RETURN OF THE NEED FOR SPEED?
EA games made an unprecedented move last year when they announced they had no plans on a NFS release for 2014, thus breaking a cycle that had remained untouched for nearly a decade. The break was required to make the next title as great as it is possible to make by bringing back what all gamers have wanted for a while now. Need For Speed 2015 is that very game. Supposedly a reboot of the entire franchise, EA hopes that with this new title, they will bring back the once loyal followers back under its banners. But how is the game really? All that one hopes for, or yet more marketing gibberish?
For the first time since The Run, this new title features a storyline. However, if you are expecting and immersive story like the original Most Wanted, then don't hold your breath. The storyline is similar to the Underground series; lone driver shows up, hooks up with friends who, in turn, hooks you up with races and parts. To be honest, the story doesn't really bother much as that wasn't the point anyway, but be prepared for a barrage of fist bumps.
With the basic outline dealt with, let's dive into the review.
The Pros
Graphics: No matter which way you look at it, the graphics is spectacular. The droplets you can see on the rims as you customize your car really show how beautiful the graphics is. Also as you blaze through Ventura Bay, the city elements combined with the lighting, brings everything to life. And I love how they implemented game elements into the story clips.
Car Roster: If 250GTOs and Bertones are your thing, then you'll be disappointed, although the game does feature an F40. Other than that, the game features popular JDM icons like the GT-R, Supra, RX-7 and so on. It also has an assortment of Euro spec cars like Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porsches, and BMWs, including the M4 and the recently announced M2. In short, most petrol heads would have an easy time with the roster of cars.
Customizing: Barring a few exotics, customization options are quite numerous for most models, particularly JDMs. Customizations range from slapping on a body kit to intricate bodywork modifications. A point to note is that while there is an option to modify the lights, both front and back, they aren't available for a large number of the cars.
The Cons
Handling Characteristics: The most polite way to describe the handling dynamics of the game is "unrealistic". Every car feels like a four-wheel drive block of lead. A good example to demonstrate the drivetrain flaw is tuning a muscle car for maximum power but leaving handling aspects stock and then taking it to the wet streets for a standing start. The scenario should be burning rubber and the mother of all burnouts, but in the game, the wheel spin lasts less than a second before launching off like a 22B Impreza. The handling slider doesn't do help either as switching between Grip or Drift feels like either choosing non responsive, understeering behemoths or driving on a road made of banana peel and grease.
AI Rubber banding: By far and away the worst bug in the game, which comes very close to ruining the whole experience. AI rubber banding refers to the computer controlled opponents' ability to keep up with the player. In most other racing games, this rubber banding is kept at minimum and is based on a lot of variables such as AI car stats vs. Player car stats. In this game though, it doesn't matter what you drive or how well. Be ready to have your lead taken over by an underpowered opponent who you left behind in an accident not 10 seconds ago. In short, this is the worst case of AI rubber banding I have come across since the days of Juiced.
Always Online: While this isn't really all that big of a bug, it is a definite nuisance. Not only are other players in the same city as you, they can also mess around during your single player missions. Also, the game spits you out the moment you lose your internet connection.
So did the new Need For Speed achieve everything it set out to do? I'm afraid not. However, this game has a secret charm to it. The handling and rubber banding does pull the game down, but EA has recently announced an update to fix the rubber banding and also introduce neon mods. So this game does have the potential to turn its fate around. In the end, it will be PC gamers who will enjoy the game properly in the end as all updates, both present and future, will be baked in.
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