blu
Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
This thread is dedicated to Need For Speed Most Wanted U. For the original OT for the version of the game that came out earlier on other platforms, check out Need for Speed Most Wanted |OT| Return to Paradise
So, who are Criterion Games and what is their contribution to society?
Criterion started out in the early '90s as a middleware provider, not unlike id or Epic. Criterion's tech was not focused on corridor shooters though. Criterion's engine, called RenderWare, was one of the earliest commercially license-able 3D engines out there, before there were GPUs per se. Among other things, it did physics. I still remember running some of their early tech demos. Regardless, just like other middleware providers worth their salt, Criterion were aware that the best showcase of their middleware would be if they released their own games using their own tools. Or as people say, 'let them eat their own dog food'. And boy, eat it Criterion did! In 2001, Criterion released Burnout and changed the landscape of arcade racers forever. Which, in retrospect, should not have been unexpected considering they're Brits. What made Burnout so special? Well, aside from the fact it was a better NFS than NFS itself, Burnout did crashes like nobody's business (something which I again attribute to that British heritage - left is right and right is wrong).
Fast forward to present days, when Criterion Games (that part of the studio which span off for the production of Burnout) is owned by EA, who have tasked the crafty Brits with the making of NFS. But is Burnout gone? Nope! Another installment will come. Hopefully. One day. To a console near you. In the meantime..
Platform: Wii U
Availability:
Features at a glance:
Reviews:
Gameinformer: 8.5
IGN: 9.0
Destructoid
Digital Foundry Face-off among the three console versions
Media:
Alex Ward's gamespot interview about the game
Another interview, this time with gamesradar
Cool teaser with some good sound mixing (not WiiU-specific)
(for non-WiiU-specific media check the original OT)
Gaffers' testimonials:
"One huge city with surroundings free to explore. You unlock missions as you go. Races, takedowns, stunts, escapes from the police...you name it. Or you can just cruise around doing insane jumps and smashing trough gates or billboards. Those letter two are a kind of collectible. It's a pretty huge playground and everything is open for you. The online is working pretty much the same way. I paired up with a guy earlier today and the game kept throwing challenges at us. After a couple races and a drifting-contest I opted out. Overall, I'm having a blast with the game. Moreso than I've ever had with a NFS."
-- hamzik
"Having played the 360 version extensively, this is, without question, the definitive console version. Better textures and a rock solid frame rate to boot. To be honest the only thing that I didn't like about the 360 version was the inconsistent frame rate. I'm absolutely loving this! Criterion rocks!"
-- CloakedPuppet
Off-screen shots, courtesy of hamzik
And some more, courtesy of Boards of Canada
HDMI-grabbed footage of the first couple of minutes, courtesy of dahuman
Most Wanted NNIDs, courtesy of Soka
Google docs form for new NNIDs and NNIDs spreadsheet, courtesy of japtor
Game-related controversy:
GAF's own ElTopo lost his avatar in a bet. He was sure Criterion was not in charge of the WiiU port. He's grown wiser now.
So, who are Criterion Games and what is their contribution to society?
Criterion started out in the early '90s as a middleware provider, not unlike id or Epic. Criterion's tech was not focused on corridor shooters though. Criterion's engine, called RenderWare, was one of the earliest commercially license-able 3D engines out there, before there were GPUs per se. Among other things, it did physics. I still remember running some of their early tech demos. Regardless, just like other middleware providers worth their salt, Criterion were aware that the best showcase of their middleware would be if they released their own games using their own tools. Or as people say, 'let them eat their own dog food'. And boy, eat it Criterion did! In 2001, Criterion released Burnout and changed the landscape of arcade racers forever. Which, in retrospect, should not have been unexpected considering they're Brits. What made Burnout so special? Well, aside from the fact it was a better NFS than NFS itself, Burnout did crashes like nobody's business (something which I again attribute to that British heritage - left is right and right is wrong).
Fast forward to present days, when Criterion Games (that part of the studio which span off for the production of Burnout) is owned by EA, who have tasked the crafty Brits with the making of NFS. But is Burnout gone? Nope! Another installment will come. Hopefully. One day. To a console near you. In the meantime..
Platform: Wii U
Availability:
- 19 March 2013 (NA), boxed & eShop, $60, eShop demo (?)
- 20 March 2013 (JP), boxed & eShop, ¥6,615, eShop demo (?)
- 22 March 2013 (EU), boxed & eShop, €60/£45, eShop demo (?)
Features at a glance:
- Everything the original NFSMW had, plus..
- Off-screen play
- Controls via GamePad (sticks or gyro, fully customizable), Wiimote (nunchuk, d-pad or motion), Controller Pro (sticks)
- Co-driver mode where a second player can assist the driver with different game quirks and driving controls ("father and son" mode)
- Full support of Miiverse & Autolog
- 6-player online multiplayer, voice chat
- Improved texture assets (same as in the PC version), improved night lighting
- Ultimate Speed Pack DLC included
Reviews:
Gameinformer: 8.5
IGN: 9.0
Destructoid
Digital Foundry Face-off among the three console versions
Media:
Alex Ward's gamespot interview about the game
Another interview, this time with gamesradar
Cool teaser with some good sound mixing (not WiiU-specific)
(for non-WiiU-specific media check the original OT)
Gaffers' testimonials:
"One huge city with surroundings free to explore. You unlock missions as you go. Races, takedowns, stunts, escapes from the police...you name it. Or you can just cruise around doing insane jumps and smashing trough gates or billboards. Those letter two are a kind of collectible. It's a pretty huge playground and everything is open for you. The online is working pretty much the same way. I paired up with a guy earlier today and the game kept throwing challenges at us. After a couple races and a drifting-contest I opted out. Overall, I'm having a blast with the game. Moreso than I've ever had with a NFS."
-- hamzik
"Having played the 360 version extensively, this is, without question, the definitive console version. Better textures and a rock solid frame rate to boot. To be honest the only thing that I didn't like about the 360 version was the inconsistent frame rate. I'm absolutely loving this! Criterion rocks!"
-- CloakedPuppet
Off-screen shots, courtesy of hamzik
And some more, courtesy of Boards of Canada
HDMI-grabbed footage of the first couple of minutes, courtesy of dahuman
Most Wanted NNIDs, courtesy of Soka
Google docs form for new NNIDs and NNIDs spreadsheet, courtesy of japtor
Game-related controversy:
GAF's own ElTopo lost his avatar in a bet. He was sure Criterion was not in charge of the WiiU port. He's grown wiser now.
cannot wait for next week
