Game review: Need For Speed: The Run

Black Box took so long to complete Need for Speed: The Run that a number of other developers released successful Need for Speed titles in the meantime, which progressed the series somewhat. The Run now seems like a step backwards for the series, but might still hold some appeal for the old-school fans.

But the negatives far outweigh the positives in The Run. Stunning environments, a fitting soundtrack and a large selection of cars does not a good racing game make.

There is a story in The Run, but it makes little sense as you're given no backstory whatsoever.

All you know is that you're in trouble with The Mob so you enter the cross-country race to earn some money.

There are cut scenes which don't help to build any interest, and a few quicktime events that are - for want of a better word - pathetic.

The racing itself can be scripted, too. In one race I found myself miles ahead of the next competitor when I struck a scripted event. All of a sudden the other car was right up along side me experiencing the same event. It made me feel as if the whole race had been a waste of time. This "rubber band" effect infects the whole game and you don't feel rewarded for driving well.

The Run has an arcade feel to it with the vehicles feeling a bit floaty at times which will appeal to some but, ultimately, this is an utterly forgettable instalment in a long-running series of games that has been polarising racing fans for years.

Need For Speed: The Run

Black Box

Xbox 360 and pretty much everything else!

Stars: 3/5