CrossFire
System: Genesis
Release Date: July 1991
Developer: A.I
Publisher: Kyugo
Genre: Shoot ‘em Up
Hop into your super advanced chopper because you’ll get caught up in the CrossFire! If you wanted a reskinned and renamed Super Airwolf, this is the game for you! But if you are going to be upset because you’re missing out on the iconic Airwolf theme… then be prepared to be disappointed. Hell, just prepare to be disappointed anyway. You’re Billy and you pilot the Black-Eagle. You need to take down a narcotics ring in Central and South America. President John Bosh will pay the guaranteed fee if you make a success. Are you up to it?
Terrible localization aside, this is a standard shoot ‘em up. Levels are split into four sections. The first is a vertical scrolling shoot ‘em up completely typical from what you should expect. Afterward, you go on a strafing run where your goal is to blow up as much stuff as you can while moving quickly over the next portion… A walking shoot ‘em up stage, where your goal is to find your way into a building and save a hostage. Then you go back to the helicopter shoot ‘em up stage, flying over the same level with slightly different enemy placements and a battle against a boss. Victory sends you back to your boss and your fee for completion.
There are six levels that you follow this loop in. It’s pretty easy to die, because bullets can hide under enemies that are trying to run into you. Most enemies die in one hit, but not all of them do! You can get yourself into trouble until you learn which enemies are a threat and which ones can be blasted into oblivion. Stages are really short, but they can be quite deadly. The bosses at the end of the level are bullet sponges, but a well placed bomb is a sure way to drain their health pretty quickly.
Between stages, you can visit a shop and buy equipment for the Black-Eagle or yourself. The different weapons on the chopper add power or deflecting shots to attack more enemies at once. You also have a limited arsenal of bombs, which are useful if you find yourself surrounded or when you’re fighting a boss. There are three different types you can buy. You can earn extra bombs by collecting three B icons dropped from a stealth bomber. It can also drop P icons to increase the power of your guns, or T icons for a Turbo fire (which I guess I never used). You can get stronger guns for the on foot sections, too, of which the Hypergun is the best.
The on foot sections are odd. You can walk in all directions, but are unable to shoot behind you. If a bullet is coming your way and you’re unable to get out of the way, you can press the B Button to jump. If you’re in really over your head, press the C Button to call for the Black-Eagle and try again. Some enemies in this mode will drop coins for you. At the end of the stage will be an armored vehicle that takes a lot of hits to destroy. The hostage is just a few walls and enemies away. Grabbing the last hostage puts you in one last battle to destroy the King of Narcotics.
Graphics: 2.0
Standard fare graphics for the genre and the system.
Sound: 2.0
The bass line is all that remains of the song I wanted to hear.
Gameplay: 1.5
There are three different types of levels you’ll go through and none of them are particularly deep.
Difficulty: 1.5
Levels are short, but one hit deaths and cheap placements are sure to irritate.
Fun Factor: 1.0
Not really a game I would go out of my way to ever play again.
Overall Rating: 1.6
CrossFire earns a C-. I’d like to think this could have been better, but it’s just a slightly above bare bones shoot ‘em up that I feel I’ve played dozens of times by now.