Loads of new features and framiliar style make for another winning NFS title.
Some new gameplay features include a "crew" you can hire and use during races. Those members are catagorized by their attributes in three types; there's scouts, blockers, and drafters. A scout's job is too always stay ahead of you and look for any shortcuts they can find. A blocker's job is to block for you(imagine that). And last, a drafter is supposed to stay ahead of you also, and create a draft for you to run in, which will allow a faster pace to be achieved. While all of these can be useful if used properly, the blocker is by far the most valuable. On top of having these teamates at your disposal, you can also trick their ride out to your own liking.
Another great new feature is the "autosulpt" mode. This mode is used to create your very own look while throwing on body kits. You can take on of five pre-molded full kits, and re-mold the ducts and openings to your own liking. This increases the overall customization of the game, and decreases the chance of finding someone on-line that has a ride that looks just like yours.
Breaking down the gameplay to bare-bones, EA did away with the long-loved drag racing mode, and re-polished the drifting to make it more challenging. They also added a very nice new racing mode called "canyon runs." In this mode, you go down the same canyon track twice in a row in a one on one battle. On the first run you'll be in second place with the sole job of keeping as close to your competitor as you can without touching him. You score points as you try to keep up, scoring more the closer you can stay. The second run, you're they guy in front setting the pace, while your opponent tries to keep on your bumper. Score more points than the other guy to win, simple as that.
Now, please don't think I'm hyping this game up to high expectations, because there are some flaws that stick far enough out for even the beginner gamer to notice. The graphics are automatically fighting a losing battle, because all the races take place at night which takes away some of the lighting power of the 360. Quite frankly, the game looks like something the original X-Box could power, and I must say I am very dissapointed at the presentation. The sense of speed has just been lost, and some of the great sounds have also gotten the ax. With the graphical letdown, and the short number of cars, some racers will automatically be unimpressed. The game is also kind of short in comparison to previous titles. While the new drift mode is neat, I wish the cars didn't handle so differently than in regular races. They kind of make you feel like your driving a shopping cart in the parking lot of a Wal-Mart.
The bottom line is, the presentation is not so good, the lineup is kind of short, and the game doesn't take that long to blow through, the style is still there and the handling is still fun. A great racer? No. But another NFS title you can spend some time and have fun with? Yes.