Need for Speed: Most Wanted

Download Need for Speed: Most Wanted and become the ultimate street racing legend! Outrun the police, outsmart your rivals, and climb the ranks in the world of illegal racing. Ignite your need for speed and play now!
a game by Electronic Arts, EA Games, and Electronic Arts Canada
Genre: Racing
Platforms: XBox 360 (2012), GameCube, Android, PS Vita, Wii, XBox, PC (2012), Playstation 3 (2012), Playstation 2, GBA
Editor Rating: 8/10, based on 2 reviews, 4 reviews are shown
User Rating: 7.5/10 - 78 votes
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See also: Download Racing Games, Games Like Blur, Need For Speed Series, Games like GTA, 2024 Movies, Games Like NFS Unbound, Games Like Rocket League
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Need for Speed: Most Wanted

When it comes to racing games, probably the name that stands out the best is Need For Speed. A game series that's been going on for more than 20 years in an almost nonstop stream of games. Today we're going to be talking about Need for Speed: Most wanted, one of the most popular entries in the series. However, do keep in mind that there are two Need For Speed games titled Need For Speed Most Wanted, and we'll be talking about the 2012 version here.

About the game

Need for Speed Most Wanted bears little to no similarities to the previous title with the same name. Racing in an open world with a story mode is what this is all about. From the developers of the Burnout series, this game sometimes seems more fit to that line of games.

There are three fundamental parts in this game, its nice single-player experience would be the first one. The game features an excellent single-player story mode with many crazy races, different game modes, action-packed missions, and more. It's surprisingly longer than what you'd expect, and that's always welcome

The incredible multiplayer mode would be the second main aspect of this game. No racing game would be complete without a nice, competitive, and most importantly, fun multiplayer mode. There are many different modes to choose from and the cranes are extreme and fun, it can be a real challenge to be the best in this game.

And there's also the Autolog 2.0 integrated into the game, and upgraded from its first appearance in Hot Pursuit. This is an excellent multiplayer setting that invites us to beat the times and best scores worldwide and versus our friends. This game is all about extreme competition, so brace yourself and prepare your engines.

Better in every way

The Need for Speed series has evolved a lot through the years, and this game is proof of this. It doesn't share much with the first Need for Speed Most Wanted title, aside from both being car-racing games. You can still customize your vehicles, but it's a completely different take into this. While the original Most Wanted game looked more like a Fast and Furious movie, this is more clean and refined.

The game itself acts as a spiritual sequel to Burnout Paradise, sharing a lot of the gameplay mechanics, of course, all of them are improved and taken to the next level here. But the similarities are everywhere, and that's an excellent thing.

Review

We'll start by saying that this is the best Need for Speed game we've seen in a long time. A complete refresh of the franchise and a nice new face. The game looks and plays excellently, and it's a much-needed change of pace.

  • Graphics and visuals: This game looks beautiful. The characters and effects are very realistic and excellent looking. And the whole environment and scenery are also amazing in this game. An excellent-looking game all around.

  • Gameplay: The gameplay in Need for Speed Most Wanted is simply perfect. There isn't anything to complain about here actually. The different cars control differently, and you'll have to learn how to adapt yourself to faster and more powerful cars as you play. It features an extensive single-player mode that will have you playing for hours and hours. And the multiplayer is just as great, so there's a lot of racing to do here.

  • Sound: The original soundtrack is excellent and it fits the game nicely. And the licensed songs are perfect for the style of the game. A change of direction compared to the original Need For Speed Most Wanted. The sound effects are great too, and they add up to the whole intensity of the game.

Download Need for Speed: Most Wanted

XBox 360

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
GameCube

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Android

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
PS Vita

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Wii

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
XBox

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
PC

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Playstation 3

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
Playstation 2

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP
GBA

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

The Dukes Of Hazzard.The Cannonball Run, Smokey And The Bandit - admit it, hapless law enforcers getting royally shafted in car chases (mostly by Burt Reynolds it would seem) make you laugh. In recent times the Need For Speed franchise has been off exploring the Fast Car market with Need for Speed Underground & Need for Speed Underground 2, but Most Wanted signals a return to more familiar territory. A spiritual successor to the Need For Speed Hot Pursuit titles, it taps straight back into that comic relationship between cop and fugitive.

While many elements have been carried over from Underground, including the main game modes and the free-roaming cities, there are some changes. Some new modes adorn the hood and events are no longer strictly limited to night-time, but it's the reputation aspect that's got us excited. Basically, your ride gets pinched at the beginning of the game and the only way to get it back is to work your way up the list of the 15 most respected racers around: the Blacklist You can only challenge the next on the list once you've built up enough of a reputation, accomplished by winning races and building up your 'Bounty'.

The basics: In Most Wanted, the Man finally cracks down on Underground's import tuning and open-city racing, so you'll have to outrun your fellow street racers and a half dozen smokies.

How was it? Only the XB360 version was playable, and though it was a one car, one track drag-race-only demo, it did look pretty damn good. My clearly not stock BMW M3 appeared almost photorealistic, and the asphalt--not something I've ever been moved to comment on in any other game--was networked with tiny and not so tiny cracks. As I barreled out of a dark tunnel into sunlight (that's right, street racing isn't just for nighttime anymore) the screen was washed-out white for a split second to simulate the way a human iris adjusts to large brightness changes. Lovely.

The difference in gameplay feel between Most Wanted and its predecessors isn't very noticeable, though. I used the new Speedbreaker feature (think slow-mo bullet time for cars) to drive underneath a semi-trailer; it works well and looks cool, but it's nothing that hasn't already been done in Midnight Club and countless action games like Max Payne.

As an avid racing game fan, the one sub genre I have mostly steered cleared of is the street racing niche. Over the last few years, we have seen the Midnight Clubs and the Need for Speed Undergrounds (along with other less notable titles) and while I have dipped my toe in these waters, I have never made the full dive into the deep end ' until now. Need for Speed Most Wanted has opened my eyes to street racing and has done so in an exceptional way.

As you can see from the 'Recommended Buy'? ranking, I really enjoyed this game. In fact, I was a bit surprised just how much this game sunk its claws into me and did not let go. First off, with any racing game, the racing action has to have a solid feel. It does not necessarily need to be realistic or unrealistic; it just needs to fit the feel of the game. I am here to tell you the racing action in NFSMW fits the game perfectly. You will find a nice blend of realism and arcade action. The game is not punishing for running over most inanimate objects such as trees and light poles, merely slowing your momentum momentarily. However, hitting larger and more substantial structures will slam your ride to an immediate halt costing you precious seconds. Basically the game promotes reckless and wild driving but you gotta have a few checks in the system to keep you in balance.

Another cool aspect of the game is the return of the fuzz. The Need for Speed series has spent some time dabbling with the law enforcement in the Hot Pursuit games and it's nice to see their heavy involvement in Most Wanted. Aside from making your way through the blacklist of opponents working your way to the top of the street circuit, the police are a second adversary that is equally challenging. The game is full of 'that is cool'? moments but one that really made an impression on me is the way the police are an integral part of the environments and world, not just tacked on to try and slow you during races. As you cross the finish line, the race may be over but the police do not stop chasing you because the race is done. It is still up to you to dodge, evade, hide or otherwise incapacitate the hoard of pursuing 5-0. Very cool.

Being a 360 launch game, I am sure the question on the minds of every reader is how does it look? I am here to tell you this is one of the best looking games you will find out of the entire launch crop. Everything from the fully licensed vehicles to the cracks in the road surface scream NEXT GENERATION! Lighting, shadows and sun flare are all present and accounted for. As a side note, the story mode of the game is moved forward by FMV scenes, which look cool but the acting will not win any awards. It is not terrible by any means but I could have done without it.

At the end of the day, what you have here is one of the best launch games. I was not expecting to enjoy the game at this level. The game packs hours and hours of challenges that should keep even the hardest core gamer busy. Even if you are not a big fan of racing games but might be thinking about giving one a look, this is your best choice for the simple fact anyone can pick it up and play. Looks like I am now a fan a street racing games.

Snapshots and Media

XBox Screenshots

Wii Screenshots

PS Vita Screenshots

Android Screenshots

GameCube Screenshots

PC Screenshots

Playstation 3 Screenshots

Playstation 2 Screenshots

GBA Screenshots

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