Need for Speed ProStreet Review (x360)

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By Sayed Islam
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Need for Speed ProStreet is yet another video game in the long running series of Need for Speed from Electronic Arts. Everyone knows EA is fairly occupied with extolling their Madden franchise year in and year out. The effort is clearly seen in Madden; however, Need for Speed ProStreet is just not up to par as other racing titles.

These types of games are stuck between a rock and a hard place. If it is unoriginal, then it is insipid. When it does too much, then it bothers the avid fans. Regrettably, this game does both by feeling dull and troubles racing enthusiasts. The storyline revolves around the protagonist named Ryan Cooper and his racing. He races cars for a living and is derided by another street racer called Ryo. As a result, Mr. Cooper is out to seek vengeance against the antagonist Ryo. Anyone with an IQ of one can easily notice that the storytelling is abysmal. The plot is completely irrational, and gamers will be disinterested after the first five minutes.

The gameplay mandates that you must complete many races in order to achieve your ultimate objective of defeating Ryo. A typical day of racing has players endure an unbearable amount of redundant tasks. These chores entail grip races, fast time races, drift races, and drag races.

Grip races is your standard affair where you have to compete against seven other cars, and you have to get the number one spot by crossing the finish line first. Fast time races and drag races are self explanatory. Those two race types are all about getting a great time. Drift races are where you have to master the power slides and keep your vehicle in control. Prior to each race, you can rev up the tires. But accomplishing this feat is just plain tiresome (pun intended).

There is not much to be ecstatic about on the race track either. Yes, the speedy cars like the Dodge Viper are available. Nonetheless, you have to journey through numerous races to drive the Dodge Viper. At the inception, only the banal cars are drivable. This is exacerbated by the fact that the race tracks themselves are linear.There are no multiple paths on the race track; there are no secret passageways; there are no hidden routes. No nothing. It is merely a straightforward route from beginning to end.



Worse of all is the absence of the police. Where is the law enforcement? Unfortunately, the cops are nowhere to be found. The enthralling cop chases in the previous Need for Speed adaptations were the selling point. Why the game developers did not included that in this edition is beyond me. The physics does play a more predominant function as cars deteriorating is lively. On the bright side, repairing a damaged vehicle is as simple as tying a shoe lace and requires little to no effort.

Each race you win will net you some points which you can spend on upgrading and purchasing new cars. If you have the money to spend, then unlocking the elite cars can be done with ease. But that method is an alternative to using Microsoft points. The vehicle customization is the usual adjusting of the colors, decals, and things of that nature.

Online play is by far the best part of the gameplay. A leaderboard is present; moreover, an option to drive custom created automobiles is also accessible. For the most part, the race types were all engrossing but has minor frame rate glitches. But it was not too distracting. What was distracting was the swarm of Electronics Arts’ dismal array of advertising. Ads are shoved down your throat to the point where it interferes with some of the races.

The graphics are incredible. Everything from the tires to the tracks are superb. Unluckily, the same cannot be said about the audio. The music is not well suited for a racing title, and the voice acting is a disaster. Commentating is as lifeless as Pat Summerall calling an NFL game. The commentators incessantly say the exact same lines in every race. Engine noises require some more diversity, and the music is distasteful. Overall, this iteration of Need for Speed will not win any awards. Need for Speed ProStreet is an ambitious attempt, but that ambition turned into an average experience.