Fast & Furious Crossroads on Xbox One aims to bring the high-octane energy of the blockbuster movie franchise into an interactive experience, combining cinematic storytelling with action-packed driving gameplay. Designed as a tie-in to the long-running film series, the game features recognizable characters, over-the-top vehicle stunts, and a plot that fits squarely within the Fast & Furious universe. Whether you’re a fan of Dominic Toretto’s street racing adventures or simply enjoy explosive driving action, this game delivers a unique, though sometimes flawed, attempt at blending racing and narrative. Understanding what Fast & Furious Crossroads offers is key to knowing if it deserves a place in your Xbox One library.
Game Overview and Storyline
Bringing the Fast Saga to Consoles
Fast & Furious Crossroads is an action-driving video game developed by Slightly Mad Studios and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. Released in August 2020 for Xbox One, the game was intended to capture the essence of the Fast & Furious franchise through high-stakes missions, international espionage, and jaw-dropping stunts. Unlike traditional racing games, it’s structured more like a linear story-driven experience.
The game features both original characters and fan-favorite stars from the film series, including Vin Diesel (Dom), Michelle Rodriguez (Letty), and Tyrese Gibson (Roman), lending authenticity through voice acting. The storyline follows a group of street racers caught in a global criminal conspiracy involving high-tech heists and dangerous gadgets.
Cinematic Missions
The missions are structured more like movie sequences than standard racing events. Players take on a variety of objectives, from chasing enemies through exotic cities to using advanced vehicle tech to disable adversaries. The pace is fast, and the tone mimics that of a Hollywood blockbuster with slow-motion action, dramatic dialogue, and mid-mission cutscenes.
Gameplay Mechanics
Driving with a Purpose
Unlike simulation-focused racers like Forza Motorsport, Fast & Furious Crossroads focuses on arcade-style driving. Cars handle in a way that prioritizes cinematic flair over realistic physics. Vehicles feel weighty but responsive enough for high-speed maneuvers, drifting, and precision takedowns.
- Grappling hooks to swing across gaps or grab objects
- EMP devices to disable enemy cars
- Rockets and mounted weapons for explosive action
- Turbo boosts for speed bursts
Each mission introduces new mechanics or objectives, such as evading a drone strike or stopping an armored convoy. While the gameplay can be repetitive, the variety of scenarios helps keep the experience moving forward.
Character Switching and Team Play
In many missions, players switch between different characters mid-level. Each driver often has a unique car outfitted with specific tools suited to their role in the mission. This keeps gameplay diverse and encourages players to approach challenges from different angles.
Graphics and Presentation
A Mixed Bag Visually
On Xbox One, Fast & Furious Crossroads offers a visual style that blends realism with arcade aesthetics. While environments are colorful and diverse ranging from Mediterranean cities to desert highways the graphics are not as polished as other modern racing titles. Character models look somewhat dated, and the overall graphical fidelity is more akin to early Xbox One titles than current-gen standards.
Cinematic camera angles during action sequences add flair, but they sometimes interfere with gameplay visibility. Explosions, vehicle damage, and special effects help inject excitement, even if the visuals don’t always keep up with the action.
Multiplayer Features
Online Heist-Style Races
In addition to the single-player story mode, the game includes an online multiplayer mode. Players can compete in team-based heist scenarios where two teams face off with different objectives. One team may be tasked with completing a mission (such as stealing a truck), while the other must try to stop them.
Multiplayer includes progression systems, unlockable vehicles, and custom loadouts. However, due to the limited player base and server activity, finding active matches can be challenging. The multiplayer component was ambitious but struggled to maintain longevity.
Reception and Criticism
Mixed Reviews from Players and Critics
Upon release, Fast & Furious Crossroads received mixed to negative reviews. Critics praised its attempt to translate the film series’ tone into gameplay, but pointed out several shortcomings:
- Outdated graphics and character animations
- Short campaign length (around 4-6 hours)
- Repetitive mission structure
- Limited replay value
That said, fans of the franchise may still find enjoyment in the bombastic set pieces and familiar character banter. It’s a game made for fans, not racing purists, and it leans heavily into its identity as a playable action movie.
Comparison to Other Xbox Racing Games
How It Stands Apart
Fast & Furious Crossroads is unique in the Xbox One racing lineup due to its story-driven structure. While most racing games focus on open-world exploration or competitive racing, this title prioritizes narrative and mission-based progression. If you’re used to Forza Horizon’s freedom or the realism of Project CARS, this game will feel quite different.
Instead of aiming to be the most technically advanced racer, it leans into spectacle. In that sense, it’s closer to a game like Split/Second or Need for Speed: The Run titles that blend racing with explosive, scripted sequences. This sets it apart, even if the execution isn’t flawless.
Who Should Play This Game?
A Game for Fast & Furious Fans
If you’re a dedicated fan of the Fast & Furious franchise and want to experience an interactive version of its outrageous action, Fast & Furious Crossroads on Xbox One might be worth trying. It captures the essence of the movies in terms of pacing, tone, and style. The voice acting and inclusion of familiar characters help reinforce its cinematic feel.
However, players looking for deep racing mechanics or expansive content may find it lacking. It’s a niche game targeted more toward fans of the franchise than racing game enthusiasts.
Fast & Furious Crossroads is a bold attempt to merge the world of cinematic storytelling with high-speed vehicular gameplay. While it doesn’t compete with the visual or mechanical polish of top-tier Xbox One racing titles, it offers a unique experience full of stunts, action, and familiar faces from the Fast & Furious universe. For those looking to live out the high-adrenaline missions of the movies in game form, it’s a fun, albeit flawed, adventure worth checking out especially for diehard fans of the series. Despite its limitations, the game contributes an interesting twist to the Xbox One’s library of action-driven racers.