I hate people, people are stupid. some games are overrated, and others are underrated.
the first thing i want to say to you people is that your standards are undetermined, baseless, and biased. some game have potential none other game has, and TBH this game has it too, not like the original, but it still has some fun in it.
i do admit this game has no freaking substance due to the story-less-ness and the ability to access all cars at the very beginning without any effort. you basically can drive a freaking Veyron without even done a single race. and the lack of modding the exterior and placing parts individually makes this game a hell lot different than the original but somewhat familiar to the Burnout Paradise, without the handling.
the handling... it's realistic and will annoy arcade drivers to hell. there is "speed limit" cause' when you drive too fast, you are very prone to crash or mishandling, but i like it cause this game has some sense of friction and gravity (and i love the falling animation, God that is the most epic thing in my boring life).
the AI is good for both the enemy and the cops, the enemy will try to ram you sometimes, but the cops are too aggressive and will hunt you down at all costs, going to shortcuts and even the most hidden spots, blocking the ENTIRE road and deploying mother loving spike strips. basically the cops are a letdown due to the hardiness to escape from them, it's basically need you to be a freaking Torretto with steroid. just.... don't get past level 3 heat and you'll be fine.
and the most important thing i need to tell you this game is about pure driving and fun. it has no story, no blacklists like in the original, no names, just cars and roads (and police and smashable stuff and epic jumps and some scenery), but the most annoying thing is that some tracks are very similar (maybe exactly the same) that give you some kind of "de ja vu" feeling and grow bored. this is a letdown and i hate it, still the cops and traffic will make some kind of variety.
overall, this game deserve a solid 8. no storyline at all, no customization, just invisible upgrades. but the graphics, the driving, the epic chases, the smart AI and the outstanding free roam at a decent place makes it Worth to Buy. hard to describe, but this game is Mildly Good.
now for F**k sake give some appreciation will ya.
Good Job EA and criterion. next time put some exterior customization, some freaking story for motivation, a little better handling and a less ambitious cops. then we can have a perfect game.