It's been quite a while since I have played a Need For Speed game, let alone bought one, and I didn't know how this game was rated by others when I bought it, so I guess the purchase was kind of a shot in the dark. However, it turned out to be a perfect head shot at point blank range, because this game really grabbed me by the throat and still refuses to let go.
First things first. No free-roaming! I kind of like that aspect, because what I hated most about games like NFSU2 was that it sometimes seemed like you could drive around forever without a damn thing to do. In this game, the goal is clear: make it to the top of the 'Black List' by beating boss after boss in one huge ladder tournament. To challenge a boss, you need sufficient respect which can be accumulated by winning races and outrunning the feds. No story worth noting, just racing. Some think that is boring, to me, it's just what I bargained for.
From the first run, it's obvious that the production of this game is spot-on. The graphics are good for a PSP game, the framerate is absolutely brilliant and the sound effects and music do the job without standing out anywhere. I like the inclusion of some heavier rock songs and even a bit of metal here and there, but overall the balance is good. Same goes for car handling, tuning options etc.
The one thing that is way out of balance is the difficulty level. This game is NOT fair at times! No matter how fast your ride is and how perfect you nail turn after turn, the cops are always faster and sooner or later, you're going to get pushed off the road or busted altogether. And one such shove can mean the difference between victory and defeat, especially in later races. Not only that, but they seemingly ignore the other racers completely to hunt you down. The cops, who should make the game ultimately more exciting and challenging, only add to the frustration. The game is hard enough as it is, with fierce opposition and few cash bonuses, but the cops really make you want to throw your PSP out the window sometimes.
Frustrating cops aside, this is a really good and fairly complete racing title that will keep you occupied for ages. Ten tracks and fifteen selectable or unlockable vehicles may not seem much, but it will take you plenty of time to get them all. Once you have managed that, there are quite a number of bonus races and two very cool gameplay modes called Outrun (beat the cops as a tuner) and Tuner Takedown (beat the tuners as a cop) to keep you coming back for more. If all that doesn't do it for you, there's online one-on-one competition to tackle, but it can be such a hassle to get started that lots of people will never get to see how much fun it can be, even if the multiplayer options are very limited at best.
So is this game worth your money? If, like me, you can get it for half the original retail price in a sale, then oh yes. It is, in my opinion and despite its obvious flaws, among the best racing games the PSP has to offer at this time. Gran Turismo 4 Mobile and Ridge Racers 2 might make you forget about this game altogether, but until then, this is THE car racing game you'll want to get.
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