I dont remember playing the original hot pursuit that came out a few years ago. But I am a big Need for Speed fan, having played the 'underground' and 'most wanted'. This game is more like Most wanted, it takes elements of the hot pursuit races and turns them into one big game.

The beauty of this game is its simplicity. Its one of the easiest games that I have ever played. Other then the d-pad, this game only requires three buttons, acceleration, brake and handbrake. The right cursor is also used for offensive and defensive measures.

Gameplay: There are various types of races in this game that you can play as either a copper or as a criminal. You have the hot pursuits where you either race eachother as a criminal or you shutdown races as a copper. You also have strightforward one on one races, get from A to B in the quicket time, they call this rapid response in the copper mode (slightly annooying as it is a time trial and every time you hit either the side or another vehicle you lose 2 or 3 seconds), its a tough one. You play several races at each location and there are several locations around the fictional county of Seacrest. As you play each race you have to score points and make the times set to get either a pass, merit or distinction, or in the case of the criminal section of the game , first, second or third. The other objective of the game is to rise up the ranks as either the police or as a criminal ranks from level one to twenty.

Features: Other then the different types of races, there is not much else in the way of modification. You do get an amazing array of other cars in the game, everything from a Nissan 370z right up to the Bugatti Verhron. You dont get to modify them other then the colour. You dont get to drag races or drifting races as in the 'Underground' series but there is still plenty to keep you busy. The weapons are also impressive, ranging from spike trips to helicopters and EMP pulses, all realisticaly carried out so that the game doesnt seem too cartoony.

Graphics are impressive, your car will take damage and its visable, the soundtrack is also very modern and pretty impressive. Helpfully you can change songs mid race at the touch of a button.