Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005) for Xbox, PS2, Xbox 360, PC, PS3, PSP, DS, GBA, and Gamecube

 

Racing games have been around since the creation of arcades.  The Classic arcade style of racing met with realisim in The Need for Speed, a mid 90s racing game, and the first in the popular NFS series.  9 games later we have Most Wanted, which is one of the best racing games released for 6th generation consoles.

 

GAMEPLAY

You can expect the core of racing video games, to be in every single one, you can drive.  But in NFS: MW you take that and add it to an open city, where you can drive around, ram into cars, smash signs, take on challenges, evade the police.  I did start to wonder where all of the citizens of rockport were, because the streets were empty!  Yeah sure, there are civilians driving thier car to and fro, but none are out walking on the sidewalks.  Also when you start a race, you can only do laps in the course, there is no freeroam aspect.  The civilian cars also disappear when you start a race.  As for the cops, you need to look out for them, if they see you, they'll start pursuing you.  The more they chase you, the more heat is on your car, so you'll have to change the color at "The Shop".  The most realistic part of the driving, is that you must brake to take on sharp turns.  For each racer on the blacklist, you must complete a set number of races, and challenges.  There are 15 sets of challenges on the blacklist.  The gameplay of the portable versions is different.

 

STORY

You, A hot shot racer, come's to town, and gets challenged to race.  The other racer sabotages, your car and wins, leaving you to be arrested.  When you are released, you find out that the other racer used your car to beat the entire blacklist.  You set out to work your way up the ladder and claim title that should be yours, Most Wanted.

 

GRAPHICS

Now for the PS2, Xbox and Gamecube versions, the graphics are quite phenomenal, looking very realistic for thier time, and as always, not as good as thier modern counterparts.  The PS3, Xbox 360, and PC versions, the graphics are realistic, with superb textures.  If you have ever played any racing game, on whatever console you have, you'll probually be able to guess what it wiil look like.  The cutscenes mix live action, with CGI effects, and are still good compared to newer games.

 

AGE

This game, is rated T, but there is some content that is not for younger players, women are displayed in a manner that is suggestive, and the cop chases are violent.  Ages 11 and up.

 

CONCLUSION

Most Wanted is a very fun racing game, and is on almost any platform, so that can open up the possiblility of it's availablility for you.  Anyone that loves a good racing game should have this game, and I give it a 8 out of 10.