- Publisher: EA Games
- Release Date: Oct 31, 2006
- Also On: DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360
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90This is a solid racing game that has evolved the need for speed series and just tightened and improved upon many of the things that were left unfurnished in the last game.
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The Canyon Duel and the returning Drift Race, which has been absent in recent years, are both exciting and engaging additions to the already impressive list of race types carried over from "Most Wanted."
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85Need For Speed lives up to its heritage staying at the forefront in the evolution of racing simulations. Although I wish there was more revolution I can’t deny its status of a rock-solid racer.
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82The drifting is an acquired taste (but it's good), the canyon duals are decent changes (though not great), and the crews...well, they suck. Of the myriad new features, the addition of muscle cars and the online functionality are the best.
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80So what if Carbon isn't redefining the street racing genre - really, at this point, what could? It hits a sweet spot of intensity, danger, and style.
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80A great addition to the series for fans and probably a decent rental for most. While things have been upgraded and new elements added on, it’s still NFS and it still gets repetitive and boring after awhile. It’s like EA’s "Madden" of racing.
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79These niggles aside, Need For Speed Carbon delivers an entertaining blend of racing, performance tuning, and professionally acted FMV storytelling. [Feb. 2007, p.64]
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78EA tries to do a lot with NFS: Carbon, but that still doesn't help me shake the feeling that the accelerated pace of NFS releases is in many ways pointless and counter-productive. It dilutes the overall impression of the franchise, rather than make it more appealing to the fans.
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78Engaging enough, but where's the innovation that the franchise so badly needs? [Christmas 2006, p.93]
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78Fans of the series will still find it entertaining, and newcomers will have plenty to see and do, but there's simply not enough new content to recommend it over "NFS: Most Wanted." [Jan 2007, p.90]
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76A solid racing game. It might have a few rough edges and frustrating spots, but overall it’s a fun game.
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74Even though the wingman mechanics and canyon races don't quite pan out, it's still a stylish and enjoyable street racer.
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With many games supporting widescreen out there, it’s a shame that EA’s games still ignore it.
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72Carbon manages to look uniformly bland. [Christmas 2006, p.82]
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70Regardless of that feeling of déjà vu, Carbon is another solid racer from EA, and the Auto-Sculpt feature is absolutely fantastic, not to mention the impressive car roster and functional online component.
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What the series needs is not useless gimmicks and badly rehashed game mechanics, but good, old-fashioned racing fun. We don’t need customisable bells and whistles; what gamers really want is a Need for Speed that uses its strengths, and doesn’t try to shoe-horn in its weaknesses for the sake of bullet points on a press release.
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60A lazy effort.