Criterion's re-launch of "Hot Pursuit" is a great NFS game.

User Rating: 9 | Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit PS3
"Hot Pursuit" was one of the gifts I recieved this past Christmas. As of now, I have played it for a few hours and believe it's the best NFS game in years. The developers at Criterion ("Burnout" franchise) have basically remade "Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit II". Those who've played that PS2/XBOX game will certainly be glad. In this new version, you can still choose to play two single player modes, as a cop and as a racer. There is also the addition of online play where you can join races, pursuits or duels. Duels are 1-on-1 races, pursuits (my favorite) features racers outrunning cops, and races are just that, a race to the finish. During pursuits, cops can launch helicopter attacks, emps, spike strips and roadblocks. While racers can use turbo, radio jammers, spike strips and emps against their police counterparts. So the trick car vs. trick car gives the game a car combat-like quality.

The game's selection of vehicles is every bit as expansive as in "Hot Pursuit II". There are plenty of licensed exotic and sports cars that will thrill purists. And the online modes benefits greatly from Autolog, a Facebook-like network system that encourages online competition. I've already acheived 14 trophies just by progressing in the career mode and playing online. There is no real "weight" to the cars. "Hot Pursuit" contains aracade-style racing. It's easy to drift, make tight turns and unleash nitro. Criterion also added their "Burnout"-sensibility with a "Crash" cam that activates after a car takes enough damage. The sense of speed seems to just as fast as it was in "Hot Pursuit II". EA Soundtrack is about as diverse as it was in "Burnout Paradise".

Overall, "Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit" is the most enjoyable racer I've played in while. I loved HP II for the PS2 and equally enjoy this HP every bit as much. Criterion and NFS fans will be pleased with this latest entry in the series. It's the best installment in years.