We are all too used to seeing the same old story - an upcoming video game gets hyped to unworldly levels and when it does come out, all the hype disappears as we are presented with a lacklustre product. The latest victim to go through that cycle is Need For Speed - after many claims by Ghost Games and the press that the latest instalment in EA's racing franchise will take the game back to its heyday (think Underground-Carbon era), it appears to be lacking in many aspects resulting in many mixed reviews. As of writing, average critic ratings stand at 73 for the Playstation 4 and 63 for the Xbox One, the latter being subject to more framerate inconsistencies. Other issues which pop up frequently amongst critics are a short storyline, sparse traffic and of course, the always online aspect. So if you were looking to purchase Need For Speed to get your arcade racing fix this winter, it is not the end of the world as you have many more choices out there. Let's take a look at some of the alternative arcade racing games you can pick up (or return to) instead!
The Crew: Wild Run
Looking for something new to play? Take a look at Ubisoft's heavily revamped open world racer. Like Need For Speed, this was initally released with online play being integrated into the core of the game, meaning it was impossible to play offline. It also received a backlash for including microtransactions, dated graphics and a confusing interface. However, Ubisoft is releasing an expansion pack titled 'Wild Run' which will bring a host of new vehicles (yep, bikes are now a thing in The Crew!), events and most importantly a visual overhaul, both with the interface and graphics. It basically feels like a new game, which it should to encourage people this is a far cry from its former self. Add to that a wide variety of vehicles with the immense scale of the map and The Crew: Wild Run looks like a promising prospect.
Playstation 4 - Driveclub (Now with bikes!)
There seems to be a trend developing; I'm including games that did not do well on the release but have evolved into becoming more appealing. I'll get back to that later, but let's talk about Driveclub. Sony's flagship arcade racing game is second to none when it comes to graphics and has had continuous support since its release one year ago including weather effects, more cars and a new environment - Japan. Just last week, Driveclub received an expansion pack containing motorbikes, delivering an entirely new racing experience. Even with its arcade credentials, Driveclub has the most believable physics of all the games here so this is the ideal choice for those seeking something thrilling without breaking too many laws of physics.
Xbox One - Forza Horizon 2
Ah, now here is a game which actually did well from the get-go. Don't let the fact this is the oldest game here put you off, Forza Horizon got a score of 86 on metacritic for a reason - it provides endless fun. Whether you are new to the game or a returning player, Forza Horizon 2 always has something for you to do. With over 300 cars now available, you can customise them before choosing to take a road trip to various destinations in the south of France or Italy and race to win championships whilst listening to the many music genres the Horizon Festival has to offer. When you are bored of racing, you can take time out to complete bucket list challenges, photograph cars and obtain collectables. If you start playing this game now, you will forget Need For Speed even existed!
Free(ish) - Need For Speed: No Limits
So what if you have no money to spend but still want your racing game fix? Well if you have a decent mobile device running Android or iOS, Firemonkeys has got you covered. Need For Speed: No Limits is a mobile game which focuses on street racing and heavy car customisation. With a free game, there are some catches - you have a restrictive fuel system, opportunities to spend real cash everywhere and an economy which encourage grinding. Despite that, a fair amount of progress can be made without spending money and you will soon notice your car collection growing sooner than you think. No Limits will have you hooked for the rest of the year without thinking about parting with cash. But by then, you would have money from Christmas to buy one of the other games, right?
And... Need For Speed?
Ok, I just mentioned this game is disappointing at the beginning of the post, so why is this my final recommendation? First of all, this game still has a lot going for it. The graphics and sounds are exceptional and the driving dynamics can be tailored to your liking - this is the basis of a good game. What Ghost Games did not capitalise on was content and presentation so it feels unfinished. However, EA have assured players that Need For Speed will not have any microtransactions, paid DLC and all future content updates will be free of charge. Remember how I mentioned the first two games where poor at release and developed into better games over time? I think it is fair to assume Need For Speed could actually be the game we have been hoping for. We just have to wait a bit longer and see what Ghost Games has to provide after release.
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