In between the intense cop chases and “dope” cut scenes is dull filler, plainly put. But the good outweighs the bad.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a return to the classic arcade racing of previous entries into the Need for Speed series. There are influences still apparent from Underground, but the cop chases send waves of reinvigoration, and day-driving is purely more pleasing. Combine that with the campy acting, stylist racing environments, and convincing cop chatter and there are very few flaws left to entangle this homecoming.
Most arcade racers, including NFS, have been lagging behind the brilliant Burnout series in recent years. Most simply could not keep up with the new found sense of speed, the exquisite destruction, and the addictive gameplay modes. The spotlight had simply shifted with Burnout’s conviction to be more than a one-trick-pony, as it continually astounded around every corner. Burnout still has its foot on the gas, but Most Wanted’s cop chases gives NFS the boost it’s been dying for. Just like you can’t find the sensation of obliterating your opponent in Burnout’s Road Rage mode anywhere else, the blistering movie-inspired law-enforcement chases delivered by Most Wanted are in a league of their own
Appropriately for one of the first true next-generation racing games, the visuals provide a shimmering gloss of future graphical effects. More importantly, however, is the success at creating a near-perfect atmosphere for the type of racing simulated. And this task has been accomplished in every way: stretching highways, tight tunnels, shadowy underpasses, dirty alleyways, and a number of destructible locations to thwart pursuing 5-0s. Nothing quite compares to blowing out the supports for the local donut shop and witnessing the massive pink-sprinkled holey sphere crash down on unsuspecting coppers. Which is pretty ironic, too, if you’re into the whole stereotyping thing.
It’s excellent to see the world design has not been put on the backburner, but it’s also satisfying to see the visuals and effects are great in their own right. The world itself exudes a style that fits perfectly not only street racing, but the atmosphere of Rockport as well. A warm glow with subtle blurriness makes it seem a little bit dreamlike, and be honest, who hasn’t wanted to outrun the cops in a high-stakes, high risk thrill ride right out of Gone in 60 Seconds? The wicked crazy physics only confirms this romp into illusionary status as you watch patrol cruisers fly thirty feet into the air after pummeling through a road block. All the while, the framerate stays steady enough.
The soundtrack to the craziness isn’t quite fitting, unfortunately. You get equipped with the run-of-the-mill EA “Trax”, complete with a whoppin’ 26 songs. The style of music is always hit-or-miss, but these artists seem particularly stale. Deja-vu will set in quickly. Needless to say, the option to switch off the “mad beats” is a welcome one. The necessary car revving and tire squealing is about as good as you’d expect, and cop car sirens are plenty prevalent, in an ear-hurting kind of way. All actual in-game voice work is provided only for the police officers, as you hear them chattering over the air-waves. The array of wacky characters, like Razor Callahan and Mia Townsend (Josie Maran), is all presented through live acting, after all. The cop chatter is not only damn cool, but surprisingly convincing, and provided through an especially novel approach. Many of the lines will refer back to previously used dialogue from earlier in the current chase, upping the convincing nature of the chatter to a new level.
This believability carries over in the behavior of your persistent pursuers, as well. As you hear them spouting off “code b” and “maneuver delta” the chase will continue to rise in intensity. Standard patrol cars will attempt to swerve and knock your car into any and all dangerous obstacles, but are also easily stopped. As things advance, better and faster patrol cars will be unleashed, and their general tactics will evolve with the situation and location. SUVs will try to ram you, Corvette’s are simply hard to shake, and spike strips and helicopters are about as treacherous as they sound. These chases are the best Most Wanted has to offer as a package, and as soon as you’ve escaped and “cooled-down” at your hideout you’ll be itching to get back on the run.
Ironically, the striving for variety is a downfall in this case. In between the intense pursuits and the totally magnificent cut-scenes, everything else seems watered-down and unexciting. The toll-booth time trials, circuit races, speed trap mode, and drag races needed to progress through the single player feel like chores, and a chase is your reward for holding out against your waning patience. It’s not so much that these races are bad, but rather that they can’t match the more focused and exhilarating aspects of Most Wanted. Unfortunately this is prevalent through every game mode, whether you’re taking on the Black List, doing quick matches, or fighting your way through the challenges. Most Wanted is limited to shine out only at certain intervals, after you’ve seemingly wasted your time with numerous mundane errands.
Because of all the “filler” (standard races), it takes a significant time investment to complete the single player--longer than you’d expect and longer than is necessary. The ride is full of memorable moments, namely nearly every time you get the cops on your tail. The purchasable automobiles obviously improve as your cash flow grows, but the real-deal vehicles come from taking out Blacklist racers and acquiring their pimpin’ rides, which is done through the career mode. The mode would have been drastically better if it had more emphasis on law enforcement, and if it had included more “emotionally charged” cut scenes. Even the great graphics and world design can’t save most racing in Most Wanted from its lackluster outcome.
The redeeming factor is clearly the high-speed pursuits, and Most Wanted is a game worth playing just for those alone. Razor Callahan, Sergeant Cross, and total hotness Mia Townsend make this ride all the more enjoyable with their laughably bad (read: awesome) acting, as well. It’s only regrettable to see these two aspects, wrapped up in an impressive presentation, get mucked-up by its own striving for more. In the words of Razor: “I’m gonna steal your car, and then your girl, get ready for THAT!” Oh, we’re ready.