Need for Speed: Most Wanted review round-up

Most Wanted is finally upon us this Friday, and as we prepare to rev-up for the most furious racer’s return, the reviews have drifted in and things are looking good.

Metascores are at 85 for both Xbox 360 and PS3, holding a score on GameRankings of 84.11% and 87.09% for the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions respectively.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted is being praised by a number of professional game critics, saying it sets a “new standard in open-world driving games”

IGN: 9.0/10

“It’s the racing game for people who don’t tend to like racing games. You’re not punished for missing that apex or abandoning that nagging racing line. It’s undoubtedly one of the year’s most exhilarating experiences.” Read the full review.

Game Informer: 9.0 /10

“Sometimes while playing Most Wanted I was confused what to do next due to the sheer volume of opportunities. I was even frustrated at times when seemingly out of nowhere, a civilian car clogged up the last turn of a particularly high-tension race, causing me to eat metal instead of grabbing victory. But part of the beauty of this game is that there is no such thing as an unfair ending. Whether you’re dominating your opponents or barrel rolling your way through a race, you’re getting what you wanted – a game, that win or lose, goes all out getting there.” Read the full review

CVG: 7.5/10

“Fairhaven is less a race track and more a playground – but a race track is exactly what Most Wanted needed most.” Read the full review

Edge: 9/10

“Since Burnout Paradise, it’s been clear that Criterion isn’t content to do repeats. And neither, it seems, is it content to deliver anything but sublime, bar-setting driving games. Genre fans have been spoiled in recent years with everything from Blur and Split Second’s arcade thrills to Driver: San Francisco’s experimental take on storytelling and Ridge Racer Unbounded’s sheer carnage. And yet, once again, Criterion still manages to stand out and offer something fresh, setting a new standard in open-world driving games with – that word again – a seamless feast of quality.” Read the full review

Joystiq: 4/5

“Need for Speed: Most Wanted is the next Burnout game fans have clamoring for – it may not say so on the box, but everything about it screams Burnout. The feel of the cars, the physics and the eclectic mix of multiplayer modes are all undeniably Criterion qualities, the things old fans love and the properties that convert new fans with every studio release. If you enjoy Criterion’s work, or arcade racing in general, head on down to Fairhaven. Just keep an eye on the rear-view.” Read the full review

Destructoid: 8.5/10

“Fans of Criterion’s previous games were clear in what they wanted, and in turn, Criterion themselves were clear in what they were making. There are some scrapes with single-player and a lack of polish here and there, but the multiplayer delivers in such a big way that all of this hardly matters. Need for Speed Most Wanted is that big, crazy, crash-y open-world racer you’ve been asking for.” Read the full review

Polygon: 8.5/10

“Need for Speed Most Wanted is marred somewhat by a fussy, restrictive and self-defeating interface. But it’s one of the best racing games of 2012 regardless. And if Criterion’s track record of post-release support with Burnout Paradise is any indication, it will only improve over time. Criterion has proven itself as a steward of one of gaming’s oldest and most beloved brands, and also as creative game makers in their own right.” Read the full review

Eurogamer: 8/10

“Its sense of character may be not be as forceful as Criterion’s other games – but the sense of competition that informs it, the joy of discovery and the plain pleasure of driving haven’t been dimmed in the slightest. This isn’t quite paradise, but it comes very close.” Read the full review

OXM UK: 8/10

”Most Wanted is thus a compelling argument not just for Criterion’s continued stewardship of Need for Speed – assuming Hot Pursuit left you in any doubt on that front – but for the reproduction of those inescapable, irresistible online features across rival genres.” Read the full review

GiantBomb: 4/5

“If you’re looking for a multiplayer driving game that’s about way more than simple races, Most Wanted’s speedlist system makes for an amazingly good time.” Read the full review