NEED FOR SPEED

Developer: Ghost Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Engine: Frostbite
Platforms: PS4 (review platform), XB1
Release Date: November 3, 2015

The Need for Speed franchise went from 100 to 0 after Carbon. But the latest entry in the series, simply titled Need For Speed, is not only the best NFS game in the recent past but also one of the best ever, provided you have a speedy and stable internet connection.

Need For Speed tells the story of a small but ambitious street racing crew which wants to become the best in Ventura Bay. This game not only brings back the iconic story-telling technique of Most Wanted (2005) where live-action cutscenes were used to drive the story forward but also improves on it since the graphics of the game has reached uncanny valley making the transition between cutscenes and gameplay seamless. 

The photorealism of the game is its main highlight. Even though NFS has been stale in recent years, the graphics was making small advances every year. But this year, EA took things to the next level. The PS4 manages to run this game in 1080p at 60fps making it a treat to watch and play. The game has no day-time sequences but the time does go from dusk to dawn and though there are noticeable differences in the lighting of the different time phases, NFS manages to look stunning at all times. 

The gameplay of the game is where EA made big amends and it certainly has paid off. The deep customization mechanism from the Underground games is back and I shed tears of joy as I could mod my ride after a long, long time. The handling of the car can be customized too and it is a lifesaver. The cars are very few in number and as an Audi fan, I was disappointed by the absence of Audi. The sandbox-style gameplay from recent entries has made its way into this game as well but the purposelessness hasn't. The story of the game, though nothing special, has removed the morose feeling of a robotic female voice giving you instructions. 

The game however has a major downside. This game requires a constant Internet connection and a PS Plus or Xbox Live membership. So, you'll be able to play the game only when your internet, the PS/Xbox server, the EA servers and the NFS servers are all stable at once. This is a rare occurrence and so I can barely play a couple of hours a day.

So, if you think you have a connection stable enough for this game and you are a PS Plus/Xbox Live member, this game is a must buy for you. Otherwise, skip on it and get something that isn't so "needy".

Nony Khondaker is an introvert with immense passion for tech and music. Feel free to send your constructive feedback at nonykhondaker@live.com or follow him on twitter.com/NonyKhondaker