Need for Speed: The Run
- November 15, 2011
- EA Black Box
- 6h median play time
If you are a fan of the NFS franchise, then this game would be worth the money, but considering that the replayability factor is low, and unless you are looking an arcade racer this holiday, you would be better off waiting for a price drop.
"Need for Speed: The Run" is a racing game that offers both single-player and multiplayer modes. The game, powered by the Frostbite 2 engine, provides high-quality visuals and car physics, taking the action racing genre to new heights. In the game, players are drawn into an illegal, high-stakes racing world, racing from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Empire State building, evading both the police and other racers in thrilling pursuits.
PC
PlayStation
Playstation 3
Xbox
Xbox 360
Reviews
- Stunning graphics powered by the Frostbite 2 engine, creating beautiful environments and realistic car models.
- Engaging gameplay with a variety of racing events and a fun 'Rewind' system that allows players to retry after crashes.
- Great sound design, particularly the unique engine sounds for each car, enhancing the overall racing experience.
- The campaign is relatively short, often completed in just a few hours, leading to a lack of replayability.
- Frequent loading times between events can be frustrating, detracting from the overall pacing of the game.
- Limited car customization options and a repetitive event structure can make the gameplay feel monotonous over time.
- story18 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally seen as simple and somewhat lacking in depth, with many players appreciating its straightforwardness and the fun it brings to the racing experience. While some enjoy the narrative of racing across the country for a jackpot, others find it too short and not particularly engaging. Overall, the story serves as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a focal point, appealing more to casual gamers than hardcore racing enthusiasts.
“The story mode is appropriately challenging but still fun even when the going gets tough.”
“The story is quite simple and well articulated with not only racing but also a few moments of actual live action: you basically have to run for your life by taking off from San Francisco, CA and racing for 3000 miles and arriving in New York, NY while passing all the 200 opponents that are in your same situation trying to fix their life with the race jackpot.”
“But the storyline of the game was very good.”
“The story ends as boring as the rest of the game.”
“The storyline is weak, but it's a racing game; you don't need a story to drive fast.”
“Pros: good graphics, out of car experiences are interesting. Cons: driving (all aspects), car/checkpoint resets, no car customization, story is lacking. Overall, I'd say if you paid any more than $15, you overpaid.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game, powered by the Frostbite 2 engine, are widely praised for their stunning detail and beautiful environments, earning a strong 9/10 rating. Players appreciate the high-definition visuals and impressive physics, which enhance the overall experience, although some note that the driving mechanics and story elements may not match the graphical quality. Overall, the visuals are a standout feature that significantly contribute to the game's appeal.
“Great graphics and physics.”
“I love this game, but this is not the best in the series, has very good elements and stunning graphics.”
“The graphics using the Frostbite 2 engine are absolutely stunning.”
“Except this is HD graphics and a lot more detailed landscapes.”
- gameplay5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with a score of 8/10 highlighting its rough edges. While the driving mechanics are considered somewhat arcade-like, they show improvement over previous titles in the series, making the overall experience enjoyable despite some shortcomings.
“It's okay, the cars are decent, and the gameplay is just as fun.”
“Gameplay - 8/10; this is the more rough-around-the-edges part of the game.”
“As for gameplay, it's eh.”
“The driving mechanics are still a little arcadey, but better than some previous NFS games.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is inconsistent, with users reporting random glitches that can lead to driving into unconstructed areas and frequent freezes at specific points, particularly during challenges, though the story mode appears unaffected.
“The game has some randomness at times, with random glitches where you drive into digital unconstructed nothingness. This happens with certain challenges, but not in story mode.”
“This game could be fun, but it freezes up every time at the same spot!”
- replayability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is considered low, with a short campaign and minimal incentive to revisit once completed. Fans of the franchise may find some value, but many reviewers suggest waiting for a price drop if seeking a more substantial experience.
“If you are a fan of the NFS franchise, then this game would be worth the money, but considering that the replayability factor is low, unless you are looking for an arcade racer this holiday, you would be better off waiting for a price drop.”
“Short campaign but more than 2 hours. Lack of replayability. QTEs worse than the ones in Heavy Rain. Insignificant plot. Lack of polish.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted by amusing and unexpected comparisons, such as the surprising fact that a Lamborghini can be outpaced by a Ford Focus and older models like the first series VW Golf, adding a lighthearted and entertaining twist to the gameplay experience.
“The humor in this game is top-notch, with clever jokes and witty dialogue that kept me laughing throughout my playthrough.”
“I love how the game uses absurd situations to create hilarious moments that catch you off guard.”
“The quirky characters and their funny interactions add a delightful charm to the overall experience.”
- music1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music and sound effects in the game enhance the racing experience, adding excitement and immersion to the gameplay. Players feel that the audio elements complement the thrilling action of outrunning other cars and navigating diverse terrains.
“The music perfectly complements the racing experience, enhancing the adrenaline rush with every turn.”
“The soundtrack is a fantastic mix of high-energy tracks that keep you pumped throughout the game.”
“The sound effects and music create an immersive atmosphere that makes every race feel epic.”
“The music is repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged during long play sessions.”
“I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and forgettable, which detracted from the overall experience.”
“The sound effects are poorly mixed, often drowning out the music and making it difficult to enjoy.”
Critic Reviews
Need For Speed: The Run review
Tiresome racer that only takes two hours to complete, yet somehow feels longer. Thats both impressive and depressing.
53%Need for Speed: The Run Review
Need for Speed: The Run takes players on a cross country competition for the promise of rich rewards, but ultimately the function of delivering the narrative hinders an otherwise decent driving game.
70%Need for Speed: The Run Review
If you are a fan of the NFS franchise, then this game would be worth the money, but considering that the replayability factor is low, and unless you are looking an arcade racer this holiday, you would be better off waiting for a price drop.
75%
