NFS: Most Wanted injecting some aggression into the franchise

Although the impending reveal was no secret, Need for Speed: Most Wanted is making a return thanks to Burnout developers Criterion.

This isn’t the first time Criterion have taken on the long-running racing series, as the studio handled the 2010 reboot of Hot Pursuit, which was acclaimed by critics and devoted NFS fans alike.

Revealed during EA’s press conference, Most Wanted will take gamers back to the open-world and illegal street racing scene that the original prided itself on; most notably, the goal of getting to the top of the ‘most wanted’ list.

The way to get to the notorious but desired position relies on Speed Points. Everything players do will earn Speed Points that will take them up the list – from competing for best race times and battling cops in pursuits for the highest scores, to catching the most air off a huge ramp.

Autolog has reportedly been improved, notching up version 2.0, with no lobbies or wait times for seamless multiplayer. Everything is sounding pretty familiar, which is a good thing given that the original Most Wanted was a stellar entry into the series.

In terms of gameplay, Most Wanted seems to be following the trend of Hot Pursuit, with big drifts and incredible speeds being the norm throughout the game. Cop chases will obviously play a huge role, and result in some daring escapes and close-calls through road blocks, spike-strips and other potential fun-suckers.

Thankfully, players have the open-world environment to use to their advantage. Racers can use alleyways, quick turns and massive ramps to get around quickly and make life for the persistant popo very difficult. The aggressive spin on the driving style will be pivotal in the gameplay, as players will need to takedown rivals, smash through obstacles, and keep their foot down on the accelerator in an attempt to evade the fuzz.

Most Wanted is already looking absolutely gorgeous, even when running at the blistering pace that the game does. Criterion’s attention to detail has always been a strong point for the studio, and their emphasis on sound effects and engine noises shows through with Most Wanted – vehicles roar and scream as they tear through the streets, conjuring that feeling of the NFS glory days.

The Need For Speed series has evolved significantly over the last couple years and it looks as if Most Wanted is looking to perfect those stand-out features with the help of Criterion’s racing pedigree.

Keep an eye on MyGaming’s E3 coverage as it unfolds.