After taking a brief hiatus, the Need for Speed franchise roared back to life in 2015, rebooting the brand with a high-octane return to street racing roots reminiscent of the Underground era. Developed by Ghost Games, this installment leans heavily into customization, cinematic flair, and urban car culture. While it nails the visual and audio presentation, Need for Speed (2015) doesn’t quite hit top gear when it comes to gameplay longevity or multiplayer depth.
Stunning Visuals, Immersive Sound
One of the first things you’ll notice is how gorgeous Need for Speed looks. The game is set entirely at night, creating a moody, neon-lit city that feels alive with wet asphalt reflections, glistening car exteriors, and detailed environmental lighting. Driving through rain-slicked streets at high speeds—especially in bumper cam—is a thrilling experience.
Audio design complements the visuals beautifully. From the deep growl of tuned engines to the satisfying pops of gear changes and exhaust overrun, the soundscape is immersive and polished. However, the abrupt transitions between night and dawn can be jarring and unrealistic, breaking the game’s otherwise smooth visual experience.
Customization and Tuning Return
Customization is a major focus of this reboot. While the garage only allows five cars at a time, the emphasis is on upgrading and perfecting each ride rather than amassing a massive collection. Players can install performance upgrades and visually modify their vehicles with custom parts, paint jobs, and liveries. The livery editor is a standout, offering creative freedom that car enthusiasts will appreciate.
Tuning mechanics also offer a degree of control over handling. Players can slide a main tuning dial to favor drift or grip and further tweak settings like steering response, tire pressure, and brake bias. The drift setup, in particular, feels more forgiving and intuitive in races, while grip builds often suffer from twitchy handling and understeer. Oddly, the game omits manual transmission entirely—a surprising choice given its focus on car culture.
A Short Campaign and Weak Multiplayer
The single-player campaign, while stylishly presented through live-action cutscenes, is short-lived. Spanning around 79 events, it can be completed in just a couple of days. The narrative revolves around five racing themes—speed, style, build, crew, and outlaw—each culminating in a showdown with real-world racing icons. The outlaw path, which includes high-speed pursuits with the police, is arguably the most thrilling.
Unfortunately, the campaign’s brevity is made worse by a lackluster multiplayer offering. Need for Speed (2015) requires a constant internet connection, even for solo play—a decision that feels both unnecessary and limiting. There’s no real matchmaking system for seamless online competition, and the always-online nature means you can’t even pause the game, which becomes especially frustrating during longer sessions.
After finishing the campaign, players are left with little to do aside from hunting down uninspired collectibles like photos of parking lots and warehouses. Without a robust PvP mode or meaningful endgame content, the replay value drops significantly.
Final Verdict
Need for Speed (2015) is a visually stunning reboot that pays homage to its street racing heritage. It succeeds in delivering a nostalgic experience filled with deep customization, slick cinematics, and an atmospheric cityscape. However, its shallow campaign, weak multiplayer framework, and always-online requirement prevent it from reaching full throttle.
Pros:
- Beautiful night-time visuals and lighting effects
- Strong audio design
- Deep visual and performance customization
- Engaging drift-focused handling
Cons:
- Short single-player experience
- Limited multiplayer features
- Always-online requirement hinders solo play
- Lack of manual transmission and drag racing
Rating: ★★★☆☆
For car culture enthusiasts and fans of the Underground era, Need for Speed offers a brief but stylish ride. Just don’t expect it to go the distance.