Cross Kicks

Cross Kicks is a competitive arcade-style sports game developed by Studio Vertex and released in 2023 for home consoles and personal computers. The game simulates a fictional hybrid sport that combines elements of association football, kickboxing, and tactical combat. Matches take place in enclosed arenas with no out-of-bounds areas, featuring a spherical ball that players must propel into the opponent’s goal using kicks, knee strikes, and headbutts. Physical contact between players is not only permitted but encouraged, as tackling and striking are core mechanics for gaining possession of the ball. Each team consists of three players on the field, with no goalkeepers. The goal is a raised circular opening located at each end of the arena, positioned two meters above the ground. Matches are divided into two halves of five minutes each, with a running clock. Points are scored by successfully kicking the ball into the opponent’s goal, with additional points awarded for aerial goals or strikes executed while airborne. The game features a single-player career mode, local multiplayer for up to six players, and an online ranked mode. Player characters are customizable in appearance and possess distinct stat profiles affecting speed, kick power, and resilience.

Gameplay in Cross Kicks is controlled through a combination of directional input and action buttons. The left analog stick or directional pad moves the player character across the arena. The right analog stick controls the character’s facing direction independently, allowing for strafing and precise aiming. The primary action button executes a standard kick, which propels the ball forward in a straight line. Holding the button charges the kick, increasing power and distance. A secondary action button performs a knee strike, used for close-range ball control and for interrupting opponent movements. The jump button lifts the character off the ground; while airborne, pressing the kick button performs an aerial strike, which scores additional points if it reaches the goal. The tackle button initiates a sliding kick or a body check, depending on the character’s momentum. A dedicated block button raises the character’s arms to deflect incoming kicks or strikes, reducing damage and preventing ball loss. The ball is automatically attracted to a player’s foot when within a close radius, enabling dribbling. Passing is executed by tapping the kick button while aiming the right analog stick toward a teammate. The game interface displays a health bar for each player, a match timer, and a scoreboard. A stamina meter depletes with sprinting and heavy strikes, regenerating when the character stands still. Special moves, such as spinning kicks or power shots, are performed by inputting specific directional sequences followed by the kick button.