Criterion’s Best Need for Speed Games

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Summary

  • Criterion’s NFS games bring chaos to open-world racing, with hits like Most Wanted and Hot Pursuit.
  • Most Wanted (2012) lacks substance in story and customization, feeling more like Burnout than NFS.
  • Unbound brings style, risk, and gritty gameplay, while Rivals offers a unique dual career structure.

Since the mid-90s, the Need for Speed series has been like a well-worn set of drift tires, being handed over from one developer to another. However, the games developed by Criterion stand out distinctly. Perhaps it’s their attempts to rekindle the excitement of a high-speed chase, or maybe it’s due to their history with Burnout, or simply because they infuse a unique level of chaos into open-world racing. Whatever the reason, the contributions made by Criterion in the franchise have left an indelible impact – some more profound than others.

Delve into an exploration of each Need For Speed game either solely or jointly created by Criterion, arranged from those falling short to those that continue spinning tires in our recollections – a journey spanning from stylized street racing to heart-pounding cat-and-mouse chases.

4. Need For Speed: Most Wanted (2012)

Where Style Outran Substance

The film “Most Wanted (2012)” is found at the bottom of the list, not because of its driving quality, quite the contrary, it boasted some of the best handling in the series, with fast collisions, intense drifting physics, and the visual turmoil that only Criterion could create. Yet, beyond the initial excitement, a crucial element seemed to be absent.

2005’s Most Wanted had a solid foundation—a compelling narrative, an adversary list, and a heartfelt journey through street racing. However, the Criterion remake abandoned this framework, opting for a “Conquer the list however you like” approach that lacked the personal touch. While I could smash into billboards, evade cops, and face off against the game’s titular speedsters, it all felt devoid of emotion. It was just a sleek playground filled with fast cars and vague objectives. No story, no high-stakes drama, just a stylish arena for racing enthusiasts.

Regrettably, the customization that was once a defining feature of NFS games, seemed barely present in this version. Instead of the intricate swapping parts found in previous games, it was simplified to just driving through unlocks, and visual tuning options were scarce. The open world was undoubtedly beautiful, with dynamic lighting and elevation changes in Fairhaven, but it felt more like a sequel to Burnout Paradise than a true Need for Speed game. Despite the game playing well, and the cop chases providing thrilling fun, this felt like Criterion attempting to put an NFS cover over a Burnout framework, and it didn’t quite achieve the desired effect.

3. Need For Speed: Unbound

Smoke, Speed, And Stylization

Unbound represents a unique and striking departure from Criterion’s previous works, which makes it stand out significantly. By combining graffiti-style cel-shading with hyper-realistic cars, it introduced an innovative visual aesthetic that was divisive within the community but essential for revitalizing the series’ appearance. Remarkably, this game also delivered on substance, ensuring it wasn’t just visually impressive but also fun to play.

From a gameplay perspective, the title “Unbound” reintroduced an element that had been absent for quite some time in the series: real danger. Each race felt like a roll of the dice due to the comeback of buy-ins, heat levels, and a day-night cycle that wasn’t just visual but also impactful. Players needed to strategize their winnings, navigate the heat, and avoid losing their earnings in a sudden police pursuit before reaching safe havens. The experience was raw, nerve-wracking, and uniquely satisfying, as only a few contemporary arcade racers can achieve.

This narrative, revolving around a deception and a gradual resurgence, might not be groundbreaking enough to secure awards, but it surpasses expectations. The characters are more vivid compared to past versions, though the dialogue occasionally veers into awkward conversations. However, the visual style, featuring animated, expressive character designs contrasting with lifelike vehicles, at least gives it a unique and memorable touch.

The main issue with Unbound lies in its rhythm. The initial stages, in particular, are overly demanding, and the advancement can be annoyingly slow without enhancements. However, for a series that’s been yearning for renewal, it was a strong comeback—but not quite up to Criterion’s highest standards.

2. Need For Speed: Rivals

Two Sides Of The Same Coin, But One Drives A Koenigsegg

This game is quite popular among enthusiasts, and rightfully so. Known as “Rivals”, it’s a unique blend, combining elements of arcade racing with online exploration, all while maintaining an incredibly immersive atmosphere – a trademark not often seen in Criterion’s works. Collaboratively developed with Ghost Games, “Rivals” pioneered the AllDrive system, a feature that seamlessly merged single-player and multiplayer modes within a shared environment. This was a bold step for 2013, although the technology had its rough patches, it paved the way for what we now see in modern open-world racing games.

What truly sets Rivals apart is its unique structure. The game offers two distinct careers for players to pursue: becoming a Cop or a Racer. Each career path has its own advancement system, narrative milestones, vehicles, and technology. For the Racers, it’s all about speed, evasion, and reaping the rewards from high-risk situations. In contrast, Cops have access to tougher vehicles and an array of pursuit technologies, including EMPs and roadblocks.

In the game Rivals, there’s an unusual sense of detachment – intentionally created voids permeate the narrative. The main character, The Racer, doesn’t utter a single word. Instead, the Cop campaign offers enigmatic soliloquies about law, order, disorder, and authority. This philosophical slant gives it an unexpectedly thought-provoking edge, suggesting a dystopian undercurrent that many gamers didn’t anticipate in a racing game. It’s this very quirkiness that makes Rivals memorable.

In the game Rivals, there are areas for improvement such as limited car customization options and AI that can create an unfair advantage due to rubber-banding effects during races. However, a unique aspect is how it challenges players to strategically manage their speedpoints to avoid losing them in a final, high-stakes dash. Each drive was filled with the thrill of taking calculated risks, preventing the game from growing monotonous.

1. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit (2010)

Sirens, Speed, And A Shot Of Adrenaline

2010’s Hot Pursuit stands out as the pinnacle of Criterion’s contributions to the series. Unlike other games, it didn’t aim to redesign the gameplay; instead, it amped up the speed, volume, and added a wake of spike strips in its path. In essence, it embodied the essence of arcade racing: no labyrinthine cities or intricate narratives to confuse you. Just raw, high-speed highway battles and cops that pack a punch similar to freight trains.

The standout feature of Hot Pursuit was its balance. Both the racing and police careers were equally developed, offering distinct cars, competitions, and progression systems. The pursuit technology, such as jammers, spike strips, and helicopter support, added a tactical edge to each chase, transforming them into intense warzones. Moreover, the handling was well-tuned; it allowed for drifting at high speeds yet maintained a sense of weightiness, making errors consequential.

Here, Autolog – the most significant addition to Criterion’s franchise – made its debut. This feature transformed racing into a competitive battlefield, where players were continually updated with their friends’ lap times, challenging them to outperform them. It wasn’t merely about winning; it was about beating that friend who consistently beat you by just a tenth of a second.

In terms of visual appeal, the game Hot Pursuit stood out significantly, offering a captivating mix of alpine roads, coastal highways, and desert plains that seemed straight out of a movie under twilight skies. The soundtrack, dominated by heavy synths and alt-rock, complemented the heart-racing action flawlessly. While customization options were limited to choosing the car color (which is more than Need for Speed: Most Wanted offered), the game wasn’t about self-expression; it was all about raw adrenaline and staying alive. The reason players continue to yearn for similar games is that Hot Pursuit managed to encapsulate the essence of a great Need For Speed title – a potent engine, an exhilarating highway, and a relentless cop car trying to force you off the road.

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2025-03-19 05:37