Midnight Club: Los Angeles

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 178 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 128 out of 178
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 178
  3. Negative: 16 out of 178
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  1. OrenM
    Nov 11, 2008
    10
    One of the best game ever in my opinion. Some times it hard to win at the beginning with a beginners car, but you still get your reputation, money and more advanced cars and more easy competitions until you finally win and win. The more you play the more fun it gets. If you are searching for a game where you always win, try Pure or Mario. But if you are looking for the real thing, this is One of the best game ever in my opinion. Some times it hard to win at the beginning with a beginners car, but you still get your reputation, money and more advanced cars and more easy competitions until you finally win and win. The more you play the more fun it gets. If you are searching for a game where you always win, try Pure or Mario. But if you are looking for the real thing, this is the real thing!… Expand
  2. ToddK
    Nov 7, 2008
    9
    Great racing, graphics are super and when you get enough cash to buy the first Ducati bike, GET IT!!! You will win all the time if you don't crash. All the cars control superbly even from the start. Tons and tons of races to be had, start with the easiest and work your way up to harder using the better cars. I have actually beaten some of the hardest highway races using the Ducati.
  3. SamD
    Sep 19, 2009
    10
    This is the first game in the Midnight Club series I've ever owned, and it is far better than I even dared imagine. It is huge, full of variety and is an almost flawless game, despite the online modes which seem almost empty most of the time.
  4. DGDrocks7
    Apr 29, 2014
    9
    Got this off PSN for $4.99. It's worth every penny. This ought to take the title as the best racing game of last-gen. Just improve the lighting and anti-aliasing, and this will hold up to even today's games. Now there are complaints that the races are hard. Well, yes, they are quite challenging, but they CAN be beaten. Sometimes traffic will make things a pain but I've played harder games.Got this off PSN for $4.99. It's worth every penny. This ought to take the title as the best racing game of last-gen. Just improve the lighting and anti-aliasing, and this will hold up to even today's games. Now there are complaints that the races are hard. Well, yes, they are quite challenging, but they CAN be beaten. Sometimes traffic will make things a pain but I've played harder games. The open-world of Los Angeles is so amazing and breath-taking, you will feel like your in LA. Also, the police can be a little frustrating, but it is possible to evade them. They make things more tense. And I love how most civilian cars are licensed. So get this amazing game. You won't be disappointed. Rockstar, I expect a Midnight Club game for PS4 and X1, you got that?… Expand
  5. invincible918
    Aug 25, 2015
    10
    THIS GAME IS AMAZING!!! WHY PEOPLE ARE HATING THIS GAME? It has a good car selection, hard to beat AI and deep customisation options. Everything I needed for a good racing game.
  6. FallenStar
    Aug 9, 2016
    9
    Have you ever seen the "Fast and Furious" movies or any street racing movie that made you want to play a similar street racing video game but you were never able to find the right one?

    Midnight Club L.A is a splendid racing game that gets a lot of the street racing "things" right. With a large city to explore and race in, the intensity of traffic and the chaos in a race, MC:LA is both    Have you ever seen the "Fast and Furious" movies or any street racing movie that made you want to play a similar street racing video game but you were never able to find the right one?

    Midnight Club L.A is a splendid racing game that gets a lot of the street racing "things" right. With a large city to explore and race in, the intensity of traffic and the chaos in a race, MC:LA is both challenging and super fun.

    While there is no real tutorial to begin with, you'll start in a slower car, doing some beginner races that will allow you to get used to the game. As you continue to upgrade and purchase new cars, more tougher opponents will pop up for you to take on and that's where MC:LA shines the most.

    The freedom to race by taking any path you deem the shortest or better for you is what makes the game truly unique. There's no arrow to guide you left and right, there's no invisible wall to stop you from going the wrong way which might turn out to be the better way. You just have a map, your car and your skill to quickly adapt to the changes that pop up during the race.

    The customization in the game is great, the variety of cars is really good, you get access to bikes, SUV's, exotics, etc. The races can also be varied, from the location within the city to the amount of people you'll race and the type of race you'll play in.

    The game is definitely not easy and won't hold your hand for long. But in my opinion that's what makes MC a great racing game. You'll probably find yourself restart the same race over and over but once you get the hang of it, it is very rewarding when you earn that sweet cash.
    The traffic isn't scripted, it's entirely random and depending on the day you race in, the highway can be full of vehicles for you to dodge and avoid while trying to finish the race.

    While some people can get really good at it and perform great, the game isn't without mercy and it does allow you to purchase different power ups that you can use in a race that allows you to slow down time to avoid incoming traffic, or an electric field to slow down your opponents. ( Yes yes, I know it is sort of out of place but it's helpful for those who get easily stressed with these challenges, so they sort of balance things).

    There is a day and night cycle, the police will chase and arrest you if they get the opportunity though usually they're not a big threat but fun to have around in a huge race.
    The AI is quite impressive, especially as the police. They won't always target the player but instead they will most likely chase after the car that's in the 1st place or last place.

    There isn't much to say about the story as there really isn't one, but there are several cutscenes in the game. Whenever you get too tired of racing, there are other activities to part take in such as doing some dirty jobs for the rich business men in the city some of which involve taking out some people by totaling their cars or by stealing a car and sending it to another place within a certain time period.

    + The core of Street Racing is found within the game.
    + Detailed customization that allows you to edit the outside of the car as well as the cockpit.
    + Smart AI that will take shortcuts depending on your opponents, some will make mistakes,others won't.
    + Detailed city.
    + Side activities to do and varied races.
    + Long game, can take you quite a while to finish it if you try to.
    + Races feel more organic and not stale or repetitive as the traffic plays a major part in it by making it more difficult or easier for you.
    + Good soundtrack to pick from.

    - Little to no story but the cutscenes are appreciated nevertheless.
    - Some glitches that can happen when you go at high speed such as the textures not loading as fast as you go.

    If you want a real Street Racing game, this is the top pick to go for. Period.    … Expand
  7. ParalyzedHabits
    Apr 28, 2017
    9
    This is one of, if not the best racing game I have ever played. There is a large variety of cars to purchase and a variety of different customization options. You can make your car unique. Playing with friends was the best thing in the world. You can show off your cars and start impromptu races. No two cars are the same in accordance to the other players. The world is also big, but not tooThis is one of, if not the best racing game I have ever played. There is a large variety of cars to purchase and a variety of different customization options. You can make your car unique. Playing with friends was the best thing in the world. You can show off your cars and start impromptu races. No two cars are the same in accordance to the other players. The world is also big, but not too big so you can get around pretty fast. The only bad side about this game is that the online servers were shut down, so you can't play online anymore, which is what made playing the game worth it, because you wanted to have a better car than your friends.… Expand
  8. gsbastos
    Oct 1, 2019
    10
    Best racing game ever. Graphics, customization, mechanics, everthing! Rockstar rocks!
  9. Toz123
    Apr 5, 2021
    10
    This is one the best racing game I never playing in my life THE BEST !Honestly this is better than nfs.a 10/10 good
  10. The_D4RknesS
    Aug 21, 2023
    8
    Good game because it has a fast gameplay, feeling of speed is incredible, car destruction is satisfactory and the graphics are acceptable but not worth 10 because the game is very difficult, I believe that MIDNIGHT CLUB is the most difficult racing arcade game that exists because cities are full of cars in traffic
  11. Mohammad22
    Feb 20, 2012
    10
    WHY THE **** are some people rating this AMAZING game 0 , This is an Amazing game.. One of The BEST racing games this gen, A little underrated too, i mean how can an AMAZING game like this get an 7 or 8 while other **** games get 8 and 9 believe me.. you MUST buy this game.. Its really fun, the story is also AMAZING! You will really like this game, I highly recommend this game to everyoneWHY THE **** are some people rating this AMAZING game 0 , This is an Amazing game.. One of The BEST racing games this gen, A little underrated too, i mean how can an AMAZING game like this get an 7 or 8 while other **** games get 8 and 9 believe me.. you MUST buy this game.. Its really fun, the story is also AMAZING! You will really like this game, I highly recommend this game to everyone with a console… Expand
  12. gamer2013
    Jan 8, 2013
    8
    a fun old school but new style racing game it reminds me of nfs most wanted ( ORIGINAL) but it has great graphics and a great detailed open world fun racing and great customization Get the game
  13. Ps3blaze22
    Feb 20, 2012
    10
    One of The BEST racing games this gen, really underrated too, i mean how can an AMAZING game like this get a 7 or 8 while other **** games get 8 and 9 believe me.. you MUST buy this game.. Its really fun, the story is also AMAZING! You will really like this game, I highly recommend this game to everyone with a console
  14. Zilcell
    Aug 18, 2012
    8
    I have fully enjoyed the open world racing. Nice looking graphics for 2008 standards. Car physics are about as good as they can get for a game. Lots to do. Very exciting races and a decent story attatched to it.
  15. ChristianAPadilla
    Oct 29, 2008
    8
    Where in the ell are the cars? This game has like 50 cars most of them cars u will never use for street recing. You should add Hondas,huyndais. Wheres the dodge neon,mitsubishi Mirage. Where's my damn Subaru Wrx Sti WTF!!!!!!! Over all good game, my only complaint the lack of cool rides!
  16. samdagiant
    May 24, 2011
    9
    Amazing how authentic this game is in capuring Los Angeles. This is a great racing game especially for people who love cars and love being able to customize them. The computer's abilities can be frustrating sometimes, and it feels like they can't be beaten sometimes. But overall, this is a great game which can really keep you occupied for a couple of months.
  17. Pirate69
    Jan 17, 2014
    9
    At first I was upset with extreme difficulty from the very beginning. AI is not just unfriendly. He is angry. He is mad. He really wants to win this race and also to destroy you. But later, when I understand all things about local driving model, I fell in love with this game. That's much better, than NFS Underground, Undercover or other underwear. This game gives you a real challenge. HereAt first I was upset with extreme difficulty from the very beginning. AI is not just unfriendly. He is angry. He is mad. He really wants to win this race and also to destroy you. But later, when I understand all things about local driving model, I fell in love with this game. That's much better, than NFS Underground, Undercover or other underwear. This game gives you a real challenge. Here you can't win just pushing gas and looking at side windows. You must try hard and use every little chance to beat you opponent. Only here you can loose all that you have in a one meter before finish line. Wonderful hardcore and arcade mix. Few words about world. It's a real city with lots of traffic and people. Of course you can't hurt them, but this game is not about that. Day/night cycle, different weather and living city really gives you new emotions. Especially if you play from first person view. Wonderful animation of driver's hands and shaking camera works well and you really have a feeling of driving car on some kind of action movie. Of course it's not GT and hardcore gamers will never play Midnight Club LA, but if you like street racing, furious chases and beautiful views, you will like MC LA.

    A little advice from Russian gamer - try it and you will not be disappointed.    … Expand
  18. ty92
    May 2, 2021
    10
    My all time favourite racing game was the original Need for Speed Most Wanted. But this might actually be better. Every racing game on PS4 sucks. So I got this for my PS3. They should remaster this game!
  19. Thomas
    Dec 24, 2008
    8
    Another spectacular creation from the midnight club team, some points during the midsection of this game do become very tame with similar races for little prizes hardly seem your effort but if you bear with the boredom it will be worth your time as upon unlocking class B and A cars there are some simply fantastic racing to be had. A brilliant game all round!
  20. YakubuD
    Nov 25, 2008
    10
    I rate this game a ten, cause I Love Cars and Racing...Those who say the game is hard are not True Racers. This is my first PS3 Game since the Atari Days and I've already rank as a LEGEND in Driving Skiills ...with over 100,000.00 from wins! And my Car? I'll be online soon...MAGI 7! One Love! P.S.: I've only had the game for three days.
  21. SunshineRex1885
    Apr 4, 2021
    10
    Esse jogo me surpreendeu em questão de qualidade gráfica, ambientação ( já que nunca vi L.A ser tão bem retratada em um jogo como foi neste ) e talvez o principal... Sua customização, simplesmente a mais bem feita e variada que eu já vi no seguimento de jogos de corrida ilegal! O jogo é interessante no que diz respeito ao crescimento do personagem, chegando na cidade como um zé ninguém eEsse jogo me surpreendeu em questão de qualidade gráfica, ambientação ( já que nunca vi L.A ser tão bem retratada em um jogo como foi neste ) e talvez o principal... Sua customização, simplesmente a mais bem feita e variada que eu já vi no seguimento de jogos de corrida ilegal! O jogo é interessante no que diz respeito ao crescimento do personagem, chegando na cidade como um zé ninguém e no fim termina vencendo além do campeão da cidade, também os campeões de cada classe de carros! O jogo se torna bem demorado caso queira completar ele em 100%, porém não deixa a desejar em itens interessantes que não deixam o jogador entediado. A única crítica que tenho é a respeito da dirigibilidade neste título, embora não tenha concluído por completo os outros games da franquia até o momento em que faço está análise, me lembro bem de como a dirigibilidade não era ruim, arcade ? Claro. Mas de certa forma agradável ao se jogar, em MIDNIGHT CLUB LOS ANGELES isso não existe, isso varia de carro pra carro, claro! O melhor que experimentei foi o Camaro 69, porém você não completa o jogo com ele, precisa variar entre todos as classes de carros do jogo, e dependendo do carro que usar vai se separar com um veículo de péssimo controle, como o Lancer por exemplo, e dá para perceber que isso não é culpa 100% do veículo em si, mas dá dirigibilidade do jogo em questão, este para mim é o melhor título da franquia ao lado do MIDNIGHT CLUB 3, porém só perde em questão da dirigibilidade, mas não é motivo para não se experimentar este game, continua valendo cada momento e por isso minha nota máxima!… Expand
  22. Govego
    Oct 26, 2019
    9
    There are so much challenge missions. Some missions are extremely trash. Graphics are nice but game is so long. Some missions repeats itself 3-4 times
  23. levoxyl
    Aug 9, 2023
    9
    Well thought game. Nice graphics. A lots of importnant details. Awesome game ,love it!
  24. Motichoor420
    Jun 9, 2023
    10
    It took me a while to fall in love with MC:LA, but it won me over eventually. I loved MC 3: Dub Edition Remix, but this was my second MC game I grew to love. It has even more polished cars, more wonderful sound tracks, a massive city to race in, and a pretty good story line (albeit based on a driver wanting to move up the ranks, acquire status and more luxurious cars). My only issueIt took me a while to fall in love with MC:LA, but it won me over eventually. I loved MC 3: Dub Edition Remix, but this was my second MC game I grew to love. It has even more polished cars, more wonderful sound tracks, a massive city to race in, and a pretty good story line (albeit based on a driver wanting to move up the ranks, acquire status and more luxurious cars). My only issue with this game is the difficulty level, but once you have driven around the city, it can be overcome. My guess is the designers deliberately made this game difficult to add more zest to the gameplay. I would strongly recommend buying/trying the complete edition of this game, as it has additional content that was otherwise only available as DLC.… Expand
  25. Jackmax95
    Sep 2, 2023
    9
    Honestly one of the BEST racing games I have ever played. The amount of stuff there is to do in the game is Astonishing. The graphics are way ahead of they're time! Definitely a one of a kind racing game.

Awards & Rankings

33
#33 Best PS3 Game of 2008
27
#27 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2008
21
#21 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 43 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 50
  3. Negative: 0 out of 50
  1. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    80
    So long as you have the skills (or beefy enough cars) to avoid crashing constantly, you can find an almost endless supply of fun on the streets of LA. [Dec 2008, p.76]
  2. Edge Magazine
    70
    The overwhelming impression Los Angeles leaves is very slick, but it’s ultimately quite soulless. [Dec 2008, p.86]
  3. GamesRadar+
    90
    By sticking to its roots, Midnight Club Los Angeles may not be a master of innovation, but as one of the most polished, finely honed and adrenaline-filled racing games, you won’t find any that do it better.
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