Need for Speed Undercover Image
Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 62 Critics What's this?

User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 84 Ratings

  • Summary: Need for Speed Undercover has players racing through speedways, dodging cops and chasing rivals as they go deep undercover to take down an International crime syndicate. The game heralds the return of high-intensity police chases and introduces the all-new 'Heroic Driving Engine' -- a unique technology that generates incredible high-performance moves at 180 miles per hour during breathtaking highway battles. A mix of computer graphics and live-action movies immerses gamers in the rich world of the Tri-City Bay Area. The city’s open-world environment features over 80 miles of roads, including an enormous highway system that sets the stage for highway battles. These high-speed, high-stake chase sequences push players to the limit as they fight off cops and opponents while whipping through traffic at 180 miles per hour. An intelligent new A.I. mechanic delivers a realistic and high-energy action driving experience. Going back to the franchise’s roots, Need for Speed Undercover features more aggressive and intelligent cops whose sole purpose is to take down the player quickly and by any means necessary. Need for Speed Undercover also features the series' signature car customization, real-world damage and realistic driving physics. The game includes some of the hottest licensed cars such as the Audi R8, BMW M6 and Lexus IS-F. [Electronic Arts] Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 62
  2. Negative: 8 out of 62
  1. NFS Undercover is a return to form for this long running racer series, the inclusion of the cops really puts pressure on your racing and with the addition of the usual upgrade and tuning options it helps to make this a top arcade racer.
  2. Moving away from the track and back onto the roads may have returned Need for Speed to where it belongs, but things aren’t perfect yet.
  3. Black Box have taken little in the way of risks but it's not faultless - the streets can feel quite empty (depending on race type) and the framerate can get a bit juddery. But you can't say that EA hasn't given us what we asked for.
  4. The framerate is so shockingly bad, it effects the entire enjoyment of the experience.

See all 62 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 20
  2. Negative: 5 out of 20
  1. AnonymousMC
    9
    I agree with Anonymous's comment. I have never played the nfs franchise, and I just picked it up. I really enjoy playing it even moreso than Burnout (longer consecutive time driving rather than having my momentum broken by crashing the car). It's biggest flaw are its occasional drop in framerate. It has happened twice (when my car went through fences) that it was jarring enough to temporarily make me lose my concentration, but I won anyhow, so that's ok :) What I like about this game is that it's quick and seamless to jump from one race to another. And if I finish a race but still don't win it, it's not all lost. I have accumulated $ from just driving around. I never feel like I'm wasting time. I enjoy playing the game, but I've never played a nfs game before (wait...I think I did...on PC, but that was so long ago). Expand
  2. AnonymousMC
    8
    Even with its glitches, graphicaly, cinimatically, and in other ways, i found this game very entertaining. Even with these flaws, which occasionally provide chuckle, this game has an interesting storyline. I think that EA is doing a good job working with what they have got. It is a street racing game. They all have the same basic idea, and this turned it upside down (kindof). one quality i will give to EA is the expansive highway system. I really enjoyed cruising while being persued by the 911 GT2 cops. Also I amtired of critics saying that it is EA's fault. If you lok closely, the game was created byBlack Box and marketed by EA. the strict deadline may be EA's fault, but i think they deserve another chance. as far as the entire series goes, I still think that NFS most wanted holds the crown hands down. even though it is an old game, i sometimes find myself burning up camden for hours on end. Expand
  3. jazz15c
    7
    First hour of the game was absolutely appalling, stick with it though, it does get better. Cops are back, thankfully, but the sheer amount of chases become tiresome. Plenty of different race modes to keep you entertained, masses of cars to purchase. A decent game, very short though (though a lot longer than Carbon), and at times lacked direction in the plot. Scenery feels very "Most Wanted-y". Handling is, at best, iffy...you have to nitrous drift to carry any real speed around a tight corner, extremely unrealistic! A step back into the right direction, but still light years from the highlights of Most Wanted and Underground 1/2. Expand
  4. BriabS
    3
    Where is the story? I didn't know I was at the boss level till I beat the boss! What's with the girl, are you suppose to fell cool, and thats good that she is pre-med? Big surprise the women you are working for is working for the bad guy!!!! Why the @#$% can't you sell those shitty cars you inherit from other racers!!! And one more thing on art, can we change the color pallette, don't fool us by just by changing the time of day to 7:55pm or 6:45 am. Plus a golden hour doesn't work when your caution walls are the same color as your lighting pallette!!!! Collapse

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