Need for Speed

 PC
Metascore
68

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
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  1. Wccftech
    Mar 19, 2016
    74
    With completely acceptable racing, cringe-inducing cutscenes and a questionable online mode, Need for Speed for PC is a worthwhile racer, if not the best one available. You won’t regret your purchase, but you’re not likely to be recommending it to all of your friends either. Maybe wait for a sale, but rest assured that this is a well optimized port of a decent, if not amazing racer.
  2. XGN
    Mar 25, 2016
    70
    After Need for Speed Undercover the core NFS-games seemed to have become lost glory. This new Need for Speed however marks the return of those core Need for Speed elements and shows that the voice of the fans really is heard by the developers.
  3. PC Invasion
    Mar 19, 2016
    70
    Like the stereotypical school heartthrob, Need for Speed is vapid but beautiful and strangely exciting. It's a surprisingly enjoyable arcade racer, but one that's more for casual downtime than for a serious commitment.
  5. Eurogamer Italy
    Mar 10, 2016
    70
    Quotation forthcoming.
  6. GameStar
    Mar 13, 2016
    69
    Under the great bodywork there's a lame engine. Need for Speed looks great, but the races are lacking.
  7. CD-Action
    May 30, 2016
    60
    The PC version of NfS is the prettiest of them all, but it is the same game with all its flaws, including horrible AI that sucks all satisfaction out of races (even if you stop completely, your rivals will wait for you) and scarce content that leaves you with nothing to do after around 12 hours. [05/2016, p.53]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Games.cz
    Mar 29, 2016
    60
    Neither good nor bad. The new Need for Speed is just another piece in a row that you play and forget when it’s finished. Although the PC version has brought some interesting changes, console controls and unresolved technical issues are reasons why the game can´t be a hit.
  9. PCWorld
    Mar 9, 2016
    60
    This is certainly the best Need for Speed PC port in years, but the game itself isn't that great. Come for the racing, stay for the dumb live-action scenes.
  10. 4P.de
    Mar 20, 2016
    55
    It looks better than on consoles. And the added racing wheel support also helps to differentiate this racer from its siblings on PS4 and One. But the disappointment about all the wasted opportunities still is omnipresent.
  11. PC Gamer
    May 21, 2016
    50
    The series leaves its garage looking even worse than when it went in. Decent handling doesnt save it.
  12. PC PowerPlay
    May 9, 2016
    50
    Yeah it looks amazing but [*FISTBUMPS*] do not a good racing game make. [Issue#250, p.69]
    All this publication's reviews

Awards & Rankings

45
#45 Most Discussed PC Game of 2016
5
#5 Most Shared PC Game of 2016

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.5

Mixed or average reviews- based on 399 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 146 out of 399
  2. Mixed: 106 out of 399
  3. Negative: 147 out of 399
  1. palker
    Mar 22, 2016
    4
    Here are the main reasons for my rating:
    First thing that i dislike about this game is the fact that its always online. Your internet dies in    Here are the main reasons for my rating:
    First thing that i dislike about this game is the fact that its always online. Your internet dies in the middle of the race you get booted to the welcoming screen for being a filthy pirate i guess.
    Then there the controls which are sluggish cars feel like you are driving tanks. I played with the XBox controller so i do not know how it plays with keyboard or wheel, but controller was horrible.
    You can change handling of your car with the tune-able parts to drift focused or grip focus. Drift focus mean that it will be near impossible to drive straight while grip means you will have turning circle of a supertanker a middle road means that you will start drifting but next second you are driving dead straight into the wall. Anyway handling is absurd is what i meant to say.
    Next on the list AI and difficulty. There are races with three difficulties easy medium and hard. Depending on the race it is more like extremely easy somewhat easy and almost challenging. AI cars are super dumb and thanks to the fact that races take place in the open world you will often smash into AI racers that are just driving around getting in way. Also other human players can come over and ruin you races with no consequence to themselves so that is fun too.
    Cops in this game are utterly pointless they never catch anyone all they do is annoy you with sirens flashing lights and when you will inevitably escape you will get blinding blue flash to let you know. Also getting chased by cops prevents from restarting events.
    On the point of restarting races if you do restart you will be teleported to the event starting place and will have to watch loading screen and unskippable race intro again.
    And a 1000 more minor annoyances like interface some controls are remapable some not etc all add up to make game with great potential into frustrating mess.
    Anyway when my internet dropped i played NFSMW (2005) and it was so much better than this how is it possible they could not make a decent NFS in 11 years?    … Full Review »
  2. joeuser42
    Mar 21, 2016
    0
    This game is unplayable.
    After 5-10 minutes of play the game just stops with this message:
    "Your connection to the game server has been    This game is unplayable.
    After 5-10 minutes of play the game just stops with this message:
    "Your connection to the game server has been lost..." and then returns to the main menu.
    This is unacceptable when online gameplay is mandatory.    … Full Review »
  3. 808Stat3
    Mar 15, 2016
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. Bought the game 5 days prior to release. Digital Deluxe. 72$. Was able to play a 10 hour trial. Devastating.
    After watching Trailers I was excited to be able to play "5 DIFFERENT WAYS" .. you are NOT. You will play one way and earn XP in 5 categories plus you will be able to play mission after mission after mission in each category.
    The game looks amazing but that's about it. After my 10 hour trial I had already 72% accomplished. I wasn't able to stand those phony characters in the Video sequences either. Fake and totally overdoing it. Who talks like that in the real world ? EA and Ghost had a good idea but simply didn't follow through with their promises.
    Why do I have 5 million options to make my car look good if it handles the same way anyways with a simple "OVERALL" Slider bar for "DRIFT" or "GRIP" ... sad.
    After finishing the story I am left with a world that only contains "already played" events to make more money and useless REP points. I reached REP Level 52 and basically everything was unlocked for the few cars I was offered to purchase. 97% percent of game completion after 14 hours in game time don't justify a 72$ price tag. 30 spots to find to take a picture and 30 spots to find to do a stupid DONUT is the tip of the melting Iceberg. Obvious hiding spots and non existing shortcuts including Police AI that seems never be able to catch up with you make this game totally worthless. I can't even pause the game while in a race to take a leak or answer a Phone call. On top of that fake social network tweets and idiotic cell phone calls ingame that stop the second you passed the story make this game one of the worst NEED FOR SPEED titles in its entire franchise history.

    Sorry EA and GHOST .. you didn't convince me and I returned the game successfully to buy my Kids and my wife a visit to the 3D movies tonight.    … Full Review »
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