Need for Speed Carbon Updated Hands-On

By Ricardo Torres, GameSpotPosted Oct 20, 2006 3:32 pm PT

We see how EA's upcoming racer sequel handles on the PlayStation 3.

We had the chance to get a look at the PlayStation 3 version of EA's upcoming entry in the Need for Speed franchise to see what EA's Canadian studio is doing with Sony's hardware. The latest entry in the long-running series plays around with the Need for Speed formula. This year's game is an ambitious expansion of the key features that have made the series popular, and it includes new elements that have come out of the team's research into the racing scene.

The big hooks in Need for Speed Carbon are canyon racing, racing crews, and car-class affiliation. The heart of the game's career mode is a battle for control of a city. The setting is a massive free-roaming metropolis that's bigger than the one seen in last year's Need for Speed Most Wanted. In addition, you'll find massive canyons that will serve as the stage for the unique boss battles. Your goal is to build up a crew of racers to help you take over the city neighborhood by neighborhood and to master the three car classes--tuner, muscle, and exotic. Furthermore, EA's Vancouver-based studio is trying out some interesting expansions of the car-customization feature seen in previous games.

In terms of content, the game is comparable to the Xbox 360 version but does offer unique functionality courtesy of the PS3's Sixaxis controller, which is used to supplement your steering in the game. You'll basically get an assist if you tilt the controller while steering into a turn, which comes in handy on the game's twisty roads. The mechanic is a low-key enhancement to steering that gives a subtle twist to racing. From what we played, the support will vary in effectiveness based on a number of factors, namely your car, your speed, and how tight a turn you're trying to pull. The controller support adds an interesting dimension to control that we're anxious to explore more in-depth.

The other, more-subtle aspect of the game on the PlayStation 3 is its graphical performance, which is on par with its Xbox 360 cousin, albeit with a few flourishes that add some polish to the action. The game features a smooth frame rate and a high level of detail, with just a few spots in need of tightening. Some textures could be cleaner, and the lighting is odd in a few random spots, but we expect that the team will sort out these issues in time for release.

Based on what we've seen, Need for Speed Carbon is looking sharp on the PlayStation 3. The visuals are impressive and feature a glossy style that's complemented by the PlayStation 3's graphical muscle. Though we'd like to have seen a more robust set of features unique to the platform, Need for Speed Carbon is shaping up to be a strong launch title for the PlayStation 3. Look for a full review on the game when it ships alongside the console next month.

74 Comments

  • Aang007

    Posted Dec 10, 2006 8:12 am PT

    so i guess that means they will have free roam...well thats really all i wanted to know about the game so im probaly going to get it but i'll get it for psp because i don't have a ps3.

  • 1Nitemare1

    Posted Nov 16, 2006 1:03 pm PT

    I cant wait till the ps3 comes out (cuz of all the games). I cant wait for NFSC cuz its high resolution (a helllot more than xbox 360...and whoever disagrees and says that xbox 360 is better in any factor,well,they can kiss ma arsenal).

  • Ravenstyle

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 6:52 pm PT

    every need for speed ever to come out was remarkable and just outright fun!! for need for speed carbon the producer made it clear that this game will not just be more of the same, since it will feature goals unlike the previous ones. you actually have a team this time. i like that. graphics will be better and gameplay will be essentially more enjoyable. dont put the blinders on this one is a winner

  • K-cof

    Posted Nov 15, 2006 11:44 am PT

    Its a need for speed and should be treated with the utmost respect
    I personaly have enjoyed everyone of them so far and clich or not i dont really care!
    This one is in the bag

  • DanC1989

    Posted Nov 13, 2006 1:50 am PT

    Same gane, more expensive price. No thanks.

  • aznboi71486

    Posted Nov 10, 2006 5:04 pm PT

    The new screens for NFS Carbon look a tad bit worse. By worse I mean jaggier and more bland. Aren't these screens suppose to be in the PS2 section?

  • a_ratchet_fan

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 6:40 pm PT

    you'd all be surprised... a falcon northwest mach 5 can run you up (!!) 7 grand. Still, jetgodlike's an idiot.

  • AkuCintaPS

    Posted Nov 2, 2006 5:22 am PT

    this game is just to good to be true

  • inchess

    Posted Oct 31, 2006 7:10 pm PT

    well i really just cant wait until the ps3 drop so i can be fullfilled with the new things they have just like the new need 4 speed that is comin out its going 2 be so hard

  • _Sam_

    Posted Oct 28, 2006 5:18 pm PT

    I think that it's looking pretty good, but I'm not amazed

  • Spottie_aka_kam

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 3:11 pm PT

    this game is going to be a number 1...with this huge choice of great cars..the charger 2008 and more...we re going to get wild playing it

  • razu_gamer

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 3:38 am PT

    "xnindoboy
    LOL you guys make me laugh. the ps3 is not even out yet, and the game and your allready comparing the two lol. the ps3, will blow away the 360, trust me this time next year, ull see your going to whant one. All i need to say is 2.6 tflop system power. "

    Yep the PS3 is not out yet and you are saying it is going to "blow" away 360.

  • Zonelezz

    Posted Oct 26, 2006 1:32 am PT

    lol wow damn.. this looks good

  • kamicolo

    Posted Oct 25, 2006 2:30 pm PT

    The Need for Speed series been out how long? Itz great they're still one of the top racers. Carbon is looking nice, can't wait to try out the tilt system

  • SephirothEX

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 6:56 pm PT

    Yup, keep inflating that FLOPS number. It's 1.0 TFLOPS... oh, the 360 has 1.0 TFLOPS ya say? Well, uh, we have 2.0 TFLOPS! Er wait... that sounds too convenient... it's 2.6 TFLOPS! Never mind that an iMac has the same integer performance, we've got 2.6 TFLOPS!

  • firesage423

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 6:29 pm PT

    Ok c'mon i read a few comments and if your paying $4000 for a computer ur an idiot u can build an awsome computer for under $1000, and thats still a high price u just need to know what your buying..

    Then people saying ps3, x360, are better then a pc c'mon honestly shut up i dont mean to be mean but a computer can do alot more! and more reliable..

    Anyways the game is awsome i downloaded the demo on my 360 and cant wait for the game to come out..

  • raynimrod

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 5:51 pm PT

    :
    All Im saying is that most 3rd party games WILL be identical. No need buying a system based on third party games alone.


    Agreed, I'm getting both systems for their exclusive titles. That's what I look forward to most from a console .

  • xnindoboy

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 5:07 pm PT

    LOL you guys make me laugh. the ps3 is not even out yet, and the game and your allready comparing the two lol. the ps3, will blow away the 360, trust me this time next year, ull see your going to whant one. All i need to say is 2.6 tflop system power.

  • mark_unix

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 4:20 pm PT

    allot of xbox360 games look like PS2 games due to it being a port of a PS2 game...

  • TheGamer4Life

    Posted Oct 24, 2006 3:27 pm PT

    raynimrod
    : Good-- another game that proves the 360 is just as good graphically as the ps3. What are you talking about? Multi platform games are going to look almost identical to eachother anway, they have to stick with the happy medium between the two consoles(unless they're specifically redesigned for that console). The first party exclusive games will prove which console has the best graphical power, which from what i've seen so far would be the PS3. >>>

    All Im saying is that most 3rd party games WILL be identical. No need buying a system based on third party games alone.

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