Reflecting back on older consoles in recent years, racing titles have always had a strong presence in the video game world. But is Need for Speed: Rivals any different to previous titles and does it stand out? Yes and no. On first glance, there's no denying that visually it looks top-notch. The gameplay itself bears some resemblance to previous title Hot Pursuit, with high-speed police chases that are very rewarding for virtual racers. It's also quite accessible for those who are checking out the racing game for the first time. The open world format makes the game feel larger with around 160km of road at your disposal including jumps, shortcuts and traps to keep you happily occupied. The dynamic weather system also gives the world more depth. As well as that, a new social system called AllDrive has been introduced which allows multiplayers to transition from single player to multi with ease, with the option to engage in co-op or rival gameplay. With a variety of rewards and solid selection of challenges, players can take the role as a Cop or a Racer and battle their way through the fictional location known as Redview County. So despite the fact that Need for Speed: Rivals is the 20^th game in the racing franchise, the company has still managed to pull off an end product that is highly-polished and sleek. It's impressive for something that isn't a full-blown RPG. However, one of the biggest problems with the game is the poor voiceover and the script which taints the overall image of the project. There’s an element of wanting to make Need for Speed so much more than just a game; into something epic and suspenseful, and the voiceover and music makes that dream fall flat. With random outburst of lines using the words “destiny” and lines like "you can't catch devils with angels", the corny dialogue could be seen as incredibly off-putting and in fact, we were this close to turning down the volume. But thankfully, the game does manage to redeem itself with the openness of its world. Think of the whole experience as more of a thrill than anything. Essentially Need for Speed: Rivals is like GTA but with just cars, chases and cops. But they have perfected the focus of their franchise with some stunning graphics, a slick world and a great selection of chases to choose from – now if only they’d hire a decent scriptwriter… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79QsNYEJxLs Publisher: EA Games Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, XboxOne Genres: Racing Rated: 7+