Need For Speed Rivals review

For PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Windows.

Need For Speed Rivals is a racing game the continues the long line of Need For Speed titles, keeping in mind that thrill and adrenaline are what make Need For Speed great. Need For Speed Rivals takes another approach while recycling some of the classic gameplay modes we love to play. Rivals is either the first or second Need For Speed title of the 8th generation(depending on counting Wii U version of NFS: Most Wanted as 8th Gen) that brings a new perspective to Need For Speed franchise.

Gameplay for Rivals combines what's great with NFS: Hot Pursuit and NFS: Most Wanted as you will play as both racers and cops. The point system is based on say a racers heat level and cops performance. The points you gain from completing goals and races can be used for upgrades such as new cars, performance upgrades, and pursuit technology, which are all purchased at the hideout(racer) and command post(cop). Twist here for racer is when you are busted by police, you lose your multiplier and all of your un-banked points. Points you earn as a racer are banked when you visit your hideout. Another interesting feature is called AllDrive, which allows you to instantaneously switch from single player to online mode, racing with online players never was so convenient. Rivals feels like Hot Pursuit and Most Wanted combined with more interesting twists. Speed points are earned by evading cops obviously and doing more of that will get you more speed points. Also look for your heat level as speed points will come towards you faster and police will be more eager to bust you. When playing as a cop, look for a racer's heat level to earn more points when busting a racer. As for unlocking content, as you progress through the cop storyline you will unlock cars automatically. As for racers, cars are unlocked by first ranking up and purchasing said car with speed points(which are obviously banked). This game will have you raising stakes race after race, pursuit after pursuit with pursuits being a gamble as if you get busted, you lose all un-banked points as I've mentioned before. For police, play as pursuit, enforcer, or undercover missions. I also love how pursuit technology does and makes it's way.

Graphics look more detailed on PS4 and Xbox One games than ever before. I can't tell you how much detail is in this game's visual. Comparing it to Hot Pursuit and even Most Wanted, you'll see closely with 1080p graphics that were unavailable on previous(7th) generation systems concerning detail. I don't think you could do any better with graphics, exception being a high end gaming PC and the to be released 2014 Steam Machine. Sounds keep in tune with the Need For Speed family and are real.

I do however want to file a few complaints. One complaint I have is there are only 26 cars in the game, compared to 62 cars for Most Wanted. Plus, while Redview County looks amazing with delightful nature and variety of roads(roads, highways), the whole environment lacks towns and can feel lonely at times unlike Blaine County in Grand Theft Auto V. Hopefully EA will make some DLC packs to increase number of vehicles

The final verdict for this amazing game is an 8.3/10. Points made:
+: Great Gameplay Ideas
+: Amazing and Cutting Edge Graphics
+: Consistency with Need For Speed franchise
-: Short Selection of Cars
-: Lonely environment*

*=Despite feeling lonely, it's done very well and isn't half bad.