Need for Speed Carbon

"Need To Never Play This Game"

After two days of this game, here's a small list of things to look forward:

Gameplay 2/10:

It starts off innocent enough, considering the fun free roam feature, auto sculpting parts, and a large collection of cars to use and race. The problem is shortly after midway through the game, when all opponent's cars can completely decimate your's. Which makes a lot of logical sense--you've been taking over territory after territory, yet the losing side is able to out buy you. Even then, I was still able to beat all the races without resorting to using muscle cars (get to that later).

Then, the final race, you lose. I tried both Lamborghini's, completely tuned, around 100 restarts, and still lost. Apparently, the trick is to use a muscle car, considering their fast acceleration, you could just pass and hope for the win. Problem is, if you sell you current car, you're not getting its estimate value, but less than half (which you find out after you cash in your car). So, with not enough money, and no tier 3 cars, you're screwed.

Speaking of no money, $500 replay on races is a joke considering a performance upgrade is around $40,000. I thought MMORPG leveling up was bad, but winning 80 races to buy a new engine is ridiculous.

Lastly, it's a pain starting every race in last, and having to eek your way to the front while the lousy AI continues to just float around in front of you.

Needless to say, my fun value was cashed in pretty quick.


Story: 1/10:

Lame, only thing that made it worse was that you're forced to watch all of it without skipping. All I noticed was every cliche' and lousy dialog ever used.

Music 1/10:

I never heard any music aside form the roar of traffic, and the annoying drums during canyon duels. Unlike Underground, where you feel the need to own all of the soundtrack, this was nothing to remember.

Sound 3/10:

Engine sounds are pretty cool, but it was odd how on my 5.1 Digital Surround, I only got a taste of it when I was in first gear--the sound shifts forward into a dull moan after that.



Save your money for Forza 2, where you're actually able to collect a garage full of custom cars, and able to sell at the exact estimated value; thus negating a need to start career over.

Reviewer's Score: 2/10, Originally Posted: 09/13/07

Game Release: Need for Speed Carbon (Collector's Edition) (US, 10/31/06)