Need for Speed cover art

Need for Speed

2015Ghost GamesPlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One

With over 20 years of history in its rear view mirror, Need for Speed returns with a reboot that delivers on what Need for Speed stands for - rich customization, authentic urban car culture, a nocturnal open world, and an immersive narrative that drives your NFS game.

What it feels like

High-speed racing and vehicle control deliver kinetic thrills and the rush of flow central to the experience. Street racing culture and car customization carry a playful, fun tone rather than grim seriousness.

Exhilarating80%
Lighthearted55%

What it's about

Set in a modern urban setting (Ventura Bay) with contemporary car culture and street racing. Street racing culture and illegal nighttime racing in an urban context implies criminal or outlaw undertones.

Contemporary60%
Crime & Underworld50%

How it plays

Driving and controlling cars is the definitional core mechanic—the entire game revolves around vehicle control and racing. Rich customization of cars—visual and performance—is explicitly named as core to the NFS franchise identity. Building a 'dream car' through customization implies incremental equipment and performance upgrades as a progression system.

Vehicular Control95%
Loadout Customization70%
Gear Upgrades65%
Reputation & Factions60%

How it looks and sounds

As a modern racing game with narrative and exploration, third-person camera during driving is the dominant perspective.

Third-Person80%

How it's structured

The game explicitly features a 'sprawling urban playground' in Ventura Bay with an open-world structure central to exploration and street racing. Players build reputation and pursue overlapping stories with freedom in how they approach the nocturnal open world. Single-player campaign with an immersive narrative is explicitly stated as a core pillar.

Open World85%
Nonlinear Progression75%
Single-Player75%
Seamless World70%
Campaign65%
Competitive PvP65%
Online Co-op55%

Shares Vehicular Control, Exhilarating, Open World, Third-Person.

Both lean into Vehicular Control, Exhilarating, Open World, Third-Person.

Vehicular Control95%Exhilarating80%Open World75%Third-Person65%

Shares Vehicular Control, Open World, Exhilarating, Nonlinear Progression.

Both lean into Vehicular Control, Open World, Exhilarating, Nonlinear Progression.

Vehicular Control92%Open World95%Exhilarating75%Nonlinear Progression70%

Shares Vehicular Control, Open World, Exhilarating, Competitive PvP.

Both lean into Vehicular Control, Open World, Exhilarating, Competitive PvP.

Vehicular Control95%Open World85%Exhilarating80%Competitive PvP80%

See all games like Need for Speed

A lesser-known kindred — Vehicular Control, Third-Person, Competitive PvP, Loadout Customization. 96% positive across 4,671 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Vehicular Control, Third-Person, Competitive PvP, Single-Player.

Vehicular Control60%Third-Person70%Competitive PvP80%Single-Player65%
F1 201230% match

A lesser-known kindred — Vehicular Control, Contemporary, Competitive PvP. 93% positive across 4,231 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Vehicular Control, Single-Player, Campaign, Contemporary.

Vehicular Control90%Single-Player85%Campaign70%Contemporary70%
F1 201629% match

A lesser-known kindred — Vehicular Control, Competitive PvP, Contemporary. 86% positive across 4,517 Steam reviews.

Both lean into Vehicular Control, Campaign, Single-Player, Competitive PvP.

Vehicular Control92%Campaign85%Single-Player75%Competitive PvP70%
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