The long-running Crossfire franchise is taking a surprising turn with its newly revealed installment, Crossfire: Rainbow. Known for its tactical, objective-driven first-person shooter roots, the series began in 2007 under developer Smilegate and quickly rose to massive popularity, especially in China-at one point holding the title of the world’s most-played game until League of Legends claimed the crown in 2017.
In the past, Smilegate attempted to break into Western markets with CrossfireX, an Xbox-exclusive entry developed in collaboration with Remedy Entertainment for its single-player campaign.
While the campaign was premium and the multiplayer free-to-play, critics slammed the title’s dated gameplay and monetization tactics. It shut down just over a year after launch, leaving behind a disappointing legacy.
Smilegate also experimented with Crossfire: Legion, a real-time strategy spin-off created by Blackbird Interactive of Homeworld 3 fame. Despite better reviews, the game failed to attract a lasting player base and will soon be delisted from Steam.
Now, Crossfire: Rainbow promises something radically different. It returns to the first-person shooter format but infuses it with a heavy horror atmosphere-something the series has never attempted before. Early footage and promotional materials focus solely on the player character, hinting it might be a primarily single-player experience, though multiplayer modes haven’t been ruled out. Details remain scarce, but an official website is already live, sparking curiosity among both franchise veterans and horror game fans alike.
With its eerie tone and tactical gunplay heritage, Crossfire: Rainbow could be Smilegate’s boldest gamble yet. Whether it becomes a redemption story or another misstep remains to be seen.