Need for Speed: Rivals

 Xbox One
User Score
5.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 210 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 210
  2. Mixed: 61 out of 210
  3. Negative: 64 out of 210
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  1. Anton32
    Nov 25, 2013
    8
    Despite the camera angles, I love this racing game. as a casual racer it brings a lot of excitement. Love the graphics and how you can upgrade your car. The handling for me is a bit much but the more I play the better ill get
  2. Dnazz
    Jan 19, 2014
    9
    I honestly am enjoying this racer more than Forza 5. It is more fun to play with friends but is still great when racing solo. The is the best Need For Speed since Hot Pursuit. Not to mention, the game was developed by the folks that brought us the Burnout series. Take what you loved about both games and you have NFS: Rivals.
  3. edstead
    Nov 25, 2013
    9
    Rivals has surprised me. I wasn't originally planning on getting it after being left hugely disappointed with most wanted but I am actually really enjoying it. To start with, upgrades are finally back, not to the extent of forza, not even to the extent of NFS Underground 2, but they are at least here. And progression is also back, no more of this if you find a car laying around you keep itRivals has surprised me. I wasn't originally planning on getting it after being left hugely disappointed with most wanted but I am actually really enjoying it. To start with, upgrades are finally back, not to the extent of forza, not even to the extent of NFS Underground 2, but they are at least here. And progression is also back, no more of this if you find a car laying around you keep it nonsense. Now you start off in a rank 1 car and as you progress through the game you unlock ranks 2, 3 and 4 each with a few cars in each rank. Visuals are upgradeable with paint jobs and decals and performance upgrades come in 5 categories, strength, durability, control, acceleration and top speed, all with 5 levels of upgrades. You pay for upgrades with speed points earnt by playing races, or driving around causing havoc, however, get busted by the cops before you get back to a safehouse and you lose your speed points. The gameplay is very much arcade, don't expect realism, just expect high speed entertainment.

    The game however does have a few downfalls and here they are:
    Limited car roster. Only about 20-30 cars as a racer and the same again as a cop. Each set is of different cars too, why not have all cars in the game available to both?

    The game would a lot more viable if instead of calling the upgrades "top speed" they actually had it listed as engine, drivetrain etc. like they used to.

    Apart from that I am really genuinely enjoying this game. As I said, go into this looking to have some fun and not looking for realism and i'm sure you'll have a blast.    … Expand
  4. CodyGrimm
    Nov 27, 2013
    9
    I originally did not want to purchase Rivals, but I am extremely glad I did.

    The game is exciting playing on both sides as a cop or racer its challenging and good look into what next gen may look like. The only issue I run into while playing is the Kinnect will often miss hear you and change your camera angles I think they should remove the camera look around and just use it for GPS    I originally did not want to purchase Rivals, but I am extremely glad I did.

    The game is exciting playing on both sides as a cop or racer its challenging and good look into what next gen may look like. The only issue I run into while playing is the Kinnect will often miss hear you and change your camera angles I think they should remove the camera look around and just use it for GPS lookups cause its extremely handy just to say GPS repair and get your car fixed while still in pursuit or racing and getting your SP. Another con is initial load time is horrendous but once you get into an all drive server its smooth and works excellent.

    The game will pick up at Christmas with more players online and will probably make for an even better play field and experience! Please do your self a favor and pick yourself up a copy of NFS Rivals.    … Expand
  5. martin7
    Dec 11, 2015
    10
    I find this game interesting because I enjoyed how you can change from police to racer. The graphics on this game is very good because you can see what the objects are in the game. I enjoy this game more than test drive unlimited 2 and call of duty. This game brings more fun and you can play on-line multilayer with another friend.
  6. Born2Slow
    Dec 6, 2013
    8
    I invite anyone playing Rivals on the XOne to add me

    Gtag: Auradin On to the review It's a great game, although anyone can certainly realize that this game is an attempt to capitalize on the release date push back of Drive Club for gamers on PS4. As far as the Xone is concerned this multi-platform title currently suffers from a few minor hitches that prevent the game from    I invite anyone playing Rivals on the XOne to add me

    Gtag: Auradin

    On to the review

    It's a great game, although anyone can certainly realize that this game is an attempt to capitalize on the release date push back of Drive Club for gamers on PS4.

    As far as the Xone is concerned this multi-platform title currently suffers from a few minor hitches that prevent the game from realizing its full potential. That & the current competition against Forza might drive a split player base as far as this particular launch title is concerned.

    As is the norm for most racing games in the 21st century you will NOT see your average daily a&b cars in this game. The game is focused on the fastest models available to the Need For Speed community. There is a planned release for "traffic cars" that will be added as playable cars (such as the Cobalt SS and VW Mk6), but this won't be until closer to Christmas.

    Although this might deter some as the implementation of compact coupes (in Most Wanted/Carbon/Most Wanted 2012) is one of the highlights of those series of games. Rivals retains the old school Hot Pursuit style racing formula while attempting to expand on other elements in the most wanted series, while simultaneously providing seamless multi-player transition racing and an (albeit small) free roam map.

    While the multi-player concepts that drive the game and its world, this is also ultimately it's downfall. Currently the only issue I have experienced so far is finding other racers within the game itself. This makes for a very degrading experience considering that the game was created as an Online title.

    Aside from what is mentioned above this is a great title if you aren't after the simulation style of driving that Forza currently offers for the Xbox One.

    Although Need for Speed Rivals isn't a particular milestone that has any relevant features that set it apart from most Need for Speed titles already out, it is a good staple in the next generation multi-platform venue and a great launch title to hold players over until another GRID or BURNOUT game appears.    … Expand
  7. BlueBaron
    Oct 6, 2014
    9
    The last NFS game I bought was Most Wanted 2012 (360) and I found it boring really, It was ok but overall boring. I rated that game 7.7. I like to have fun in my arcade racers and the original Driver was a lot of fun. I also like Stuntman and Driver San Fransisco. Also Split Second which was a fun game that never really got the recognition it deserved based on fun.

    So I never bothered    The last NFS game I bought was Most Wanted 2012 (360) and I found it boring really, It was ok but overall boring. I rated that game 7.7. I like to have fun in my arcade racers and the original Driver was a lot of fun. I also like Stuntman and Driver San Fransisco. Also Split Second which was a fun game that never really got the recognition it deserved based on fun.

    So I never bothered buying this game new, in fact I only just got it at the launch of Forza Horizon 2 and I'm gutted I never bought this game from new.

    This game is an adrenaline rush, a high speed thrill. Being more open road with no cities just highways, major and minor country roads. This makes for fast paced action.

    You can be a Racer or a Cop or switch between both.You have the usual jumps and shortcuts but in this game you also have pursuit tech, which can be used by the police or racers. Some items are only for each faction but most can be used by Racers or Cops.

    The game is played in what as become the norm for Next Gen in a world that has human players in but you can still can have a single player experience. Interaction with other players is generally low but you can instigate interaction with races for drivers near your area on the map or by bumping into them and challenging them or setting a route to them with the GPS in car. You can also have parties with your friends to race or work as a team of cops to bring Street Racers to justice Need For Speed style.

    Career mode, this is like a single player game but in a multiplayer world, so not strictly fully single player but plays out like a single player game for all intensive purposes. You get to choose Racer or Cop and can switch at anytime. Each Chapter of the story you play in career unlocks cars, upgrade, tech, paint jobs etc. What I like about this is you can choose between three assignments to complete a chapter making for a more user friendly experience by allowing you to choose the path that will suit your skills/play style the most. But some chapters not many have the same assignments for the purpose of the story.

    Kinect:- For once we have a game that utilises the Kinect and once you have used Kinect in NFS Rivals you can never go back to playing without in. There is a command list to learn but it's not hard and when racing at high speed you can ask the GPS things that can save you from wrecking, being busted by the cops or refreshing nitro's. You can also find Events or other players or call up the map.

    The multiplayer world is limed to 6 players only, I would have liked to seen more may be 8 even 12.

    To some up it's a great high speed open world racer that's a whole lot of fun and a genuine adrenaline rush.

    Rating 8.7 out of 10    … Expand
  8. Lilmanike
    Nov 19, 2015
    9
    This game is my favorite out of the entire series. A verity of weapons, 2 careers, an array of cars, one huge open world, and a serious but dark story and when you mix all of these it is incredible.

    The game revolves around a cop story mode and a racer mode. They are both heavily different with each perspective being different with racers seeing cops nothing more than little dogs    This game is my favorite out of the entire series. A verity of weapons, 2 careers, an array of cars, one huge open world, and a serious but dark story and when you mix all of these it is incredible.

    The game revolves around a cop story mode and a racer mode. They are both heavily different with each perspective being different with racers seeing cops nothing more than little dogs chained up on a fence trying to chase the mailman, while cops see racers as a menace of society and it works out too.
    There is over 80 cars in the game and with a frame rate almost with a solid 720p30FPS the game runs very well.

    Weapons are also very unique with some being reused only for a different task. Such as the EMP and EMP Mine. They can reach up to levels as high as 4 and that's actually pretty decent. Cars look almost realistic but however it contains a sad story in customization zone. You can only customize car paint, wheel paint, some wraps and decals and that's it.

    The story mode is separated in to categories that are distinct from other categories in the respected faction. You can rank up to 61 in the game. After beating a rank you will be able to unlock cars or wraps (racers only). Cops get cars for free while racers have to buy them.

    The game's multiplayer however is blended in to the single player. That doesn't mean it's online only. Pausing in NFS Rivals is impossible especially when in single player which is kind of a boner killer if you ask me. The game also features easydrive again but it feels better than most wanted '12 with the U.I. on the screen still.

    Since this is an EA game lets talk about the glitches. Whenever you are driving at a fast paced rate, the game will sometimes automatically stop you in your tracks while it is going on still. But this doesn't happen to often. There is also quick respawn glitch which doesn't happen often either. Getting stuck out of the map doesn't happen to often either so thank goodness but when you do you're forced to restart the game because what happens is (one situation) you're stuck, that's it. Then, you can move outside the map but the only way to get out is by *coughs x2* killing yourself if you know what I mean.

    The cops in the game are aggressive and will do whatever they can to bust you if your on the opposite faction. The game also comes with a multiplier which increase as up are out in the open. Deviation. More points, more money. Speedpoints count as your currency and used to buy upgrades and such.

    Easter eggs are also in the game as well.    … Expand
  9. DzmitryBoston
    Jun 30, 2020
    8
    Consistently solid quality of arcade type racing game. Nothing surprising or epic, but still fun.
  10. Forzagamer
    Mar 19, 2023
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I don’t see the problem ppl have with nfs rivals as looking back on it now sure it occasionally crashes but that’s ea and to play you kinda have to roll w/ that
    The progression is tedious but it’s kinda supposed to be because this game was intentionally designed to be very hard
    Story ain’t great as there are no actual character visual but the graphics, good the progression,     … Expand

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Xbox One Game of 2013
11
#11 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2013
6
#6 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
75

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Gaming Nexus
    Mar 31, 2014
    85
    The bottom line on Need for Speed Rivals for the Xbox One is that it's a gorgeous world that is pushing the hardware to its limit. Gameplay, however, is as close to the same as its Xbox 360 predecessor. For those who have the Xbox 360 version, it isn't a must buy.
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  2. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Dec 24, 2013
    80
    Rivals has managed to slip neatly into the middle ground between hardcore and arcade, offering brilliant gameplay mechanics and shameless thrills.
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  3. Gaming Age
    Dec 16, 2013
    58
    Rivals does a great job of proving its worth when all the gears are turning, but with the rate its gears fall out of sync, it's tough to call it a solid step forward for NFS.
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