Need for Speed 2016 Xbox One / Series X

The ninth major installment in one of the most popular car racing video game series continually developed for over two decades by the Electronic Arts company. This one was created by recurring Ghost Games Studio (former EA Gotheburg) mostly consisting of ex-Criterion employees. The game's development process was also assisted by members of the Speedhunters community, including photographers, journalists, and drivers focused around broadly understood car culture. Marking the 20 year milestone of the series’ existence on the market the creators decided for a restart, naming the new game simply Need for Speed. To meet the players’ expectations the product draws from the two most popular reincarnations of the series: Need for Speed: Underground and Underground 2, featuring all the elements fans loved the franchise for – extensive car customization, authentic fell of the car culture, and a compelling story set in an open world bustling with nightlife.

Need for Speed for Xbox One is the 19th full-fledged installment in one of the most popular racing game series that has been developed continuously for over two decades by Electronic Arts company. This one was produced by Ghost Games (former EA Gothenburg), mostly made up of ex-Criterion employees, creators of Need for Speed Rivals from 2013. The development process was also assisted by Speedhunters community, a hub for photographers, journalists, and drivers gathered around broadly understood car culture. Wrapping up 20 years of the series’ history, the creators decided for a restart and entitled this new installment simply Need for Speed. In order to meet fans’ expectations the game came out as a result of close analysis of all previous editions, so to pick up the elements fans loved the franchise for, including rich car customization options, authentic city car culture, and compelling story set in an open night environment.

Story

Need for Speed takes you to the city of Ventura Bay, and lets you play as a young driver who dreams of becoming a driving legend. This, obviously, is not so easy, and first you have to do a string of missions split into several categories. These are represented by real stars of motor culture: Magnus Walker (speed icon), Ken Block (style icon), Nakai San (build icon), Morohoshi San (outlaw icon), and Risky Devil (crew icon).

Gameplay

In terms of gameplay, Need for Speed resembles earlier installments in the series, such as Need for Speed: Carbon or Need for Speed: Underground. Therefore, this is an arcade-style game set in an open world. There awaits not only compelling story missions, but also various side activities.

Game modes

Need for Speed for Xbox One offers a variety of single and multiplayer game modes. Obviously the core gameplay focuses on fast, illegal races, but that is not all. There are also police pursuits, drifting, and more. The whole thing is bound by AllDrive system, already known to fans, which is responsible for online and social features. The system is back in an enhanced form, offering e.g. easier connection with friends.

Technology

Need for Speed is based on Frostbite engine, known from shooter games from DICE Studios like Battlefield 4 and Star Wars: Battlefront. Moreover, unlike 2013’s Rivals, this title was released only on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC, so the developers could fully focus on using these devices to their full potential.