Crimson: Steam Pirates Review
iPad App
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Crimson: Steam Pirates Review

Our Review by Blake Grundman on October 20th, 2011
Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: SMOOTH SAILING
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Take the high seas in this Caribbean treat!

Developer: Bungie Aerospace
Price: FREE
Version: 1.0.0
App Reviewed on: iPad 2

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Game Controls Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Replay Value Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar


When you think of the name Bungie, it is hard not have a certain Chief of the masterful variety come to mind.  After a decade of slaving away in the salt mines of console land, the storied developer has managed to break free of Microsoft's shackles.  The now independent publisher has been hard at work on their first game not published by their previous overlords, but when it was announced to be a turn-based strategy game, many an eyebrow was cocked.  Are these concerns warranted, or is this just business as usual for one of the best teams out there?

Crimson: Steam Pirates is a steampunk strategy game set on the high seas.  Players will note that right out of the gate that they will be inundated with walls of text, helping to set the scene for the action at hand.  It is very obvious that there has been immense amounts of thought put into the game's narrative. Quite frankly, this much exposition is unnecessary, especially considering the genre, but acts as evidence of the high bar of quality.

Navigating ships throughout the Caribbean, combat can be found around every corner.  The controls to move vessels are straightforward as well as gradually built upon as more abilities are added to the arsenal.  Progressing successfully not only ensures player growth, but also a satisfying payoff upon completion.  After playing through the initial free chapter containing eight stages, it will be hard to not want to plunk down the additional $1.99 to purchase the second chapter of the quest, with more chapters still in the pipeline down the road.

Complementing the title's stellar visual flare and presentation are a duo of hot seat multiplayer modes to keep the action high amongst friends.  Using the skills perfected in the campaign, it is constantly thrilling to see who is the true scourge of the high seas.

Just the fact that this is a Bungie game should alone be enough to garner the interest of any gamer.  Combine that with the freemium pricing model that gives you the first chapter of the game for free, and this is a surefire shot of success.  Download it now before they decide to wise up and start charging for it.  Even if that happened it would STILL be worth it!


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iPad Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

Crimson: Steam Pirates screenshot 1 Crimson: Steam Pirates screenshot 2 Crimson: Steam Pirates screenshot 3 Crimson: Steam Pirates screenshot 4 Crimson: Steam Pirates screenshot 5
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