Fast & Furious Crossroads
Fast & Furious Crossroads is a 2020 action-adventure racing video game developed by Slightly Mad Studios and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment.[1][2] Released on August 7, 2020, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows, it is set in the Fast & Furious media franchise and bridges the storyline between The Fate of the Furious (2017), Hobbs & Shaw (2019), and F9 (2021).[3][4] The game features returning characters from the films, such as Dominic Toretto (voiced by Vin Diesel), alongside a new crew of protagonists who become entangled in international criminal threats and ally with the Fast family.[5] Announced at The Game Awards 2019 with an initial May 2020 release that was delayed, Fast & Furious Crossroads adapts the franchise's high-speed action into interactive vehicular combat and missions across global locations.[6] It received widespread criticism for its handling mechanics, repetitive design, and technical issues, holding Metacritic scores of 34–37 out of 100 across platforms.[2] The game struggled commercially and was delisted from digital storefronts on April 29, 2022, less than two years after launch, with all sales ceasing; owners can still access it, but no further support has been provided.[7][8][9]Development and Production
Announcement
Fast & Furious Crossroads was officially announced at The Game Awards 2019 on December 12, 2019, during a live presentation by actors Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez.[10] The reveal included a cinematic trailer showcasing high-octane action sequences and featuring Vin Diesel reprising his role as Dominic Toretto, emphasizing the game's integration into the Fast & Furious cinematic universe.[11] The game was introduced as a story-driven racing title that bridges the narrative gap between the films The Fate of the Furious (2017), Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019), and F9 (2021), delivering vehicular heists and team-based missions within the franchise's established lore. Developed by Slightly Mad Studios in partnership with publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment, it was positioned as an authentic extension of the series' adrenaline-fueled storytelling.[12] Slightly Mad Studios' Chief Creative Officer Andy Tudor highlighted the team's commitment to capturing the franchise's core elements, stating, "As huge fans of the franchise, it’s an honor to be able to expand the Fast & Furious franchise into the world of video games with a brand new story, the introduction of a new crew with ties to beloved characters, and iconic and stunning set pieces."[13] This focus on family ties and high-stakes action was intended to resonate with fans, blending narrative depth with pulse-pounding vehicular combat and chases. Originally slated for release in May 2020, the game was planned for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows platforms, aiming to coincide with the momentum from the ongoing film series.[6]Development Process
Following its acquisition by Codemasters in November 2019, Slightly Mad Studios led the development of Fast & Furious Crossroads, co-developing the game with Tigon Studios.[14][1] The team leveraged their proprietary Madness Engine to craft realistic driving physics that form the foundation of the game's racing mechanics, while blending in high-stakes action sequences inspired by the film franchise.[15][16] The engine, previously utilized in titles like Project CARS, allowed for detailed vehicle handling and dynamic environments, but required adaptation to support on-foot combat, heists, and explosive set pieces beyond traditional sim-racing.[17] A significant focus of the development process was integrating RPG elements, including character progression systems and weapon upgrades, directly into the racing and action sequences to create a seamless hybrid experience that captured the franchise's emphasis on teamwork and gadgetry.[18] Publisher Bandai Namco Entertainment collaborated closely with Universal Pictures to maintain narrative and visual authenticity, incorporating motion capture technology for voice actors to replicate the performances of iconic characters like Dominic Toretto and Letty Ortiz.[19][20] The project, first revealed at The Game Awards 2019, encountered logistical hurdles due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a postponement from its original May 2020 target to August 7.[10] Bandai Namco confirmed the delay in late May 2020, attributing it to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the concurrent postponement of the film F9.[21] This adjustment allowed additional time to refine the integration of the game's multifaceted mechanics amid remote work constraints.[22]Release and Post-Release
Launch Details
Fast & Furious Crossroads was released on August 7, 2020, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Microsoft Windows via Steam.[23] The game launched following a delay from its original May 2020 target date, attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was not developed or released for the Nintendo Switch, limiting its availability to the specified platforms.[2] The standard edition retailed for $59.99 USD, available in both digital and physical formats through major retailers like GameStop and Amazon.[23] Digital versions were immediately accessible on the PlayStation Store, Microsoft Store, and Steam upon launch.[4] Physical copies were distributed by Bandai Namco Entertainment, the game's publisher.[5] Marketing efforts included a digital trailer showcased during online gaming events in June 2020, highlighting gameplay and story elements tied to the Fast & Furious film franchise.[24] Cross-promotions leveraged the franchise's popularity, featuring voice acting from actors like Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez to build anticipation.[25] A launch trailer was released on the same day as the game's debut, emphasizing high-octane action sequences.[26] At launch, day-one patches were deployed across platforms to address minor bugs and optimize performance, with a notably large update of approximately 38.5 GB for the PC version to enhance stability.[27] These updates ensured smoother initial play experiences without disrupting core availability.[28]Delisting and Legacy
On March 29, 2022, Bandai Namco announced that sales of Fast & Furious Crossroads would cease on April 29, 2022, at 4:00 AM CEST, resulting in its removal from digital storefronts including the Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store.[9][7] The delisting was likely due to the expiration of licensing agreements with Universal Pictures, the franchise's rights holder, though it was compounded by unresolved technical problems such as game-breaking bugs—including progression locks and crashes during races—and low player retention, evidenced by empty multiplayer lobbies shortly after launch.[9][29][1] The negative critical reception, which highlighted these issues alongside poor gameplay design, further contributed to dismal sales figures.[2] Following the delisting, online multiplayer servers were maintained active for existing players until further notice, while physical copies for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One remained purchasable through retailers, and all prior digital purchases and DLC continued to be accessible and downloadable.[7] No announcements have been made regarding a remaster, patch updates, or a sequel to the title.[9]Gameplay
Core Mechanics
Fast & Furious Crossroads employs third-person driving mechanics with arcade-style physics, enabling players to execute high-speed maneuvers across diverse global environments such as urban New Orleans streets and the rugged Greek islands. The controls emphasize responsive acceleration and sensitive steering, allowing for nitro boosts that provide temporary bursts of speed and drifts to navigate tight corners while building momentum. Collisions are forgiving due to a health bar system rather than realistic damage, promoting aggressive playstyles like ramming obstacles or rivals without immediate consequences.[30][31] Combat is seamlessly integrated into the driving experience through vehicle-mounted gadgets and weapons, transforming races into action-packed chases. Players can deploy harpoons to tear off parts from enemy vehicles, tire blades to slash opponents' wheels, rockets or missile salvos for ranged attacks, and hacking tools—such as a rooftop WiFi router—to disable rival systems. Sideswiping mechanics enable Burnout-inspired takedowns, while grappling hooks allow for targeted disruptions like removing gas tanks from armored foes. These elements encourage dynamic engagements with rivals and environmental hazards during pursuits.[30][31][32] Progression incorporates light RPG features, where completing missions earns experience points to level up and unlock new vehicles, gadget enhancements, and customization options like wraps, paint styles, and personalization items. While deep performance upgrades for aspects such as speed, handling, or armor are absent, the system focuses on expanding the garage and refining combat tools for varied playthroughs. No dedicated driver skills tree exists, with abilities tied instead to character-specific gadgets accessed during missions.[33] Environmental interactions enhance the hybrid racing-action gameplay, permitting players to jump ramps for aerial boosts, navigate destructible terrain that occasionally causes abrupt stops, and evade traps like police blockades or natural obstacles such as avalanches. Missions remain largely linear, guided by waypoints and bounded by invisible walls, which limits free-form exploration but heightens tension in structured chases. These mechanics are primarily showcased in story-driven missions blending high-speed driving with heist objectives.[31][32]Game Modes
Fast & Furious Crossroads offers a single-player campaign as its primary mode, featuring a linear sequence of story-driven missions that blend high-speed races, heists, and police pursuits, with the full experience typically taking around five hours to complete.[34][35] The multiplayer component, known as Online Ops, provides competitive online PvP for up to nine players in a 3v3v3 team-based format divided among three factions: Heroes, Villains, and Cops, set across six distinct maps with varying objectives for each faction except the cops, who pursue universal enforcement goals. However, as of November 2025, the online servers have no active players, rendering the mode unplayable.[36] This mode includes three specific variants—Rescue, focused on protection missions; Seek & Destroy, emphasizing vehicle combat and elimination; and APB (All Points Bulletin), centered on races to reach safe zones—allowing players to compete in faction-specific strategies.[37] This mode includes three specific variants—Rescue, focused on protection missions; Seek & Destroy, emphasizing vehicle combat and elimination; and APB (All Points Bulletin), centered on races to reach safe zones—allowing players to compete in faction-specific strategies.[38] Unlike many open-world racing titles, the game lacks free roam exploration or dedicated challenge arenas, maintaining a strictly structured, mission-oriented progression without optional hub worlds or custom build testing areas.[3] Accessibility is supported through arcade-tuned handling designed for broad ease of entry, though no explicit difficulty sliders, AI aggression adjustments, or assist features like auto-brake are detailed in available documentation.[39]Story and Characters
Plot
Fast & Furious Crossroads presents an original narrative that bridges the events of The Fate of the Furious (2017) and leads into Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) and F9 (2021), centering on Dominic Toretto's crew as they uncover and confront a global criminal syndicate known as the Tadakhul, led by the rogue operative Emil Ormstrid.[3][39] The story integrates new characters like street racers Vienna Cole and Cam Stone into the established ensemble, drawing them into the high-stakes world of international intrigue following a personal tragedy in Miami.[3][40] The plot opens with an intense chase through the Greek archipelago, where Dom Toretto and Letty Ortiz pursue an informant holding crucial details on an impending terrorist attack orchestrated by the Tadakhul.[30][41] This initial mission sets off a chain of events, escalating to elaborate high-tech heists and pursuits across diverse global settings, including the deserts of Morocco, the streets of New York, and the vibrant locales of Spain.[42][43] The crew must navigate these operations to dismantle the syndicate's network, blending vehicular action with strategic takedowns amid rising threats to world security. Throughout the storyline, core themes of family loyalty and personal vengeance drive the action, underscored by subplots involving betrayals within alliances and shifting loyalties that test the bonds of Toretto's team.[1][30] The narrative introduces tech-savvy antagonists, with Emil Ormstrid serving as the primary foe whose sophisticated schemes challenge the heroes' resourcefulness.[3] The conclusion resolves key tensions in the crew's dynamics, paving the way for the events of F9 while maintaining consistency with the franchise's established canon.[3]Cast
The cast of Fast & Furious Crossroads features several returning actors from the Fast & Furious film franchise, reprising their iconic roles to maintain continuity with the series' established characters. Vin Diesel voices Dominic Toretto, the leader of the crew known for his emphasis on family and loyalty, a role he originated in the 2001 film The Fast and the Furious. Michelle Rodriguez provides the voice for Letty Ortiz, Dom's wife and a skilled driver, continuing her portrayal from multiple entries including Fast & Furious (2009). Tyrese Gibson voices Roman Pearce, the comic-relief partner to Tej Parker, drawing from his appearances starting in 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003).[44][45] New additions to the cast bring fresh dynamics to the story, with Sonequa Martin-Green voicing Vienna Cole, an ex-street racer who allies with the crew after a personal tragedy in Miami forces her back into the racing world; Martin-Green highlighted the franchise's focus on family and diverse representation as a key draw for joining the project. Peter Stormare voices the main antagonist Ormstrid, a sinister criminal organization leader whose performance adds a hammy intensity typical of his roles in action projects.[46][47][48] Supporting roles include Asia Kate Dillon as Cameron "Cam" Stone, an ex-street racer and Vienna's lifelong friend who joins the fight against the syndicate after their shared past, and Imari Williams as Lamar, Roman's tech-savvy friend who provides comic support. These performances were captured through voice acting, emphasizing the game's narrative ties to the films' themes of camaraderie and high-stakes action.[44][49]| Actor | Role | Franchise Connection/Description |
|---|---|---|
| Vin Diesel | Dominic Toretto | Returning; film series lead since 2001. |
| Michelle Rodriguez | Letty Ortiz | Returning; Dom's partner from multiple films. |
| Tyrese Gibson | Roman Pearce | Returning; comic sidekick from 2003 onward. |
| Sonequa Martin-Green | Vienna Cole | New; ex-street racer allying after Miami tragedy. |
| Peter Stormare | Ormstrid | New; primary villain heading a criminal empire. |
| Asia Kate Dillon | Cam Stone | New; ex-street racer and Vienna's friend fighting the syndicate. |
| Imari Williams | Lamar | New; Roman's friend offering technical aid. |