the iso again and Unmount it. (You may have to leave it mounted while you replace crimson.exe, though.)
trigun 2018-07-12 -1 point
Iso and Patch files did not pick up malware. I say they are safe to use.
NoCD and Fix files seem okay but not 100% on them. be careful and check yourself.
Viperinterceptor 2018-06-13 2 points
Please help, I can download the files, but i have only a file called "BIN" what am I supposed to do ?
Viperinterceptor 2018-06-13 1 point
Please help, I can download the files, but i have only a file called "BIN" what am I supposed to do ?
mayeu 2018-06-07 2 points
How can you make it works? I can download the files but i can't run the game
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Download Crimson Skies
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Windows Version
Patched to v1.02
513 MB
DownloadRepack by MagiPack (includes fixes) 421 MB
DownloadGerman version 
497 MB
DownloadFrench version 
529 MB
DownloadRussian version 
536 MB
Manual 2 MB
Game Extras
Various files to help you run Crimson Skies, apply patches, fixes, maps or miscellaneous utilities.
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