Blogger, Sports fan, gamer, party animal and generally sociable guy. I sometimes tell it like it is. Deal with it.
I played Need for Speed Hot Pursuit 2 on the Playstation 2 many years ago, and still to this day it was one of the best racing games I had put my hands on (virtually). In those years between that and the latest Hot Pursuit there have been many other racers, from the Need for Speed series too. Most notably Most Wanted was a damn good game itself, but it was not as enjoyable as Hot Pursuit 2.
Burnout Paradise, Blur, Split/Second have all tried to get into that niche of legendary benchmarks, but none have succeeded.
Graphics, Physics, Speed
If the game didn't have either of those features, it really would not be a proper arcade racer at all. The graphics, details to cars are amazing, the damage is fantastic, the physics of the game; taking corners at 150+mph sideways, when done perfectly brings a great sense of satisfaction. And once the lap time has been put up on the board, you can gloat to all your friends about it, for they will understand the effort you had to put in to achieve that time. By God, they will know it.
Racer or Cop
I'm not sure what most of the players prefer, but I'm a rebel, an anarchist. I'm quite clearly a racer. Yeah, Fuck the Police!
The different types of races give enough playtime to stay interested till the end, something that kept me interested till the end. Sleepless nights trying to finish the racer side of the game. Trying to beat times set by my mates and the final long ass race around the whole map race - but when I did, there was satisfaction. Gratification. Reward and some sleep and rest. Well deserved.
Along the way mind, there are frustrations, setbacks and visually amazing scenery to distract from the race. It's a gorgeous game (it's no Gran Turismo 5), but it's a whole lot more fun and alive than the repetitive race track with no atmosphere or feeling. The free roam mode lets you just drive around for fun, testing out all the gorgeous exotic cars on offer. It's bliss, pretty much like Test Drive Unlimited, but with better graphics, physics and lot more enjoyable due to the arcade nature of things.
Downer
If there is one thing I have to admit my annoyance at is the Police races, some of them seem to be a bit too repetitive and restrictive and lack the fun and enjoyment the racer side of the game enjoys. But then I guess it is the police. Especially the Interceptor races, I personally found them quite boring; chasing one car whilst it just fucks around going round in circles, whilst it is rewarding to bust the ass-hole, it got pretty boring after a few events. I've totally given up on that side of things. I just wish they were a bit more innovation towards that side of things, rather than just flip the coin and label it as "cop".
Conclusion
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit took me back to one of my most enjoyable racers and then brought me back to where I am now. In a world where Social Media is the next big thing. Blending in both of these elements into a thoroughly enjoyable game, Criterion Games and EA have done a great job. It's one of the most complete game in recent history.
p.s. The Soundtrack to the game is not bad either.
Blogger, Sports fan, gamer, party animal and generally sociable guy. I sometimes tell it like it is. Deal with it.
Blogger, Sports fan, gamer, party animal and generally sociable guy. I sometimes tell it like it is. Deal with it.
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