I took a trip to GameStop today to finally pick up Need for Speed Hot Pursuit after selling my unused iPhone 3GS. I was going to pick up either Metro 2033, NFS The Run, or Dead Island, but I decided on just one game for now - no need to get greedy when I still have money to spare. Anyhow, I remember playing the demo and was incredibly impressed with the improvement of driving and general gameplay, the amazing and motivating soundtrack, and the stellar graphics. I wasn't much of a fan of the online capabilities simply because it's not my cup of tea, so picking up the game used and saving $25 and not getting a code for the online pass wasn't a loss at all. I wouldn't have used the online mode(s) anyway.
I spent the first few minutes reminiscing on the demo that I played, and felt an incredible feeling of contentment when I realized I had made a good purchase. I remember the original Hot Pursuit game for the Playstation and this was definitely a nostalgic moment for me. In typical modern Need for Speed style, you level up your character by earning bounty, on both the vigilante and enforcer sides of the coin. However, what I much appreciate is that you don't need to come in first place to win the race - I believe the minimum requirement is third, which earns you a 'Pass' for bronze, a 'Merit' for silver and a 'Distinction' for gold, for third, second, and first place respectively.
Despite popular belief, the game does not take place in an open world setting like NFS' previous instalment, Most Wanted. Instead, the game pans over the game map in which you select your race, which usually has about four races per selection, either vigilante or enforcer, depending on which you want to be at the time. However, you must complete all available races (mainly to obtain the required bounty level) to advance, unless you find a rare alternate method of obtaining the required bounty. Most of the time, race completion is necessary.
I think what I like most about the game is the driving mechanics. They've been much improved since the last Need for Speed game and turning sharp corners is much easier now with a modified drifting system, that if timed correctly, makes it damn near impossible to crash. Unless of course you're careening around a corner and a semi or a civilian vehicle is coming toward you and you hesitate on where to turn.
I definitely recommend this game. It's different than the previous Need for Speed games, very enjoyable like most casual racers, and overall, the best Need for Speed game they've produced, and the best racing game I've played.
Microsoft announced its financial results for Q3 of fiscal year 2026, including an update on its gaming Xbox business and more.
Not looking good. Hopefully Asha Sharma is able to turn Phil’s disaster around.
To me it's still quite remarkable how they can cash-in 5.3bn in revenue in a single quarter, since their hardware is basically dead.
The stock mark is what makes Microsoft remarkable, They have convinced every institutional and retail investor to just keep piling money into them. Like many big tech giants they are just a big growing pyramid scheme. As long as people keep dropping money into ETF's that cover the market Microsoft will always be liquid. At the same time it is completely stifling innovation and competition. People need to start being more discreet in how they invest their money as it's killing the system.
Riiiiight because people will just flock back to them for one or two games per year.
15+ years of bad performance is what they call irreparable in business. It is time for them to sell off the assets and get out of entertainment.
These declines are on the back of extra revenue received from releasing games like Forza horizon 5 on PlayStation. So I’m being sarcastic here when I said they should go back to exclusives. Killing off a revenue stream from Ps5 sales will only make things worse
The charity event will be streamed live from Gamescom in August.
Thanks to the slip-up of an artist working on the title, we now have more evidence that a new Injustice game is in the works.
I didn't like the demo for this game. A lot of people liked it, but I couldn't get past the stiff driving controls. I liked the urban tight corners from the past NFS games and didn't feel the thrill of speed from this game that other racers gave me. If you think this is the best racing game you've played, I recommend Codemaster's GRID (The best arcade racer I've played), Blur (Incredibly fun Mario Car Style game), Project Gotham 4, and Forza 4.
Yeah the game is excellent. Most fun I've had in a driving game since burnout paradise.