Need for Speed Undercover

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 2,411 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Need for Speed Undercover Game Cover
Grave performance issues, a bland narrative, and a condescending level of difficulty burn through most of Need for Speed Undercover's potential for fun.
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In Need for Speed Undercover, players become a police officer going undercover to infiltrate a street racing syndicate. The game features high-speed racing across open-world environments, intense police chases, and a variety of licensed cars. Missions include street races, time trials, and escaping pursuing authorities, with the ultimate goal of dismantling the criminal organization from within.

Play Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 2,411 reviews
story142 positive mentions
stability48 negative mentions
  • story593 mentions

    The story in "Need for Speed: Undercover" is often described as cheesy and predictable, with many reviewers noting its lack of depth and coherence. While some players found it engaging enough to provide context for the racing, others criticized it for being disjointed and filled with poorly acted cutscenes. Overall, the narrative serves primarily as a backdrop for the gameplay, with many players suggesting that the racing experience itself is more enjoyable than the story it attempts to convey.

    • “The game offers a thrilling blend of adrenaline-fueled street racing, intense police chases, and a gripping storyline that keeps you hooked from start to finish.”
    • “The story was great and filled with twists and betrayals at every step, living up to its title, growing reminiscent of the first Fast and Furious movie in terms of characters and relationships the player builds due to his persona as an undercover police officer.”
    • “This game was visibly rushed and unpolished and had to live in the shadow of Most Wanted and Carbon, two of the biggest and most celebrated entries to the series, yet this game managed to pull through with a great story, fresh ideas, and an amazing map.”
    • “The story is shallow and nonsensical throughout, but towards the end, you do begin to get invested in it.”
    • “The story is bad, rushed visuals, and terrible optimization.”
    • “The story is complete fluff and the cutscenes add no real value and come across as the worst softcore porn film ever.”
  • graphics416 mentions

    The graphics of "Need for Speed: Undercover" are generally considered outdated and plagued by numerous visual bugs, with many reviewers noting that they do not hold up well even for a game released in 2008. While some players appreciate the car models and atmospheric elements, the overall visual presentation is often criticized for being blurry, glitchy, and poorly optimized, leading to a mixed reception. Despite these issues, some players find the graphics acceptable for their time, especially when adjusted with mods or settings tweaks.

    • “The graphics, despite feeling unfinished, were still a step up from previous titles and were quite atmospheric in most places.”
    • “Although this game was made all the way back in 2008, the graphics have aged surprisingly well, especially compared to other games from that time.”
    • “The graphics are amazing for the time it was made.”
    • “The graphics are horrible and can't even pass the first mission.”
    • “The graphics are a complete joke, even if you were to apply mods it still looks shitty.”
    • “The graphics are bad for 2004 let alone 2008.”
  • gameplay203 mentions

    The gameplay of the game is generally described as fun and engaging, reminiscent of earlier titles in the Need for Speed series, particularly "Most Wanted" and "Carbon." However, it suffers from outdated mechanics, graphical issues, and a lack of depth, leading to a repetitive experience for some players. While the police chase mechanics add excitement, the overall driving physics and AI behavior have drawn criticism, making the gameplay feel less polished compared to newer racing games.

    • “The gameplay is great, but the story is god awful.”
    • “Gameplay is fun, as it was still in the golden era of Need for Speed (2002-2010), and there is a heat system with the cops, similar to NFS Most Wanted 2005 and NFS Carbon.”
    • “Need for Speed Undercover is one of the best Need for Speed games, it has one of the best gameplays in years, with a nice story that will have you having fun for hours, totally recommended for everyone who likes a good racing game.”
    • “The worst part about the game is the 'artificial intelligence' - the AI drivers don't rubberband as such, but exhibit weird catch-up mechanics and often traffic literally will pop in front of you to slow you down.”
    • “The gameplay is broken; you don't even have to brake.”
    • “The gameplay is simply boring.”
  • music171 mentions

    The music in "Undercover" is widely praised for its eclectic mix of genres, featuring tracks from notable artists like Nine Inch Nails, Justice, and Pendulum, which many players find nostalgic and fitting for the racing experience. While some reviews highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that enhances gameplay, others criticize the lack of control over song selection and the occasional mismatch between the music and the game's atmosphere. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant aspect of the game, with many players enjoying its energetic vibe despite some mixed opinions on specific tracks.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing just as any other NFS title from that era with songs that fit the world and themes of the game.”
    • “And besides good memories, it also introduced me to a plethora of new music artists like Pendulum, Justice, From First to Last, and Underworld, just to name a few. The soundtrack in this game freakin' slaps.”
    • “I think the only real negative is the music, it's garbage.”
    • “However though, most of the songs don't fit into the game at all and feels like someone just put the top played songs from iTunes on shuffle and decided to pick the first ones that appeared.”
    • “The soundtrack is a solid mix of electronic, rock, and hip-hop, however.”
  • optimization59 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and inconsistent frame rates, particularly on mid-range hardware. While some users noted that it runs well on low-end systems, others experienced severe bugs and poor handling, suggesting that the game is not well-optimized for newer hardware. Overall, the lack of polish and frequent performance problems detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “The vehicle's performance and handling can be improved by purchasing packs.”
    • “Optimization is great, I have a terrible computer and I'm able to play this with at least 40-50 frames with world/vehicle detail/effects on medium.”
    • “But performance upgrades really add something to the vehicle and are very noticeable to the player, as steering becomes more efficient and speed changes definitely, which is, of course, the goal.”
    • “The story is bad, rushed visuals, and terrible optimization.”
    • “Awful performance on GTX 1060 with i5 4670k, on 1440p 144Hz display.”
    • “Tragic optimization and not fun to play at all :( I paid $2 and yet - I still feel robbed :(”
  • stability50 mentions

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of glitches, crashes, and performance issues across various platforms, particularly on Windows 11. While some players experienced only minor bugs, many described the game as a "buggy mess" that detracts significantly from the overall experience. Overall, the lack of polish and frequent technical problems have led to a consensus that the game is not recommended in its current state.

    • “Runs great on my GPD Win (Atom processor handheld PC) without heating up, and looks great too.”
    • “Performance-wise, this runs great.”
    • “Yeah, the game is a buggy mess and crashes all the time.”
    • “The game is highly unpolished and highly buggy.”
    • “It's glitchy, buggy, and barely works.”
  • humor28 mentions

    The humor in this game is largely derived from its outdated technology, over-the-top acting, and absurdly corny storyline, which many players find amusing despite the game's flaws. The cutscenes and character interactions are often described as hilariously bad, contributing to a sense of nostalgia and unintentional comedy. Overall, while the game may not be a masterpiece, its comedic elements provide a source of entertainment for those willing to embrace its shortcomings.

    • “Also, it's hilarious to see the really old technology in this, flip-phones and all!”
    • “The cutscenes are so bad that they are funny; the ending and story is super rushed, worth it on sale but don't expect a masterpiece.”
    • “The police chases are fantastic, and polished much further than Most Wanted; admittedly though, I'll always prefer the downright hilariously poor AI of Most Wanted's cops and their over-the-top voice acting.”
  • grinding22 mentions

    Players consistently express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, describing it as tedious and time-consuming, often requiring excessive playtime to progress or unlock new cars. While some find enjoyment in the grind, many feel that the difficulty is unbalanced and that certain races can become repetitive and infuriating. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant drawback, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “At first I thought NFS Undercover would just be incredibly dull and boring, but in fact it turned out to be the most pathetic, awful, infuriatingly tedious, poorest excuse of a racing game I have ever played. When the credits finally rolled, I just sat there in silence, facepalming for two minutes straight and contemplating how I just wasted 18 hours of my precious lifetime playing this miserable pile of horsecrap.”
    • “The races can go from easy to 'one mistake and you lose' in terms of difficulty, and with the main missions included, they become quickly tedious.”
    • “This means that you'll likely be grinding a lot if you get unlucky and lose your favorite car at a horrible moment, or if you want to get all the cars.”
  • atmosphere10 mentions

    The game's atmosphere receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its vibrant and memorable qualities reminiscent of previous titles like "Need for Speed: Most Wanted," while others criticize the lack of depth and unfinished environments. Although the graphics show improvement, they are often marred by repetitive customization options and low-quality textures. Overall, the atmosphere is seen as a highlight for some, but fails to meet expectations for others seeking a more immersive experience.

    • “Overall, in my opinion, the game delivers a wonderful atmosphere and a great map.”
    • “The graphics, despite feeling unfinished, were still a step up from previous titles and were quite atmospheric in most places.”
    • “The atmosphere is very memorable and vibrant.”
    • “No depth, no challenge, no style, no atmosphere.”
    • “They tried to replicate the atmosphere of Need for Speed: Most Wanted, but it didn't go well.”
    • “I'm not a fan of her, yet she certainly makes the atmosphere a little less boring.”
  • replayability10 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is viewed as moderate, with some players finding it enjoyable enough to revisit for its progression system and racing challenges, while others feel it lacks the memorable qualities of older titles. Ratings vary, with some users giving it a solid 7/10 for replay value, indicating that while it may not be infinitely replayable, it still offers enough content to keep players engaged for multiple sessions.

    • “The progression system and replayability make this game worth revisiting.”
    • “The replay value to try and dominate every single race gives you even more hours of fun (or frustration).”
    • “It has decent replay value, and I enjoy playing Need for Speed games, even ones as bad as this.”
    • “It's not very replayable, but it's good for a game of its era.”
    • “The progression system and replayability are lacking.”
    • “It doesn't quite retain the feel of the edgy Most Wanted vibe, but it has some replay value.”
  • monetization5 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is generally viewed positively, as it features no microtransactions or DLC, allowing players to purchase the game for a low price of $10. However, some users criticize it as a cash grab, suggesting that the overall quality does not justify its release.

    • “Of course, there are better, more action-packed NFS games out there, like Most Wanted, Hot Pursuit, and The Run, but it's still a great game for the price it is. It will run on most modern computers, doesn't need an internet connection, and there's no DLC or any sort of microtransactions.”
    • “Well, there are no microtransactions, there's no DLC, you get the game for just $10, the graphics are decent enough, and it runs well.”
    • “This one was a cash grab.”
    • “To put it simply, to call Need for Speed: Undercover anything but a pathetic cash grab is an insult to the entire gaming community.”
    • “Of course, there are better, more action-packed NFS out there, like Most Wanted, Hot Pursuit, and The Run, but it's still a great game for the price it is and that will run on most modern computers, doesn't need an internet connection, and there's no DLC or any sort of microtransactions.”
  • emotional5 mentions

    Despite numerous criticisms regarding graphics, driving mechanics, and repetitive gameplay, some users express a strong emotional connection to the game, indicating that it resonates with them on a personal level. However, the overall experience is marred by issues such as cheating AI and frustrating gameplay elements, which detract from the emotional engagement.

    • “From an emotional standpoint, I love it.”
    • “The graphics are wack; max resolution is 1920x1080. Driving is bad, the soundtrack is boring, the story is dull, and the races are repetitive.”
    • “Cheating AI, graphic bugs, horrific cutscenes, and a boring story.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

61% average critic score

Buy Need for Speed Undercover

Play time

15hMedian play time
73hAverage play time
11hMain story
21hCompletionist
10-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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