14 DAY TRIAL // Electronic Arts’ E3 2012 press conference was headlined by Need for Speed: Most Wanted, a reboot of the original 2005 installment in the racing game series, this time developed by Criterion and enriched with all sorts of brand new features.
Criterion Games impressed back in 2010 with the Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit reimagining and now, after the lackluster NFS: The Run, coming from EA Black Box, the UK-based studio is working on a new installment, in the form of Need for Speed: Most Wanted.
We already heard about the game last week, but now publisher EA has posted a wide array of details about the game, which is pitched as a reimagining of the first Most Wanted. The title is “designed for a new, more connected generation of racing fans,” and gives players “an expansive open world packed with exhilarating action where they can choose their own path to become the Most Wanted.”
“Players will have the freedom to drive anywhere, discover hidden gameplay, takedown rivals, challenge friends or just hang out and toy with the cops. Everything they do counts towards the end goal of becoming #1 on their personal Most Wanted List,” EA said.
Becoming the best driver in most Wanted is closely tied to Speed Points, which are accumulated by winning races, battling cops in pursuits and doing all sorts of tricks on the game’s open world.
Like recent NFS games, the experience is enriched by a new version of Autolog, the online system that keeps players up to date with the performances of their friends.
“Autolog 2 keeps intense competition at the heart of the experience – if there’s something to do, there’s someone to beat. And for the first time, Autolog recommendations extend to enhance the multiplayer experience within Need for Speed Most Wanted.”
“With no lobbies or wait times, gamers will seamlessly enter an online world and immediately receive a rapid-fire delivery of Speed and Skill Tests. Autolog 2 will make recommendations to players to help finesse their racing prowess, further fuelling endless competition and hours of entertainment.”
Need for Speed: Most Wanted is out on October 30, 2012, in North America, and November 1, in Europe, for the PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS Vita, iOS and Android platforms.
A special Limited Edition will also be released at the same time, offering “double speed points, custom liveries, pre-customized rollouts and two vehicles: the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale and Porsche 911 Carrera S.”
Until then, check out the reveal trailer and the first gameplay video of the racing game below.
