Need 4 Speed 4 (Not how it use to be) - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

XR_Strider_GuY · 08-11-2002, 21:57

Well since i got my new computer i was "initally" all excited to get Need For Speed 4 High Stakes working. My computer runs it easy with me being able to run it on high res and colours.

But i'm very very disappointed. Seems the game has gone backwards in many ways since Need for Speed I and II, and they seem to focus the game on more arcade style playing that realism.

Here are my opinions why:

Dash board layout a shocker: The dash doesn't look remotely like the real thing. Even the colour is off. Rear vision mirror is not real.

Sounds: In NFS 1 they actually digitally recorded the in car sounds of every car and it was soo good to the point that you could feel the difference of the Beefy Viper, to the revvy NSX as well as the realistic gear change noise.
Anyone who's raced the Ferrari 512TR would know what i mean that it has the Ferrari feel to it.
In NFS 4 the sounds are very piss poor, they almost all sound the same.

Next is the handling: just seems that it doesn't have the realistic handling like version 1.

Last of all i really hated the way they totally screw up the look of the Falcon AU1 XR8, really annoys me big time. The Holden seems to be all in proportion but the XR8 is stuff, teh front is too has to short of an overhang, and the sound isn't no where near like a real XR8.

If a game came out like NFS1 but with all the cars of late i will be the first to buy it, seems they really lost the plot somewhere.

Whats everyone think???

Troutman · 08-11-2002, 22:09

I agree 100%!!! I love the original, but it seemed to go downhill from there.

Aspects of NFS4 like the graphics of the headlights are brilliant, though. In NFS1, there were no shadow effects on the car's exterior or dash (when driving through tunnels, etc) which was a problem they corrected, but many additional flaws in the game like you mentioned were a result. The sound on the original was not very high quality, but it was nonetheless 10 times more realistic than in later games - plus I love the way there is a different tone to the engine sound when decelerating rather than accelerating. They maintained that, but it wasn't quite the same. And the Australian cars in number 4 were clearly an afterthought.

Apparently number 5 was better and included roads to drive on rather than only repetitive tracks (another feature of the original that was lost over time), so I am looking forward to trying it out one day.

mattyc · 08-11-2002, 22:10

I agree partially. One of the reasons i LOVED NFS 1 was the engine sounds. i shut off any music and pump the engine.

real draw back with the latter ones.

but the driving is much more enjoyable. i cant stand the driving in NFS2 when i go back to it from the later NFS's

Pearly · 08-11-2002, 23:38

couldn't agree more Strider! they lost it!
although, I never really like NFS2, I thought they really stuffed that one up after playing NFSSE for so long! The cars actually looks real-ish in NFSSE, NFS2 looked crap.

ford.boy · 08-12-2002, 01:44

Loved nfsiise, didn't stop playing it for months (unhealthy, i know) but recently aquired nfs3, and it sucks. the cars don't handle, they sound like crap (the ELGT sounds like a ricer). Abandon all hope for the NFS series...

Ford Fanatic · 08-12-2002, 03:54

See if you can find Need for Speed - Porsche 2000 (NFS 5) it's bloddy brilliant. Miles away from the previous ones, although it's sadly lacking in downloadable addons - I have 63 add on cars for NFS3, including 6 Mustangs :s6: - but hey, it's full of Porsches!

I heard an old Porsche last week - and it sounded exactly the same as in the game. I was very happy :s5

You should be able to pick it up fairly cheap if you can find it, it's bloddy great fun :s6:

The Fonz · 08-12-2002, 04:00

Porsche 2000 is very good you can essentially mod a 95 Porsche 911 Turbo to RuF spec. Goes like a rocket to and handles as good as any car trying to take a corner at 260kmph......!

As for the earlier NFS editions (apart from NFS I) nice and pretty but lacking in realism. I recently downloaded a TE50 custom built.
Sounded like the real thing, though I think the realism was sacrificed in these games for playability.

Cobra · 08-12-2002, 04:18

NFSSE was a great game, I used to love talking about it at high school. NFSII although with great cars I felt wnet backwards. No hot pursuit or anything, but I still liked it never the less.

NFS 3 I LOVED. I loved the game play more than anything else, but the car dynamics were dissapointing.

NFS 4 is basically a carry over from NFS 3. I love the gameplay of NFS 4, love the high stakes mode and love the fact you can be a cop as well as be chased. But the interioir of NFS 4 is terrible. The Corvette in no. 3 looks SOOOO much better than no. 4, just compare them. I also love in NFS 4 that you could get damage.

NFS5 I didnt like much. I found it too boring and only Porsches, no hot pursuit.

You brign up come valid points Styder. If they could combine the realistc dynamics of no.1 (NFS1 at that time was one of the best games out in 1996) with the enjoyment and gameplay like no.4 with high stakes and hot pursuit, I'm sure it would be one of the best games out.

NFS6: Hot Pursuit II could be a combination of nfs 4 and 5, I really hope so. There will be the HSV GTS Coupe and the TS50 so Hopefully they can get the sounds and whatever else right.

Cobra · 08-12-2002, 04:20

Just another thing, maybe they can have an option on the game like "Arcade" or "Simulator" there one is the old style every car handles the same so the kiddies can have fun, while the other the car combines realistic dynamics and other stuff like that.

XR_Strider_GuY · 08-12-2002, 04:23

Yeap, i remember i was so hooked to NFS 1 when the NFSSE came out i got it despite it being the same game.

Me and mates from school would have comps and come up the next day comparing times and where we can go faster.

The sound was the main thing and yes i did also turn down the music for the car sounds, sooo realistic. Guess it's a case of they don make'em like they use to.