My first review: Cross Fire

System Requirements  (always minimum):
OS:  Windows XP/Vista/7
CPU: 1.5 GHz or better
RAM: 512 MB
Video: GeForce 5600 equivalent or better
Hard Drive Space: 1.2 GB
Internet Connection: Better than dial-up
Download link: http://download.cnet.com/Cross-Fire/3000-7441_4-10907539.html?part=dl-6282928&subj=dl&tag=button

           The first game review on the list is of a Modern Warfare rip-off called Cross Fire.  Cross Fire is an online first-person shooter with a distinct "poor man's Call of Duty" flavor.

Gameplay:
           Cross Fire is an obvious Modern Warfare clone, and you'd imagine the game is a poor facsimile of the game it is modeled after.  The game screams Modern Warfare clone with everything starting with its leveling up system which allows the purchase of new weapons at higher levels, "prestige-ability", and allows extra 'bags' (or Custom Classes).  The weapon purchasing system is unique, and you gain GPs by playing the game, or you can purchase ZPs to buy content in the game.
           Aside from the game's interface and various systems, the game still looks a lot like Modern Warfare. The font used in the game is pretty close to Modern Warfare's, and medals appear on the bottom of the screen for headshots and killstreaks. However, there are no killstreak awards like chopper gunners or nukes, which is a let down for such an obvious clone.
           Another differences from Modern Warfare is the inability to aim down the sights of your weapon, or even go prone.  These abilities would be helpful in the game, but because they're not in it, it accounted for many of my deaths.  All the accuracy you gain from aiming is impossible to achieve, so if you're using an assault rifle your aim will be far off.  Of course, some guns have scopes which you can aim through, but aiming through the scope is more of a Halo-style set up where you have to click the zoom button once to aim, another to zoom further, and once more to exit.  This makes it difficult to aim in a fast-pace modern deathmatch.  Accuracy in the game is limited, so people who are used to Modern Warfare would not like getting used to this game.
            All those things aside, Cross Fire has a few game modes that differ greatly from Modern Warfare's usual game modes.  There's normal team deathmatch, free for all, elimination, and other such goodies, but two main points in these game modes are the Mutation and Ghost game modes.  Mutation is similar to Halo 3's infection, in that it has one player who becomes the mutant, and runs around infecting people with the mutant virus until all people are infected or the time runs out.  The difference is that mutants, by gaining points, can evolve to a higher state of mutation.  With each stage comes new abilities, and they come in handy when picking off the last few soldiers.
          Ghost mode is a game mode where one team has invisibility (which fades with movement) and knives, and they try to plant a bomb in one of the locations on the map.  The other team is visible but can use all types of weapons, and they try to disarm the bomb, or kill the opposite team before the bomb is planted.  The adrenaline flows as you shoot at a corner you think your assassin is hiding in, or you hear a knife slice the air behind you.  Thrill greets you as you assassinate an unsuspecting member of the bomb squad.  This game mode keeps me coming for more.
          The normal game modes have good replay value, and keep the adrenaline coursing as bullets fly and you bring your team to victory (or in my case, defeat).  Even though it is very unlike Modern Warfare, it is still a fun game and is worth playing for an hour or two.

Sound:
         The sound of the game is pretty average.  The gun sounds are pretty similar to each other.  The sound falls below average notably with the Desert Eagle, whose blasts are so phonetically pleasing in Modern Warfare.  Cross Fire is another story, and the Desert Eagle sounds like a generic pistol.  This is also true for assault and sniper rifles; the gun sounds don't vary much.

Visuals:
         For a free online game, the visuals pleased me.  They were clear, and teams were easily differentiable by color.  The maps used in the game were good-looking.  Sometimes a bit boxy, but you get what you pay for.

Server Quality:
        As long as you have a good connection, this game runs fine.  Hackers can be kicked shortly after they're found out, and pose a very minimal problem, unlike in the Halo Free Trial (my former online FPS).  You shouldn't have very many problems with this game.

Verdict:
         This game does not measure up to the Modern Warfare that it copies, but it still is a good game.  Sound could be improved, as could the visuals, but it is a free game, so it's to be expected.  Assuming you don't have Modern Warfare, I suggest you download this game.  For it's faults and strong points mentioned in the review, I give this game an 8/10.  Have fun budget gaming on this one!