Need for Speed: Most Wanted

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Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a single player open world racing game. It was developed by Criterion Games and was released on June 18, 2020. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Buckle up, hit the gas, and hold on tight; you’re in for the ride of your life!

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63%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,986 reviews

graphics738 positive mentions

stability42 negative mentions

graphics
1,039 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
71%
25%
4%
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their quality and detail, often described as stunning or amazing, especially for a mobile platform. Many users note that the visuals have aged well and compare favorably to other racing games, although some express disappointment with the lack of optimization for newer devices and the absence of customizable graphics settings. Overall, while the graphics are a highlight, there are calls for improvements and updates to enhance the visual experience further.
- “The graphics have aged well.”
- “The graphics and realism in the game still amaze me.”
- “Absolutely amazing game with high quality graphics.”
- “The graphics are terrible, controls are terrible, and the gameplay is awful.”
- “Waste of money.... the graphics are so outdated, it's a shame this game is still offered as a paid app.”
- “Graphics are poor compared to other games out there like Asphalt 8.”
gameplay
207 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
68%
28%
4%
Overall, the gameplay of the game is generally well-received, with many users praising its smooth mechanics, engaging challenges, and impressive graphics. However, some players express concerns about repetitive gameplay, lack of customization options, and occasional technical issues, such as control problems and crashes. While the mobile version offers a thrilling experience comparable to its PC counterpart, there are calls for improvements, including more diverse gameplay modes and better control options.
- “The gameplay is very smooth and easy.”
- “Superb graphics and mind-blowing gameplay make this game a perfect match....love it.”
- “Excellent graphics and smooth gameplay, one of the best racing games.”
- “Require new gameplay, graphics need to be improved, free roam mode is missing.”
- “The gameplay is very different from the PC version.”
- “The rest of it is garbage, the gameplay sucks (who would think a time attack race with penalty crash and put cops to chase on it), the controls suck (no modify and manual control), this game is much more frustrating rather than fun.”
story
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
65%
12%
The game's story aspect is widely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players expressing disappointment over the absence of a compelling narrative and open-world elements reminiscent of earlier titles like the 2005 version of Need for Speed. Reviewers note that the repetitive missions and absence of a storyline make the gameplay feel monotonous and unfulfilling, despite the impressive graphics. Overall, players are calling for a more story-driven experience to enhance the game's appeal.
- “I really like this game and it has a decent storyline, and the in-app purchases are not necessary to progress.”
- “The graphics are pretty bad but this is the best racing game there is if you want a story mode.”
- “Just put old Most Wanted with new cars and new graphics, also a new story! Then it will be the perfect comeback.”
- “Sadly, no cop chases in this one either, just a basic career mode without any actual story.”
- “Pretty same missions, no story mode; the game has been dropped.”
- “It's missing a story, people. Add some backstory, videos, etc., and gamers will actually be interested in buying this.”
music
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
The music in the game is widely praised for its high-quality licensed tracks, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. However, many players express a desire for a larger selection of songs and the ability to add personal playlists, as the current soundtrack can feel repetitive. While some users report technical issues with music playback, the general consensus is that the soundtrack significantly contributes to the game's appeal.
- “The music and graphics are stunning.”
- “I love the fact that it uses real songs and music for you to listen to while driving!”
- “Great graphics and awesome music choices.”
- “Really different from the console version, the controls are janky and the music just feels out of place, the sounds are horrible and vehicle damage is stupid, it's an arcade game.”
- “Limited soundtrack though so you'll want your own playlist.”
- “The music is pretty mellow and I can't get into the game with it playing...”
monetization
55 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
16%
71%
13%
The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing frustration over the presence of in-app purchases despite having paid for the game upfront. While some appreciate the absence of ads and the ability to enjoy the game without spending additional money, others criticize the grindy in-game currency system and the inability to restore purchases after changing devices. Overall, the sentiment leans towards disappointment with the perceived cash grab tactics and unresolved issues related to in-app purchases.
- “No ads, no in-app purchases.”
- “Great graphics, amazing controls, some decent songs, thrilling gameplay and no microtransactions in sight.”
- “Good game and you don't need to do in-app purchases to complete it.”
- “The unnecessarily grindy in-game money system, clearly influenced by the addition of microtransactions, forces players to invest 50% of their time with the game raising funds for cars that should be race rewards.”
- “This game is paid and it still has microtransactions!!!”
- “Purchased this game, then EA decided that's not enough and got greedy with in-app purchases as well as the original purchase fee.”
optimization
53 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
58%
31%
11%
Overall, the game's optimization is inconsistent across devices, with some users reporting smooth performance and excellent graphics, while others experience crashes, bugs, and poor loading times, particularly on newer smartphones. Many players express disappointment over the lack of updates and responsiveness from developers regarding performance issues. While some devices handle the game well, others struggle, indicating a need for better optimization to ensure a consistent experience across all platforms.
- “Great game and very well optimized for handsets.”
- “Superb game runs smoothly on my device with awesome graphics and experience.”
- “I cannot stop playing it, buttery smooth performance with probably some of the best graphics on Android.”
- “Such a shame that this game is available here for everyone, but it's not optimized for the latest smartphones and Android OS.”
- “Was enjoying the game so much before but had to give it one star because of poor service and unexpected game performance.”
- “Inconsistent performance on top-end Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, some bugs like wheels not spinning on cars, almost impossible to get gold on #3 MW and above.”
stability
48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
88%
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many users reporting frequent freezing, glitches, and crashes across various devices, particularly during loading and gameplay. While some players have experienced smooth performance, the overall consensus indicates that significant stability issues persist, detracting from the gaming experience. Users have expressed frustration over these problems, often leading to device restarts and a request for urgent updates.
- “Awesome game, no glitches, is really exciting except for the part where the police only seem to chase me and no one else in the race.”
- “After several times of installing it over and over, I finally got it to work and it runs great!”
- “Good game, runs great on S3 Mini.”
- “Very bad game, it always freezes after the mobile closes. Baddest game, very different from its previous versions. I give it only one star.”
- “I paid for this game today and since downloading it, each time it freezes my phone. I have to remove the battery and restart the phone. It needs an urgent update or I would like my money refunded, please EA.”
- “The game does not work; it freezes every single time I try to open it. And yet again, there is no refund button!”
emotional
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users express frustration with the game's control scheme, particularly the requirement to constantly touch the screen to prevent it from locking, which detracts from the overall emotional experience. Many feel that the lack of alternative steering options and the ineffectiveness of touch controls diminish their enjoyment, leading to a less immersive and engaging gameplay experience. Overall, the emotional impact is negatively affected by these control issues, as players struggle to connect with the game.
humor
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews on the humor aspect of the game are mixed; while some players find enjoyment in the comedic interactions with the police, particularly when they outsmart them, others express frustration with the game's monetization and technical issues, suggesting that the humor has diminished over time. Overall, the humor can be hit or miss, with some moments of levity overshadowed by gameplay frustrations.
- “But yeah, it's another funny game.”
- “They're hilarious.”
- “I love it when you fool the cops and make them crash; it is so funny!”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessive and tedious, often feeling forced to spend a significant amount of time grinding for in-game currency due to a system influenced by microtransactions. The controls also contribute to frustration, as they can feel unresponsive, leading to further dissatisfaction with the grinding experience. Overall, many reviewers express a desire for a more balanced approach that rewards players without the need for repetitive grinding.
- “The controls felt very unresponsive; I was frequently grinding against the siderail despite trying to steer in the opposite direction.”
- “The unnecessarily grindy in-game money system, clearly influenced by the addition of microtransactions, forces players to invest 50% of their time with the game raising funds for cars that should be race rewards.”
- “Bit tedious having to do it a million times.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its impressive graphics and immersive feel, contributing to a strong sense of acceleration and overall enjoyment. Reviewers consistently highlight the combination of visual quality and engaging ambiance as standout features.
- “Great graphics, nice atmosphere, great feel of acceleration!”
- “Nice graphics, perfect atmosphere.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find significant replayability in the game, particularly through competitive elements like beating lap times against friends. However, some users feel that improvements in controls could enhance the overall playability experience.
- “I love beating my brother's lap times, and there's plenty of replay value.”
- “If there were big left and right buttons, this game would be far more playable.”

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5h Median play time

5h Average play time

4-5h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 2 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a open world racing game.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is available on PC, Phone, Windows, Tablet and others.

On average players spend around 5 hours playing Need for Speed: Most Wanted.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted was released on June 18, 2020.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted was developed by Criterion Games.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a single player game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Need For Speed Hot Pursuit, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered, Need for Speed Rivals, GRID Autosport, Need for Speed and others.

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