Need for Speed™
- June 4, 2020
- Ghost Games
- 18h median play time
Get on Steam
Get on Xbox Games Store"Need for Speed offers thrilling street races in a fictional open world setting. Customize and race an impressive lineup of cars, competing in various events like time trials, drift challenges, and police pursuits. Build your reputation and dominate the leaderboards in this immersive and action-packed racer."
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Cloud
NVIDIA GeForce NOW
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- story872 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The story in this game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it to be a blend of cringe-worthy moments and engaging elements. While some appreciate the campy charm and the inclusion of real-life racing icons, others criticize the plot as shallow and repetitive, often feeling forced or lacking depth. Overall, the narrative serves as a backdrop to the racing experience, with players divided on its effectiveness and entertainment value.
“The story isn't over the top or ambitious like some of the NFS games that follow this one, and it really adds to the atmosphere of the game.”
“Every phone call or scene adds a little to the story, and most of them seem to be really thoughtful.”
“The story and interactions with the characters added depth to the game.”
“The story is definitely lacking, and the cutscenes are badly acted, but they are serviceable.”
“You are forced into a sequential storyline, and forced to watch cutscenes that add absolutely nothing to the plot or storyline.”
“The story is almost non-existent and has zero drama, but somehow it manages to be wholesome.”
- graphics771 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics of this game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers highlighting their stunning quality, especially considering its 2015 release. Players appreciate the photorealistic visuals, dynamic lighting, and atmospheric effects, such as rain-soaked streets, which enhance the overall aesthetic experience. However, some users note that while the graphics are impressive, they are often marred by performance issues and subpar gameplay mechanics.
“The graphics are amazing for a game that came out in 2015.”
“The graphics are so well optimized, the art style and art direction flourishes.”
“The graphics of this game look fabulous and the attention to detail is top notch.”
“I just wish they hadn't depended on the 'wet road look' that modders usually use to update the graphics of old games.”
“The graphics are great but handling is the shittiest among all NFS games; even rushed NFS MW2 is way better in handling cars.”
“Unfortunately, what we received was a terribly shallow and boring racing game even though the graphics are almost like real life.”
- gameplay359 mentions
- 32 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay of this racing game has received mixed reviews, with many players enjoying the fun and engaging mechanics, customization options, and stunning visuals. However, criticisms include frustrating controls, inconsistent handling, and server issues that detract from the overall experience. While some players find the gameplay enjoyable and reminiscent of classic titles, others feel it suffers from significant flaws that hinder enjoyment.
“The gameplay is fun with lots of customization to do and tuning the cars to make perfect builds, and the story is great.”
“The gameplay is tight, responsive (once you fix that controller), and keeps you fully engaged, making every race feel intense as you push your way to the top.”
“With its breathtaking visuals, satisfying gameplay, and a robust customization system, it offers a comprehensive racing experience that caters to both nostalgic fans and new players.”
“I quit the game after about 10 minutes of actual gameplay as I was genuinely sinking through the floor every couple of minutes, making this game unplayable.”
“The drift mechanics offer no real control over your car; compared to games like Burnout Paradise, this is just sad incompetent work.”
“The gameplay is too arcade-like; you can drift at 180 km/h (105 mph) with no problem, which is unrealistic.”
- music228 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the atmospheric soundtrack that enhances the driving experience, while others find it forgettable or lacking compared to older Need for Speed titles. Many users suggest that the soundtrack features a decent variety but can become repetitive, leading some to prefer listening to their own playlists instead. Overall, while the music contributes positively to the game's vibe, it does not consistently resonate with all players.
“The soundtrack also adds to the atmosphere and is one of the best out of the NFS games in my opinion.”
“When 'I Am Rock' hit, I nearly threw it back to my Most Wanted days, but that track is just the icing on the cake—every song elevates the experience.”
“The music and soundtrack are awesome, and I love how they add to the vibe of the underground illegal street racing it aims to portray.”
“Music is kind of average.”
“The overall sound and music is ok, even though I didn't particularly love any of the tracks (which are also constantly ruined and interrupted by the continuous phone calls we’re going to receive at all times).”
“The soundtrack is pretty solid as well compared to NFS Heat.”
- atmosphere133 mentions
- 59 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its authenticity, capturing the essence of underground street racing with a dark, rainy aesthetic that enhances immersion. Players appreciate the stunning visuals, powerful soundtrack, and nostalgic vibes reminiscent of earlier Need for Speed titles, making it a standout experience despite criticisms of handling and gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, creating a unique and engaging environment for racing enthusiasts.
“The atmosphere it creates is unmatched; if you enjoy racing at night, this game is for you; it offers an enhanced visual and aural experience, evoking an underground series atmosphere.”
“Driving through the rain-soaked streets under the neon glow of city lights creates an immersive atmosphere that pulls players into the underground racing scene.”
“The dark, night-time atmosphere and rainy weather create a fitting atmosphere for street racing, and the reflections and raindrops on cars and roads look nice.”
“The game is always locked into a single daytime and weather (night - rainy), eventually becoming quite an eyesore and making for a tedious atmosphere.”
“I understand that this is when underground stuff happens, but the overall atmosphere is just very dark and depressing.”
“The atmosphere is substantially different from the later Ghost NFS games and it has a more realistic feel, and a more detailed map that feels more lived-in despite the lower traffic density.”
- stability111 mentions
- 7 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 93 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of severe bugs and glitches, particularly affecting controller support, which renders it nearly unplayable for many users. Players have experienced issues such as freezing, input misrecognition, and game crashes, especially on PC, while some have noted better performance on the Steam Deck. Overall, the game is described as a "buggy mess," with many recommending against playing it unless significant patches are released.
“Interestingly enough, this runs great on the Steam Deck and doesn't suffer from those controller input issues on it.”
“A lot of care has been put into the visuals - it looks fantastic and runs great (60+) on Steam Deck.”
“It's totally bug free, although the map isn't too big, it's well made.”
“This game is a complete buggy mess when trying to play with an Xbox controller.”
“Very disappointing considering how much time and money they used to make this game, and the worst part is you can't even use the controller properly. I have spent 4 hours troubleshooting missed inputs and the controller detecting as a wheel; nothing controller and handling-wise works in this game. Not worth playing if you plan on using a controller.”
“I really want to like this game, but I can't recommend a game with such poor controller support that it thinks an Xbox One controller is both a keyboard input and a racing wheel somehow. No matter what controller I try or what method I use to fix it, this game is buggy and unplayable without laboring over whatever specific issue your setup has.”
- optimization101 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 18 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its extensive customization options and decent performance on certain hardware, particularly the Steam Deck. However, many users report significant issues, including lag, stuttering, and poor controller support, leading to an overall perception of the game as poorly optimized, especially on PC. While some players enjoy the graphics and performance tuning, the frequent bugs and performance inconsistencies detract from the experience for many.
“The customization options are extensive, allowing players to modify their cars to reflect their personal style and performance preferences.”
“You can customize almost every detail on nearly every car, from performance parts with dozens of turbos to grip and drift tires or nitrous.”
“Performance tuning is alright, but the visual tuning is absolutely terrific; I can spend hours in the garage tweaking and customizing everything on my cars.”
“First of all, why can't I change control settings? Second, why is this game so laggy and poorly optimized?”
“Terrible PC port riddled with bugs and bad optimization overall (thanks Denuvo for that).”
“Hands down the most poorly optimized game I've ever laid my hands on.”
- humor42 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its cringy cutscenes, goofy character interactions, and glitchy gameplay that often leads to absurd situations, making it both nostalgic and entertaining. Players find the intentionally bad acting and campy dialogue amusing, while the game's physics create hilarious moments during races. Overall, the humor is a mix of intentional comedy and unintentional glitches, resulting in a lighthearted and fun experience.
“Spike is funny and random; therefore, he is my favorite actor.”
“I would even count the cringey cutscenes as a pro because they're so bad it's hilarious.”
“The physics and the racers have also led to some hilarious moments of interaction, sometimes causing my car to go flying, sometimes lifting me up to create some sort of small car stack, sometimes bashing the rear of my car and causing me to do a complete 180, and so many more.”
- grinding32 mentions
- 9 % positive mentions
- 19 % neutral mentions
- 72 % negative mentions
Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, often requiring excessive time investment for minimal rewards. Many reviews highlight the repetitive nature of tasks, unskippable cutscenes, and poorly designed level elements that contribute to a lack of enjoyment. While some acknowledge moments of fun, the consensus leans towards grinding being a significant drawback that detracts from the overall experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Very scripted, very grindy, and an awful mess of loading screens.”
“Car upgrading is more of a tedious chore than a fun activity.”
“The gameplay loop became tedious around the 30-hour mark.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players find it wholesome and nostalgic, particularly in relation to Ken Block's presence, many criticize the lack of a compelling story and the presence of bugs that detract from the experience. Despite the game's impressive visuals and customization options, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment due to its boring narrative and gameplay issues, leaving players feeling that the emotional potential is underutilized.
“As someone who respects, has admired, and followed Ken Block's work for years, it was emotional seeing him during cutscenes and driving alongside him in the game.”
“I shed a tear when I heard 'Rom Di Prisco - Romulus 3'; instantly my heart started pumping faster and memories of one of the best NFS games came to my mind: NFS III: Hot Pursuit.”
“Just a wholesome excuse plot about helping some dreams come true.”
“Boring story line.”
“Hard to navigate, a little boring story.”
“Pretty boring story line too.”
- replayability16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag; while many players find the races enjoyable and engaging, contributing to high replay value, others feel that once the main content is completed, there is little incentive to return. The inclusion of daily challenges and online modes enhances replayability for some, but a lack of progression and variety in gameplay can leave others disappointed. Playing with friends can also boost the experience, but the absence of certain features, like drag racing, is noted as a missed opportunity for increasing replay value.
“This social aspect adds significant replay value and keeps the racing community engaged.”
“It was fast, brutal, and endlessly replayable.”
“That with daily challenges and other online modes/races make the replayability higher than I expected.”
“I feel as if it has no replay value either, and that's sad to say as I love Need for Speed.”
“There is no progression or replay value once you have all the parts and all the cars.”
“However, I can't stop feeling that if they had added drag racing from the beginning, and it happened alongside the main storyline, the game might have had other proportions when it comes to players and replayability.”
- monetization12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 42 % negative mentions
Overall, the monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with many players expressing relief over the absence of microtransactions, which they view as a positive change from previous titles. However, some users criticize the game as a typical AAA cash grab, highlighting issues like poor controller support and reliance on community fixes, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these concerns, the lack of microtransactions is frequently noted as a redeeming feature.
“I've seen no hint of microtransactions, that's good.”
“- Car customization is below Heat’s level but solid; there are plenty of cosmetic options and the upgrade tracks are simple, linear affairs, with no microtransactions at all.”
“By far the only NFS that combines Carbon and UG2 in a seamless way without introducing microtransactions or the ridiculous cards NFS: Payback has.”
“Wouldn't recommend on PC; it's just a typical mediocre AAA cash grab, bad controller support, game crashes, and the EA app is useless—it's just on your PC for no reason.”
“Not recommended as a standalone game; having to make the community fix your own game is by far the most scummy thing ever (second comes microtransactions).”
“It's like any other EA cash grab tactics.”
