Need for Speed Most Wanted (2005) was the best for police chases imo. One thing I can't stand about this generation of consoles is that my expectations were that for a game like this, we would get Need for Speed Most Wanted (2005) or either Underground games - but with 10 years worth of additions. Instead, it seems like while the graphics are better, and the FPS increased - there are so many features in a lot of games this generation that are not included but were included in these games 10 years ago. Instead of adding more, making police chases better (it's been 10 years!), more cars, more parts, etc., it's actually less. Less cars, less parts, the police, etc. I just don't really get it. I really am enjoying this game - but to think over 10 years they could have added so much more. DLC is also really hurting console gaming in my opinion. Anyway, just my 2 cents...
I find that the level 4 police chases are a bit of a challenge, but not too difficult if you're on a highway with a fast car. Level 1 and 2 are a joke. You have to continually turn around to keep them chasing you for a few minutes if you want to build it up to higher levels. Could be much better.
I think a big reason for the tendency of these games to "lose" features is the fact that the games are being made by different developers who don't necessarily have access to the code base from previous games. Also, development time continues to increase while deadlines continue to decrease, causing a lot of things to get left out due to nothing more than a lack of time.
This isn't absolving Criterion or EA of the sin of removing many terrific features that were in previous NFS games, of course.
