ProStreet is different in a good way!
For me, NFS has become a synonym for dumb flicks + arcade racer over the years. Even after being exposed to all the previews videos and articles, touting how NFS franchise is being taken in a totally new direction, I remained inconvinced that the developer would stray away from the fomula that has made them so commercially successful over the years.
I was wrong.
After playing the game for more than 10 hours, I realized how much effort the developer put into the core of ProStreet. Gone are the annoying C vids, fancy looking but not usable UI, the speed blur and the neon lights that make your head spin after extended periods of play, and a number of supporting features that hid an aging gameplay engine. Instead, ProStreet shifted the focus to the races themselves - the cars, the racing disciplines, the tracks, the customization, the myriad of online options, the girls - together these elements bring a totally refreshing feeling to an aging franchise.
Graphically, ProStreet is without a doubt, the best looking game in the series. Majority of the cars look fantastic in full decals and several of the tracks like Nevada really stand out. The visual impact is further accentuated by the sophisticated damage model and the particle system that make the cars look even more bad ass as they navigate the courses. I am sure those who have played Forza2 and PGR4 would agree, there is simply no comparison to ProStreet in this regard. The unstable framerates and the cameras are the only issues that marr this aspect of the game.
Audio-wise, ProStreet performs competently as well. While none of the tunes stand out, they do convey the appropriate atmosphere of the racing organization they represent. I did find the commentary a bit distracting, but that has always been the case for me with NFS.
Gameplay is where ProStreet truly shines. While all racing disciplines are interesting, the one mode I could not stop playing is Drift. There is just something about this mode that keeps me coming back again and again. Playing against friends online is very interesting too - you can even trade and share races that do not have to be run asynchronously. The number of customization options, while not as elaborate as other racers, are pretty staggering. Along with the damage model, customization options alter the behavior of the car on the track. The blueprint, the cash and the repair systems are not as flushed out as I would have like, but they serve their purpose.
Still not convinced that ProStreet is the right way to go? Miss the over-the-top style of the old NFS? Now that the building blocks are in place, I am sure the developer can easily put those elements back in in future release, should they choose to do so. Until then, please give ProStreet a try. It does feel different. But after several hours of play, you will agree with me, it is different in a good way.