14 DAY TRIAL // 
It looks like EA will not let a single year go by without releasing a Need for Speed game. Even if they do not have a new one ready they will release a remaster, or a remake, or a remaster of a remake – anything to keep the wheels rolling and the cash flowing in. And that is why the biggest question about Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remaster is if actually brings any added value or if it is just another cash grab attempt.
The answer is not as straightforward as a cynical would think, since the remake released in 2010 was a ray of light for the series that was close to rock bottom. Criterion managed to put its own spin on the legendary franchise, loosening the ties with street racing, and focusing on the battle between the law and the illegal racers. The result must have been very good financially since EA chose again to ignore the pleads of the community about releasing a remake of Need for Speed Underground and went with a cosmetic update for this remake.
Nothing major has been changed in the remaster, so again you are invited to the West Coast to chase fast cars and ethereal dreams. The playground of your endeavors remains the fictional county of Seacrest with idyllic landscapes, exciting roads, and cops high on energy drinks. As you remember or as you would expect at the beginning of the career you are speed crazy rookie that will have to prove himself until he becomes one of the most wanted illegal racers. Alternatively, you can become the unshakable representative of the law that can bring down even the most skilled racers. Or if you are mesmerized by the game and want to see all the achievements checked, you can achieve the top position of the hierarchy on both sides of the law.
In order to get there, you will have to gain notoriety by racking up countless amounts of bounty. Fortunately, you can’t even breathe in-game without a bounty being thrown at you, so the more aggressive and reckless you are, the better the rewards will be. Of course, you still have to win, and that means keeping your vehicles in one piece. If you manage this you will gain access to better vehicles, more prestigious races, and more aggressive toys to bring down those who are in your way.
There is no surprise when it comes to the game modes and race types, everything from the 2010 release is here, including Autolog, the feature that tries trying to keep you engaged by challenging you to beat the records of your friends. The absolute star of the show remains Hot Pursuit, which puts together racers and cops so they can dish it out among themselves. In this case, just surviving an event can be considered a victory, since the cops go overboard in using any tools to stop the racers, from spike strips to EMP blasters. The good news is that this simple recipe works just as well today as it did in 2010 and offers the same adrenaline rush, at least in the beginning.
The feeling is completely arcade, so no one should expect any realistic simulations. It focuses on the adrenaline generated by reckless driving and by the cat and mouse game between the racers and the cops, which is fun for a while. There is still one important note that this remaster misses utterly: personalization. Beyond the color of the race cars, there is no customization option whatsoever. It is a shame because such an element would have been a great addition and an important reason to rekindle the interest of the driving fans.
As it stands Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remaster needs a stretch of the imagination to be considered a remaster. The graphics are a bit better, but not by much, and it is good to see the multiplayer working again, with all the DLCs included, but it feels thin, very thin. With the initial exhilaration wearing off, there is no real reason to buy this game again, since there are many better looking and more complex options on the horizon for those who want to experience adrenaline-filled races.
Also taking into account the age of the game, and that other, more modern racing games, with much more detailed visuals managed to achieve in terms of graphics performance, the 4K resolution with 60 fps would have been expected of Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remaster, instead of the 30 fps cap. The visuals still feel dated, despite the remaster treatment, both the details, the level, and car design, along with the menus reminding you that Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remaster brings a minor cosmetic update to a 10 years old game.
The Good
- Idyllic landscapes
- Arcade gameplay
- Truly immersive atmosphere
The Bad
- Looks and feels dated
- It falls short of a true remaster
- Could have been more polished
Conclusion
This leaves those who have never played it as a potential audience. But honestly, they are better off with newer games than Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remaster, since this is a remaster only in title, stuck in 2010 practices.
