A Fresh Start With Criterion

Gameplay - 7/10

Storyline - 5/10

Graphics - 9/10

Game Score : 21/30

I tried, I really tried to get behind this game 120% from day one but its like EA like toying with my emotions. Its been a year already since the last Need for Speed (NFS) game was released. The highlight of my year in 2011 was without a doubt most likely NFS The Run, I had such renewed hope and praise for the NFS franchise; it was like new life was being breathed back into to it. Fast forward a year later which reveals the latest addition to the NFS family; NFS: Most Wanted (2012)...

Need for Speed: Most Wanted (commonly abbreviated to as NFS: MW) is a 2012 open-world racing video game, developed by British games developer Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. Need for Speed: Most Wanted takes on the gameplay style of its first installment, Most Wanted title in the Need for Speed franchise. Most Wanted allows players to select one car and compete against other racers to reach a destination. Cops are integrated into certain racing sessions, in which the police deploy vehicles and tactics to stop the player's car and arrest the player, like the original Most Wanted. The game will feature a Blacklist of 10 racers, similar to the single-player section of the original Most Wanted, which featured 15 Blacklist racers. In this reiteration the focus shifts from Rockport, the city in the original to a new city called Fairhaven.

What's Good:

Simply stunning visuals, sadly you don't get to appreciate this as much on the console versions of the game but it really shines through on the PC version. Wide variety of cars to choose from in this game; over 120+ if memory serves including real-world vehicles, a mix of muscle cars, street racers and exotics. The game will use Autolog, the competition-between-friends system developed by Criterion for Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, and since used in other titles in the Need for Speed series. Autolog in Most Wanted plays a larger role and gives more information to players. Autolog recommendations have now been integrated into the game world, rather than sit externally on the menu system. Most Wanted features a new social system called Cloud Compete, which strings together Most Wanted across all platforms in an inspired example of cross-compatibility. One profile will be used for all versions of the game. Driving engine maintains that arcade racing feel with a touch of simulation thrown in to maintain realism as you race for the title of Most Wanted.

What's Bad:

As you probably figured out by now the games primary focus is on multi-player. As such the single-player aspect is a bit on the thin side. The game lacks any semblance of a proper story-line which would motivate you to play the game over and over again. The game also has no option for those who want to drive manual as far as I saw which I know personally is a big turn off for many out there who were going to buy this game. Another thing missing any major car customization, this is a well established feature of any NFS game over the years for the most part with some exceptions. To top it all off there is no option for LAN (Local Area Network) racing for the PC release version, so this wont be making any appearances at LAN parties as a supported tournament. Performance parts are linked to the specific car and are not transferable so for every single car you may want to drive and/or effectively use. Couple that with the fact that you have to drive to every single race destination to start the race you quickly realize you spend more time randomly driving around Fairhaven than actually racing around Fairhaven.

What Should Have Been Added:

First and foremost a freaking story-line with a memorable cast and cut-scenes. Then focus more on the visual modding of the cars as that will also tie in with the multi-player aspect of the game helping you to personalize your gaming experience. Manual and semi-automatic driving would have been nice as well. For the umpteenth time where the hell is the DRAG RACING? Yeah EA and Criterion i'm talking to you... 

Final Thoughts:

Personally I don't consider this the newest addition to the NFS family I see this as more of an addition to the Burnout family as everything from the drifting to the take-downs to the cars used screams Burnout. Probably if I was reviewing this game as such I would give it a 28/30 as it really is a good game more or less as far as racing games goes. So if you are into racing games you can go ahead in good conscience and get this game; if you are a a fan of the original NFS Most Wanted or any of the NFS Underground games then this isn't really your cup of tea but you can still sip it and enjoy.