Well having played this game for a couple of weeks since it first came out. I figured I would have a look at it in depth for you guys out there who are still looking for a good driving game.
Title: Need For Speed Pro Street
Format: Wii
Price: £29.99 - £39.99
Wi-Fi:
NO
Having seen this series of games develop over the last 10 years (of my playing time). I have enjoyed playing from Need for Speed 3, I have played many versions, on many formats, so how does Need For Speed Pro Street (NFSPS from here on out) compare.
Taking the driving back to the track was a welcome change, in some respects, it means no traffic to avoid, no unrealistic cars, sitting at a junction for 30minutes until you go to drive past etc.
Graphically:
This game is okay, if your out in front you can have great fun, taking it easy enjoying the scenery (of the desert!) or the bilboards aroudn the circuit.
The cars are focused on being cars and they perform well. You can spend hours editing your cars, and the realism is there. No doubt its not as graphically amazing as the PS3 or such but it still fits the game.
Generally the game wont hurt your eyes when your playing so you can enjoy your time behind the wheel.
Graphics: 7/10
Audio
As you lean forth in your chair, and pump up the volume you hear the familiar tunes as associated with boy racers, and the EA series. The pounding music, with few lyrics and very repetative. In essense this section of the game can get on your nerves very quickly, unless I am missing something.
The easiest way around this however is to minimalise the volume on the music front and listen to the SFX.
The tyres scratching as you claw for grip on the hairpin bends, throttle tearing as you push down on the gas, with no way of changing gear. All in all this game provides great SFX, but poor soundtrack.
Audio: 5/10
Gameplay:
This is where things get important in terms of this game. EA have taken the success off the streets and put it back into the track, where all this racing begins.
The use of the control system was similar to the control system used in NFS Carbon, just refined a little. A few tweaks here and there to make it a more comfortable drive. Still its not great, and the option to take on use of the joystick on the nunchuck would have just given users their opportuniy to expand their options, especially when the wimote is not being as senstivie as its meant to be.
The annoying amount of time you sit watching a screen that looks familiarly like this:
The words LOADING often seen around
.
Oh well whats to lose.
For playing the game its self there are a variety of different modes to go between:
Grip - A straight up grip race, first person to cross the finish line wins
Time Attack - No points for guessing here. - 4 Cars, staggered start quickest lap wins
Sector Shootout - 4 Cars, Staggered start, several sectors each time you pass through a checkpoint, you see your score. Whoever has the highest score gets the points, all your points are added, winner has the most points at the end.
Top Speed Run - A HIGH Speed challenge, running across a single route. Pass through checkpoints, at the highest speeds, the quicker your total score the higher youll finish on the leader board. 6 Racers.
Speed Challenge - As with top speed challenge, except this time, first person across the line finishes first
.
Drift - Back to the drift scene. Use te car get the speed up, more angel more speed more points
Drag - This cleverly makes use of the wimote, turning it head on, and flicking up and down for gear changes, and rotate left and right for turning. (3 Rounds)
Wheelie Competition - The same idea as Drag, but high horsepower cars, and flat out, person with the longest wheelie in their car wins. (3 Rounds)
All in all theres a few differnt tricks to get used to, but the number of tracks isnt that great, alot of the game feels like deja vu, just different cars?
As for the layout well you dont know where your going, from mission to mission you get lost on the random slection of the map.
Gameplay: 7/10
Innovation
Well the game has been done before. Its nothing more than a spruced up version of Gran Turismo 3 for the PS2. Though less tracks, and much shorter.
The controls are good, but not so great, could be alot better.
Generally nothing new here.
Innovation 4/10
Finally Cars
Well I myself am a car fan so its nice to see everything from a VW Golf, to a Pagini Zonda, and a few bits of American Muscle in between. Generlly fun, though not to relaisitc here, with Pagini Zonda going no faster than an Evo 8 etc?
Cars: 8/10 Selction 3/10 Realism Overall 5/10
Biggest Let down for the game is the lack of Wi-Fi useage. This would have greatly increase the game
Final Scores Then:
Graphics: 7/10
Audio: 5/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Innovation 4/10
Cars: 8/10 Selction 3/10 Realism Overall 5/10
Total: 56% Although my scores come out as this I dont think it was quite as bad as 56% sounds but its nothing special. Still worth having, but wait until the price drops.
How did you find this review?
Alex
Need for Speed : Pro Street
Linear Mode
