Why Need For Speed (NFS) The Run is the best racing game ever built.

 I have been an avid racing gamer for a long time. Growing up, some of the games I used to play were NFS 2 SEN, NFS Hot Pursuit, NFS Underground, NFS Most Wanted, etc. The beauty of these games was that the

Later on, I got busy with other things and never really followed on newer NFS releases.

It was later while NFS Most Wanted 2012 was launched, I tried that game. It was well made but lacked a story.

It was then I came to know about NFS The Run through some videos on Youtube and thought to give it a try. To my amazement, it was the best NFS game I had ever played and it is very difficult to top it.

I am someone who believes that a good game is more than good graphics. It is all about the feeling of being immersed in it. It should not be so easy to win and at the same time, it shouldn't be very difficult to win as well. The latter really piss of gamers like myself and give up on the game. Of all other NFS games, it used to be in either of these ends or close to that. 

'NFS The Run' has managed to strike that center point between easy and difficult gameplay with precision. The driving dynamics and the graphics of this game give a genuine feeling of racing. I have listed below specific points which made me like this game more than any other racing game.

1. No mods for cars. 

This game doesn't have all those unlimited ways in which a car can be customized with various performance parts and decals. Minimal customizations are available for some cars through paint and various body kits. But that's all there is. I like this more than upgrading a car by winning a lot of races only to get a new even powerful car and start over the process again!

2. Realistic Physics

The driving dynamics and handling of the car are realistic. AWD cars don't spin out in corners while RWD does. The power delivery of different types of cars is different. You can easily win races if you choose the right car. The drift is realistic than the usual slide seen in racing games. Feels more like the old Most Wanted.

3. The right amount of difficulty 

This game provides the right amount of difficulty. There are different scenarios where it will make us push our gaming skills to the maximum. Police AI is smart and they will really take you down if not careful. Once they get in front of you, it is not so easy to get past them as they will mimic your steering inputs once they are in front of you. Your turn left, then will turn left too! The Mafia AI is also not bad.

4. Cut Scenes

I believe this was the first NFS game to include so many cut scenes and even allow players to control the game even while they were not racing. Be it fighting cops or escaping from dangerous situations like escaping from a mad dog. Even though a few key presses are enough to get these done, it increases the feeling of being immersed in the game since players are usually left to stare at cut scenes before the next race start.

5. Wide selection of cars.

There is a wide range of cars to choose from for every stage. No need of waiting to get enough points to buy a new car or go for a treasure hunt! Cars are provided as per the stage requirements.

6. Attention to detail for the world.   

The race circuits are designed with a lot of work. It is precisely added with some booby traps in unsuspected places to crash you if you are not careful. It could be a tree or a pole at a corner or an unmovable gate or AI traffic that appears in the trickiest of the places. Some levels need us to escape from trains, an avalanche, bombs, crashing bridges, a storm you name it! In the final event as well as in another 'challenge series', we have to maneuver the car through what appears to be the Golden Gate bridge. Only that there is no intersection between traffic going both sides and there are tons of AI traffic in both directions. The only way to navigate is through the narrow spot in between the traffic in both directions. it will take the slightest touches to left and right to get this done. The satisfaction we get from completing this is nothing any other NFS game can give. 

It is nothing like any other racing game I have played. I really liked how they have put everything together. The graphics are spot on and perfectly combined with excellent storytelling.