Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit

"My addiction to tire-burning action has been fulfilled."

Usually when you play racing games, most of them have similar traits. Either you're driving a really fast car on a narrow track, or simple laps competing with other racers. The Need for Speed series started off as one of those games where you could satisfy your taste for rubber-burning suspense, but it would always fall short in the end. Thankfully, EA decided to renovate the series entirely, combining fast action with ''hot'' pursuits. Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit places you in the role of an elite (and rebel) racer. Using your high-priced racing cars, you must win races against other competitors, while avoiding nasty turns, police interference, and fellow drivers. Unlike simple linear-based racing games where you follow a race track in circles, NFS 3 merges elements of both action and racing genres. Players can compete in simple races, time trials, tournaments, and a special Hot Pursuit mode, which has local law enforcement officers chasing you down in a furious hunt. Need for Speed III is one of the first key racing games to prove that police chases can be one of the most exciting and dangerous experiences in the driving world.

Graphics [9/10]
Back in 1998, the graphics industry was starting to boom with curiosity. Numerous games were seeing improved visuals, and popular cards such as the Voodoo 3 made their existence on the market. Fortunately, Electronic Arts decided to model Need for Speed III for the upcoming video cards. Using up-to-date 3DfX technology, NFS 3 provides amazing spectacles. The entire game is played primarily from a 3D virtual perspective. Basically, your race track, car, and surroundings are composed of polygons. The best detailed feature by far is the impressive accuracy of the cars in the game. Vibrant colors show off chrome and shiny effects. Even the sun reflects in the distance off of your metallic trim. Nearly every graphical element in NFS 3 matches that of the real environment. Camera views of your car range from the driver's seat (complete with intricate dashboards) to exterior helicopter views. These camera angles help provide different perspectives that the player can use in navigating the tracks. Besides that, the actual racing tracks really show off amazing 3D visuals. Nearly every single type of terrain in Need for Speed III is represented accordingly.

Tracks will range from seemingly easy rural highways, to more dry/wet places such as icy mountains and abandoned canyon ways. Despite tracks being limited to single, linear roadways, occasional times you'll come across splits in the actual segments. Every so often, hills, and other pleasing changes will pop up to give the player the sense of a surreal environment. Gas stations, scenic views, and underground water tunnels are all visible thanks to the extreme 3D views. As for the in-game special effects, the 3DfX really proves its worthiness. Effects range from sparks flying on dented frames, skidded tires, explosions (knocking over oncoming vehicles), and even frost covering your windshield. EA mastered nearly every single graphical aspect of NFS 3 that you truly feel like you're in control of that $180,000 vehicle. Unfortunately, the game tends to suffer from hardware problems. While you can customize graphical settings to a huge extent, you'll come across numerous framerate slowdowns. Many of these problems occur in the extent of the fierce battle, such as passing on a dust-covered road, or navigating through a large car pileup. Despite this, NFS 3 displays amazing graphics unmatched by racing games of its time.

Sound/Music [9/10]
If you've ever noticed, most racing games simply include your stereotypical sounds - such as the ''vroom!'' of acceleration. The constant, repeating effect can sometimes do more bad than actual good. Thankfully, the developers at Electronic Arts fully understood this, and wanted to make Need for Speed 3: Hot Pursuit a completely different experience. NFS 3 includes amazing sound effects that interact with the gamer constantly throughout the action. During the races, police radio calls will get intercepted via your scanner that help aware you of oncoming obstructions (spike strip, road block, additional assistance). Each car in the game has individually recorded engine sounds, which helps further enhance the realistic experience. Your typical Lamborghini Diablo makes a very unique revving sound, while your Chevrolet Corvette tends to make a deeper, croaking tune. Smashing against a concrete wall, or even passing a school will play an appropriate sound to fit the setting. EA did a brilliant job of recreating the environment of a true transportation environment. Cars will honk at you if you swerve into their lane. If the effects aren't enough, Need for Speed 3 also includes several different musical tracks. Songs range from techno beats to simple hip-hop composures. These background tunes help set the player's mood, especially when you're cruising along at speeds of 100+ mph. Overall, NFS 3 does an excellent job in presenting itself as a true racing classic.

Gameplay [10/10]
With all sorts of racing games out there, some have to make a stand out from the rest. Grand Theft Auto was capable of doing this by allowing the player to steal cars in a collective effort. Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit is also one of the first true innovative racing games out there. While you can simply race around in laps, Hot Pursuit features the ability to be chased by police officers for speeding excessively on a public raceway. The pure risk of being caught is enough to motivate the gamer to race at excessive speeds. Need for Speed 3 is the third game in the trilogy that puts you in a tuned-up sports car, that sells for ridiculous prices. Using your judgment, abilities, and skills, you must navigate your car through several enduring courses. Gameplay consists of racing around tracks while being able to claim the first place finish. Controls are seemingly simple. Special game pads, or even the keyboard can be utilized for steering. Other useful features such as a hand brake, lights, horn, shifting, and shoulder-view keys are available. However, what sets Need for Speed III apart from other racing games is the sheer amount of customization available.

The second you start off in the game, you can select from several different game modes. Besides your typical single races (8 racers total), tournaments (elimination races), and two-player modes, NFS 3 includes a highly innovative Hot Pursuit mode. Basically, the idea is to complete the race in first place, while avoiding and receiving three tickets from the police. Spaced throughout levels are police officers who monitor your progression. If you happen to exceed the speed limit while passing an officer, you're under ''Hot Pursuit'', or better known as a police chase. Thankfully, you're driving no ordinary Monte Carlo. Many user-controlled cars in the game are expensive models, such as Jaguars, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Aston Martins, and even El Ninos. Speeds are extremely high, as you navigate through winding turns and loose roadways. Progressing through the game, tracks seem to get narrower, forcing you to rely on better tuned cars. Need for Speed III manages to combine certain strategic elements that other games lack. Every single car in the game can be ''tuned'' before a race begins. Suspension, braking, engine power, tires, and even aerodynamics can be set thanks to a % slider feature. If you're positive that you're going to race on a snowy track, set your tires to ''wet'' conditions. These features turn around to be a huge help later in the game, since tuning your car can decide the difference between victory or wipeout.

NFS 3's racing engine is absolutely amazing. The second you pump the gas pedal to the floor, physics take over. Trying to make an unstable turn at 120 MPH simply doesn't happen. Getting bounced into a wall will truly slow you down. If your car gets fishtailed by a persisting police officer, you'll soon find yourself spun backwards. Each of these elements in the game help NFS 3 to be one of the most balanced racing engines yet. Even the in-game speeds match realistically. Traveling 55 MPH will pace you with the rest of traffic. With such well-executed themes, Need for Speed 3 is one of the most perfect racing engines available.

Fun [9/10]
Many driving games claim to be ''thrilling'' racers. Navigating yourself around a track with no true penalty doesn't seem thrilling enough. Instead, Electronic Arts truly understood the definition of thrilling. Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit puts you on the edge of your seat for the pure fact that you can be penalized for ''speeding.'' The most innovative game mode (Hot Pursuit) is by far one of the most thrilling racing experiences yet. The second you hear the sirens engage on a trooper's car, you know you're in for a heap of trouble. Police cruisers travel at high speeds, pacing along with your vehicle. If you become a nuisance, and manage to out run one of the chasers, he'll call in for backup. Eventually, the CPU will call in for road blocks, and spike strips (blows out your tires). Compared to seemingly ''easy'' racing games, NFS 3 is nothing compared to them. If you've ever wanted to experience a thrilling rush, this is about as close as you can get. Dodging the spike strip, and taking out the special State Trooper is always a pleasing feeling. Throw in the fact that in-game traffic is always existent, which means you have to dodge innocent drivers, and compete with other racers. If that's not enough ''thrilling'' action for you, you're even given the chance to be the police officer. Using a special chase-lock, the goal is to obtain as many speeders as possible. Quite frankly, this is one extremely fun racing game.

Replayability [8/10]
Most conventional racing games include additional cars, tracks, and gameplay modes. Need for Speed 3 does exactly that, but provides an extra boost to the competition. Besides the creative hot pursuit mode (head-to-head, with police), there are also about 4 additional modes. These types include single race (7 other racers, no police), tournament (elimination style races), time trials (save your ghost for the best record/lap), and online play. For the most part, there's plenty of different ways of fooling around with the game. Overall, there are about 10 default cars, but plenty of additional ones that can be earned through completing tracks. Better yet, each car in the game comes with an ''analysis report.'' If you've ever wanted to see the inside of an expensive car, now's your chance. Biographies of each car are integrated, plus actual video footage, pictures, and specifications. Even historical facts are provided to give the player an overall background on where his/her car originated. Key factors like these go to show that NFS 3 is not your typical racer. Besides that, there are additional cheat codes which enable for more mayhem. Traditional traffic cars such as a beige wagon and Jeep Cherokee can be driven. Just about every element of the game is controlled by the player.

Difficulty [6/10]
Despite the fairly revolutionary gameplay aspects, Need for Speed III is actually a fairly challenging game. One of the most noticeable challenges in the game is derived from the computer AI. Racers in the game are very aggressive, willing to fishtail you off the road. Often, you'll come under numerous situations where you're facing oncoming traffic, and have no room to spare. Police AI is extremely ruthless, especially ''chief'' troopers who can catch up to you, and attempt to knock you off the road. Most of the challenge comes from the pressure of being able to wield off fellow police cruisers and racers at the same time. Besides that, the actual tracks aren't overwhelmingly difficult. Most include a few intricate curves and shortcuts which help make the experience easier. Tuning your car greatly improves your success of winning a race since you tend to have more control around curves and on terrain. Simply put, NFS 3 is a great game if you're looking for an awesome combination of fun and challenge.

Final Factor [9/10]
By far, Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit was a giant step for racing games across the genre. Rather than simple mindless ''around-the-lap'' gameplay, it was further enhanced thanks to police chases and extreme speeds. NFS 3 is the perfect example of an everlasting classic. Combining great graphics, superb sound, an utterly perfect gameplay system, and ecstatic emotions, you're provided with a true racing classic. Besides that, there are plenty of car bios, reports, and background information that the game covers. The ability to play against a friend online further enhances the experience. Even if that isn't enough for your humble addiction, the ability to download cars off of the internet is enough to make Need for Speed III a keeper. Never before have I seen such a flawless racing game that was actually innovative at the same time. If you're looking for that ''sole'' racing game to own in your PC collection, this is it. Look no further, my craving for velocity has been accelerated.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 10/09/03