Numerous online game developers have been attempting to follow the footsteps of Sierra’s phenomenal Counter-Strike. Despite this, scouring the net for the right online FPS game still proves to be a really tiring task. Honestly, most online FPS games come off as an amazing rip-off of Sierra’s work. Add Cross Fire to that list. In their effort to entice gamers into their fragfest, Cross Fire tried to stay close to Counter-Strike as much as possible, with a few deviating ideas to distinguish them from the predecessor.
Cross Fire (CF) revolves around the words “simple” and “mediocre.” You begin your game by purchasing your character from 3 different model groups having 2 variants each. Staying as realistic as possible, you’ll find the familiar SWAT, SAS and OMOH models. The game also hands you your very first earnings, a gun, combat knife and a grenade. A tutorial mode is offered as an optional course, for those new to the FPS genre.

Game modes are all team-based. You are assigned to either Black List or Global Risk, much like representing terrorists and counter-terrorists respectively. There are 4 game modes to play with: Team Deathmatch, Search and Destroy, Elimination, and Ghost Mode. Team Deathmatch and Elimination are your modes for mindless fun, and winning is determined by the total number of kills. Search and Destroy resembles your bomb planting frenzy from Counter-Strike. Ghost Mode, a seemingly new deathmatch mode, turns one team partially invisible while the other team uses all possible means to take out the unseen assailants. Basically, like any team-based FPS game, your objective is to win by killing.

Like your average deathmatch FPS games, money is integral to your weapon selection. It’s a simple but nice touch to see more than 20 weapons available for purchase. This presents something to strive for as you advance in the game. Adding to the challenge and appeal is raising your character’s military rank through exp gains. Higher ranks allow you to access better weapons and gain more money.

Maps are severely limited to seven areas only, each varying in size and complexity. However, most of the areas are pretty much straightforward. Add that to the frequent run-throughs of the area, and you get repetitive and overused battle tactics. Though your objective is to take out the other team, the thrill of unpredictability diminishes completely. Players already have places to camp, snipe, hide or shoot at. It was just a matter of spawn, run to camping area, and shoot.

One of the best pluses of the game would be server stability. The lag ranged from zero to minimal even in a full channel. The UI is easy to navigate, and the HUD does not interrupt your view. Add that to controls that are solid, smooth, responsive and fully customizable.

In the end, Cross Fire is a mediocre shooter with mediocre appeal. It pays lip service to its predecessor FPS games, allegedly intuitive maps, and models of elite real life forces that shouldn’t even be associated with this mess. Give this one a spin if you want mediocre mindless fragfests.

The Good: Familiar and customizable controls – Very fast gameplay – Minimal to No Lag

The Bad: Limited maps – Counter-Strike look-alike – Expensive item shop


Review by kenny, Freemmogamer.com - Posted Mar 26, 2009