Need for Speed ProStreet Format: Xbox 360 Price: £39.95 THE ever-popular Need for Speed Series returns with another instalment for the Xbox 360, only this time it s all about street racing. Whereas Forza Motorsport and Project Gotham pride themselves on r

Need for Speed ProStreet

Format: Xbox 360

Price: £39.95

THE ever-popular Need for Speed Series returns with another instalment for the Xbox 360, only this time it's all about street racing. Whereas Forza Motorsport and Project Gotham pride themselves on realism and Burnout prides itself on ultimate carnage, Need for Speed goes for the real petrol-heads out there, the types who think drifting is a normal cornering procedure and that Jeremy Clarkson should be the next Prime Minister. This latest instalment of the series adopts a theme very popular with EA production, namely, take whatever genre of game you can think of, be it basketball, football or racing, and create a version set in the city streets.

Unfortunately it doesn't quite work with Need for Speed and ends up taking all of the gusto out of one of the most action-packed series to be released on the Xbox 360. The problem isn't so much a lack of new ideas because ProStreet has enough content to keep the most dedicated gamer busy for weeks, it's that the more enjoyable elements of the series such as the open world environment or the cop chases have been removed. It worked with NBA Street and to an extent it worked with Fifa Street but sadly taking Need for Speed and compacting it into "street" form has neutered a true 'live wire' of the games industry.

That said, there is some hope on the horizon and the updated driving interaction is interesting to say the least. It is obvious after only a few races how much effort has been put into making the drive feel more realistic and that the gamers have greater control over the performance of their vehicles. It's a nice touch but sadly not enough to save Need for Speed ProStreet from mediocrity.

An average game that promised so much more.

MAT BURTON

ä Graphics: 4.5/5

ä Longevity: 5/5

ä Playability: 3.5/5

ä Originality: 3.5/5

ä Enjoyment: 3/5