There isn’t the opportunity to constantly boost though. Another feature that’ll be recognizable to Criterion fans will be the ability to boost.
Much of the crash animation effects show dozens of tiny pieces that look more like paint chips as opposed to car parts. Also don’t expect too many distinct car parts flying all over the place. These scenes of vehicular carnage actually look slightly reined in compared to Burnout, but they can still look over the top from time to time. Yes, that includes an entertaining crash mechanic. The sensation of speed will be recognizable to both Burnout and NFS fans and Criterion has taken some welcome liberties in bringing over some elements from their crash-centric series. The cars handle with a more realistic level of weight compared to Paradise, whether you’re performing subtle weaves or making hairpin turns. Definitely do not expect this to play like a Burnout game with the Need For Speed name slapped across it. What Criterion pulled off with Hot Pursuit’s driving controls feels unsurprising in the best possible way, especially if you have been following the studio for the better part of the decade. The intrinsic cool factor of driving a Lamborghini is only overshadowed by the ability to drive a Lamborghini as a cop. From hi-end Fords to intriguing Maseratis, there are enough wheels to try out that it might take a while to earn any kind of car loyalty award unless you’re the focused type. While Gran Turismo might grab headlines on the size of their vehicle roster, Hot Pursuit goes for the quality over quantity approach. The game’s collection of cars are as varied as they are glamorous. One early mission, aptly titled ‘Vanishing Point’, introduces one of the longer straightaways in the game, the kind where the road seems to stretch well into the horizon line. Even when you’re not chased by cops, there are some long stretches of road to savor as you try to complete some timed missions with one of faster cars. It does make a lot of sense since chase-centric racing benefits a great deal from more open roads. Speaking of roads, Hot Pursuit boasts Criterion’s largest map yet, with an area four times the size of Burnout Paradise. Its Pacific Coast Highway-inspired look makes one long for a realistic version Sega’s Outrun and recalls dozens of stylized car commercials that navigate through the same kinds of windy roads. One of my favorite spots is the stretch of road known as Ocean Blue. Yet if you like, you can just free-roam and enjoy the scenery. Naturally, with each new mission comes a new area of the map to explore.
Need for speed hot pursuit 2010 map driver#
Subsequent missions unlock every time the respective driver type clears a race. Most sessions can be as short as 4 miles or as long as 14 miles. One fun way to experience the single player mode is to alternate between cop and racer missions. Since that time the studio proved themselves further with the online-persistent Burnout Paradise and now they’ve done the same with Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit.Īs with past Hot Pursuits, this 2010 release pits speeders against equally equipped law enforcement. To many racing fans, it seemed like a dream project, a huge no-brainer that is arguably overdue, considering EA has had Criterion under its development umbrella since 2004. When EA unveiled Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit at this year’s E3, one of its main selling points was the first-time involvement of Criterion Games, the studio best known for developing the Burnout series.