Need for Speed: Most Wanted

First, the gameplay and graphics are wonderful. The story was enjoyable and the actors were quite good (except the Mia actress). The game is addicting and has many great cars. I do wish they would add Saleen Mustangs and Roush Mustangs. Also, I would love to be able to choose to be a female driver with a handsome "significant other" rather than Mia, who I am not attracted to since I am not a lesbian. I do find this sexist. One thing I love about the "Fast And Furious" films because they have strong female leads who drive just as well (if not better) than the men. Le'ts see these games do that.

That said, there were a few things so wrong. First, Cross's female partner was all wrong. The actress was OK, but female cops are not allowed to dress like that! The fact that she was in a marked police car with lights and siren tell you she was not undercover; therefore, her attire was inappropriate.

Also, NFS: Underground 2 had so many many many many vinyls and body kit items to choose from; but this one had so much fewer and we could not layer the vinyls. I really loved those old splash-style vinyls and want those back! Finally, I am so tired of the perfection of opponent drivers; they are much too perfect: they seldom crash, they always avoid traffic, and when they rarely do crash they recover immediately. Also, I sometimes see that I very far ahead and then at the last moment another car gets this big boost of speed and zips by as if I am suddenly on a bicycle! Jeff Gordon couldn't even do that and we all know how good a driver he is.

First of all, I know this is about 3 years late and you're probably a successful businessman or IT guy, but I just need to say this and it's better late than never, right? So I realise you may not like this game, but I think you're missing the point. If you haven't won any races after winning it? you must suck. Sorry. I'm not at all a gamer and even I can do it. And the bad physics and weird things like that don't matter, it's supposed to be a fun little game to just play around on. You want realistic? Hell you've got Forza. Any more realistic and you'd actually be in a car.

Anyhoo...the point is NFS is where you get to do crazy stupid things, like go into a turn at 300kph and somehow get around. Or sometimes crash and look like an idiot.

In the end, fair enough if you don't like it.

And btw, it stands up very well over time. Have a good life :D

Before I go and write down what the 3 versions I mentioned before are like, Let me just say that NFS: most wanted should definitely be the face for racing games everywhere. The graphics are amazing, the story is enjoyable, and the gameplay is fun and addicting.

Following the line of games from NFS: Underground, NFS: Underground 2, NFS most wanted and NFS: carbon, You've just left Bayview City to come to Rockport City to challenge the blacklist, the toughest racers around. Unfortunately, your first day in the City, you meet with RPD's toughest cop, Sergeant Cross. He keys your car, leaving to deal with a dangerous pursuit. in the days that follow, you win races to enter a blacklist race against Razor, one of the meanest street racers around. He secretly screws up your car, and wins the race, taking your car as a prize. after seeing him leave, the police arrive and haul you off to jail.

However, you are sprung out of the joint, because there's no proof you were involved with the street racing. You are picked up by Mia, who is willing to help you get your car back, in exchange to make side bets on your races to get rich. she supports you with safehouses, and a ride to the car shops for a brand new car. from here the game starts. it's up to you to defeat the whole blacklist and get back your car from Razor, who has used that car to go to the top.

GAMECUBE VERSION

The Gamecube version is probably the worst port of all. The graphics aren't as good, There's no online play and the Soundtrack is badly butchered, due to the size of Gamecube discs. However, the controls are pretty good and the Game doesn't freeze as often as the other versions.

PLAYSTATION 2 VERSION

The Playstation 2 version is probably the one i'd recommend, due to it's availability and improved graphics over the Gamecube. On top of that, the soundtrack is all there. Unfortunately, sometimes the controller can be a pain. I don't know if it's just my controller, but sometimes the X button fails (I noticed the same problem in NFS: Carbon) and it doesn't happen on just one controller. So the right joystick is a decent alternative for an accelerator. Another thing, some copies of the game freeze, so it's kind of frustrating when you make it to the end, and the game freezes. some copies do that, others don't.

XBOX 360 VERSION

In terms of graphics, this version blows the others way thanks to HD compatibility. In terms of soundtrack, you can have your own. just go to the Xbox 360's Music player, play your own music, and you're all set. The controls are also spot on, thanks to a good controller. the only 2 problems I have with this game, is that it freezes on occasion (but unlike some of the PS2 discs, you can get to the end of the game) and the real-time sun movement is really a pain, especially during a sunrise or a sunset. the sun gets in your eyes and you can't see where you're going.

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Bottom line, this game is a milestone in gaming (i'm not kidding) and I recommend you play it, no matter who you are.

10/10

This game was amazing, running from the cops and taking on the black list, only to blast off end leave it all in the end. Seriously awesome game back in the day.

Racing games aren't really my thing, unless they fall under the gimmicky umbrella such as Mario Kart or other battle style car games. For this reason I've never liked the Need for Speed games, to me they're just chavvy generic games where wannabe racer boys can customize their car to look as trashy as possible complete with ridiculous spoiler.

I ended up getting Most Wanted and I don't even remember quite why and being frankly blown away. Fine, put aside the street racing "Isn't it cool to be a criminal" childishness and all the customization (Which actually I enjoyed to an extent) and you've got the police evasion addition and I really quite liked it.

Generic racing is a plenty sure, but it looked good for its time and had a killer soundtrack. These types of games usually have nothing but moronic dance "Music" sided with rap but here there was lots of rock/metal including Bullet For My Valentine and Static X.

So racing around this impressive city, with those tracks blasting and the adrenaline of evading the army of police cars behind me while at the same time dodging sets of spikes tossed across my path?! Great stuff.

Truth be told there hasn't been another Need For Speed game I've enjoyed since, not even the reboot of this very title from 2012. But we'll always have this wonderful little gem.

The Good:

Great soundtrack

Looks great

Police evasion is a lot of fun

The Bad:

Still just a Need For Speed game at its core

I feel chavvy just playing it