"Fast & Furious Crossroads" is not as bad as everyone says, but clearly too expensive
12.8.2020
Translation: machine translated
Game adaptations of Hollywood blockbusters that are not loveless rubbish are still the exception. If you read the reviews, "Fast & Furious Crossroads" seems to be no exception. The exception is obviously me. Because somehow I find it quite fun.
"The worst game I've ever played". "Driving in Fortnite is more fun" "Just no". The reviews on Steam for "Fast & Furious Crossroads" are devastating. Although there are only 30 of them, they are a strong indicator of the quality of this game adaptation of the now eight-part film series. Critics' reviews were no more favourable. Is "Crossroads" even a new contender for the worst game of all time? I wouldn't go that far. I seem to be the exception with my opinion. I don't think the game is that bad.
Graphically at PS3 level
I might have to admit that I have a soft spot for the trashy racing series starring Vin Diesel. Even though it doesn't deserve an Oscar, every instalment has kept me entertained. The mixture of likeable characters who always have a silly line up their sleeves and over-the-top action scenes never fails to entertain me.
The game also aims for the same recipe - albeit less successfully. At first glance, it does everything right. Slightly Mad is a game studio that has repeatedly proven its mastery of racing games with the "Project Cars" series. And alongside Vin Diesel, you will encounter a number of familiar faces from the films and other Hollywood stars. The game is not lacking in prestige.
However, the faces are graphically the best thing about the game. The rest is somewhere between "Driver" for PS2 and "The Crew". Visually, the game has virtually no personality. The level design is also uninspiring. The campaign takes you to Morocco. This reminded me strongly of a level from "Battlefield" - "Battlefield 2", mind you. The colour design is monotonous and the streets are not very lively. If there are passers-by, they stand there motionless and stare stiffly in your direction, like in a horror film. The car design is okay, they're just cars. However, there is no speed display and you can't change the camera angle either.
While the design definitely won't win any quarter-mile races, the extended Vin Diesel crew at least breathes some personality into the game. The story about a friend who is in debt to the local gangster family and who later has to be infiltrated doesn't have much to offer. However, the actors seem to be endeavouring to do a good job.
The acting is not up to scratch
Crossroads also looks outdated in terms of gameplay. In typical arcade racer fashion, the vehicles almost drive themselves and there is little sign of the power under the bonnet. In any case, you rarely have to let go of the accelerator. Even if you crash into a wall, you drive on unscathed like a Putschi car.
In the missions, you regularly switch back and forth between up to four people or vehicles. Each with their own special abilities such as grappling hooks to tear weapons off enemy vehicles, extendable spikes to destroy wheels or hacking mini-games to paralyse vehicles. This is where the vibe of the series comes across best. When you thunder across the road at breakneck speed, send pursuers into the crash barrier with ramming attacks (there are still some) and chase a flame-spitting tank, you're in a good mood. The campaign is full of such moments, which offer shallow but good entertainment.
Unfortunately, the campaign is a maximum of five hours long. Between the action scenes, you mostly drive stubbornly from A to B through lifeless neighbourhoods, always blindly following the glowing yellow arrows. Despite their size, they can't prevent me from regularly missing exits.
There is also a multiplayer mode. Three speeders play against three police officers. Unfortunately, not a single player got lost in my lobby, which is why I was unable to test the mode.
Conclusion: Entertaining, but not for the price
"Fast & Furious Crossroads" is definitely not the worst game of all time. But it's not a particularly good one either. If you are a fan of the original series and trashy "Need for Speed" games, you might still enjoy it. The action scenes are varied and offer entertaining entertainment. The dialogue may not be as lively as in the films, but it's certainly enough to make you smile. The main problem with "Crossroads" is the horrendous price. It's a typical game that you borrow from a mate and play through briefly. But 70 francs is simply outrageous. If the game is ever available for less than 30 francs and you're thirsty for some light entertainment, then go for it.
"Fast & Furious Crossroads" is available for PC, PS4, Xbox One.
Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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