CrossFire: Rainbow is an upcoming first person shooter (FPS) that marks a bold evolution for the CrossFire franchise, blending tactical gunplay with psychological and supernatural horror elements. Developed by Linlangtianshang Studio under Smilegate’s supervision and published by Tencent’s TiMi Studio Group, the game shifts away from the series’ traditional competitive multiplayer focus to deliver a chilling experience set in the eerie “Rainbow Erosion Area,” where players confront distorted realities and supernatural threats. With no confirmed release date, the game is slated for PC, Android, and iOS, featuring high-fidelity visuals likely powered by Unreal Engine 5, as seen in its detailed environments, realistic lighting, and atmospheric effects.
The gameplay combines player-versus-player and player-versus-environment (PVPVE) mechanics, potentially including a story-driven campaign or co-op mode, alongside a unique Sanity Value system that introduces psychological horror by triggering hallucinations as players’ mental state deteriorates. A crafting system allows for items like suppressors and Molotov cocktails, emphasizing survival-horror-inspired resource management and stealth. The debut gameplay trailer, released on August 10, 2025, and lasting 3 minutes and 55 seconds, showcases tense, atmospheric settings like abandoned buildings, deliberate shooting mechanics with weapons such as assault rifles and shotguns, and unsettling enemies, including a sinister silhouette and a player’s own reflection as a potential threat. While the trailer, shared by fan channels like rendermax and CrossFire World, confirms PC footage with mobile versions in development, it reveals little about the story, focusing instead on the oppressive tone and innovative mechanics like the Sanity Value meter, which alters perception during intense moments. Pre-registration is available on platforms like TapTap, BiliBili and official page, primarily targeting the Chinese market, with no confirmation yet on a Western release or whether the game will follow the franchise’s free-to-play model. Despite the CrossFire series’ popularity in China, its struggles in Western markets, such as the failure of CrossFireX in 2022, highlight the challenge Rainbow faces in delivering a polished, globally appealing experience that merges tactical FPS action with horror for fans of games like Resident Evil Village or Dead by Daylight.