The Best Stories In The Need For Speed Games

Summary

The Need for Speed series often features cinematic storylines with memorable characters, surprising plot twists, and stylish, edgy cutscenes.
Notable entries like Need for Speed Unbound, Carbon, and Most Wanted (2005) stand out for their focus on personal rivalries and character interactions.
Need for Speed: The Run and Payback remain among the most intense, cinematic, and action-packed entries in the franchise to date.

As a long-time enthusiast of high-speed chases and action-packed narratives, I must say that these games have truly taken me on a rollercoaster ride through various fictional worlds. Each one has offered unique experiences that cater to different aspects of my adrenaline-fueled tastes.

In the realm of racing games, storylines might not be the primary focus, but they can certainly enhance the gaming experience. For instance, the Need for Speed series is renowned for its cinematic approach within the racing genre, often borrowing ideas from famous street racing films such as the enduring Fast & Furious franchise.

Among several popular titles from the Need for Speed franchise, like Hot Pursuit (2010), Most Wanted (2012), and Rivals (2013), which primarily focus on racing without much narrative, there are also editions that incorporate cinematic stories with intriguing characters, unexpected plot twists, and visually appealing cutscenes. While the storyline in most Need for Speed games may not be particularly awe-inspiring, it can still create memorable moments and an extra dose of excitement as you progress through the game. Let’s explore some of the most compelling and immersive stories found within the Need for Speed series.

8. Need For Speed (2015)

Racing Icons With Wasted Potential

2015’s Need for Speed was hyped as a daring revamp of the franchise, touting a return to its street racing essence and showcasing automotive icons such as Ken Block, Magnus Walker, Akira Nakai, and Shinichi Morohoshi. However, their involvement failed to meet expectations, with each character making brief appearances for a single or two races, offering limited interaction beyond complimenting the excitement of the event. This shallow experience is disappointing, especially given the extensive marketing efforts prior to its release.

The remainder of the plot doesn’t improve significantly, despite featuring questionable characters and live-action scenes. The story primarily focuses on Ventura Bay’s racing environment, where unremarkable figures congregate to plan their next race. One notable aspect is that player-designed vehicles show up in cutscenes, adding a personal touch. Regrettably, this element alone doesn’t make the narrative stand out as something exceptionally memorable or captivating.

7. Need For Speed: Undercover

Intriguing Concept, Flawed Execution

The game Need for Speed: Undercover garners praise for its captivating concept, yet falls short in its delivery. What should be a thrilling experience of playing as an undercover agent in an open-world NFS environment seems promising, but the narrative stumbles due to the central conflict revolving around mediocre gangsters in Tri-City Bay. These gangsters, predictably for the genre, are predominantly engaged in car theft activities.

Instead of offering thrilling missions or heart-pounding pursuits, this game seems more like an ordinary installment in a cop drama series, with less excitement and more routine police work. The live-action scenes, tinted with yellowish filters, often feature unmemorable conversations between characters, lacking the ability to enhance the storyline. Not even Maggie Q, known for her roles in Divergent and Nikita, can rescue Undercover from being perceived as a low-budget crime film.

6. Need For Speed Unbound

Falling Short Of Its Stylish Ambitions

In “Need for Speed Unbound,” the game distinguishes itself with its unique aesthetic and lively personalities, setting the stage for a potentially captivating narrative. Nevertheless, the creators chose a sparse storyline approach, leaving Lakeshore City’s tale largely uneventful aside from some key moments and a cameo by A$AP Rocky. Essentially, the plot follows a straightforward trajectory: your friend double-crosses you, your mentor gets involved, and by the end, they both express regret for their actions and make amends.

Although the storyline is realistic with well-defined characters and tender scenes, it seems less impactful considering the game’s stunning graphics and innovative design. It’s disappointing that at times, the dialogue can be overly lengthy and unengaging. One can’t help but yearn for a narrative that aligns more closely with the game’s visually captivating appearance.

5. Need For Speed Heat

Young Racers Vs. Corrupt Cops

In the gaming world, Need for Speed Heat stands out as one of the series’ installments with a stronger focus on law enforcement, primarily set in the city of Palm City. The narrative unfolds around the High-Speed Task Force, under the command of Lt. Frank Mercer (Josh Coxx), who is ruthless and morally ambiguous. His suspicious intentions make him an intriguing adversary, as the main characters choose not to submit to his rule and instead opt to confront the situation themselves.

As a die-hard movie fan, I’ve got to say that Mercer, with his captivating villainy, is ably backed by standout performances from characters like Danny Shaw and Eva Torres. However, the storyline itself could use a bit more tension. Apart from the opening and closing scenes, there aren’t many climactic or heart-pounding sequences that truly grip you. Consequently, while Heat delivers some intriguing moments, its plot doesn’t quite match up to the franchise’s most iconic installments.

4. Need For Speed: Carbon

A Direct Sequel That Builds On Most Wanted’s Legacy

Following the cherished Most Wanted, Need for Speed: Carbon continues the storyline by reintroducing familiar characters and delving further into their past. The player assumes the role of the returning hero, whose enigmatic past and dramatic departure from Palmont City is gradually revealed as the game progresses. The fan-favorite Sergeant Cross also makes a comeback, fueled by personal vengeance as he doggedly pursues the elusive outlaw on the run.

In contrast to its predecessor, Carbon boasts fewer unique opponents but amps up the challenge with intense races through the dangerous Carbon Canyon, where the city’s destiny is decided. To enhance the gameplay experience, it introduces the allied drivers system, featuring Emmanuelle Vaugier (from Smallville and One Tree Hill) as Nikki and Elias Toufexis (known for his role as Adam Jensen in Deus Ex) as Sal Mustalla. They bring a mix of camaraderie and diverse gameplay elements. The intertwining storylines of personal feuds, exhilarating canyon races, and innovative game mechanics make Carbon a fitting follow-up.

3. Need For Speed: Most Wanted (2005)

Bosses, Cops, Revenge, And 2000s Edginess Rolled Into One

Among the standout games from the entire series, Need for Speed: Most Wanted presents an engaging story mode that revolves around your rise through the notorious Blacklist of the most wanted racers in Rockport City. Although the plot may not be overly intricate, it brims with tension and impactful scenes, creating a more exciting experience than any previous game in the series had provided.

The game presents a lineup of unique “bosses” for players to confront and conquer sequentially, along with live-action, stylishly rendered cutscenes that are exclusive to this series. Additionally, it weaves an overarching theme of revenge throughout the narrative, intensified by the impending danger posed by Sergeant Cross, played exceptionally well by Dean McKenzie. Furthermore, Josie Maran, a renowned actress and model (known for her role in Van Helsing), delivers an outstanding performance as Mia, the undercover agent, who fits perfectly with the game’s iconic early 2000s cool and gritty style. All these elements contribute to the enduring popularity of Most Wanted within the series’ dedicated fanbase.

2. Need For Speed: The Run

QTEs And On-Foot Action Add Cinematic Flair To NFS

In the realm of racing games, Need for Speed: The Run stands out as one of the most film-like experiences, pushing boundaries by incorporating quick-time events (QTEs) into gameplay and providing heart-pounding action sequences. The main character, Jack Rourke, portrayed by Sean Faris, navigates through nail-biting situations such as swapping vehicles or fleeing from police chases on foot, adding an extra layer of excitement and engagement to the game. Additionally, it was the first time the Frostbite engine was utilized for a Need for Speed game, allowing developers to swap live-action cutscenes with in-game storytelling, resulting in breathtaking visuals and a smooth cinematic flow throughout the title.

The exceptional concept of the game – a solo, high-stakes marathon race spanning the entire U.S. – lends “The Run” a unique and indelible character. While it has some significant issues, such as a relatively brief campaign, the story itself elevates this installment to one of the most cinematic Need for Speed games, successfully merging the excitement of an action-packed film with the fun of an arcade racing game.

1. Need For Speed Payback

Taking Cues From Fast & Furious For An Action-Packed Narrative

Need for Speed: Payback, in the contemporary NFS series, is frequently recalled as one of the less impressive installments, mainly because of its contentious gambling aspects (integrated into the game’s casino theme) and aggressive monetization strategies at launch. These issues created a disappointing first experience for many players, causing them to overlook what could be considered one of the most thrilling narratives in the series. Strongly influenced by the modern Fast & Furious movies, Payback offers an action-packed, cinematic storyline set against the lively backdrop of Fortune Valley – a fictional representation of Las Vegas, Nevada. The plot is filled with betrayals, unanticipated partnerships, and high-speed heists teeming with extravagant car action.

In the game, you’ll find three main characters to play: Tyler Morgan, Jessica Miller, and Sean “Mac” McAlister, each having unique abilities akin to the character-switching mechanism in Grand Theft Auto 5. This enables players to effortlessly switch between them during crucial moments, enhancing the gameplay with freshness and depth. The game offers missions that are filled with action, including high-octane pursuits, strategic planning, and risky heists, giving it a cinematic feel that’s characteristic of Hollywood. Lastly, Dominique Tipper, recognized for her role as Naomi Nagata in The Expanse, delivers an exceptional performance as Lina Navarro in this exhilarating yet often overlooked installment in the Need for Speed series.

2024-12-26 07:06