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Need for Speed: The Run Review

Graphics:
7.6
Gameplay:
7.1
Sound:
7.5
Control:
7.2
Replay Value:
7.5
Online Gameplay:
7.3
Overall Rating:
7.4
Publisher:
EA
Developer:
Black Box
Number Of Players:
1-8
Genre:
Racing


Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit was a great arcade racer with solid control, physics, and balance. It kept you coming back for more on a routine basis, and the introduction of the Autolog increased friendly competition amongst all your buddies. But while this year’s NFS entry has its moments and remains a competent racer, it seems less balanced, less invigorating, and less satisfying. In some ways, it’s plenty addicting but in others, it’s frustrating and even unfair.

The Frostbite 2 engine is in full effect in The Run , but unfortunately, we’re only getting a significant graphical boost in the backdrops and environments. It’s certainly true that the landscapes are prettier and more detailed, but the actual gameplay doesn’t look that much better than Hot Pursuit . This new installation really excels when it comes to the backgrounds, the set pieces, and the crash effects (which aren’t a major part of the experience, but still). However, you really only feel impressed when you aren’t racing.

The sound is decent thanks to a wide selection of music tracks and some better-than-average driving effects. The voice acting isn’t too terrible, either, but there aren’t as many lines of dialogue as you may have been led to believe. More on that in a minute. Overall, most of the cars sound great, and the explosive impacts, thrilling nitrous, and involving tire squealing enhances the experience. It’s nothing new for the franchise, but it’s nice to see that we still have some of that patented NFS audio. A few of those tracks are questionable, though.

At first, Need for Speed: The Run feels a lot like Hot Pursuit . It has the same default view, the same mix of arcade-style and simulation physics (although leaning towards arcade, of course), and very similar – albeit challenging and even lengthy – circuits. The Autolog is back, as expected, and the addition of Challenges adds even more to the competition. You can try to top your best performance by getting a better medal, compare yourself with your friends, and earn valuable experience for your driver level.

The first scene starts out promising. If you remember the opening sequence of “Gone in 60 Seconds,” where Memphis’ younger brother Kip is being crushed in a car, I don’t need to explain any further. In this scenario, though, the dude in the car is the main character, and you have to escape, obviously. You do so with a series of button-presses that won’t be unfamiliar to any avid gamer, although seeing them in a racer is a little strange. The instant you’re out, you’re in a car and running from the mob. Gripping, no?

You’re in some trouble, and a certain woman has a way out: just be the first of 200 of the world’s best racers to get from San Francisco to New York. The purse is $25 million; she has promised you 10% if you win…obviously, it’ll take the rest of the prize money to get you out of the mess you’re in. So yeah, sounds good. But you know, two things happen after the first few hours of play: 1. you realize this is nowhere near as story-driven as you might’ve thought, and 2. the gameplay has a few surprising drawbacks.

The first thing you’ll realize is that it really doesn’t matter what car you drive. The AI is designed to be competitive no matter what so unfortunately, just because I upgraded to the Lexus LFA from the BMW M3 (with a significantly higher top speed) doesn’t mean I’ll have it any easier. The exact same opponents will magically mirror your vehicle’s capability and due to the rubber-band AI – which I absolutely despise – there’s little reward for racing well. They’ll just catch up all the time. This way, every event is competitive but it’s also insanely frustrating.

Furthermore, how you go about changing cars is just ludicrous. Once you pick a car for The Run, you’re in it until you change…at a gas station. During an event, you’ll come across gas stations; if you drive into them, you can change your car. You’ll lose a little time but you won’t be too far behind when you emerge. The problem is that with limited replays for each stage, changing your car almost feels like sacrificing a replay because you lose a little time and are therefore at a disadvantage. Of course, the computer uses the same system to switch, but even so…

Lastly, I have to say that the game is too erratic. If you go flying off a cliff, yeah, that’s a redo. But I had the game stop and send me back to a checkpoint just because I drove off into dirt. I hadn’t even spun out or hit anything; it just assumed I was done and forced me to use a replay. Not cool. I still liked the concept, though, because it kinda feels like you’re in the midst of a mad cross-country dash, and the racing locales really are excellent. El Capitan is tough but it’s a bad-ass course.

I’m also a fan of the Challenges, even if the top medals seem completely out of the realm of possibility and once again, you’re facing extreme rubber-band AI. There are several types of Challenges and because you earn experience and can rank up, it’s a great way to get ahead of the game. For example, you don’t even have nitrous right away, and you have to hit Driver Rank 4 before you’re rewarded for daring driving (i.e., close passes, driving into traffic, etc.). Plus, it’s a nice diversion from the linear progression of The Run.

The controls are pretty good, too. I actually think the cars feel heavier this time around, and more prone to spinning out. Drifting seems more difficult and the cars that have either Challenging or Expert handling feel almost more simulated than arcade-y. Personally, I like this little shift because I’m more into simulation, anyway. But it still fits the NFS atmosphere; Black Box isn’t adopting a SHIFT mentality, so don’t worry about that. It’s still unrealistic but with a trace of authenticity, if that makes any sense.

But in the end, I was a little disappointed with Need for Speed: The Run . I really liked Hot Pursuit a lot but there are few more problems here. All this hype about a story-driven racing game was unwarranted; with a few small exceptions, this still feels very much like any other racer you’ve played. On top of which, when it never seems to matter what car you choose (more in terms of speed and less in regards to handling), and the AI just sticks to your side no matter what, you never feel as if you’re accomplishing much.

More like just beating your head against the wall and trying to eke out your competitors at the finish line. Competition is great. But this is silly.

The Good: Great-looking backgrounds. Extremely well designed tracks. Lots of awesome cars. Challenges add a change of pace. Concept is solid. Control remains challenging yet accessible.

The Bad: Gameplay visuals don’t seem as impressive as environmental graphics. Rubber-band AI is too extreme. Cars seem way too similar. Isn’t the “story-driven racer” we were expecting.

The Ugly: “The stats say this car is faster…and yet, here you all are on my tail again.”

17 Comments
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Snaaaake
Snaaaake
13 years ago

That's a very low score.

Regardless, I'll still buy this next year, had a lot of fun with the demo.

NoSmokingBandit
NoSmokingBandit
13 years ago

I hate that a 7.4 is considered low. The scale is so completely useless. games are rated on a 5-10 scale in gamers minds, and anything less than an 8 is a waste of space, and it has to be 9 or higher to be "good" any more.

I hate review scores. I love reading the summary, but numbers are meaningless.

AcHiLLiA
AcHiLLiA
13 years ago

I guess I might change my mind on gettig this. They really need to go back to the Underground series, I just can see Underground 3 or whatever get a score in the 8's-9's.

AshT
AshT
13 years ago

hmmm i was expecting better review scores, guess i have to pass on this one

___________
___________
13 years ago

i think people are being a bit too harsh with this.
all the complaints ive heard about this is the poor AI and poor story.
well since when does a NFS story have good AI and story?
seriously, complaining that a NFS title has poor AI and poor story telling is like complaining that your Ferrari does not have reclining seats!
its kinda besides the point!
i totally cant wait to pick this up!
besides the laggy sluggish controls of hot pursuit, i really enjoyed the demos.
i just wish the NFS series would get rid of the bloody sluggish controls!
the earlier games were fine, its just hot pursuit and this where everything feels like a f*cking tank!
i kinda like my cars to turn in when i ask them to turn in.
not let them make a cup of tea, and gather a comity to discuss what will be served at next sundays meeting!
then do it!

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

'sigh'

When a game is hyped as being a story-driven racer, maybe we should be disappointed that the story is just like any other racer.

…never mind. Look who I'm talking to.

godsdream
godsdream
13 years ago

@_____________ "i just wish the NFS series would get rid of the bloody sluggish controls!"

It's called arcade racing kid.

___________
___________
13 years ago

its called seeing through the hype.
if Ferrari come out and say hey we made a car that can break the speed of light, then turns out it cant does that mean its ok for reviewers to mark it down?
of course it cant!
complaining that a racing game does not have a decent story is like complaining that a TV does not toast your bagels!
its not suppose to!
i could of told you from day one it would have a mediocre story.
its like complaining shooters have a poor story, how often do we get a decent story out of a shooter?

WTF does sluggish controls have to do with arcade racers?
so by your logic then the whole NFS series besides HP and this are not arcade racers then.
riiiiiiiiiight……….
congrats bro, thats officially the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard!


Last edited by ___________ on 11/17/2011 8:02:50 AM

CrusaderForever
CrusaderForever
13 years ago

I am really disappointed!!! I was really looking forward to this release. There is no way I can buy this right now. I enjoyed the demo and will still pick this up when it's cheaper. With Tomb Raider, February and March coming this will be a late 2012 or bargain bin purchase.

D1g1tal5torm
D1g1tal5torm
13 years ago

That's the beauty of Lovefilm!

dkmrules
dkmrules
13 years ago

The demo was meh, I'm not surprised the final product isn't any better

godsdream
godsdream
13 years ago

I always had little expectations in this game. I said before that I might be interested, but now with this review I confirmed that I was going to a wrong place with wrong ideas. I don't know how I could ever be interested in a need for speed title. At least until now.

dairyworker
dairyworker
13 years ago

racing games are nearly all i play, but i havent bought a NFS title since underground 2. i will rent this as i do every one to try it for myself but what i read/hear is what i expected. i also agree with ______ the handling in NFS games has been strange and delayed for a while now, arcade handling should be like DRIVER which has some of the sweetest arcade handeling ever. when i press left it initiates a turn not three seconds later

godsdream
godsdream
13 years ago

EA thinks that by delaying the controls they are creating simulator kind of controls. lol at that try. I remember when I played NFS shift and it felt horrible and just out of place. It confirms they are still not doing it right.

___________
___________
13 years ago

not really a while, only hot pursuit and now this have it.
carbon and underground the other NFS games this gen were fine.

maxpontiac
maxpontiac
13 years ago

I was so excited for this game, but once I heard you couldn't customize your cars, I quit caring.

Sirius
Sirius
12 years ago

Crappy game. Better get hot pursuit than this garbage.