The core racing is solid, but the frame rate problems and easy difficulty prevent this from being a masterpiece.
First, when I began playing it, the races were too easy to beat. If I didn't make any major mistakes (like banging against the wall), I was always way ahead of the other cars. They would just never catch up to me, and I won every single race without any frustration. Even in the one versus one battles, the traffic is very small which makes the races even easier to win. The cars still have a sense of speed.
Second, I also noticed a ton of frame drops and frame rate issues. Sometimes glitches begin to appear, and they appear all in black shadows. Everything else starts to shake and jerk around. The frame rate problems don't always happen to me, but the corners on the screen are still shaky when the sun glares on my car sometimes.
Third, IGN also mentioned which is very true that you can't find any races when you are driving in free roam area. To start a race, you press a button, a map would appear. Then can you select any race you want.
Although this game still has online play, there aren't that many modes to choose from. You can either do Cops and Robbers, dashes, or circuit races. Like Need for Speed Most Wanted, the chasing cops are back. When they chase you around the map, you can avoid them very easily within a minute of two.
The good - has online play, cop chasing is back, cars have a sense of speed
The bad - races are way too easy in the beginning of the game, graphical issues including frame drops occasionally, can't find races in free roam
Presentation -6 There is a story mode, but you just basically see a woman smoking her cigarettes. The story line sucks, but the actual game play is rather solid. Career mode is still pretty lengthy.
Graphics - 6 The environments look colorful and almost realistic, but there are also countless frame drops and glitches.
Sound - 6 There is some nice hip-hop music, but the music doesn't sound too engaging. The sound effects are passable.
Game play - 8 The cars do have a sense of speed, and the turning is very responsive. You can do sharp turns which is pretty cool.
Lasting Approval - 7 There is an online play where you do cops and robbers. There is still a local multiplayer mode.
6.6 out of 10 Gamespot Score 6.5 out of 10