Need For Speed Most Wanted Black Edition

Over the years, the Need for Speed franchise hasn’t been afraid to try new things, or even go back to earlier ideas to expand on them. In the case of Need for Speed Most Wanted Black Edition, this was the franchise’s return to daylight racing and re-introduced the racer’s biggest adversary: the police.

The Black List vs the Police

Released in 2005 for the PC, PS2, Xbox, and Xbox 360; Most Wanted tells a story told through the lens of a driver who’s new onto the racing scene in Rockport City. You quickly find out there’s a leaderboard of underground racers called the Black List. Your goal: Reach certain milestones within the game to earn the right to face these ranked racers. These milestones vary, but an example would be reaching a certain speed while being caught in a speed trap. You’ll also need to earn a certain level or respect, which is earned by getting into high-speed chases with the police.

Here is where the game truly shines. The police chases within Most Wanted offer an experience unlike many other racing games, even until this day. As you tear through the city, hills, and highways of Rockport; you’ll start to increase your Heat level. As your Heat level grows, you’ll begin to be chased by the police. At first, the cops can be shaken quite easily. However, as you get further into the game and begin to reach higher Heat levels, it starts to get real. You’ll start to hear chatter on the radio regarding what they play to do, which may involve bringing out a helicopter or laying spike strips on the road ahead of you. This gives you a bit of time to react, but you’ll still need to be smart to escape. To do so, simply hide from the police on your radar. If you’re boxed in and busted by the police, you’ll lose your rewards and need to start that run over. These chases remind me of ones that you’d see straight out of a chase scene in an action movie such as The Transporter or The Fast and The Furious.

As you make your way through the Black List beating racers, you’ll earn money, upgrades, and possibly even the racer’s car. These rewards are chosen at random by you after these races, so you won’t always know what you’ll be getting. This feature keeps the player from being able to upgrade their cars and play exactly as they want. This might frustrate some, but it does give the game a bit of variety – albeit in a forced way. You’ll still be able to choose how to spend your money, so feel free to upgrade your spoiler or rims, or go the performance route and upgrade the engine and wheels.

Get In, We're Going for a Ride

If you’re a car enthusiast, you’ll see a few favorites in the game such as the Ford Mustang GT or the Toyota Supra; but it doesn’t have a roster that will absolutely blow you away. Certain cars, such as the Black List’s racers’ cars, will have upgraded versions. If you beat Vic, you might even get his customized Toyota Supra. I enjoyed racing in my Mitsubishi Eclipse before eventually upgrading to the BMW M3 GTR.

The graphics and sound quality are great circa 2005, although you may enjoy the more recent Need for Speed Most Wanted (2015) game a bit more if graphics, music, and sound design are your main requirements for a fun racing game.

The game obviously looks best on the Xbox 360, while playing the Black Edition. This edition adds more cars and some behind the scenes content for those interested in the game’s development. For the music and sound, they’re great for their time. The cars and collisions sound beefy and you’re treated to an intense orchestra once police chases start to ramp up.

Pros

• Blood-pumping, hand sweating police chases that test your mettle
• Wide range of cars such as FIAT, Mercedes, Porsche, and Volkswagen
• Entertaining story that keeps you progressing through the game
• Huge open world map to explore and get lost in

Cons

• Wish there was more variety in the chase scenes, such as tanks; or more moves the police will try to pull on you to bust you
• Bad acting in the cut scenes, but could be intentional as it has a certain charm

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a high-octane racing game developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. Released in 2012, it offers an adrenaline-fueled experience where players compete in illegal street races and engage in thrilling police pursuits. With its intense gameplay, stunning visuals, and captivating story, Need for Speed: Most Wanted delivers an exhilarating racing experience that is sure to keep players hooked. This is the premium for classic racing games, and anyone who played this when it released will still feel the nostalgia for it. If you are looking for a cracking game to play, this is the one for you. Let’s get into it.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Need for Speed: Most Wanted is incredibly satisfying and addictive. The game offers a seamless blend of fast-paced racing action and open-world exploration. Players are free to roam the vast city of Fairhaven, searching for races, challenges, and hidden vehicles. The game features a variety of race types, including circuit races, sprint races, and speed runs, each offering a unique and thrilling experience.

The driving mechanics are superb, providing a perfect balance between accessibility and depth. The cars feel responsive and handle with precision, allowing players to navigate through tight corners and execute breathtaking drifts. The game also introduces the "Fairhaven's Most Wanted" list, which features a series of notorious racers that players must defeat to climb up the ranks and become the most wanted driver in the city. One of the most exciting aspects of the gameplay is the intense police pursuits. As players compete in illegal races, the police force becomes more determined to bring them down. The chases are adrenaline-pumping and filled with high-stakes moments, with police cars and helicopters relentlessly pursuing the player. Escaping the authorities requires skillful driving and strategic maneuvers, creating exhilarating and heart-pounding experiences.

Visuals

Need for Speed: Most Wanted boasts visually stunning graphics that bring the city of Fairhaven to life. The detailed car models and environments are visually impressive, with beautiful lighting effects and realistic reflections. The city itself is a vibrant and dynamic backdrop, showcasing a variety of urban and suburban areas, each with its own distinct atmosphere.

The game's visual presentation is further enhanced by its cinematic approach. The cutscenes and in-game animations are expertly crafted, providing a heightened sense of immersion and excitement. Whether it's the exhilarating moments during races or the intense close calls with the police, the visuals in Need for Speed: Most Wanted never fail to captivate and impress. It has a similar vibe to Burnout Paradise and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.

Story

Need for Speed: Most Wanted incorporates a thrilling and engaging story within its racing gameplay. The game's narrative revolves around the player's quest to climb the ranks of Fairhaven's Most Wanted list and ultimately confront the mysterious and enigmatic racer known as "The Most Wanted." The story is delivered through well-acted cutscenes and dynamic interactions with rival drivers, adding depth and motivation to the racing experience.

The characters in the game are well-developed and memorable, with their own unique personalities and motivations. As players progress through the story, they uncover the secrets and rivalries that drive each character, making the journey towards becoming the most wanted driver all the more captivating.

Pros

• Fantastic gameplay
• Excellent graphics

Cons

• Younger audiences may struggle with the police chases