Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Highly addictive"

Criterion's "Need for Speed: Most Wanted" has more in common with their own "Burnout Paradise" than the classic "Need for Speed: Most Wanted". That'll either disappoint you or thrill you. Personally, I wish there was more of the old "Most Wanted" in this new version. This game plays more like "Paradise" but with licensed cars and police chases thrown in. However, once you get into it, the game holds up rather well. It's not as good nor as innovative as "Paradise", but it's also more challenging and expansive than the original "Most Wanted". That being said, I also wish there was more of a narrative. The game places you in a car and gives you the goal of partaking in various races. As you rank up, you gain access to race 10 superfast cars. Beat the drivers and you can acquire their vehicles becoming the "Most Wanted" in the process. That's it. There are no campy, stylish cutscenes that propel a story like in the original MW.

Unfortunately, Criterion has also taken out two key features from the first game: body customization and "Pursuit Breakers". You can no longer modify car appearances nor create major havoc for the police by ramming into objects that tumble down. Also, the "Speed Breaker" feature of the original MW isn't featured. However, "Milestones" (in-game achievements) do return and logs of stats replace the "rap sheets" of the original. The game includes over 140 licensed cars that can be driven right from the get-go. With the exception of the "Blacklist" vehicles, you don't have to win races to unlock rides, you find them by exploring the expansive map of Fairhaven. And as you drive, you earn "speed points" which in turn upgrade car performance and unlock "Most Wanted" races. Each vehicle is assigned five races and if you earn first or second place, you're awarded with performance parts.

The game features four type of races: Circuit, Sprint, Speedrun and Ambush. You win the first two types by finishing first, while "Speedrun" is won by having the highest average speed. "Ambush" is a mode in which you must outrun and lose the police. The game's blistering sense of speed and easy controls make the races extremely intense, yet highly enjoyable. But the rules of "Burnout" make their appearance. You can "takedown" opponents by ramming into them and your nitro automatically refills by driving skillfully (drifting, slipstreaming, catching air, etc). If you're connected to the internet, the Autolog feature tracks your progress and acheivements. It recommends beating your friends times' for extra speed points. However, there is no Facebook-like "wall" where you can write comments just like in Criterion's "Hot Pursuit".

Online multiplayer includes its own stats and rules. It's less structured and more open-world with a series of "party games" that can be either cooperative or competitive or both. You begin by meeting up at the starting line with other racers (up to 7) and contest in a series of five games. These challenges consist of races, drifting, jumping or just parking. In between challenges, you can takedown the others for extra speed points. And at the conclusion, the name of each winner is displayed. As in the single player mode, you unlock parts (and license plates) by completing milestones. But unlike single player, there are "Call of Duty"- like perks that can be added to your vehicle.

Overall, if you're a fan of both "Need for Speed" and "Burnout", you can't go wrong with this new "Most Wanted". It may not be too much like the original but it features some thrilling police chases (which sadly don't make the jump online) and a great open-world similar to the one in "Burnout Paradise". It also has a great selection of cars and the sense of speed is awesome. Now that Criterion has made solid new versions of "Hot Pursuit" and "Most Wanted", they can now resurrect the "Underground" series.