This game takes the high-octane action of the Need for Speed franchise and pushes it to the next level, combining fast-paced racing with intense cop chases and a deep, competitive open-world experience.
Developed by Ghost Games in collaboration with Criterion Games, Rivals was released in 2013, offering players an exciting new take on the franchise with dynamic gameplay and an immersive, living world.
Set in the fictional Redview County, the game lets players choose between two different roles: street racers trying to outpace the law, and elite cops determined to catch them.
Development and Release of Need for Speed: Rivals
Released in November 2013, Need for Speed: Rivals was available on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, with later releases for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The game utilized the Frostbite 3 engine, delivering stunning visuals, realistic environments, and fluid gameplay mechanics.
Rivals was developed by Ghost Games, a studio formed by EA to bring fresh ideas to the Need for Speed franchise, while Criterion Games, known for their work on Hot Pursuit and Burnout, contributed to its high-speed racing mechanics.
The game was well-received for its compelling open-world design and the tension-filled races, blending both single-player and multiplayer experiences seamlessly.
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Storyline and Setting of Game
Need for Speed: Rivals is set in the fictional Redview County, a sprawling open-world environment filled with winding roads, rugged mountains, dense forests, and picturesque coastlines. The world feels alive and vibrant, with a real-time weather system that affects the conditions of the races.
The core gameplay revolves around two factions: the street racers and the police. As a racer, your objective is to participate in illegal street races, avoiding capture by the police while trying to rise to the top of the rankings. On the flip side, you can take on the role of an elite cop, chasing down and arresting racers to earn rewards and rise through the ranks of law enforcement.
The game’s storyline is more of a progression system, where players continue to unlock new challenges, upgrades, and vehicles as they advance. The rivalry between racers and cops plays out throughout the game, with each side constantly battling to outsmart and outpace the other.
Game Modes of Need for Speed: Rivals
Need for Speed: Rivals offers a variety of exciting game modes that keep the action fresh and thrilling:
- AllDrive: This innovative feature blends single-player and multiplayer seamlessly. In AllDrive, players can be playing the game solo but still experience the world populated with other players. When you race or engage in chases, you’ll see other real players entering and exiting the world without loading screens or interruptions, creating a dynamic online world where you can freely interact with friends or random players.
- Racer Mode: As a racer, the goal is to complete events such as races, time trials, and speed runs. However, racers must always be wary of the police force, which can show up at any moment to chase you down. The more you evade capture, the more rewards you earn, unlocking new cars and upgrades along the way.
- Cop Mode: Playing as a cop offers a different kind of challenge. Your objective is to track down racers and shut them down using various tactics like roadblocks, spike strips, and EMPs. The satisfaction comes from catching these rebellious drivers and collecting rewards for your efforts. As you rank up as a cop, you gain access to more powerful tools to catch the racers.
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- Hot Pursuit Mode: This classic mode from Need for Speed returns in Rivals, allowing players to either take on the role of a racer trying to escape the law or a cop trying to bring them down in high-speed pursuits.
Gameplay Mechanics for Need for Speed: Rivals
The gameplay in Need for Speed: Rivals is fast and fluid, designed to deliver adrenaline-pumping races and intense chases. Here are some key mechanics:
- Cars and Customization: The game features a wide array of cars, from high-end sports cars to police vehicles. Each vehicle has unique handling, speed, and abilities. Racers can customize their cars with new paint jobs, decals, and performance upgrades to enhance speed, handling, and durability. Cops also have access to powerful police cars with specialized abilities for pursuing racers.
- Pursuit Tech: Just like in Hot Pursuit, both racers and cops have access to pursuit tech tools that give them an edge in the chase. Racers can deploy EMPs, jammers, and turbo boosts, while cops use spike strips, roadblocks, and helicopters to catch up to fleeing drivers.
- Speed Points and Progression: As players complete events and challenges, they earn Speed Points. These points are used to unlock new cars, upgrades, and gear. However, the twist is that you must bank your Speed Points at safehouses to keep them. If you’re caught by the cops before banking your points, you lose everything you’ve earned in that session.
- Dynamic World: The game features a dynamic, persistent world where players’ actions have consequences. As racers complete events, they alter the environment around them, while cops can alter the world by attempting to stop these racers. The weather and time of day also affect gameplay, creating ever-changing conditions that players must adapt to.
Beginner Tips and Tricks
For newcomers, here are some tips to get started:
- Master the Drift: Drifting is essential in Need for Speed: Rivals, especially when navigating tight corners. Practice your drift techniques to maintain speed while avoiding collisions.
- Upgrade Wisely: When unlocking new cars and upgrades, focus on improving your car’s speed and handling first. A well-balanced car can make all the difference in tight races.
- Use Pursuit Tech Strategically: Whether you’re a cop or a racer, knowing when to deploy gadgets is key. Use EMPs to disable your opponent’s car or spike strips to stop a fleeing racer.
Features of the Need for Speed: Rivals Game
Need for Speed: Rivals offers an exhilarating racing experience with several standout features that keep players engaged:
1) Rewarding Progression System
The Speed Points system keeps players motivated as they progress through the game. Completing missions and events rewards players with Speed Points that can be used to unlock better vehicles, gadgets, and upgrades. This progression creates a rewarding sense of achievement, making each race or chase feel significant as you work your way to becoming a top racer or elite cop.
2) AllDrive Mode
One of the most innovative features in Need for Speed: Rivals is AllDrive, which allows players to seamlessly switch between single-player and multiplayer modes without any loading screens or interruptions. This dynamic system creates a continuous, ever-changing game world, keeping players immersed and connected to the action at all times.
3) Challenging Cop vs. Racer Battles
The game features thrilling cop-versus-racer chases where players can choose to be either a fugitive racer or a relentless cop. Each side offers unique gameplay experiences, with racers trying to outrun law enforcement and cops attempting to catch them using strategic tactics. The rivalry between these two factions leads to tense, high-speed pursuits filled with adrenaline.
4) Car Customization
Customization plays a key role in Need for Speed: Rivals. Players can modify their vehicles to improve performance with upgrades like enhanced engines, better tires, and specialized abilities. Visual changes allow players to personalize their cars to reflect their style, while performance tweaks ensure they have the edge in both races and chases.
5) Wide Selection of Vehicles
The game offers a broad variety of vehicles, from fast, exotic sports cars to powerful police cruisers, each with different handling, speed, and capabilities. This variety ensures that there’s a perfect car for every player, whether they prefer the finesse of a nimble sports car or the brute force of a cop car.
6) Persistent Open-World Environment
Redview County is a vast, open world filled with opportunities for exploration, racing, and cop chases. The world is alive with real-time weather changes and a dynamic day-night cycle that adds variety and challenges to each race. The persistent environment makes every corner of the game world feel fresh and constantly evolving.
Advanced Racing Techniques
To excel in Need for Speed: Rivals, players need to combine precision driving with effective use of power-ups and tactical evasion:
- Master the Shift Mechanic for Strategic Positioning: Use the Shift mechanic to quickly switch between different vehicles and avoid collisions. Timing your shifts during races can give you a sudden boost and allow you to gain an edge over competitors.
- Use Pursuit Tech for Evasion and Offense: Whether you’re playing as a racer or cop, using Pursuit Tech wisely can tip the scales. Use EMPs, spike strips, and jammers to disable or slow down opponents, while saving defensive tech for critical moments.
- Adapt to Different Terrain and Weather Conditions: Races in Rivals often take place across diverse terrains. Adjust your driving style to suit conditions, whether it’s snowy roads or tight city streets, and make the most of your car’s handling and speed.
- Take Advantage of the Speed Points System: Earn Speed Points by performing risky maneuvers, evading capture, and completing events. Use these points wisely to upgrade your car and unlock new abilities, making each race even more thrilling.
Why the Game Stands Out
Need for Speed: Rivals stands out in the Need for Speed series due to its innovative AllDrive feature, which blends single-player and multiplayer gameplay seamlessly. The dynamic open-world environment, combined with the tension-filled cop vs. racer gameplay, keeps the experience fresh and engaging.
The game’s progression system rewards players for both their racing skills and their ability to outsmart the law, while the wide range of cars and customizable features ensures there’s always something new to try.
Whether you prefer evading capture as a racer or enforcing the law as a cop, Rivals delivers a fast-paced, exciting experience that offers endless replay value.
System Requirements
To play Need for Speed: Rivals on PC, make sure your system meets these minimum requirements:
- OS: Windows Vista/7/8/10
- Processor: 2.4 GHz dual-core CPU
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 series or ATI Radeon 3800 series
- Storage: 30 GB free space
Need for Speed: Rivals offers an exhilarating experience for anyone who loves speed, strategy, and high-speed chases. Whether you’re outsmarting the police or trying to catch a reckless racer, the game’s combination of open-world racing, online multiplayer, and intense cop-vs-racer gameplay will keep you coming back for more.
