I agree that customization isn't altogether necessary, but with a game like this where it's all about street racing, customization seems pretty important. It would be different if the actual driving was aced out and buttoned up, but it's just simply not so. For instance, I would accept a racer like Forza to have no customization at all, given the fact that the actual racing mechanics are tight and crisp. This game has neither realistic/fun driving controls or any type of customization. In otherwords, there's no hook to buying the game, other than the fact that it has Need for Speed in the title of the game, which is a real disservice to the fanbase, in my opinion.

Ok, I can see the argument for not including the cockpit view for "RAM" reasons, but I don't see how anyone can justify the absence of the OPTION of a manual tranny. Surely that would not be hard to implement. Of course, I don't make games so I can't say for sure how hard or not that is to include in a game, but giving your players options is NEVER a bad thing. Including a manual transmission would only help seasoned racers to overcome all the cheap tactics employed by the AI to finish first. Life is all about options, and the moment they start to disappear, I call BS.

[QUOTE="jchc_underoath"]

I pretty much agree on every point you made. Might I also add rubberband AI? I really wanted to love this game because I loved the last Most Wanted. In fact, I haven't enjoyed any other NFS since that release including this one. I guess my taste in racers has changed since I've grown a bit older. Forza 4 is pretty much it for me.

JasonDarksavior

Not a chance. I probably shouldn't have brought this up, as it was a part of the first Most Wanted. Rubberband AI is used to keep the races close until the end. The problem is, the Ai combined with all the other questionable design choices (no in game currency for cars/parts, instead unlocking them by finishing position) add up to one huge reload fest.

The thing is, I'm a decent racer. I'm succesful with Forza, but I'm finding myself reloading almost as much as I had to while finishing my no kills/alerts playthrough with Metal Gear Solid 4. The difference is, MGS4 is a masterpiece of video game developement; this game simply is not.

I love me some racing games, and this is just my two cents.

Three things annoy me.

1.  When in the easy drive menu,  it will just close even when you are cycling through stuff.  Why?  If you were inactive that would make sense.  

2. When you earn an upgrade I don't need it to come up in huge letters DIRECTLY in front of me so that I can't see where I am going.  Who the hell tested this and thought it would be cool to lose a race because you can't see what is in front of you for 5 seconds.

3.  Running a race a few times and finally having a perfect run when an unavoidable car comes out from an overpass and you have no where to go.  Random cars are cool,  just sucks when they are unavoidable. 

 

I am having fun with it,  just some really questionable design choices. 

genealb

All the problems I have with this game, including the ones you mentioned, equal up to one thing... too many reloads. As I stated in another thread, I don't mind not winning every race. However, to unlock upgrades for your car, which are necessary to be competitive in later races, you have to finish first. It would be different if there was some kind of currency to buy cars/upgrades. Then, you could settle for second (or God forbid third) and still earn money to buy needed upgrades. Just my opinion, but isn't street racing about money/pink slips?

Ya I thought playing as Haytham was pretty cool. Totally surprised me when I saw that sequence ending cutscene, complete with the "How D'ya Like Them Apples" achievement pop up. I "lol'ed".

Nope.

I agree. I hate the steering as well. Will be trading this in on a Hitman preorder.

I pretty much agree on every point you made. Might I also add rubberband AI? I really wanted to love this game because I loved the last Most Wanted. In fact, I haven't enjoyed any other NFS since that release including this one. I guess my taste in racers has changed since I've grown a bit older. Forza 4 is pretty much it for me.

If you go to the crafting menu, you should have new things to craft that increase carrying capacity for your trinkets and ammo. I'm pretty sure those are the upgrades.

Ya, I'd say do the research because I recently went through MGS1 again, and boy is it tough to play. Totally different gaming generation. Either way, you owe it to yourself to play MGS4. MGS4 is a masterpiece of a video game. I'm a XBox fanboy, but I did buy a PS3 back in the day, just for this game. Absolutely amazing game.