Review: Need for Speed World
I was recently invited to join a Need for Speed World beta test. I accepted the invitation, obviously. I am a fan of the Need for Speed series but this one is somewhat lacking.
I will start with the visuals, since that is what most people notice first. They are underwhelming at best. I understand this is a Massively Multiplayer Online title, I really do. If any of you have played EVE you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say they could do better with the visuals in NFS: World. If you have not played EVE look for some in game screen shots and I am certain you will agree with me. Another example to look at for visual styling and quality is the new Lego Universe MMO, which is also still in beta.
Moving on from visuals I would like to talk about controls. The game is set up to use a keyboard and mouse since it is a PC title. Most people would opt for a console controller in my opinion though. I connected my wired Xbox 360 controller and the game had no problems recognizing it. That being said I was trying to use regular console NFS controls which works fine until you try to use the handbrake. It’s not clunky or in the wrong spot or anything like that, it is just completely missing. They have also added this item icon in the bottom left corner of your screen which seems like it would work with the 360 controller’s d-pad. Such does not seem to be the case, at least in my experience. The standard nitrous button from the console title does override using the nitrous item from the item selector. I might also mention that the item selector changes based on whether you are racing, in a pursuit or just driving.
Speaking of pursuits, races, and free roam; there are skills you can learn in each category. That’s right, skills. These skills do things like make your car 5% faster (in races) or 25% heavier in collisions (in pursuit). I am not sure if the skills will carry over from game mode to game mode. For instance if you learn the skill to make your car faster does that make your car faster all the time or just in a race?
I am sure by now your slightly confused. Learning a skill to make your car faster? What about power mods? Gone. Yep, gone. The only modifications you can do, from what I have seen in the beta involve paint and vinyls. The modification system is the whole point of Need for Speed. I was quite upset with the new system.
Lastly I want to talk about the physics. I started with a Mazda Speed3. The police (which are all NPCs) drive Dodge Chargers. If I T-bone a charger at full speed the side deforms a bit and it flips onto one side and out of my way, a little too easy in my opinion with the Speed3. With a nitrous boost the Charger will flip through the air. My favorite Need for Speed title in terms of collision physics was Most Wanted. The weight of a car really mattered. Which is why my blockade runner in NFS: MW was an Aston Martin.
Anyway, at this point I would not count out the idea of a Need for Speed MMO; I think they might be on to something. It seems like it could be fun. In the final game they need to allow players the modding powers granted to them in titles like Most Wanted or Carbon. Forget leveling to get a faster car by percentage. Leveling up should just allow you to access better cars and parts. That basic formula works in the other titles, assuming beating a racer is like leveling, and it will work here. In all I would give this game another chance provided some changes are made.
Oh and one more thing…
…I WANT A FREAKING HAND BRAKE!!!