Those eagerly awaiting Need For Speed and keeping up with updates regarding the game would be aware of the Beta running this weekend (2 - 5th Oct). I got a chance to play the game but due to the terms and conditions associated with playing the game, I cannot show any in game footage. However, I will let you know what I discovered with words and plaster some official screenshots within the text so you can drool over the graphics of this game too!
The player starts off career mode with a cutscene. Sometimes it is hard to tell which aspects of the game are real and computer generated because this game is eye candy. Yes, it may always be wet but it helps to recreate that Underground atmosphere and all those shiny reflections make this one of the best looking racing games I've played! Some may find the acting cheesy but the vibe it gives makes you feel like part of an illicit street racing crew. It felt engaging enough to convince me to start driving, so let's dive into the world of Need For Speed!
Driving the loaner Ford Mustang felt refreshing because the handling model has changed from the past four Need For Speed games, of which I have only played two (A demo of Hot Pursuit 2010 and the full version of Most Wanted 2012). From what I have experienced, the handling model hasn't been heavily influenced by Burnout and feels like a mid/late 00's Black-Box era game. The physics in the beta has been a controversial topic but it is fine by me for the most part. My only gripe has been the excessively sharp handbrake, leading to an issue I will talk about later on.
I've tried playing this game with one car for just over an hour to see if I could cope with having a restricted garage and I'm getting used to it more than I thought. You get the option of starting with a Civic Type R, Ford Mustang or Subaru BRZ. I went for the Honda and stuck with it for my play through of the game. The game did not make me feel like I had to purchase a second car since the performance mods help me to stay competitive in the early stages of the game. If the rubber-banding mechanisms remain present in the full game (another controversial point in the beta), I think it would be possible to complete most races with just your first car alone.
This game is not without its flaws though. These issues do not bug me personally but it is worth noting readers that there is no manual gearbox and controls cannot be modified on a controller. However, what does bug me is the lack of a proper pause menu. When you press the pause button, the action still continues in the background regardless of if you are in a multi-player game or not. Interestingly, I do have a minor gripe about customisation. Do not get me wrong, this game has one of the most extensive visual customisations of any racing game out there, but don't expect every car to have the same level of customisation as the BRZ or S13 shown in official trailers, I couldn't even swap the rear bumper on my Honda. Still, most parts were locked in the beta so I am hopeful there is an extensive selection of visual mods I have yet to see.
This other gripe I have is probably my fault for picking a Front Wheel Drive car, but the drift events felt unusual. Remember that extremely sharp handbrake I mentioned earlier on? That definitely didn't help; a small tap of the X button would grind me down to a halt, killing most of my momentum mid-drift, making it look like I wanted to pull off a parallel parking stunt. I would forgive this issue for basically picking the wrong car, but I know for sure now my first car in the full game will not be the Civic and none of my slots will have a front wheel driven car.
Overall, I have enjoyed the time I have spent playing Need For Speed and grateful for Ghost Games and EA giving players an opportunity to test drive the game early. My mind is made up and I will be purchasing the full game in the near future. This instalment has taken the franchise back to the era of Need For Speed I enjoyed during my childhood and early teenage years. the closed beta gets an 8/10 from me, a score which is set to rise once I play the full game!
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