(Damage/"Health bar") We need to have a talk.
We need to have a little chat. Now, having just watched the visually impressive gameplay trailer for NFS Heat, I went back over to look for hidden things, additional details etc. And to my surprise,...
Forum Discussion
@GK3512
What I will say is that Burnout is Burnout. Likewise, NFS is NFS. Well, most of them at least. Some entries are certainly debatable!
This is complicated by an issue, however. People have observed that NFS may very well be going through an identity crisis. That's actually quite feasible, there are radically different interpretations of what the series really is, and the identities in the form of each game that create huge divides pose a threat to a unified community.
In short, when I want high speed action courtesy of Criterion with B2D and takedowns, I boot up the PS2 and play Burnout Revenge. In the same way, when I want decent racing that (dependant on game) provides high speed exhilaration with a focus on more realistic handling, as well as police chases, I choose NFS.
What I will say is that Burnout is Burnout. Likewise, NFS is NFS. Well, most of them at least. Some entries are certainly debatable!
This is complicated by an issue, however. People have observed that NFS may very well be going through an identity crisis. That's actually quite feasible, there are radically different interpretations of what the series really is, and the identities in the form of each game that create huge divides pose a threat to a unified community.
In short, when I want high speed action courtesy of Criterion with B2D and takedowns, I boot up the PS2 and play Burnout Revenge. In the same way, when I want decent racing that (dependant on game) provides high speed exhilaration with a focus on more realistic handling, as well as police chases, I choose NFS.
@Jacobba55 Criterion was the only development left for NFS back in 2009/2010 when HP2010 showed up. If NFS keep its own identity since the beginning., I think Blackbox games are farther from the root than HP2010 which brought Criterion B2D. The identity crisis has been a thing since 16 years ago. And Criterion was the only dev successfully return the series to its root. The content/style of game crash the identity worse than a new handling model. And that's what EA has forgotten for years
Neither Criterion, nor Ghost Games evidently, were the best choice. I would like to think we don't have to stick to the root of the series all the time, but more rather use it as a guideline. To keep the fundamental principles of the series there, but also not to go to the other end of the spectrum and start abusing the NFS name, just so you can sell something that isn't really what you call it. That doesn't mean making a non-freeroam cops F&F with micro-transactions! Nor does it mean introducing a poor handling model that just so happened to set the trend for the next seven (possibly nine) years. It's almost too difficult to keep up with everything, like I said, one step forward, two steps back; a new glaring flaw with each release.
We know something needs to change, but I guess none of us know exactly what it is yet. It doesn't stop people from guessing what that is and then having their opinion criticised endlessly. Doesn't matter too much though, the mission against the damage bar is making steady progress, and I hope for you that NFS will continue to move closer towards it's root!
"All is but toys."
- @Jacobba55 I doubt EA will bring the series back to the root anytime soon. The Blackbox success was too huge to let go for EA. Hence why we get Heat-The Blackbox Megamix. I always prefer content/gameplay over a different handling. NFS needs a change of content style because with 2015 they cemented BB style as the definitive NFS, so when they stated back to the root about NFS2019. I thought it will be a classic style game. As we see now, Heat isn't anything remotely close to a back to the root shot. Such disrespect to series history makes me wanna see the end of NFS rather than wait another 8-9 years for a reborn classic NFS
I know, and I completely understand. I feel for the fans who've been here longer than I have, a great amount of sympathy, and respect their wishes for a game that suits their wants and needs.
As well as that, the implementation of the Black Box era (or "Underground theme") is definitely something that I am beginning to question. Having played my copy of NFS Most Wanted 2005, without wishing to downplay the innovation of the pioneer games of NFS, I realise that it is so good that it simply can't be replicated nor can the success it had. It was amazing for it's time and continues to better many of more recent NFS releases, even if you disregard the cult following.
You have my sympathy for your patience. I can agree that the Underground theme isn't necessarily the right direction, as it will never truly be the same as before, but a remake isn't feasible nor necessarily right either.
