Need for Speed Rivals

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,536 reviews
  • graphics
  • gameplay
  • story
Need for Speed Rivals Game Cover
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"Need for Speed Rivals" is an open-world racing game that offers both single-player and multi-player modes. Players can take on the role of either cops or lawbreakers in this action-packed game, which features high-speed chases and intense battles on the road. Developed by Ghost Games, formerly EA Gothenburg, the game is known for its talented team previously from Criterion Games and DICE, offering a thrilling experience for racing enthusiasts.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • Ea Origin
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
  • Xbox Game Pass
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,536 reviews
graphics162 positive mentions
stability107 negative mentions
  • graphics274 mentions

    The graphics of "Need for Speed Rivals" are widely praised for their stunning visuals and impressive detail, even a decade after its release. Many players note that the game still holds up well in terms of aesthetics, with beautiful environments and well-designed car models, although some express frustration over the 30 fps cap and occasional graphical bugs. Overall, the game's visuals contribute significantly to its immersive racing experience, making it a standout title in the series.

    • “The graphics are superb and shockingly optimized, the gameplay is a fun kind of chaotic, very pretty terrain and areas, and the AI cops and racers put up a dang good fight.”
    • “With its breathtaking graphics and extensive car selection, it offers an immersive experience for players looking for fast-paced excitement.”
    • “The visuals are stunning, with detailed car models, beautiful landscapes, and impressive weather effects that enhance the overall immersion.”
    • “The game is locked to 30fps and graphics at the highest possible settings still look like a mediocre game from 2005.”
    • “The graphics are overloaded with effects and details which can help develop your ADHD and epilepsy.”
    • “I have played and beat it twice on Xbox 360 and Xbox One so naturally I decided to buy it here so I can play it with the superior mouse and keyboard... long story short: mouse doesn't work, it's capped at 30 fps, doesn't register keyboard presses half of the time, graphics are somehow worse than the 360, I couldn't even join online either basically don't buy this, not even at 80% off is it worth it.”
  • gameplay241 mentions

    The gameplay of "Need for Speed: Rivals" is generally praised for its fun and chaotic racing mechanics, particularly the engaging cop vs. racer dynamic and the adrenaline-fueled pursuits. However, many players express frustration with technical issues such as a 30fps cap, bugs, and host migration problems that disrupt the experience. While the game offers a visually stunning environment and enjoyable mechanics, the overall execution suffers from stability issues and a lack of depth in customization and mission variety.

    • “The gameplay is quite fluid and satisfying.”
    • “With its adrenaline-fueled gameplay and stunning visuals, it delivers an exhilarating experience that will keep players on the edge of their seats.”
    • “The intense rivalry between cops and racers adds an exciting dynamic to the gameplay, encouraging players to compete against each other in thrilling high-speed chases.”
    • “The tutorials impede the flow of the gameplay.”
    • “Game is locked at 30 fps; sad, because the idea and the gameplay are solid. On console, those 30 fps don't feel like on PC; they are more fluid. On PC, instead, even if you unlock 60 fps, the game will become a bug fest, a really huge bug fest!”
    • “The gameplay itself was okay.”
  • story213 mentions

    The game's story is generally viewed as minimal and lacking depth, primarily revolving around the rivalry between cops and racers, with many players noting that it feels generic or even non-existent. While some appreciate the attempt at narrative through character interactions and mission structures, others find it tedious and unengaging, often preferring the gameplay over the storyline. Overall, the story serves more as a backdrop to the racing experience rather than a focal point, with many players expressing indifference towards its quality.

    • “The storyline was engaging and I was always tuned in to see what the next chapter had to offer.”
    • “From the relentless cop named Zephyr to the fearless racer named F-8, the characters add depth and dimension to the game's story.”
    • “While the story follows a classic Need for Speed style, offering different missions and challenges for both sides increases the game's replayability.”
    • “The story is tedious and awful.”
    • “And the story is so boring and generic it might as well not exist.”
    • “There is barely any story.”
  • stability111 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous reports of frequent freezes, crashes, and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Players have experienced issues such as map loading failures, random game freezes, and server connection problems, leading to frustration and loss of progress. While some enjoy the game despite these issues, many recommend avoiding the PC version due to its instability compared to console versions.

    • “I've only got 6 hours on the game so far and I can probably count the number of times I've had to restart the game due to some bug freezing me in place forever.”
    • “This game is very good, but there is one problem, and that is that I play at 30 fps instead of 60-200 fps, but it's not very buggy for me and I like this game, 9/10 (that -1 point for the fps).”
    • “So, in short, the game would be nice if you could actually play with your friends and have a decent, bug-free experience.”
    • “The game is really good even with my low-end PC I can play, but on some parts of the map my frames are gone with few freezes. Sometimes there are way too many bugs for the game to be enjoyable, like the map not loading, leading you to fall into the void forever, forcing you to restart the game.”
    • “After completing the racer career part of Need for Speed (NFS) Rivals once in 20 hours as good as possible, I switched to the cop career part of the game and it has gotten increasingly buggy and therefore annoying, with in-game crashes partially recovered by merging online games on the server, resulting in continuous bugs during gameplay or the game collapsing entirely during gameplay without recovery due to massive stability issues.”
    • “The game often freezes, crashes, or oftentimes the map just doesn't load at all, which leaves you floating in the air.”
  • music105 mentions

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the decent soundtrack that features a blend of dark electronic and EDM tracks, which enhance the high-speed racing experience. However, some users criticize the limited selection and repetitive nature of the songs, with a few describing the music as outdated or annoying. Overall, while the soundtrack has its highlights, it may not appeal to everyone, leading some players to prefer using their own music instead.

    • “The soundtrack is actually pretty decent, feels like something that could be in Horizon 1 with some darker experimental artists like Gary Numan to Brick + Mortar and Knife Party.”
    • “Rivals features a heart-pounding soundtrack that perfectly complements the high-speed action of the races and pursuits.”
    • “The music is really good, and the way it's louder the faster you drive makes for a good adrenaline kick.”
    • “Worst of all, the music is such trash that I had to turn it off... never had to do that with any other game... barely worth the 3 dollars I paid for it.”
    • “There are 29 songs in total, and most are bad and forgettable.”
    • “Tbh the music is wack, I just turn it down and play my Spotify.”
  • optimization51 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received significant criticism, particularly for its poor performance on PC, where players report issues such as a 30 fps cap, stuttering, and frequent crashes. While the graphics are praised for their quality, the overall experience is marred by technical problems that make it less enjoyable, especially compared to console versions. Many users recommend playing on consoles instead, as the PC port appears to be a subpar adaptation with limited customization and performance options.

    • “The graphics are superb and shockingly optimized, the gameplay is a fun kind of chaotic, very pretty terrain and areas, and the AI cops and racers put up a dang good fight.”
    • “[✔️] ⚙️ smooth performance: rivals maintains a smooth and consistent performance, even during the most intense moments of gameplay.”
    • “From visual upgrades to performance enhancements, players can create their ultimate racing machine to dominate the streets of Redview County.”
    • “It's okay, I guess, the biggest issue is easily its optimization; it loves to crash and lag for no real reason, which is annoying as your progress only saves at safehouse places. The online is surprisingly still alive though.”
    • “The game poorly optimized with a 30 fps lock.”
    • “This game is not optimized for PC and is a clear console port.”
  • grinding24 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be extensive and often tedious, with many suggesting it requires a significant time investment to progress. While some enjoy the risk/reward mechanics of grinding, others criticize the repetitive nature of races and the frustrating loss of progress due to AI interference. The progression system is seen as less grindy compared to other modern games, but the necessity for upgrades and the potential for pay-to-win elements remain points of contention.

    • “The progression system is not grindy like modern games and just naturally flows with player engagement.”
    • “Compared to games like Forza Horizon and The Crew, NFS Rivals' world is so small that the roads and races became grindingly repetitive after a few hours.”
    • “The map, cars, and graphics are good, but the only thing I hate is when you're grinding races and have a lot of speed points, then get wrecked by an AI cop and lose 50,000 speed points.”
    • “There are a lot of cars, but they are useless without upgrades, so there is a lot of grinding if you plan on switching cars.”
  • replayability14 mentions

    Overall, the game offers good replayability through its open-world environment, dynamic events, and online multiplayer mode, providing players with various missions and challenges. However, some users feel that the ease of the cop campaign and repetitive grinding can diminish long-term engagement, suggesting that while the game is enjoyable initially, it may not sustain replay value as effectively as other titles in the series.

    • “While the story follows a classic Need for Speed style, offering different missions and challenges for both sides increases the game's replayability.”
    • “Rivals offers endless replayability with its open-world environment, dynamic events, and online multiplayer mode.”
    • “The replayability aspect and the extra unlockable things in the career mode adds so much.”
    • “While I did enjoy the game, I'd say that it would be a lot more replayable if the cops weren't so easy.”
    • “All in all, the game isn't bad but doesn't provide as much content and replayability as I expected it to.”
    • “I think it's fun for a while, but eventually the cop campaign just requires you to grind speed points; it gets super repetitive and doesn't have the same replay value as other NFS games.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by its intentionally poor controls and forced tutorials, which lead to comical situations, such as crashing into walls during interruptions. Players find the voice acting amusingly cringe-worthy, and the overall serious tone of the story often results in unintentional hilarity. Additionally, the game's mechanics, like the lack of risk from police and the absurdity of accidents, contribute to a fun and entertaining experience, especially when playing with friends.

    • “Also the voice acting when you pick challenges is cringe and funny to listen to.”
    • “- a 'story' that tries to be too serious but fails and overall feels hilarious instead.”
    • “Likewise the inability to pause in the world due to 'connectedness' is often hilarious when the aforementioned forced tutorials decide to rudely interrupt and force you to crash into a wall.”
  • atmosphere8 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its vibrant graphics, dynamic weather conditions, and day-night cycles, which enhance the intensity of races and chases. Players appreciate the immersive aesthetic and handling, often considering it one of the best in the genre, despite some performance issues on the PC version. Overall, the atmosphere contributes significantly to the game's engaging and chaotic racing experience.

    • “Weather conditions and day-night cycles keep the atmosphere lively, adding strategic depth to races and chases.”
    • “There is an awesome sense of on-the-edge handling and the atmosphere and weather make for a really intense chase/drive.”
    • “I gotta say though the atmosphere and visuals are probably the best I've ever seen.”
    • “Graphics and atmosphere are lacking, making the game feel flat and uninspired.”
    • “The atmosphere feels empty and fails to immerse players in the game world.”
    • “While the weather conditions and day-night cycles are a nice touch, they don't significantly enhance the overall atmosphere.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has received mixed feedback, with some players appreciating the absence of microtransactions, while others criticize the focus on graphics over gameplay and the overall lack of passion in the game's development. Many feel that the current iteration prioritizes monetization strategies over delivering a rich gaming experience, reminiscent of older titles in the series.

    • “It is an okay version of NFS, but I prefer the old NFSMW and NFSU2 because you can sense the passion of the old devs towards those games. Unlike this one, it is just all about the graphics and monetization.”
    • “Don't add microtransactions.”
    • “It has no microtransactions.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is mixed; while some players express frustration with its short open world, boring story, and repetitive missions, others have a strong attachment, highlighting their return to complete both campaigns and purchase the game again. This dichotomy suggests that while the narrative may not resonate with everyone, it can evoke a deep connection for some players.

    • “I loved this game so much that after buying it on Origin and barely touching it years ago, I came back to it, finished both campaigns, and bought it on Steam.”
    • “Nope, incredibly short open world, boring story, repetitive missions, annoying cops as much as you couldn't even imagine.”
    • “Overall boring storyline/progression.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Need for Speed Rivals

Play time

3hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
13hMain story
34hCompletionist
2-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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