Need for Speed: Carbon

McLane, the game isn't THAT bad. It wasn't a waste of money, granted it wasn't the best game, but there aren't that little cars, maybe 3 or 4 less than what MW had, but what they lack in cars they make up for in body kits and fully customizable body kits with the molding ability, that and you can import your own paint jobs too. The story line is great too. The game I think deserves more than what you give it credit for. Its the first of its kind, really to continue the story from Most Wanted. Its good game but I do suggest buying Most Wanted before Carbon if you've yet to play it, otherwise the storyline wont make as much sense. ALSO, they added true American Muscle to the game. FINALLY the 67' Charger makes it's well deserved appearance!

This is the best one as far as story and gameplay and I love the crew racing. My favorite rival was Angie. The crew remarks were quite entertaining and they made racing more fun. Like I said with "NFS Most Wanted," this should also have the choice of a female driver and to see a female arrested in the police video shots in the game. For a female player, the roles of Darius and Nikki could be swapped.

I was so disappointed in the continual decreasing in the number of vinyls for the car and no contest was held this time. EA is becoming lazy, I believe.

Why was it in Tier 3, all the muscle car opponents had no Mustangs? They all had Challengers, Vipers, and Corvettes. I do like all these cars, but I also like Mustangs.

I would like to see future NFS games add Saleen and Roush Mustangs for players to have. It would be fun to race Cross.

I would, no matter, like to see NFS return to this. "NFS The Run" was no more than a "Grand Theft Auto" knock-off and awful; and I want this back. I want my own name, not Jack (so over-used in games and movies and TV) and not Player (NFS Undercover). I want my name.

After the resounding success of "Need for Speed: Most Wanted", which set the bar for street racing to an unattainable (in my opinion) height, the next game in the series had to, if not surpass its predecessor, then at least stay at the same level. "Need for Speed: Carbon" seemed promising to me: night chases, cool cars, a new system of team races. But in fact, it turned out that the magic of the series had gone somewhere.

The plot is once again about bad guys and cars. The story in "Carbon" continues the "Most Wanted" line, but it does it rather weakly. Our hero arrives in the city of Palmont after the finale of the events of the previous game, but faces problems. He is immediately greeted by the well-known police officer Cross from the last iteration, and then the crime boss Darius is announced, who accuses us of running away with a large sum of money. To prove our coolness (and innocence), we will have to prove ourselves again - build a racing empire, capturing city districts and defeating street gang leaders. Along the way, there will be pompous antagonists who are even difficult to take seriously. Unlike the same Razor from "Most Wanted", the local villains are more like caricatures of Hollywood bad guys. There will also be a friend who helps. The role of the heroine is played by Emmanuel Vaujier. But her charisma is clearly inferior to Josie Maran from the last game.

The gameplay has remained familiar: we drive around the open world, participate in races, assemble new cars and tune them. But Carbon tried to bring something new. For example, the territory system. Now the city is divided into districts controlled by different groups. By defeating them in races, we expand our territory. It sounds good in theory, but in practice it quickly turns into a routine. And in terms of time, such a passage takes little time. By the way, the whole game is much shorter than its predecessors.

There are team races - now we have teammates who help in the races - block rivals or pave a shorter path. But their intelligence leaves much to be desired: sometimes they really help, and more often they just get in the way. Honestly, sometimes you think that it would be better to travel alone than with such assistants. The canyon races are memorable. This is one of the main features of Carbon, dueling on winding mountain trails. There is a real sense of tension here, and this is the mechanic I remember the most. And the infuriating chuckles of the opponents that turned on the screen when you made a mistake on some sharp turn. Otherwise, it's still the same "Need for Speed", but with less spectacular chases and a less catchy atmosphere.

If "Most Wanted" impresses with the bright daylight of an autumn city, then "Carbon" has completely gone into darkness. The city seems to be drowned in shades of gray and blue, street lights and bright effects do not save the situation, and the general feeling of gloom depresses rather than adds to the entourage. Yes, perhaps the developers wanted to repeat the "Underground" style, but instead of a stylish night city, they got a visual style that was not the most pleasing to the eye.

"Need for Speed: Carbon" tried to repeat the success of the previous installments, but in the end it turned out to be a pale copy of their best ideas. The racing is still good, there are enough cars, and the canyon duels are really exciting, but otherwise it's a step back (or even two). The graphics have become darker and less pleasant, the plot is lame on all possible legs, and innovations could not save the situation. After the "Most Wanted" drive, playing "Carbon" was more of an obligation than a pleasure.

5 out of 10.

Need for Speed Carbon is one of the most thrilling installments in the Need for Speed franchise and serves as a narrative continuation of NFS Most Wanted. The game showcases significant improvements in both visual and technical aspects, which are immediately noticeable. Carbon continues to enhance the street racing atmosphere while introducing new mechanics that add depth and variety to the gameplay.

One of the first noticeable improvements in Need for Speed Carbon is the visual effects. The graphics received a major upgrade compared to previous installments, offering a more realistic look for the city, cars, and tracks. The lighting, shadows, and weather conditions make the races even more dynamic and engaging. Even the details of the urban environment look lively, adding to the atmosphere during races, especially at night when neon lights illuminate the asphalt.

Regarding the technical aspects, the developers have made numerous improvements to the game mechanics. The biggest innovation is the addition of new cars and their classification into different classes. Players can now choose between various car categories: exotic cars, tuners, and muscle cars. Each of these classes has unique characteristics and driving styles, allowing players to select a vehicle that suits their playstyle. This expands strategic choices and adds more intrigue to each race.

Moreover, car customization has seen significant changes. In NFS Carbon, it is even more detailed, allowing players to modify their cars on a deeper level. Players can tweak visual elements such as body kits, spoilers, rims, and even play with paint and vinyl settings, creating a unique look for their car. More importantly, players can now also adjust technical parameters like the engine, suspension, tires, and other key components. This provides more opportunities to fine-tune the car, creating the perfect machine for each race.

The storyline in NFS Carbon has also evolved, becoming much more engaging compared to the previous installment. The game unveils the stories of various factions competing for control over the city. The player's main goal is to conquer territories through a series of races, adding a strategic element to the game. Each territory features bosses, and defeating them unlocks new opportunities and tracks. This approach keeps the intrigue alive and keeps players on edge throughout the game, as every race is part of a larger strategic plan.

Additionally, the game introduces a new mechanic-teammates in races. This innovation allows players to race alongside virtual partners who help during races. Teammates can use special abilities to assist, such as blocking opponents or giving hints on optimal routes. This adds more strategy to the gameplay, making races more diverse and exciting. Thanks to this feature, the game feels even more dynamic, as you not only race for victory but also interact with partners, forcing you to think through your actions more carefully.

As for the police, they remain an integral part of the game, but their role has slightly changed. Unlike in Most Wanted, where police chases were a key feature, they are less prominent here. Although the police do appear during races, their pursuits feel less intense and frequent. It would have been interesting to see more interactivity with the police, as it could have added even more adrenaline to the game. Nonetheless, even without constant chases, the game retains its dynamic feel thanks to the variety of races and challenges.

Overall, Need for Speed Carbon is an excellent continuation of the series, improving many of the aspects that made NFS Most Wanted successful. Outstanding visual effects, enhanced car customization, an engaging storyline with territorial battles, and the ability to race with teammates add a new level of depth and variety to the game. While the police play a smaller role than in the previous installment, this does not diminish the game's overall quality. For Need for Speed fans, Carbon becomes a true celebration of speed, strategy, and excitement.

The game is good - Tons of things u can fix with your car to maximize the performance for your likings, like auto-sculpting every part of your vehicle, and it's about 7 zones on each autosculpt. Fun races, and nice online-game play. What I hate about the career mode is the fact that it is was too short, if you're a decent racer you can complete your career in 4 hours.

What EA has to work on when releasing the next NFS is to make sure the game lasts, it's way too easy as well, so I really hope they'll increase the level of difficulty, maybe make an option when beginning career that asks for difficulty level.

But overall, great game and I recommend it. 8.0