Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005)

 PC
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1314 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,157 out of 1314
  2. Mixed: 102 out of 1314
  3. Negative: 55 out of 1314
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  1. AaryanShaikh
    Apr 27, 2021
    0
    Need For Speed Most Wanted. What is it about this game particular that has inspired so much passion throughout the years? MW seems to be the standard by which every new NFS is judged. There's a reason Ghost Gamers makes it a big deal when influences or references make into new games such as Payback. However, I'm not entirely sure Ghost Gamers themselves fully understand why Most Wanted isNeed For Speed Most Wanted. What is it about this game particular that has inspired so much passion throughout the years? MW seems to be the standard by which every new NFS is judged. There's a reason Ghost Gamers makes it a big deal when influences or references make into new games such as Payback. However, I'm not entirely sure Ghost Gamers themselves fully understand why Most Wanted is revered so lovingly.
    One of my favorite parts of MW is how it establishes presence. It feels like there are unique people with different personalities in each of the cars featured in the game. When a member of the MW pulls up to the starting line, There's a very real pressure that emanates through the player. Maybe it's from the great soundtrack, or maybe it's the culminating from all the hard work. Regardless, MW is filled with personality. it's not entirely present in the world - especially by modern standards- but it's made apparent by its cast.
    New physics engines, gameplay mechanics, and other improvements can make racing games of the past feel inferior from a gameplay perspective but not MW. upon replaying it, I was genuinely surprised at how well the car physics holds up. If anything Most Wanted feels much more weighted and realistic than a lot of modern arcade racers, making the feeling of going over 100 MPH feel that much more exciting and dangerous. Since MW was created before online multiplayer became popular, EA Black Box could take some creative liberties in the gameplay, like adding a slow-motion button that helps the player make tough corners and weave through traffic. also, it looks cool.
    Racing and Customizing are the two sides of the MW coin. It may not be as in-depth as it was in Underground 2, but MW is more subtle, which is saying something, considering it's packed with trivial decals and giant spoilers. I think the extensive customization available in some of the older NFS games is what gave them so much acclaim.
    Police Chases! NFS: MW has the best police chases not only in its franchise but in gaming as a whole. While sometimes the in-game officers have to be goaded into a chase to get into the higher heats, once it heats up, it heats up! Rhinos, helicopters, and corvettes will all try to take the player down at intense speeds, creating some of the franchise's most iconic moments. The stakes are high because if the police catch the player too many times, their car is impounded. The personal value in the player's vehicle is one of the most essential parts of the entire game.
    A lot of racing games have focused more on having a collection of vehicles at the player's disposal, while games like MW and U2 focused more on the bond between the player and the vehicle. I know I can't help but feel proud of myself when I get out of the sticky police chases or win tough races against the MW. It's because it all feels earned, and that my vehicle was reliable enough to get me through it. This is the foundation on which all good racing games should be built on!    … Expand
  2. Figura
    Dec 7, 2005
    1
    Ugly graphics, non-physics racing, no AI, no innovation, bored programmers, bad port, no excitement. Strictly for under 18's with skin problems and no driving (or any mature) experience! EA buying all crap online game websites again :((
  3. Dr.Goob
    Dec 24, 2005
    1
    The good: There some fun to be had here, especially in the police pursuits. Hearing the police talking about you over their radios during chases is excellent. The 'bullet time' feature is a gimmick, but had its moments. Simple to play fun. The bad: The gameplay gets repetitive, the physics is too arcade-like and shallow, the characters are retarded, the actors take overacting to The good: There some fun to be had here, especially in the police pursuits. Hearing the police talking about you over their radios during chases is excellent. The 'bullet time' feature is a gimmick, but had its moments. Simple to play fun. The bad: The gameplay gets repetitive, the physics is too arcade-like and shallow, the characters are retarded, the actors take overacting to ridiculous new hights, the motion blur makes seeing anything incredibly difficult at very high speeds and can't be turned off, there are no difficulty settings, and the background music sucks. The ugly: Drag racing is terrible. Abysmal. You don't actually steer the car, you just choose when to change lanes and gears, which is retarded enough in itself. Not only that, cars pull out right in front of you from side streets, causing you to crash. In one race (a career race you can't skip) a van pulls out in just the right spot to block both lanes on the drag race every single time. And because of the retarded mechanics, you're stuck in your lane, so while the opponent can simply drive up onto the kerb and around it, you cannot. So you simply crash into it. Repeatedly. And swear in impotent rage. DRAG RACING IS TERRIBLE. It is so bad, you have to question if they even played the game before they released it. If drag racing was taken out completely, this game would get a 5. As it is, it gets a 1, and I reccommed that the programmers responsible for drag racing be taken out and made to repeatedly play drag races until they are sorry.… Expand
  4. kanefriessner
    Jul 11, 2012
    4
    The reborn of the worst NFS! Again, only it's musics are great. Good graphics, no physics (not as bad in Underground), the cars are good, fair controlling (not always), almost always the same "tracks" (not as bad in Underground), the cops are weak and idiot until phase number 4, then they are strong like Duke Nukem, irritating traffic, bad and cheating AI. Not as bad as NFS:U, but it's notThe reborn of the worst NFS! Again, only it's musics are great. Good graphics, no physics (not as bad in Underground), the cars are good, fair controlling (not always), almost always the same "tracks" (not as bad in Underground), the cops are weak and idiot until phase number 4, then they are strong like Duke Nukem, irritating traffic, bad and cheating AI. Not as bad as NFS:U, but it's not a good racing game.… Expand
  5. ChefP.
    Jan 10, 2006
    1
    While this game has fun moments, the AI is absolutely useless. I was driving a Corvette C6, fully modified to ultimate with some custom extra parts (full stats on everything) and I couldn't keep up with a computer controlled fiat punto. On a straightway, doing 220 while blowing NOS, the fiat kept up and pulled away when nos ran out.
  6. TylerM.
    Nov 28, 2005
    1
    The only inovation in this game is the graphics. Everything else is a step in the wrong direction. In my opinion, games should be moving towards unlimited possibilities, not linear racing with almost no exploration. The gameplay is very limited, the racing feels sticky. Reminds me of Rad Racer.... If all you care about is graphics, this is the game for you.
  7. Budget_Security
    Apr 18, 2012
    4
    Mediocre. Getting chased by the cops is fun for 1 hour. Racing with your friends on LAN is fun for another hour. After that, there is little to like. For me, the lack of realism and innovation is what stops this from being good. Ok if you can get it for £1
  8. AlexeySoltan
    Oct 14, 2021
    4
    what an idiot one must be to name this part the bets in the series? its monotonuos and boring
  9. Aaradhya
    Oct 29, 2021
    0
    the game was my fav back in my childhood! Few weeks back when i was in the car w my friends we played a song and i instinctively said "i used play this song while playing NFS MW" and they replied yeahhhh sameee!!!
    this game is childhood fav racing game and nothing like this is released by any company ever!!!!!
    PERIOD
  10. VeuxVIP
    Jan 25, 2023
    0
    the pc port is a piece of **** and the whole game focuses on recovering a stupid kitcar while facing 15 nobodies, and piss filter sucks.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best PC Game of 2005
6
#6 Most Discussed PC Game of 2005
2
#2 Most Shared PC Game of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 19
  3. Negative: 0 out of 19
  1. IGN
    85
    The stylistic presentation and graphic sensibilities are impressive, and they're complemented by excellent engine sound effects and smart cop chatter.
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  2. 1UP
    85
    The nod back to the cop chase mechanics of the Hot Pursuit games is certainly welcome, plus it's interesting to see that the vaunted "open" gameplay of the last two games has been dialed down by a more forcibly linear structure to keep things interesting.
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  3. Stuff
    90
    Making a name for youself by climbing the game's Black List, aka series of bad-ass mo-fos you must beat, is good fun.
    Read full review
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