Need for Speed Rivals Doesn't the whole "Rivals" thing seem too immature to you?

The whole scenario of "we are TEH GOOD GUYZzZz" (although we're running like hell without paying attention to the fact a pedestrian could be crossing a street since it's a game/and-now-movie and they've 'been locked up until our game session/filming ends) and "teh copz are teh BAD GUYzZzz" (except for Vinnie's cousin who may be a cop but he's also got a turbo-boosted hatchback with wings and propellers) seem a bit... dunno... immature?

I mean, when they started trying to build a scenario around the fact that "we like to run like hell in fast cars" everything started seeming silly to me. Yeah, we like to race. There's no "why" to it - it's because it's in the human nature to like excitement, adrenaline. WHY do you have to "explain" it? WHY does there HAVE to be a story about somebody taking revenge, or showing to the whole world how defiant he is to its rules, while driving a fast and uber expensive car he somehow fell upon, forgetting it was created by and for the very world he says he defies?

The NFS series has started doing that a lot after the first Underground - and Rivals was the final straw for me. I'm ok with some science fiction in my racing (OK, I loved Knight Rider as a kiddo), but cops having mini-tanks that run at 300KM/h they use to bash criminals in cars they'd never be able to buy even if they got elected Lemonade Representative "in da hood" seemed like TOO much for me to accept. And I play a lot of scifi FPS's as well

 

The game is probably meant for teens and it's most likely you just grew out of it. If it's looking too immature to you then maybe it's just time to move on to more "mature" games with storylines that actually matter to the gameplay more, because I think with racing games like this they probably know the story doesn't matter that much, like you said, so they don't try as hard to evolve it but they have to include one nonetheless just to have something because all games have a plot now.

 

I know, and I understand this - of course "it's targeted at younger people" and I'm older (and, I guess, "more mature") now. My problem is that it DOESN'T HAVE to have a storyline, as far as I see it. That's why I'm wondering, why the heck do all games today NEED a storyline! Do they, actually, "need" it? Did Pac-Man "need a storyline" to become a classic? Did Tetris? Arkanoid? Even... Doom and Quake?!

At the point where a storyline is added to games created "just for fun" they're ruined. Just like Quake IV was "a retelling of the almost non-existand story of Quake II" - and bashed for exactly those "story elements". I mean, it comes to a point where the storyline actually HURTS your ability to enjoy a game. If games "like that" didn't have storylines "like those", you wouldn't feel like saying "man, that's dumb as a brick", just a "cool driving, bro"! That's what I'm saying: I feel like, by adding storylines to games that don't need them, they're ruining them!

 

Yeah i know what you mean man! Recently iv'e been seeing that Need for speed games are just not good anymore because they keep on adding tacky stuff. Why can't a company just make a racing game that has exploration, damage, marketplace and most of all MMO aspects. Forza horizon and Test drive unlimited are really good examples of what to do, just race and get money to get more cars, that simple

 

@amig0enemig0 Eeexactly! Racing games are just "fun games", gaming for gaming's sake. You don't need "extras" to enjoy running with a fast car towards the sunset. OK, maybe a long-haired blonde in the next seat* :-D

* Not being a sexist, you youngsters! It's a reference to the arcade classic, "Outrun"

 

The whole concept of racing games is just to have fun and enjoy yourself.We don't really need all those unnecessary extras they just dull the game.What we need is an incentive,motivation to play the game for that thrilling experience.

 

Remember when need for speed was about racing? lol, and then running from the cops in sexy fast ass cars? and then drifting and now, Michael Bay presents Need for Speed, this game isn't even about the cars anymore, just explosions.

 

There's nothing less mature than those people that grow up wanting to drive suped up Honda Civics. Rivals was an okay game, but the concept was and is absurd.

 

I have never been enthralled by a Need For Speed story, it's typically a cheesy and meaningless plot. Just skip the cutscenes and play the game for the racing.

 

It does seem a bit off to me, but then again that's all Need for Speed "stories" (if you can call them that, it's mostly just filler content) for you, at least from Need for Speed Most Wanted (2005) until now. I think that the worst "story" by far is Need for Speed Carbon's, but then again, I hate the whole game for some reason, and I guess I might be a little too subjective.

 

The game is aimed at teens and kids so I expected a bit of a ridiculous plot. Although I do not think it is as bad as you are saying, sure it is immature but its all in good fun.

 

Same here. It's just something that they need to put in to keep edgy teenagers interested, or at least it's what they think teenagers do want. If you don't like it just skip the cutscenes or the whole game even.

 

I think the game is alright. Just like most people said, it's probably directed towards teens anyways.

 

Immature? Hmm, maybe, but I don't think this game caters to the people who are in their late 30's early 40's. This type of games are appealing to teenagers who just want to race a little bit and have some fun.

 

I agree. I don't see much wrong with them making it edgy since that is their target audience. If they changed too much it would just look like a different game, and besides there are other racing games that cater to that demographic already.

 

I think it's great, every game needs a rival of some sorts to keep you pushing it until the end. Without a specified rival, you would just be entering race after race, and it would really sound incredibly boring on the long run. Everyone needs a rival to chase after, and everyone needs that one enemy to keep you improving in the game. It's great addition, as it gives a lot of character to an otherwise bland group of race car drivers in a racing game.

 

I agree with you. It seems like an armature part of playing. It becomes much boring in this way. There are palenty of games out there that you can enjoy. It is not like the other racing games. It is different but i still dont like to play it very day.

 

I very much agree with you on it's armature nature. Compared to "The Run", I'd say this one's gameplay looks quite awkward and funny.

I disagree with the issue of age because I feel the same way about this game.

 

I've never played Need For Speed for the story anyways. I thought most of the stories were just plain bad, but the racing is where its at. But I get what you mean, but you'll grow out of it. It's a racing game anyways so I doubt the story is really something to look forward to.

 

I haven't played this one, but if you think that is corny and immature you should check out NFS Most Wanted (original). The cutscenes in that game are ridiculously cheesy and laughable, like an F grade movie. I still love it though.