Need For Speed: The Run
Producer: Electronic Arts
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii, Nintendo 3DS
Rating: Teen
Genre: Racing
Race For Your Life
Written by Heather Spears
Need for Speed: The Run is the latest installment in the Need for Speed saga and is taking the series in a completely new direction as it attempts to set itself apart. Need for Speed: The Run is complete with three different modes; story, challenge mode and multiplayer. This game is story-based (unlike most other racing games) which makes it unique and enjoyable. Challenge mode is an extra additive to Need for Speed: The Run which elongates game play for more hours of fun. You can also play through multiplayer to earn special rewards. Need for Speed: The Run seems like a step in the right direction for the Need for Speed series.
The story starts off with your character, Jack Rourke, caught up in a bad situation that leaves him wanted by a criminal origination. Jack is left to flee for his survival after becoming a marked man by suspicious mobsters. Rourke is suffering from owing these criminals a large sum of money which he cannot afford to pay. Jack makes the decision to join a massive street race called “The Run.” The Run is a 3000 mile journey across the United States (from San Francisco to New York) where Jack must beat over 200 racers to earn the $25,000,000 prize. Unable to fund his way into the race, his accomplice, Sam Harper, put the money down to start the race; if he wins she plans on giving Jack enough to secure his freedom.
The player starts “The Run” to progress through the story. You drive through beautiful national parks and encounter all different types of terrain. The player also takes part in interactive cut scenes, unveiling exciting and different aspects of the game. The scenery and story cut scenes are magnificent; however the actual racing portion of the game is average. There are only 3 different types of races you will witness in the story mode, overtake, checkpoints, and survival. Most races you encounter in “The Run” will be a certain number of opponents you must overtake. I was a little disappointed to see the same type of race over and over again but I still enjoyed completing them. You are also forced to complete checkpoint challenges where Jack must make up for lost time. The player has a time limit where they must hit a specific spot at the right time; this adds a nice mix to the overtake races. The next single player race type the player is given is survival. Whether you are trying to survive Mother Nature, you have mobsters chasing you down, or police on your back, completing the survival missions is delightful.
Need for Speed: The Run is a fun game. I enjoy racing games and in Need for Speed: The Run the handling was easy and story was fun. With a few minor adjustments this game would have been very good, so expect to have fun but not fall-off-your-seat amazement.