Need for Speed Hot Pursuit – Hands-on Impressions: PAX Prime 2010
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit was the big announcement for EA at this year’s E3, being finally announced after a ton of swirling rumors about the game. It’s also the first game in the series handled by Criterion, creators of EA’s other standout racing franchise, Burnout. Promising to return to the roots of what made Need for Speed great, Criterion is attempting to deliver the ultimate Need for Speed game. Can they live up to what they want, and what the fans want?
I was able to play one race in the game during my time at PAX. The demo was played as the racer, so I spent my time getting chased by the cop cars. The game plays extremely similar to Burnout, which coming from the same developers makes total sense. Does it feel like a Need for Speed game? That’s up for debate, regardless, since the series has taken strides in several different directions in the last few years. This is as much a Need for Speed game as Shift and Nitro were.
There’s some new additions to the game, mainly in the use of a few different weapons, somewhat similar in style to many cart racers. I had access to a spike strip and a turbo boost, but only a few that I had to ration during the race. If I used them too early, I wouldn’t have them later on when I might need them most. The game felt great, with the same sense of speed that Burnout has always excelled at. The visuals popped as well, since the game seems to be built on an enhanced version of the Burnout Paradise engine.
I really couldn’t find anything bad about the game, other than my own personal interest (or lack thereof) in racing games. It seems like a return to the roots of the Need for Speed franchise, something that many old school fans have been clamoring for for years. Since Criterion has their hands on the franchise now, it feels like a good hybrid of the best parts of Burnout and the classic feel of Need for Speed. If you’ve been looking forward to the game, I can say with assurance that it won’t disappoint. You can find out for yourself when the game releases later this holiday season.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit releases on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC on November 16th, published by Electronic Arts and developed by Criterion Games.
About Alberto Diaz: Alberto Diaz plays video games. Lots and lots of video games. Born on an Atari 2600, raised on a NES, babysat by a SNES and having dated a Playstation, he is currently seeing both a Playstation 3 and a Xbox 360. Living in the humidity of south Florida has made staying indoors a necessity. Despite a degree in media arts and animation, the best use of his talents comes in saving the universe, taking over urban cities, killing mythology and attempting to become the number one ranked assassin. Perhaps slaying a dragon or two and defeating the Nazis. Again.