Fri, Nov 02, 2012 | 09:43 GMT

Need For Speed: Most Wanted reviews begin, get the scores here

Need For Speed: Most Wanted marks Criterion Studios’ second crack at the franchise, and it’s a beast according to the world’s first review. Get all the scores as they emerge here.

CVG reports that the first Need For Speed: Most Wanted review appears courtesy of Edge magazine. The review said of the racer, “Once again, Criterion still manages to stand out and offer something fresh, setting a new standard in open-world driving games with – that word again – a seamless feast of quality.”

Need For Speed: Most Wanted launches October 30th across Europe.

So, let’s begin the round-up shall we?

Edge – 9/10
Polygon – 8.5/10
Game Informer – 9/10
OPM - 8/10
Digital Spy – 4/5
God Is A Geek - 10/10
Joystiq – 4/5
GameRevolution – “B+”
Giant Bomb – 4/5
VentureBeat – 85/100
Eurogamer – 8/10
Shopto – No Score
OXM – 8/10
IGN – 9/10
CVG – 7.5/10
Giga.de – 65/100
El33tOnline – 8/10

Got a score? post it in our comment box and we’ll add it to the list.

37 comment-trail-alt Posted in: PC, PS3, Racing, Xbox 360
Tags:

37 comments

#1

FinalStar
22/10/12, 11:12 am

I believe the embargo ist next Tuesday? Edge probably got an exception due to being print and scoring 2 points too high. They’ve really bought in for the hype of what essentially is a toned-down Burnout Paradise (based on 5+ hours with a review build).

#2

Dave Cook
22/10/12, 11:13 am

@1 nah it’s more likely due to advance subscriber or press copies, and print deadlines. It happens sometimes. I think this game will score massive once the embargo lifts.

#3

Fin
22/10/12, 11:18 am

@1

Yes, because Edge is known for over-scoring games.

#4

Goffee
22/10/12, 11:33 am

Any idea which version was reviewed?

#5

FinalStar
22/10/12, 11:39 am

@2 Which is more or less what I said: due to print. And I do expect lots of high scores as well, but it’s a travesty if it gets more than e.g. Horizon. Then again, I don’t understand what’s supposedly fresh about essentially rehashing a four-year-old (and better) game.

#6

roadkill
22/10/12, 12:07 pm

“and it’s a beast according to the world’s first review” Yeah like there was any doubt that this game will be anything else other than Awesome. It’s Criterion! They couldn’t make anything less other than Awesome even if they tried.

#7

Dave Cook
22/10/12, 12:10 pm

@6 simply stating the facts mate.

Criterion are ace.

#8

aseddon130
22/10/12, 12:18 pm

i agree with both previous posts, this game is going to be unbelievable i cannot wait for it! Most anticipated game of 2012 for me!

#9

Dragon246
22/10/12, 12:27 pm

For me, criterion and polyphony are the 2 best racing devs out there, with one ruling the arcade style and other the simulation.

#10

FinalStar
22/10/12, 12:46 pm

@6 Well, they finally did.

@7 Out of interest, have you actually played it yet? I suppose there must have been preview sessions in the UK.

#11

Gadzooks!
22/10/12, 2:15 pm

Well Burnout Paradise and NFS Hot pursuit killed any interest I’ll ever have in Criterion again.

They ruined 2 great franchises IMO.

It’s all about Forza Horizon now. Nobody does handling like the Forza team, and paired with open road it’s what Need for Speed should be.

#12

soqquatto
22/10/12, 2:41 pm

it’s fun because everyone think in absolutes, “I didn’t like it so it’s shit”. many people liked Paradise for what it was (it’s a million seller and a long seller to boot) and many people don’t like Forza handling at all (I hate it with a passion, if you’re interested). this said, I didn’t like Hot Pursuit, I found it kinda empty, but I’m looking forward to Most Wanted.

#13

Gadzooks!
22/10/12, 2:55 pm

#12

You should learn to read before mouthing off.

Reading comprehension 101: IMO stands for ‘In my opinion’

And no, I’m not even vaguely interested in your opinion.

#14

wnolan1992
22/10/12, 3:40 pm

#11, have to agree with you completely.

I really disliked Hot Pursuit, and from what I’ve seen of Most Wanted (admittedly only a few previews and demos) it just looks the exact same to me.

NFS used to be my go to racing franchise, a perfect mix between fun and simulation. But since ProStreet (which was the last one in the franchise I even remotely enjoyed) things have just gone way downhill.

The hour long playthrough video here on VG247 of Horizon made the decision for me last night. Will be buying Horizon and forgetting about this.

I’m sure both games will do well though, and nothing I’ve seen makes me think NFS is intrinsically a bad game, just not for me in any way shape or form.

#15

Gadzooks!
22/10/12, 3:56 pm

#14

It’s a real shame, because BO:P and NFS:HP were both close to greatness, IMO. Technically and artistically I couldn’t fault them.

Where I think they fell down was handling in HP (dreadful laggy boatlike handling) and BO:P not actually being a burnout game in any way.

It’s clear that they want to distance these games from the classics they are named after.

I loved those classics though. Not whatever it is these guys are producing now.

#16

Lightmanone
22/10/12, 7:29 pm

I so so much loved Hot Pursuit. And also the first game, Burnout 2, I played that game so much, that right now I can hear the theme music for that game in my head. Burnout Paradise, the same. And now NFS Most wanted, which is Burnout with a different name. Most anticipated race game of 2012 and 2013 even for me. It’s what i’ve been asking for the past 2 years, since Hot Pursuit came out :D
I am really happy.
Forza.. I wanna play it.. But not yet. When i am done with Most Wanted and need something else. Then Forza will be something for me :)

#17

Gigabomber
24/10/12, 7:37 pm

90 from Game Informer

#18

LuLshuck
24/10/12, 7:59 pm

I hated paradice because it just seemed lazy as out but I do agree Criterion are awesome

#19

aseddon130
29/10/12, 7:01 pm

as far as im concerned, Criterion are the EXPERTS of arcade racers, they bring exhillaration to a genre that does lack it in most cases. Burnout Paradise is one of the best games this generation has produced and this looks to be just as good. I literally cannot wait for this game!!!!

#20

viralshag
30/10/12, 2:02 pm

Another review here from VentureBeat:

http://venturebeat.com/2012/10/30/need-for-speed-most-wanted-review/

#21

Dave Cook
30/10/12, 2:04 pm

@21 My opinion? The game is too strict on its rubber banding, to the point it becomes infuriating. The cops are stupidly hard to shake too, following you through masses of traffic while you boost at 150mph. It’s littered with difficulty spikes.

#23

DSB
30/10/12, 2:07 pm

@3 If you get past the puffed up air of refinement, Edge is just as fidgety as the next publication. They’re quite capable of polishing a turd here and there.

@19 I would’ve agreed with that if they hadn’t been making the exact same game for the better part of 10 years. The last five reruns weren’t truly neccesary.

#25

Joe Anderson
30/10/12, 2:15 pm

Here is our review Dave, cheers :)

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/375616/need-for-speed-most-wanted-review-round-up-almost-paradise/ – Score = n/a

Thanks :)

#26

Dave Cook
30/10/12, 2:19 pm

@25 Cheers Joe, adding :)

#27

JebusF
30/10/12, 2:20 pm

And ours, pretty please Dave :-)

GodisaGeek 10/10

http://www.godisageek.com/2012/10/speed-wanted-review/

#28

VGUSER
30/10/12, 2:26 pm

edge – online link:
http://www.edge-online.com/review/need-for-speed-most-wanted-review/

#29

ps3fanboy
30/10/12, 2:26 pm

i got Grand Turismo, Burnout Paradise, NFS Hot pursuit and Dirt3 this gen… and there is no need for anymore car games, except one… LBP Karting. after that you have all the driving and car experience this gen have to offer.. all others car games are just rinse and repeat easy cashin with nothing new to offer… and this is a fact.

#30

FinalStar
30/10/12, 3:12 pm

@29 Good thing at least your name is fitting.

#31

TheWulf
30/10/12, 3:32 pm

All this has managed to make me want is to install Burnout Paradise again. I don’t like the air of “Keepin’ it real, yo!” that the gritty, grimy Need for Speed has. That puts me off a bit.

I liked Paradise for its almost ethereal nature. It was a pristine, yet empty city. It was like it was designed to be a playground for sapient, robotic cars. Perhaps at some point in the distant future. That and the variety of vehicles on offer just added a grand sense of silliness to it.

Need for Speed seems to take away that almost magical element, only to bring it down to reality. So it thus comes across as a poor man’s paradise. Where you go if you can’t handle paradise. A shame, really. I’d love to see Criterion work on Paradise 2.

#32

Joe Anderson
30/10/12, 3:55 pm

You forgot to put ours in :(

#33

Dave Cook
30/10/12, 4:01 pm

It’s in now Joe. Sorry been an insane day.

#34

Joe Anderson
30/10/12, 4:13 pm

No worries, I’m on holiday and it’s still too busy :D

#35

CityCobra
30/10/12, 8:34 pm

Germany/Austria: 79% (GamingXP.com)

http://www.gamingxp.com/bericht-5828-electronic_arts-criterion_studios-ps3-page1-need_for_speed_most_wanted.htm

Criterion and EA deliver an entertaining online racer that won’t go down in genre history as a revolutionary step in the Need for Speed franchise evolution however. After all, a well done online experience saves an otherwise soulless game.

#36

LeelooZA
02/11/12, 9:36 am

El33tonline.com gave the game 4/5 on the Xbox 360: http://www.el33tonline.com/past_article/2012/11/2/need_for_speed_most_wanted__review/ and 4/5 for the PS Vita: http://www.el33tonline.com/past_article/2012/11/2/need_for_speed_most_wanted_review/

Thanks!

#37

LeelooZA
02/11/12, 9:52 am

Thanks Dave :)

Leave a Reply