Ranking Every Modern Need For Speed From Worst To Best

Criterion's second entry into the Need for Speed series is with the 2012 reboot of Most Wanted. And with a title like that, expectations were high to see if it could live up to the game it shares the same name with.

To make things clear right away, Most Wanted 2012 is nothing like the 2005 iteration. But underneath the controversy of the title lies a well-made racing game. It is a Need for Speed game mixed in with some Burnout: Paradise that features collectibles as well as crash cams. The handling is well done while EasyDrive makes the game more accessible for novice players.

Another big positive, as well, is the open world. Fairhaven is well-designed with numerous shortcuts and pathways. Criterion succeeds in making an environment fitting of the gameplay loop they have designed. Even a decade later, the game still looks respectable from a visual standpoint while its sound design remains top-notch.

There are some minor gripes that lessen the enjoyment of the game such as the overuse of crash cams. Hitting cars and walls at a lower speed will lead to your vehicle crashing frequently. At the same time, the lack of customization was a letdown while its progression system, where players could gain fast cars just by finding them, was lacklustre.