Reviews
This summer EA has released Need for Speed: ProStreet as the latest addition in its acclaimed series, notable in that it takes the driver off the streets and onto the racetrack. The game has turned its back on its flashy cops n' robbers and street gang roots, instead allowing the player to compete in quick, technical races typical of Forza and Project Gotham Racing. ProStreet's setting cements the feet of NFS Carbon and Underground drivers firmly to the ground with advanced auto-sculpting, limited nitrous and expensive repair bills. Deeper bends and tighter budgets encourage users pay as much attention to handling and tires as horsepower and fatter NOS tanks.
The game's photo-realistic bodywork damage is key improvement. NFS Carbon players who flogged their first Honda lika a dodgem car will quickly find their repair bills exceeding their race winnings. The damage rendering is impressive. Cars will suffer paint damage, punctures, frayed metal and incineration. Those without the cash can push on with a battered vehicle held together with rushed bog jobs, tape and zip-ties, but at the expense of performance. Taking a leaf out of the Forza playbook, ProStreet lends a hand with a nice track navigation indicator which displays the best speed and line through corners, while lead-foots will be satisfied with a series of tidy quarter and half-mile drag races and top speed checkpoints. Three racing assistance modes and the option for full automatic, manual and clutch-controlled gear changes offers variety to both the newbie and the veteran.
There was 60 cars from 26 manufacturers on offer in the Collector's Edition release and EA has topped up the collection with new bundle packs. Players race on a variety of real world tracks ranging from the cruel raceways of Japan and Ireland to Europe's famed Autobahn (which can send a weary underweight car like the Lotus Elise into orbit). The improved autosculpting feature allows huge improvements to an increased amount of vehicle components across all body kits (unlike NFS Carbon), while horsepower and handling can be tweaked with new drivetrains, air intakes and suspension. Designs can be saved and shared online via blueprints while cars and parts can be purchased with Xbox Live points for those too lazy to race for them.
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