Need for Speed - The Legacy
I may not remember much about my childhood years, but there is one thing that I remember loud and clear, and that thing is the Need For Speed game that my father had given me for my 7th birthday. The cover featured a side view of one car being chased by another. For some, it might have just been an image of a car wheel, but for me, it was a queue to do something out of the ordinary.
Now that I think about it, I remember that it was listed as one of the most realistic and exciting games of all time. After two decades of being hooked on the Need For Speed series, I know the creators have never stopped reaching new heights of realism and excitement. Every time a new edition of the game is released, I never cease to be amazed at the development that has taken place.
So what I have here for you now is a re-launch of the Need for Speed series, a highlight of the benchmarks that the developers of the game have set.
1. The need for speed:
Featuring point-to-point and closed-course racing, The Need For Speed was the first edition of the arcade racing series. Introduced the concept of being chased by COPS. In this edition, if caught, the first two times will only require a fine, however, more than two times and the racer would be arrested. It also offered a replay feature that allowed players to review races from different camera angles. The game was released in 1996, a small step for the then player, but a big step for the developers.
2. Need for speed II
Released in 1997, the game carried over some features from the previous edition and added many more. For example, games can now choose between the number of laps, the number of AI racers, and so on. There were now three game modes:
a) Single Play – For quick games
b) Tournament – Winning a series of races will unlock a bonus car.
c) Knock-out – The last one at the end of the lap is knocked out, earning a bonus track unlocked.
However, the last feature was the 360° panoramic view of the car interiors.
3. Need For Speed III – Hot Pursuit
Released in 1998, this edition brought Cops back into the game. Racers could not only compete on a track full of cops, but they could also choose to become a cop. For the first time, a player could be a police version of a sports car and chase down other collectors to become part of Hot Pursuit.
4. Need For Speed - High Stakes
Released in 1999, this was the first edition to introduce a vehicle damage system. The player now not only had to think about winning the race, but also drive carefully to maintain the health of his car. The game modes were similar to the previous edition, only car physics were improved as damage was now visible on vehicles. Also, racing now meant a bet on the pink ticket: if a racer won, he would not only keep his own car, but also take the loser’s car, however, losing meant giving up his own car.
5. Need for Speed - Porsche Unleashed
Released in the year 2000, this edition showcased further improvements to the game, creating a more realistic experience in terms of driving mechanics. For the first time, the concept of the game was based on a single brand: Porsche. The game also featured a Factory mode where racers were tasked with performing stunts like 360-degree spins, etc., and the Evolution mode, which was based on three eras that represented the evolution of the brand.
6. Need for speed Hot Pursuit 2
Released in 2002, the game had better graphics, more realism, and improved driving mechanics. It was also the first Need For Speed to be released on sixth-generation game consoles, such as the PlayStation 2. Police could now call for backup, set up roadblocks, drop spike strips, and also call in helicopters for support. . A wide variety of cars and inspiring racing music made this edition one of the best released to date.
7. Need for Speed Most Wanted
Released in 2005, this edition was a new benchmark. Performance upgrades, body mods, amazingly cool vinyls, and a strong story. For the first time, even those gamers who had lost interest in the Need For Speed series were brought back with a vengeance.
8. Rivals need for speed
Clearer graphics, more exotic cars, and a buildup of all the previous features in the Need For Speed series make this edition stand out from all editions that have been released before. The stakes were never as high as in this edition. The game is so incredible that I was forced from the inside to treat it with speciality. To do this, I bought a streaming media device for video streaming, which allows me to play games from my PC directly to my TV.