Joyverter - Review - Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit

Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:23 PM

Solid gameplay, for both singleplayer and multiplayer.

Awesome multiplayer features.

Lots of licensed cars.

Tight controls.

No vehicle modifications
No custom single race.

After so many times, NFS franchise loses its identity, which also cause so many disappointment, finally EA, with the help of the Burnout maker, Criterion returns Need for Speed series into its roots, where racers with exotic cars being chased by cops …without any need of story.

More Destructive than Ever!

NFS Hot Pursuit takes place in a fictional state of Seacrest Country. Just like the classic series, player can either play as the racers or the cops, where each side has its own events: Hot Pursuit mode for both sides. Race, time trial, duel, and gauntlet for the racers. As well as interception, rapid response for the cops. By completing a race (or bust those racers, as a cop), player will get bounty points, which is necessary to unlock newer cars and events.

Does This Screenshot Remind You of Some Game?

Also because of Criterion involvement who are famous for its destructiveness feature, NFS: Hot Pursuit has many Burnout series influences where Player can takedown any cop car and also rival cars as well! Moreover, both the racers and cops have several kinds of ‘weapons’ that can be deployed like spike strips, EMPs, Helicopter, turbo, and jammer. Finally, if you had enough with the racing and pursuit, you can take your ride to explore the Seacrest Country.

Multiplayer plays vital role in this game, thanks to Speedwall and Autolog features. Speedwall records your best time, while Autolog updates the record in the internet, so that other players can try to beat your best record via Autolog Recommend. Also, you can comment each other by sharing photos/in-game screenshots just like in the Facebook. Sadly, since this NFS follows the classic NFS’ path, so don’t expect to customize your car, except for its paint job. And strangely, there’s no custom/single race mode either.

Speaking of cars, NFS HP has dozens of the finest sports cars for either the racers or the cops. And imagine this, in this game; even cops can drive Bugatti Veyron as their duty cars! Each cars also have an accurate description and details within it.

Presentation

Police Car never been this EXTREME!

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit’s graphic is above average and quite polished. Even for the traffic cars, which details are usually ‘neglected’. However, don’t expect realistic vehicle damages like in Burnout, as even the most fatal crashes only resulting in dents and bumper loss.

For the music and sound effect, it’s still top notch as usual. As usual, EA hires some well-known bands for the soundtrack, as well as that NFS original soundtrack during a cop chase.

Overall, Criterion was successful at ‘rebooting’ the Need for Speed franchise, or perhaps it can be said this might be the best Need for Speed out there. This game might be your cup of tea if you are big fans of racing genre with some destructive elements in it. We definitely recommend this game for you, racing fans that need some speed in your racing vein.

By SandG. Edited by RonW.

EA Games & Criterion