Two years after Rivals, Need for Speed is back and looking for a fresh start. Developer Ghost Games have tried to take the series and refine what it means to be a Need for Speed game with five distinct ways to play under one roof, but also explore new areas and avenues of storytelling with cutscenes that quite seamlessly blend video with live game footage.
Unfortunately our review will be taking a little while longer, but scanning across the internet we can see how this game has fared under the microscope of review.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLQGXHy5m6Y
IGN – 6.3/10
Need for Speed looks the part, sounds the part, and is surprisingly reverent to real-world car culture. I like the direction Ghost has taken here, and I think it’s the right one, but beneath its flashy exterior it’s not quite firing on all cylinders.
Videogamer – 5/10
It does exactly what it sets out to do. But what it sets out to do is boring, bland, unimaginative and thoroughly dull. It’s sometimes fun, very pretty, and enables you to plaster stickers of dogs all over your newly-pink Mustang, and it’s riddled with great ideas like the fine online challenges with friends and enemies alike, annoying connectivity issues aside. But it meanders, settling on a rhythm that can only be described as ‘safe’, not pushing the player to be anything other than adequate. I adored NFS: Hot Pursuit, I got a lot of fun from Most Wanted, I even didn’t totally hate Rivals – so it saddens me to say that, at the end of the day (which is always the time in Ventura Bay) Need For Speed just isn’t that good.
Gamespot – 8/10
The game is far from perfect, but it is, at points, truly exceptional. Its jaw-dropping visuals, adrenaline-pumping audio, and highly-customizable handling make screaming around the darkened streets of Ventura Bay an intense thrill.
God is a Geek – 6.5/10
It sounds like I’m being incredibly harsh on Need for Speed, but it just doesn’t do enough to truly excite. It’s a perfectly serviceable racer with great looks (which is expected from racers nowadays), plenty of customisation options, and passable driving, but it’s a real shame that latest reboot of this franchise had the hallmarks of the greats in the series’ past and could have been truly special. While it’s not bad by any means, it’s just plain old “decent”, and that’s not really enough with the competition out there.
Eurogamer – Early Impressions
Ghost Games’ reboot of Need for Speed is a game with big ideas and big ambitions, but right now it’s hard to see them being met. The return of customisation is a welcome callback to the more tricked out excesses of this series’ past, but by bolting on the requirement for an online connection without offering much in return EA may have specced this racer out in the wrong direction.
Destructoid – 6/10
When you factor in Need for Speed‘s forgettable story, you’re left with a slightly above average racing game that’s not as enjoyable as past series entries. From a pure gameplay perspective, it works, but it never manages to elevate itself. If you’re in the mood for a new cinematic racer though, you could do a whole lot worse.
A great racing game for the younger or more casual gamer, and for fans of modded cars. Others should try it.
Youles
Not great reviews although I’m still looking forward to it – I know I will spend absolutely ages modifying cars (which is really the main reason I’m buying it)!
Looking forward to the TSA review.
Not sure how I’m going to feel about the story elements (it’s a racer after all), but perhaps it’ll be a refreshing change!
Crazy_Del
Same here mate. Not been on PS4 since June and this game will put me back on track aswell as Assassins and Fallout. Need a break from Fifa and Gears lol
Youles
Not sure if there are any co-op elements but have to have a race or two mate ;)
Bornindafire
Here’s where they messed up ..
They added deep customization but no manual option ..
I don’t know how but they seemed to manage to not implement steering wheel support at launch
The garage is the best place to view your ride since the game is mainly night time
Setting up the game only at night
Required internet connection
Super chargers n turbo kits don’t sound different ..
Lobby system need work
Rubber band ai racing.
No drag racing mode
Bornindafire
And oh the 5 car limit lol
TSBonyman
Story-based, always-online, night-time-only racer – who needs reviews.. ;)
hornet1990
Only one of those is really a negative…
But going off my time with the beta it has far bigger problems than always online!
bigchrissyc
Just had my dispatch email from Amazon for this, looking forward to getting to grips with this, regardless of reviews, even with the hour or so I spent on the beta with it, I already love it more than Rivals! Hopefully they patch it to add some more features, Ive not played a good racing game for I dont know how long!
tonyyeb
Played the beta and wasn’t impressed. From the sounds of the views my instincts were correct and has already been stated above, plenty of reasons to keep my money.
Eldave0
Mixed reviews but I’ll still probably check it out. Didn’t care for DriveClub or Project CARS and GT Sport isn’t until next year so I need something to scratch that racing game itch.
stueeeee
I’ve not loved a need for speed game a lot since hot pursuit. Most wanted and rivals was decent but just a churned yearly release IMO. I’m disappointed that the reviews have come out like this and they had a 2 year cycle this time.
I played the beta but I wasn’t a fan of the story, its presentation or anything to do with it but the fact it wasn’t all racing was interesting. If they ditch the ‘no pausing’ rule I may have given it a go (got kids so even at night it’s no use without being able to pause) but I want another Hot pursuit.
Or really, a Burnout Paradise ?