Fans of Remedy Entertainment’sCrossfireseries will fondly remember the franchise’s multiplayer component being reminiscent ofCounter-Strike: Global Offensive, with others callingCrossfirea neat alternative to the global hit. As such, it came as quite a surprise forCrossfireto revealCrossfireX, the third installment of the franchise, this time with improved graphics and more gameplay modes.
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WhileCrossfireXdoesn’t hit the caliber of big-budget AAA FPS titles in terms of both gameplay and storyline, its multiplayer component still hits that sweet nostalgia spot for players looking for quick, and fast gunfights without the hassle of loading screens and extremely advanced mechanics. And regardless of its straightforward controls,CrossfireXstill demands a particular learning curve for newcomers before they become masters of the craft. To those new to the game, just what arebeginner tips forCrossfireXthey should know?
9Warm Up With Practice Rounds
Players of FPS titles might think they can easily get intoCrossfireXif they’ve played a couple of FPS games on the console already, and this mentality makes sense. However,CrossfireXhas animations that are much more fluid and slightly slower than faster-paced FPS such asCS:GOandValorant, making the gameplay different from other mainstream titles. As such, it wouldn’t hurt for newcomers - both experienced and new to FPS -to get a few practice rounds in, especially in various modes. Here’s a rundown of the modes in the game:
8Mastering The Controller Wins Half The Battle
A lot of FPS games rely on player skill to dominate matches, but what newcomers often forget is that their mastery over the controller dictates how well they can play around with their character in a match. This principle is important inCrossfireX, as its Controller Options also allow players a lot offreedom with their controller mechanics. Players need to tinker with these mechanics to better control their characters:
7Communication Make For Smarter Decisions
Given how most ofCrossfireX’sgame modes are built around teams, it makes sense for playersto turn on commsin order to tell the team what they’re planning to do and what their situation is in the game. This is especially helpful for teams of friends who are accustomed to communicating with each other.
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Using comms properly in a fast-paced game likeCrossfireXallows players to approach situations smarter and with a particular degree of finesse. They can proceed to objectives knowing the team is aware of their actions and may have their back, and vice versa.
6Take Time To Pursue Objectives
Fans of more action-packed FPS games likeCall Of Dutymight think that most other FPS titles likeCrossfireXwork in the same capacity. However, the slight fluidity and “weight” of character movement can make it detrimental forsweaty gamers to get in the heat of combatimmediately. GoingCall Of DutyinCrossfireXcan lead to unnecessary gunfights and player deaths.
To avoid these unsavory situations, players should instead approach combat with a better degree of subtlety in order to be more sure of attacks. This actually applies to all game modes, not just no-respawn modes like Search And Destroy. In essence, the more time a player is absent (e.g., dead), the better chances opponents have of wiping them and securing more points.
5Unlock All The Weapons For Loadouts
WhileCrossfireXimmediately unlocks a number of firearms for players to tinker with and create loadouts with, it’s important to remember that more firearms actually exist and remain unlockable in the game. It may take time to earn enough GP to purchase all the available weapons in the game, but the time investment will be worth the while considering the flexibility this offers players.
If possible, players should considercreating multiple loadoutsdepending on the situations they come across in the game. Aside from a frontline Assault Rifle build, a close-quarters Shotgun build and a long-ranged Sniper build wouldn’t hurt players looking for flexibility. Of course, this also means spending more time tinkering with these weapons in practice modes.
4The Pistol Is A Friend
Fans ofCounter-Strikeknow that Sidearms such as the pistol are almost always there simply for display, butCrossfireXactually offers quitea lot of uses for their Sidearmsdespite their limited numbers. While the game simply offers three Sidearm choices so far (i.e, the Eagle 50, the AP18, and the Double Barrel Shotgun), they can be investments for players in matches.
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At its core, players out of luck in a match can switch to their Sidearm as a last resort. Even the Eagle 50 packs a mean punch when aimed properly, making it perfect for close quarters. However, an FPS strategy applicable toCrossfireXis to actually switch to the Sidearm whenever they need to reload their Primaries. Chances are, switching at the right moment can have the Sidearm finish the opponent off, giving players the necessary room to reload without the risk of a counter.
3Camping And Peeking Are Effective Strategies
A lot of FPS fans aren’t necessarily fond of camping and peeking as strategies in their respective games, especially when one side has already secured an efficient position. However, in a more tactical shooter likeCrossfireX, securing the advantage is a must in any game mode.
Players should always tryto secure whatever blind spots they seein order to secure the defense against enemies. Optimal strategies include:
2Get Smart With Gunfights, Always Get Cover
However, attacking players aren’t always at a disadvantage against peekers and campers, either. Withthe right offensive strategy, an aggressive team can make any defense useless. Against stationary defending opponents, players can utilize a number of strategies to secure the win:
1Optimize The Knife For Speed, Quick Kills
Similar to other FPS titles, knife kills do exist inCrossfireX. However, the Knife does have more uses than executing flashy killsagainst unsuspecting foes. Primarily, there’s a weird “speed buff” that happens when the Knife is unsheathed, as though the lesser weight from the weapons makes players move much better on the battlefield.
Moreover, players shouldn’t hesitate to use the Knife whenever they find themselves too close to an enemy. Sound still works as a conflict finder in the game, and not causing a fuss when killing enemies up close can make it much easier for players to consistently secure kills.
CrossfireXwas released on May 28, 2025, exclusively for the Xbox One and the Xbox Series X/S.
