Summary

Release Year: 2013
Genres: Adventure, Racing
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Developers: Criterion Games, Ghost Games
Publishers: Electronic Arts

Need for Speed: Rivals (2013) Review

Need for Speed: Rivals is a 2013 racing video game developed by Ghost Games and published by Electronic Arts. It was released on November 19, 2013, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. The game is the twenty-second installment in the Need for Speed series and the first to be developed by Ghost Games, a newly formed studio composed of former Criterion Games and DICE staff.

Rivals is set in the fictional Redview County, an open world environment that is twice the size of the world in Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012). Players can choose to play as either a racer or a cop, each with their own unique set of objectives and gameplay mechanics.

As a racer, players must complete races, evade the police, and build up their reputation. As a cop, players must apprehend racers, take down their vehicles, and prevent them from escaping.

Rivals features a variety of gameplay modes, including single-player, multiplayer, and online multiplayer. The single-player campaign consists of a series of missions that can be played as either a racer or a cop. The multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other in a variety of races and challenges. The online multiplayer mode allows players to team up with friends or race against each other in a variety of online events.

Rivals received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the game’s graphics, gameplay, and open world environment. However, some critics criticized the game’s repetitive missions and lack of innovation.

Gameplay

Need for Speed: Rivals is a racing game that features both single-player and multiplayer modes. The single-player campaign consists of a series of missions that can be played as either a racer or a cop. The multiplayer mode allows players to compete against each other in a variety of races and challenges. The online multiplayer mode allows players to team up with friends or race against each other in a variety of online events.

As a racer, players must complete races, evade the police, and build up their reputation. Racers can earn reputation by winning races, completing challenges, and taking down cops. Reputation can be used to unlock new cars, upgrades, and abilities.

As a cop, players must apprehend racers, take down their vehicles, and prevent them from escaping. Cops can earn reputation by arresting racers, taking down their vehicles, and completing challenges. Reputation can be used to unlock new cop cars, upgrades, and abilities.

Rivals features a variety of gameplay modes, including:

SpeedList: A single-player mode that consists of a series of races and challenges.
Pursuit: A multiplayer mode that allows players to compete against each other as racers and cops.
Team Escape: A multiplayer mode that allows players to team up as racers and escape from the cops.
Hot Pursuit: A multiplayer mode that allows players to team up as cops and take down racers.

Setting

Need for Speed: Rivals is set in the fictional Redview County, an open world environment that is twice the size of the world in Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012). Redview County is a mountainous region with a variety of environments, including cities, towns, forests, and deserts.

The game’s world is divided into two distinct regions: the urban area and the rural area. The urban area is home to the city of Redview City, as well as a number of smaller towns and villages. The rural area is home to a variety of natural environments, including forests, mountains, and deserts.

Cars

Need for Speed: Rivals features a roster of over 100 cars from a variety of manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Ford, Lamborghini, and Mercedes-Benz. Cars can be customized with a variety of upgrades, including performance upgrades, visual upgrades, and handling upgrades.

Reception

Need for Speed: Rivals received generally positive reviews from critics, with many praising the game’s graphics, gameplay, and open world environment. However, some critics criticized the game’s repetitive missions and lack of innovation.

Aggregating review website Metacritic gave the game a score of 80 out of 100, based on 60 reviews. GameRankings gave the game a score of 79.42%, based on 53 reviews.

Conclusion

Need for Speed: Rivals is a solid racing game that offers a variety of gameplay modes, a large open world environment, and a roster of over 100 cars. However, the game’s repetitive missions and lack of innovation may disappoint some players.