Need For Speed Undercover Review
Ever since the app store opened, many of us have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of a decent racing app for the iPhone. This game isn’t it. This game is beyond decent. It’s amazing, and a game changer in the hand held market.
With amazing graphics, a great story line, customized vehicles and much more this is hands down the best racing game and one of the overall best games available in the app store period. However there are a few negatives unfortunately so hold on tight, and prepare for a wild ride!
In Need For Speed Underground you play the role of an undercover cop trying to catch street racers. After completing each objective you will earn money to buy cars, do performance upgrades, and add some visual tweaks to your ride. You do this by playing in career mode, where you will go around doing different tasks like taking out cops, winning street racers, delivering cars to a safe-house, or racing against the clock.
You start the game with some cash and are allowed to pick one of three cars. Once you do you will be given the backdrop to the game and given your first mission.
As you progress, the amount of money you earn from completing a job increases, and so do the amount of style points as well as the difficulty level. Style points are used to unlock new areas in the game with more challenging races and, well, challenges! There are 3 total areas in the game.
The controls in this game are done pretty well. Your car automatically accelerates. It’s both good and bad. Good because you don’t have to keep your finger on the gas the entire time, and it isn’t in the way, and bad because the car can become too fast at times. The brakes which are activated by pressing anywhere on the screen can be a little over powered at times though.
While racing you will earn boost and points for near misses, nudging, and other dangerous driving skills like drifts. The more you do these the more your boost gauge will fill. It’s a vicious circle.
When you crash it’s a little disappointing as there is no visual damage to your vehicle., and sometimes you hit a vehicle doing 90 mph and the car just stops on the track. While these things can be over looked because the rest of the game is that damn good it’s a shame to notice these things.
While driving you can use slipstreaming which is a method of riding right behind another vehicle to speed up your car and than using a nice nitrous boost swiping upward on the screen to blow right by them.
Navigating a tight corner can be a problem as well unless you use the speedbreaker by swiping downward on the screen. This will slow down time and allow you to maneuver in and out of traffic and tight corners as needed.
Drifting is a great way to earn boost and points. To Drift you turn the iDevice hard right or hard left and the car will slide in that direction. This takes a little getting used to but it’s nothing that 10 minutes with the game will not fix.
After each race you have the option to customize your vehicle. Customizing will allow you to improve the base speed, handling, or acceleration to your vehicle. You will also have the ability to paint, sticker, and tweak the visual appeal of your car as well. Add some ground effects, a spoiler whatever you feel is needed to pimp your ride.
The graphics in this game are pretty stunning, but they do tend to drain your battery. There is also some slight lag throughout the game. For example when the helicopter flies up it lags a little, which can be annoying as it will make it harder to steer. Other than that the graphics are simply stunning.
It could almost be PSP quality. in fact, I own a NFS for the PSP game and they are about the same quality when it comes to graphics.
The sound in this game is pretty good as well. There is a good rock with a little rap soundtrack, and if you don’t like it, quickly double tap the home button, press play, and jam to your own tunes. They definitely payed attention to the sound effects like hitting walls, the engine starting up, and everything else.
Of course some people are not going to like the music selected for the game, but having licensed soundtracks in-game is asking a bit much for an iPhone game right now.
Overall, this app is pure gaming bliss. It has been highly anticipated by iDevice fans and the developers delivered a fantastic game at a fantastic price, and I don’t think they disappointed anybody this time. Sure, a few updates could be made fixing the lag and possibly adding an option to disable auto-accelerate and have a gas pedal on the screen somewhere. If your a racing fan this is a no brainer. This is hands down the best arcade racing game on the platform and once again the bar has been raised!
The Good
Excellent presentation
Easy to follow storyline with videos to move it alongThe Bad
Lags at times
Some controls and options could be added
Needs more levels
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Category: Editors Choice Awards, Games
Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
Thanks, to be honest I think I am a professional journalist. I have written quite a few articles for commercial websites and even had 2 posted on XBOX.com as well.
The problem I have is I try to convey too much information into a post. I feel like I owe it to our readers to know everything about the game. Though im struggling with iPhone and casual apps as in all honesty .99 isn’t going to break anyone. So writing a 3 page review just isn’t needed.
We still working out the kinks. Thanks for your support hope to keep your around..
Over 70 comments now? Wow! Great looking game, congrats karl!
i love this app it looks amazing i love playing need for speed on the playstation but it seems like it would be hard on the ipod touch or iPhone
Congrats ‘Karl’
Hey, I posted a video on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWFl8PPGxp4
I said “Video Review” …. I meant Demo. Cuz i’m not reviewing it…
Congratulations to “ Karl ” You have been selected as the winner of the free application contest from appVersity.com
For those of you not familiar with the free Premium code give away contests we have here please visit this url and start winning free apps today! You would be crazy not to!
http://www.appversity.com/featured-articles/appversity-gives-away-free-apps/
NOOOOOOOOOOO! I didn’t win!!!!
BTW, when are you going to end the Siberian Strike contest, if there was one?
Congrats to Karl, enjoy the game. Nice way to kick off your week.
this game has been long overdue, but it seems as if it was worth the wait. Ive havent really purchased any other racing games, but this certainly looks good for $10.
the only thing i hate is the auto acceleration, i like to control the speed at which i want to drive, but maybe it isnt a big deal
Great review like always. keep up the good work
I found out it was going to come out back… forever ago, i’d look for it and didn’t find it… FINALLY, hahaha.
I’ve bought other games and have been very disappointed. Not with this one. And i’ve played other games (on my friend’s iPod) and didn’t like them.
iam exited who will get the code this evening!!!!
going to be a great day!
Going to be an even greater day if I actually win this puppy!!!!
Man, what a great way that would be to start the week….
Hey Ryan, Nice review!
haha had me worried with not decent?!?!?
I disagree with two things tho. Before i tell you those things let me say first that people say “i’m a natural” (get games really quickly and make them look easy).
That out of the way, i disagree with your comment on the acceleration, it is never too fast (not even in sharp turns). The brakes, however, CAN be a bit strong. I’ve done SEVERAL races with Clean Lap AND High Speed bonus (170mph+ average).
This does have a BIT of lag (for a fourth of a second or less) when it’s changing song, but it has never caused me to crash. I Too was disappointed with the crashes, no visual damage, the crashing sound isn’t the greatest, but HEY it’s a FREAKIN awesome game. How could you not overlook those little details when the loading times are about 5 seconds each or LESS? and so many features???
Yeah your right about the accleration, it goes perfectly on turns. I still wish they had a pedal for accleration.
Codes given out this evening.
Great to hear that!
i love this game. it is a must buy for sure
i love racing games on my iphone. Already got fastlane and ferrari but i could always use another. This one looks like its the best of all the racing games so i really want IT!
The graphics on this game look so awesome.
looks very cool. I love street racing games.
I’ve heard nothing but good things about this game. I really like the gorgeous graphics and the control mechanic.
Great review Ryan, I have been waiting for Need for Speed since I saw the hands on preview of it that was plastered all over YouTube.
After this game was delayed for such a long time I was getting anxious and then decided that I would buy Real Racing. Your review explains really well how the game actually plays and all features of the game. I have done one race in the game on my friends iPhone and absolutely loved it, but I am not sure if it deserves to be bought as the one race was super easy and the career mode seems short. I was also a bit disappointed that there is no free roam.
Great review anyhow, if I don’t win the code I will have to seriously consider buying this game as the amount of great things I am hearing about it are making it hard to resist.
Regards, iPhone_Reviews
Hey, depends on what car you were using, and how moded it was. I have the Pagani mod to the top, so i leave all the cars behind.
Since you start with slow cars it’s challenging.
Ive never bought any serious racing games from the app store, but this looks really good.
excellent review
Stupendous looking game, great review. I’m a bit worried about the length, though.
it will take you a while. The races are hard towards the end, And EA might add on to this game. I will ask about it. Plus there is something secret that I heard happens when you beat the game
What what? i finished and something happened.. dunno if it’s what you mean. or something else???
ive been following the hype for soooo long!!!! and FIANLLY it came out (IT WAS SUPPOSED TO COME OUT IN MARCH) definitely the best looking game out there (until real racing) and i rly like the game modes like when u hav to try and kill a boss and stuff, really cool
This looks like an amazing racing game. Top notch I’m sure, especially since it’s from electronic arts.
looks like one of the highest quality games on the app store.
plus its a racing game on top of that, i havent found many good racing games at all.
Great review & great reviews on the entire website!! Just registered on the site & subscribed to the RSS!!
Keep it up 
Thanks! Spread the word for us!
Seems like nfs was worth the wait, delays and all. Does anyone know about how long career mode is?
there are 3 islands, the first with about 8 races/challenges, which you can beat in an hour, the second and third islands have the same amount of races but will take you longer though because of difficulty. I am hoping that they will expand career mode though. They need to add free roaming and online play too
ea never adds content to games
i meant games that they already published for the iphone
Not true. They have updated Scrabble and Monopoly as far as I have seen. Spore too I think. And SImCity
but ea never added big new features…..
The graphics look amazing. It seems that in every game EA releases for the iPhone, the bar is always raised. Too bad there isn’t any online play…maybe in the future?
Racing others online would be so sick!! Unfortunely EA rarely make any major updates on their apps.
I WAS THINKING THE SAME!!! AGH. too bad no online play.
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this game looks cool. I would love to try it!
Definitely the best looking game on the iPhone to date.
This just makes me so happy to know that the games will just keep getting better and better with each passing month.
Console quality games coming to the iPhone is a GREAT thing!!!
Great review. I’ll definitely be picking this up soon.
thats a must-have app….
and i dont have it
its because i spent sooo much money on other apps like assassins creed and 10 dollars is much
argh…..but as i see game looks pretty damn good
very nice graphics and a cool story
hmmmm…..
i really waited for this since october and now im too avaricious to buy it
This is awesome! I have been waiting for this for soooo long! It looks stunning and amazing! Eeeeek!
best game ever!!!
graphics 5/5 … its psp style
fun 5/5 it makes hours of fun …
all in all 200/100
this game is fantastic
you can get about 200 cars … hehe i got all ^^
you can tune them ..
thats so fantastic
there is nothing bad at this game exept .. that there is no free driving
but it rocks …
its a must have for evryone
the best racing game in the store!
*has
I just got Fastlane for 2 bucks and I’m pretty happy with it. I also was not hooked by the latest NFS for PC so I’ll rather wait for sale or (better) Firemint’s Real Racing. On the other hand this is definitely the best visuals on the iPhone yet.
This game looks amazing !! The review im sure can only fathom the mirror image of this games performance,tbpugh we been waiting patiently ,it was only inevitable ,from what touch arcade description as”King of racers” it sure to wear the title !!
The graphics look lush and vibrant,
Sound up to par, even in the video, you cAn obbiously see that NFSU os. Sold game and shouldnt be passed up!! Sounds like a hit’!!
Great in-depth review!
EA has really stepped it up recently with Tiger Woods, and now this? Nice to see them getting such big titles onto this device.
Very excited about this game since i’ve yet to find that one awesome racer.
Wow, I’m really impressed.
It looks like NFS has set the new bar for what the iphone is capable of
OMG! This looks so awesome!
nfs is finally here,
it seems the main selling point is the graphics, thats mainly what people are talking about,
its cool that it actually has a storyline,
looks pretty good
This review is spectacular. This is unlike any other reviews site throughout the web!
This game looks amazing with all the unlockables and stuff…and I’m a sucker for good graphics.
I truely think Need For Speed is the best racing game on the iDevice. I’ve played this on my friends iPod and I agree that it tends to get a lil laggy, which makes me crash. I like the fact that we can customize our cars which is a + from the other racing games. I also agree that controls need to be a little better. While the devs do deserve $9.99 for this stunning racing game, its a too high of a price for me to go purchase it right away.. Anyways great review on a great game, good job explaining controls and pros/cons.
OMG nfs is awesome! I hope real racing can top this. Anyways ea seems to have done a good job.
This games graphics are very polished along with the storymode. There are also customizations which makes the game have variety.
Only one way to describe NFS = AMAZING!
Wow. If racing games like this keep getting better, I can’t wait to see what’s next! I don’t think it can get a whole lot better than this!
I’ve got quite a few racing games on my iPod, but this one seems like it takes the cake. It looks so well done, though $9.99 may be a little steep. Nonetheless, it’s easily (based on what I’ve seen) the best racing game in the App Store.
Man, this review makes the game sound good. From the screenshots, it definitely looks to be the graphically best game on the iPhone, maybe even better than PSP graphics. Sweet gameplay and beautiful graphics makes this one sexy game.
The graphics on this are just stunning I might end up buying this just because I have no racing games on my phone.
while there is no free roaming, the graphics look very very good and it still sounds like a pretty good racing game. I love the customization, but im wondering how it compares to other racing games like fastlane or ferrari?
Awesome Review! Really makes me want to get it. I love how you talk about all aspects. The control aspect worries me about not able to accelerate although you do have a point that it is good because you dont have to hold your finger on the screen the whole time. Glad to hear about the graphics because some of the racing games in the appstore have horrible graphics and its a nice change to see something like this. It does come at a price though, but worth it in the end. I have been a big fan of NFS series and your review really gives a good gauge of how it compares to the other console versions. THANKS!
Thats the appVersity difference
Welcome
Thanks! This is an awesome site you have here I will def check in a lot
Thanks, your comment meant a lot to me, it makes me want to write better reviews!
No problem I tell it like it is. Its a great review! Keep up the great work!
MUST…. HAVE….. GAME!
In a word…. AWESOME!
So glad it’s finally here.
You had me worried when you said this game wasn’t decent! All over the net I have been hearing nothing but good things. Sure there is no free roaming but it offers an experience never seen on the iPhone. Can’t wait to see the result of this contest =)