Need For Speed: Most Wanted Great story mode Awesome cop chases Delicious car list Slightly upgraded console port Some lack of polish

My need for the Need For Speed series just went from 0 to 60. by StewXX

November 18, 2005 - Need for Speed Most Wanted is an example of a game that is released on the Xbox 360 but was not developed exclusively for it (like most 360 launch titles). To judge the new console by this title will be doing it a disservice since it's capable of so much more but as the business end of things go, we're going to be seeing a lot more of these titles that can be shared with other consoles so as not to limit sales, at least until the market share has been established. The Xbox 360 will offer better graphics and more downloadable content and quite possibly an extra exclusive level or mode with some new games but it will be awhile before EA starts solely developing for the next gen systems since the userbase is at such a minimum.

Need For Speed: Most Wanted tinkers with the underground racing concept and manages to offer few innovations. It throws in lots of races, vehicles, modes and features but it approaches the genre as a "best of." Racing fans might make this game their stranded-on-a-desert-island choice but it's only because it takes the place of two or three similar titles. There can be no doubt that it's refined but I'm not so convinced that it's been tweaked much nearer to perfection.

Following a testosterone-fueled revenge story featuring every shallow element you can imagine including hot cars, hot babes and hot-headed challengers, you will exact your revenge through racing. Razor is the main antagonist in the Career mode and before you can even challenge him you will have to race against more than a dozen other dorks. The smack these guys talk is incredibly embarrassing and would only hope to fuel the rage of a 13-year-old boy, with traces of a learning disorder, that was raised on WWE wrestling. The story mode is incredibly engaging and adds a level of personality that the Need For Speed series has sorely lacked. The cutscenes are mostly hilarious and you'll definitely get caught up in the bad boy vibe.

Races are divided into circuit, drag and sprint. The basic races are further divided into Races and Milestones. You will have to complete a number of both styles in order to face a new challenger. While you can earn money for wins which can be used to upgrade your vehicle or purchase a new one, the challengers that you beat will relinquish markers which can earn you some big loot in a hurry. Hidden markers may contain large amounts of cash or other interesting items such as jail-bail cards or even the very vehicle that your competitor was driving.

City streets allow a better flow to racing. There are some obstructions and traffic but you can get around to various races much easier than before. The freeway is also streamlined with ramps that will take you where you want to go almost instantly. There are lots of places to explore and shortcuts to discover.