The next installment in the Need for Speed franchise is set to be a full reboot of the franchise.
After ditching the sub-brands which have followed the franchise since the fifth iteration of consoles - Most Wanted and Underground being some of the more notable - Swedish developer Ghost Games have said that the 22nd game in the main franchise will return to what makes the games great and beloved by so many: extensive customization, authentic urban car culture and immersive storytelling unique to their franchise.
There’s also mention of a “nocturnal open-world”, which executive producer Marcus Nilsson told Eurogamer means that the open world first introduced in Need for Speed Rivals back in 2013 is being incorporated, along with a system which allows you to drive from the crack of dawn till the depths of midnight. The studio is also bringing back AllDrive, a feature which connects the single-player and online modes into a single, cohesive open-world. Players can switch back and forth between the two modes, find rivals, and challenge their friends without changing to a different screen.
“Need for Speed is one of the most iconic names in gaming, and we’re returning it to greatness in this reboot,” said Nilsson. “Pulling on our 20 years of history, and then taking a year out from releasing a game, we are making the game we’ve always wanted to. We’re listening to the fans and delivering an experience that will capture their imagination and unleash their passion for cars and speed.”
Antony reviewed Need for Speed Rivals last year and spoke highly of the game. He wrote, “Need for Speed Rivals is a game that evokes the many successes of the series and truly epitomizes the need for speed… [it] is not a massive game, but it knows its purpose. There’s always a reason to keep going, and keep going faster, and it’s a game that comes away fully deserving the name Need for Speed.”
Need for Speed will be released for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC in Autumn. While we wait for more details, have a look at some screenshots and the announcement trailer below. There’s not much to go on in terms of story right now, but man does it look pretty.
