Metascore
66

Mixed or average reviews - based on 69 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 69
  2. Negative: 4 out of 69
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  1. Nov 2, 2015
    90
    A gorgeous-looking, very well designed game that offers five different racing styles to tackle - and a bevy of interesting cars to modify and make your own. Its story is a lot of fun, and it's set in an impressively large environment that is very enjoyable to drive around. A great arcade racer that's both challenging and addictive.
  2. Nov 3, 2015
    85
    One of the best Need for Speeds ever. Even if Ventura Bay can be a bit boring, the game is pure fun and adrenaline-driven.
  3. Nov 2, 2015
    85
    The live-action scenes are a great idea and work well at times, but I also felt they were just put there to move me from race to race. I never fully found myself connecting to any characters or the story.
  4. Nov 2, 2015
    84
    Ghost Games brings us a Need for Speed game with many fan-favourite features such as customization, impossible skids and arcade driving. Although being always online could have been optional and some of the game aspects could have been taken from another perspective, the game is great and most fans won't be disappointed.
  5. Nov 3, 2015
    83
    The customization features are a welcome return, and the five-layered career lets you play with different approaches to driving. Some aspects of Need for Speed could use more variety, but it’s a solid foundation to move the series forward.
  6. Nov 15, 2015
    82
    Need for Speed on the PS4 goes backs to basics and delivers a sturdy racing game on this console.
  7. Nov 3, 2015
    82
    Need for Speed listened to its fans, and that’s why this game deserves to call itself a reboot of the franchise. There’s a few minor flaws, but especially in its multiplayer, this Need for Speed is the first fun one to come out in years.
  8. Nov 30, 2015
    80
    Need for Speed is fast, fun and good looking.
  9. Nov 5, 2015
    80
    Need for Speed returns with a title that lacks innovation and content, but it still is very fun and engaging. Also, if you've missed tuning your cars, you'll love this episode.
  10. Nov 4, 2015
    80
    It's a good starting point to build on. Celebrating 20 years for the NFS brand, Ghost Games delivers an experience filled with content. There's room for improvements in the online and in the AI, but the foundations for a new interesting direction for the saga are all there.
  11. Nov 3, 2015
    80
    Need for Speed offers nice arcade racing action. It is a good thing tuning your car to your own taste is back, but the acting that is full of semi - hipster words might be a tad annoying.
  12. Nov 3, 2015
    80
    Racing feels amazing and organic, with just a small amount of depth which could have been a bit more refined. We could have done without the storylines told by actors that try too hard to be young and modern.
  13. Nov 3, 2015
    80
    An enjoyable, solid and extremely accessible racing game.
  14. Nov 3, 2015
    80
    Need for Speed it's a great game full of good intentions. But the franchise still has a long way to travel.
  15. Nov 3, 2015
    80
    A rebirth for the series, but not the perfect one fans hoped for. While the Tuning is awesome, and the campaign is long and satisfying, seeing rubber band AIs in 2015 is truly appalling. This choice, paired with the “always online” structure) kind of ruins an otherwise great arcade racing game.
  16. Nov 3, 2015
    80
    There's the racing, which benefits from better customization, diverse handling models, competitive visuals, and assorted racing challenges. These are the things that you expect, and Need for Speed delivers. Then there are the full motion video sequences, which thrive on first-person fist bumps, Monster energy toasts, and people saying the word "hashtag" without irony.
  17. 80
    Ghost Games is onto something seriously promising with this franchise reboot. However, being unable to pause the game as well as no option to play offline may prove two obstacles that are not surmountable for some players.
  18. Nov 3, 2015
    80
    The game is far from perfect, but it is, at points, truly exceptional. Its jaw-dropping visuals, adrenaline-pumping audio, and highly-customizable handling make screaming around the darkened streets of Ventura Bay an intense thrill. The sense of ownership that comes with tuning a single ride to perfection rather than simply grabbing the flashiest vehicle available proved tremendously rewarding.
  19. Nov 4, 2015
    78
    Need for Speed, like the world of Venura Bay, is full of dark and light areas. The tuning, the speed feeling, the visuals are good, but the AI and the lack of variety make its tires blow.
  20. Nov 3, 2015
    78
    Need for Speed certainly looks better than ever, but in the process of recovering its visual identity, it loses some of its more amusing gameplay features such as over the top chases and simple but effective multiplayer structure. Need for Speed is more about neon lights than actual spark.
  21. Nov 2, 2015
    77
    Need for Speed has rebooted itself with a game that recovers its tuning-nocturnal past and mixes it with an open and social world, but it has lost some options and the AI cheats so much that it can be frustrating.
  22. Nov 20, 2015
    75
    Need for Speed is an excellent racing title with a laid back attitude and plenty to enjoy – if you can get past a few of the glaring design choices that is.
  23. Nov 10, 2015
    75
    Need for Speed is a nice reboot of the series, but with its own flaws. From a technical standpoint the game looks amazing, and the sound is great too. There is plenty of content in the box, but the game lacks personality.
  24. Nov 10, 2015
    75
    Not the best of reboots, but certainly not the worst, the latest Need For Speed plays it safe with a reborn franchise that is focused on finding the lust for momentum that it had lost in previous installments. A solid start, even if it doesn't finish ahead of the pack.
  25. Nov 9, 2015
    75
    Need For Speed is a better-playing game than The Run, but still falls far short of any of the Criterion games or the early ’00s games as well.
  26. Nov 3, 2015
    75
    Need for Speed collects all its historical heritage in a game where you’ll find what you had and what you missed. But along the way it’s lost some of the courage that characterized it.
  27. Nov 2, 2015
    75
    One of the most important racing franchises of all time is back. The new Need For Speed takes the greatest elements of the series and combines them into a single game. The lack of innovation may be a down point, but in general, this is a pretty good video game.
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 1355 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Nov 3, 2015
    10
    Perfect arcade all about driving fantastic cars in the night, bad weather and marvelous mornings. Nothing more, nothing less. You could bePerfect arcade all about driving fantastic cars in the night, bad weather and marvelous mornings. Nothing more, nothing less. You could be disappointed if you expect something bigger. Full Review »
  2. Nov 3, 2015
    10
    Finally amazing NFS experience.

    Just bought it few hours ago. I really enjoying it so far. Great customization. Awesome graphics. Fun cut
    Finally amazing NFS experience.

    Just bought it few hours ago. I really enjoying it so far. Great customization. Awesome graphics. Fun cut scenes.
    So much customization, I love it. I played 2.5 hours so far. It all I’ve missed in NFS series. Truly exciting single player experience. Love driving at night and now I have so much of it.

    Choosing BRZ out of first 3 cars was no brainer for me, I love it, so much customization for it.
    Based on the first impressions. I love it and can’t wait to get back home and play some more.
    If you want another online racing game go look elsewhere, if you enjoy single player street racing games this just for you.
    For those who complain about driving experience, it’s an arcade game which supposed to be fun and it is. If you want realistic (authentic handling) driving experience buy a real car with a stick and start driving. It is like complaining that sex doll does not feel like a real thing.

    Almost forgot drifting is so amazing in this game.

    10 out of 10 for me
    Full Review »
  3. Nov 3, 2015
    8
    Best NFS since Underground 2, no joke.

    Sure, there's some issues, it's not perfect but the awesome customization, great progression system
    Best NFS since Underground 2, no joke.

    Sure, there's some issues, it's not perfect but the awesome customization, great progression system and great graphics makes it stand out from the rest.

    All it needs is a little fine tuning like stability and extra parts and cars and it could very well be the best racing game this gen so far!

    Don't listen to the haters! This game is fantastic! I feel like the only one that adores the handling!
    Full Review »