Need for Speed: Most Wanted

NFS Most Wanted (2012)

Released

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Racing, Cars, Kinect, Sandbox, PlayStation Move, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, EA Play, Multiplayer, Singleplayer, Internet, PC Game Pass

A new installment in the legendary racing series. As the title suggests, the game refers to one of the most well-received parts of the series - the original 2005's Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The game was developed by Criterion Games, a company well-know for the Burnout series.

7.7

Steam

8.8

Users

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Ratings

 Videos: 19 

Images: 72 

Story
Gameplay
Game modes
Technology

Need for Speed is one of the most recognizable and popular franchises belonging to Electronic Arts company. After the successful remake of one of the first installments of the series – Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit – the publisher asked Criterion Games Studios (Burnout series) to make something similar with another well-loved installment – Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The new Most Wanted was inspired by the 2005 hit mainly in terms of the in-game police pursuits and the theme of ranking-up in the so-called Blacklist.

Story

Need for Speed: Most Wanted for PC, PS3 and etc. takes the players to the city of Fairhaven. You take on a role of a virtual car driver, whose main task is to take part in illegal street races, evade the police, and get to the top of the Most Wanted list. In order to do this you need to gain experience, represented by Speed Points, which can be spent on improvements and car modifications. Scoring enough of these allows you to challenge the top 10 drivers in Fairhaven. The game story was pretty much marginalized, instead the emphasis was put on sandbox-style gameplay. You can explore the entire virtual metropolis, including the off-road routes and alternative roads.

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Gameplay

Need for Speed: Most Wanted for PC, PS3 and etc. offers dozens of licensed sport cars. Interestingly, almost all of them are available from the start. Without major obstacles you can switch your car to any vehicle you see on the street (apart from civilian cars). Vehicles can be improved and adapted to specific routes – you can modify such items as tires, chassis, body and its color, as well as suspension. Overall, the driving model in Need for Speed: Most Wanted can be described as an arcade one. However, you should drive carefully, because hitting an obstacle with a speeding car results in crashing it.

Game modes

Need for Speed: Most Wanted for PC, PS3 and etc. has no typical distinction of single- and multiplayer mode. Friends can be encountered in the game world while in free run mode, and you can race them at any given time. Moreover, thanks to Autolog 2.0, all the players achievements - including speed records, the best times, results of pursuits, and jumping distance - are constantly tracked and compared with the results of others.

Technology

The graphics in Need for Speed: Most Wanted looks impressive. Vehicle models and environmental textures are accurate and detailed. The game implements a spectacular model damage.

Platforms:

PC Windows October 30, 2012

Xbox 360 October 30, 2012

PlayStation 3 October 30, 2012

PlayStation Vita October 30, 2012

Nintendo Wii U March 19, 2013

Android October 30, 2012

Apple iOS October 30, 2012

Developer: Criterion Games

Publisher: Electronic Arts Inc.

Similar Games:

Need for Speed ProStreet

Need for Speed Carbon

Stunt GP

Game Series

29GAMES

Need for Speed Game Series

One of the oldest and most popular racing game series in the history of the industry. Need for Speed is one of the most valuable brands in Electronic Arts' portfolio, with the US company's in-house development studios, such as EA Black Box, EA Gothenburg, and Criterion Games, usually responsible for its subsequent installments. The series started in 1994 with The Need for Speed, designed for fifth-generation consoles (3DO, PlayStation, Sega Saturn) and PC. The production was prepared by the team from EA Canada studio, created as a result of the acquisition of Distinctive Software (devs of Test Drive and Test Drive II).

Need for Speed Game Series

Features

Guide

Last update: December 6, 2012

Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) Game Guide

Unlike its older namesake, Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) is absolutely devoid of any plot and conservative progression in campaign mode.

Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) Game Guide

Downloads

Top downloads for Need for Speed: Most Wanted Video Game:

All Downloads

System Requirements

System Requirements for Need for Speed: Most Wanted Video Game:

PC / Windows

Recommended System Requirements:
Quad Core i5 2.6 GHz, 2 GB RAM (4 GB RAM - Vista/7), graphic card 1024 MB (GeForce GTX 560 or better), 20 GB HDD, Windows Vista (SP1)/7, Internet connection.

Xbox 360

Supports:
Kinect

Add-Ons and DLCs

List of Game Add-Ons and DLCs for Video Game:

DLC Ultimate Speed Pack December 18, 2012

Ratings

Game Ratings for Need for Speed: Most Wanted Video Game.

77%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Mostly Positive (24,252)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Fun Gameplay: Many users enjoyed the fast-paced, arcade-style racing and the thrill of police chases, highlighting the excitement and enjoyment derived from the gameplay mechanics.
Graphics and Sound: The graphics, especially for a 2012 release, were praised for being solid, with good car models and environmental design. The sound design, particularly the engine sounds and the game’s soundtrack, received positive feedback.
Variety of Cars: Players appreciated the accessibility of cars in the game, as they can be found parked around the city without needing to grind or unlock them.
Nostalgia Factor: For many players, the game evokes nostalgia, reminding them of their childhood gaming experiences.

The main cons of the game

Not a True Sequel: Many users expressed disappointment that this game does not live up to the legacy of the original Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005), feeling it lacks a meaningful story and character development.
Limited Customization: Players criticized the lack of car customization options, stating that they cannot tune or modify their vehicles as in previous titles.
Multiplayer Issues: The multiplayer experience was viewed negatively, with reports of cheaters and a lack of developer support, leading to a frustrating experience.
Technical Issues: Several users reported problems with the EA launcher, bugs, and performance issues, such as input lag and incompatibility with certain controllers.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Deep Storyline: Users noted the absence of a compelling narrative or character-driven content, which was a hallmark of earlier titles in the series.
Car Customization: The inability to customize cars significantly was a common complaint, with many players longing for the tuning systems present in previous games.
Robust Multiplayer: Players desired a more populated and engaging multiplayer experience, feeling that the current offering was lacking in content and fun.
Legacy Features: Many users missed features from the original Most Wanted, such as a garage system and more engaging police chases, which contributed to the overall experience of the earlier title.

Summary

Overall, while Need for Speed™ Most Wanted has its share of fans who appreciate its fun gameplay and nostalgic elements, it also faces significant criticism for not meeting the expectations set by its predecessor and for various technical and gameplay shortcomings.

Summary generated on: October 8, 2025

8.8

USERS Score

Average score from votes.

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