Need for Speed: Rivals

 Xbox 360
User Score
5.7

Mixed or average reviews- based on 136 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 54 out of 136
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 136
  3. Negative: 48 out of 136
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  1. Lucasbro
    Jan 9, 2014
    5
    Now this is a good game BUT!....Graphics are my issue. I have a 2GB Xbox 360 Slim with a 250GB HDD and a Microsoft Cooling fan attatchment. When I play....the distant background is either flashing on and off, just not there or has a lot of pixels. The graphics up close in the environment ( Car, road, buildings ect. ) are great. The game play is solid..Online that is....Single player wasNow this is a good game BUT!....Graphics are my issue. I have a 2GB Xbox 360 Slim with a 250GB HDD and a Microsoft Cooling fan attatchment. When I play....the distant background is either flashing on and off, just not there or has a lot of pixels. The graphics up close in the environment ( Car, road, buildings ect. ) are great. The game play is solid..Online that is....Single player was short annnnd..lacking to say the least. I love the fact I can play with other people, I just hate when all they want to do is mess with you , and not chase / race you. Overall for the graphics issue (For Xbox 360) and the amount I had to spend on the HDD drive ( As much as my 2GB consol is now ) $129.99 is why I give it a 5/10. If I had to JUST rate the gameplay...Single Player 4/10 and Multi-Player 8.5/10.

    Good game.    … Expand
  2. DesNukem
    Feb 8, 2019
    7
    Make no mistake – this is an above-average game. The writing and cutscenes are probably the biggest downsides in an otherwise class act and the 'sexy' female instructor voice is getting a bit old. However, everything else -- from the slick menus to the environmental effects -- has obviously had considerable thought and effort applied to it. All of the little touches -- like the realisticMake no mistake – this is an above-average game. The writing and cutscenes are probably the biggest downsides in an otherwise class act and the 'sexy' female instructor voice is getting a bit old. However, everything else -- from the slick menus to the environmental effects -- has obviously had considerable thought and effort applied to it. All of the little touches -- like the realistic accumulation of dirt on the vehicles -- clearly show how much pride Ghost Games has taken in their work.

    Apart from NFS: Hot Pursuit (2010) this game is probably closer to Burnout Paradise (2009) than any other since and -- for me -- that's a huge plus. In fact, in many ways it actually improves on the original formula as you would expect. The learning curve is relatively steep but it's a highly intelligent and rewarding game for those willing to put the effort in. It doesn't all gel straight away. You have to play it a while to 'get it' and appreciate its nuances. I had mixed feelings in the first hour or so but now I have to stop myself playing to go to bed. That's the sign of a good game!    … Expand
  3. gamingdude
    Apr 9, 2014
    7
    Got the game at game shop had to spend $130 FOR a hard drive not really worth it it's too much around muitplayer Like i don't have gold so ever time i go play it tells me if i want muitplayer and really worth for a month then get boring.
  4. DawnofAaron
    May 20, 2015
    6
    I dont like racing games in general but Rivals looked like a game that promised racing to its best. How ever, I was treated to a knock off Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The physics in this game does not make sence and feels sloppy. Also, When I would crash into another car head on, the car would barely have any physical damge showing. The drifting in this game is pretty fun but all of theI dont like racing games in general but Rivals looked like a game that promised racing to its best. How ever, I was treated to a knock off Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The physics in this game does not make sence and feels sloppy. Also, When I would crash into another car head on, the car would barely have any physical damge showing. The drifting in this game is pretty fun but all of the races and pursuits feel unrealistic and could have been better. If you want to buy a needd for speed game, go with the 2012 version of Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The open world map is filled with guard rails on the rad which makes the player have to go all the way until the end of that road just to go some where else. The multiplayer feels like Sinplayer with smarter or stupider AI depending on the skill of the player. In conclusion, I would not recommend this game to anyone and you should focus on another racing game like the 2012 most wanted or the New forza Horizon 2. Thank you for reading this… Expand
  5. MrFunkman
    Aug 9, 2014
    7
    This is the first need for speed game I bought since NFS hot pursuit. I think it got some really nice graphical improvements since Nfs Hp but that also comes with problems on the xbox at least. If you are driving in a normal speed maybe (100mph) things pop up in front of you such as cars and other textures and that's really annoying sometimes but you will get used to it. The problem is ifThis is the first need for speed game I bought since NFS hot pursuit. I think it got some really nice graphical improvements since Nfs Hp but that also comes with problems on the xbox at least. If you are driving in a normal speed maybe (100mph) things pop up in front of you such as cars and other textures and that's really annoying sometimes but you will get used to it. The problem is if you have progressed a good way through the racer campaign and got really fast cars the problems with things popping up just expanding like crazy. Another problem (for me at least) is that i can't start the game without pulling out the internet cable and that is quite annoying. Otherwise in the game, drifting is really good, the game modes are fun and really enjoying. I think this game would have got a lower rating then mine 7 if you paid over 40 bucks for it but for the 18 dollars i paid for it, it's well worth it.… Expand
  6. gamingisgreat
    Aug 15, 2016
    6
    Need For Speed Rivals is a decent game,but nowhere near the standards of the franchise.

    NFS Rivals has basic physics.It is very similar to Burnout.High-tech weapons are back from Hot Pursuit.You can play as both a racer and cop. However,the AI is so cheap for cops when you are on the run that you will probably throw a controller.Car list comprises of sports cars,muscle cars,and    Need For Speed Rivals is a decent game,but nowhere near the standards of the franchise.

    NFS Rivals has basic physics.It is very similar to Burnout.High-tech weapons are back from Hot Pursuit.You can play as both a racer and cop. However,the AI is so cheap for cops when you are on the run that you will probably throw a controller.Car list comprises of sports cars,muscle cars,and supercars

    The graphics are amazing,but the framerate is awful.

    The sound design and soundtrack are mediocre.

    The game's story is decent on both sides.Both campaigns last around 6 hours.

    Overall,Rivals is a decent game.    … Expand
  7. Shadow1
    Apr 17, 2016
    7
    This is a Normal Racing game . Forza Motorsport 4 and Forza Horizon 2 better than NFS Rivals . Many real cars , awesome graphics and amazing gameplay doing this game is wonderful . Good game , but it can be better . 7/10 .
  8. gab_izidio
    Feb 4, 2021
    7
    Need for Speed ​​Rivals - 7/10 {do not recommend}

    This game tries to frame for the first time the two sides of the coin, runners and police, and you can choose to be 1 of them, or move between the 2. In that, the game is good and brings an innovative idea, out that his interface is very beautiful and characterized, but the map in general is small, and the challenges sometimes are very    Need for Speed ​​Rivals - 7/10 {do not recommend}

    This game tries to frame for the first time the two sides of the coin, runners and police, and you can choose to be 1 of them, or move between the 2. In that, the game is good and brings an innovative idea, out that his interface is very beautiful and characterized, but the map in general is small, and the challenges sometimes are very difficult to do, because of the limited map itself. Overall it’s a regular game, but due to so many options available today in racing games, this becomes an expendable piece.    … Expand
  9. Yojimbo2015
    Jul 2, 2023
    7
    The Need For Speed franchise "borrows" aspects of the Burnout series in this road racer in which you can choose to be either a racer or the cop in pursuit. A good, solid racing game but it comes across as a watered down version of Burnout, so why wouldn't you play the real thing instead...? Most Wanted 2012 is better.

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2013
49
#49 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2013
52
#52 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Dec 28, 2013
    80
    If you tend to see the glass as half full, instead of half empty, you will see Rivals as a success. Gameplay innovations make up for the lack of technical fidelity present in the old gen versions. [Issue#237]
  2. GameCritics
    Dec 19, 2013
    70
    Arguably, the racing genre doesn't create classics anymore. Publishers merely try to make the least offensive version of their franchise for that year. Owing to this truth, NFSR succeeds at not being offensive. Sure, it's just bumper cars at its core. Just cats chasing mice. But sometimes that's enough.
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  3. Gamers' Temple
    Dec 18, 2013
    80
    Need for Speed Rivals is a fun race and chase driving game.
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