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There’s a slew of new racing video games being released in time for the Christmas holiday and we’ve already reviewed both Forza 4 and F1 2011 here in the Blogs at www.eurotuner.com.
One of the last to be launched is the latest Need For Speed title called The Run. Its release is still about a month away but we had the opportunity to sample a development version of the game. This followed a visit to Las Vegas Speedway where we also got to sample the incredible Shelby Mustang that appears on the game’s cover art. In fact, Shelby built a replica of the car designed for the game, complete with a muscular front end, matching graphics and stitched seats, etc. You can see our exclusive video from the event at eurotuner.com or youtube.com/eurotuner – if it’s not posted yet, come back because we’re editing it as I write!
With six different Shelby Mustangs at the track, the soundtrack was incredible, especially from the new V6 engine they’d been working on. It sounded the most like a racecar, and its exhaust note was much higher than the baritone V8s in the other cars.
The Mustang was chosen for the game because it represents the sort of high-powered missile you’ll need in The Run, which involves a race takes place from San Francisco to New York. 
However, it’s not all about American muscle, and NFS has gone to great lengths to include many of the latest supercars to tickle your fancy, including the brand new 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera. In fact, it was this car we sampled on the first of two levels we tried after returning from the racetrack.
The Run remains true to the arcade original of this game, so you’re trying to evade the police and rivals in order to reach your cross-country goal. As you’d expect, Electronics Arts has stepped up with many new features. For a start, the 3000-mile chase takes you through many different terrains. And, for the first time in a NFS game, your main character, Jack, can exit the vehicle to continue the action on foot, interacting with people in the storyline.
The developers also hooked up with Sports Illustrated to hook us up with swimsuit models Irina Shayk and fellow model Chrissy Teigen. The girls have been digitized and represent more rivals to tempt you from the prize – check out the online blog and video at www.eurotuner.com to see their pixilated hotness!
In its cross-country duel, the game runs through dense city traffic, deserts, snowclad canyons; everything you’d expect as you cross from coast to coast. We had a chance to drive through both the desert and winter canyon during our preview, and what stood out most was the impressive graphics – both the cars and environment had immense detail.
Driving the new Porsche 911, there was so much detail, and the engine note seemed completely realistic. It was like seeing the real thing for the first time. Even the reflections across the bulged rear fenders were mesmorizing.
Where NFS The Run differs from, say F1 2011 and Forza 4, is that it’s a video game rather than a simulator. And while EA has done wonders with the graphics, the gameplay focuses around the chase rather than reproducing total reality.
This can be preferable for many players, since the goals are easy to grasp – you beat your rivals to New York and claim the bounty. On the way you have to avoid falling rocks, oncoming trucks, spinning cars, lane changes, etc – all the classic elements in a car-chase game. Where it falls short perhaps is in the realism the other games can offer as far as steering response and braking feel. However, NFS still does a good job with its physics engine, but it’s not the main focus of this game: If you want to slide a Porsche 911 past a Shelby Mustang at 200mph to avoid a police car, The Run has you covered.
Although we haven’t had a chance to experience the full game yet, NFS The Run has a full multiplayer online element with social networking to track the careers and stats of your friends. It’s is available on November 15, 2011 for the Xbox 360, PlayStation3, PC and Nintendo 3DS. Developed by Electronic Arts, visit www.needforspeed.com for more details.
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