[7] Most of the story takes place through cutscenes, with the chosen character voicing their opinions of current events in the game.

[8] Progression is made by means of Speedlists for Racer and Assignments for Cop, which are sets of objectives which involve dangerous driving, maneuvers, and race standings.

Besides electrostatic field and EMP (electromagnetic pulse), which are the only weapons available to both factions, Cops can deploy shock rams, assemble roadblocks, request helicopter support, or drop spike strips, while Racers can deploy radar jammers, trigger shockwaves, drop stun mines, or activate turbo boosts.

[13] The open world environment features a similar set-up to Most Wanted, with several jumps, speed traps, and unlockable cars, as well as shortcuts that are not shown on the map.

The Redview County Police Department responds by increasing their punitive measures in an attempt to bring the racers to justice, resulting in public backlash.

Public outcry swings back in support of the police, leading the rookie officer to swear revenge on the racers.

Angered by Zephyr's recklessness and a lack of response to his actions, the cop decides to go rogue as a vigilante under the name F-8 (alternatively pronounced fate), taking an impounded Ferrari Enzo out to the streets, where he wreaks havoc by taking down street racers under the guise of a fellow racer.

Zephyr eventually discovers who F-8 really is and decides to retaliate, stealing a decommissioned Koenigsegg Agera police car and respraying it in his style.

Later on, the RCPD has been cleared of all accusations against its officers, causing public outrage as the VRT stays in Redview County.

The subsequent increase in police activity and discontent over the violent arrests of street racers leads Zephyr to release a public message to the RCPD, demanding that they stop their brutality.

He then issues an open challenge to both the racers and the cops, a race around Redview County, so that the two sides of the law could resolve their differences once and for all.

At the end of the Racer story, right after he completes the decisive race, Zephyr smashes into a police blockade, causing him to crash violently.

A subsequent news report shows Zephyr's car smoking heavily, suggesting he has been killed in the crash.

At the end of the Cop story, just as he successfully takes down Zephyr, F-8 loses control of his car and wrecks it in a crash, leaving him in critical condition.

[19] At Electronic Entertainment Expo 2012, Criterion vice president Alex Ward announced that the days of random developers churning out yearly Need for Speed installments were over.

Ward would not confirm that all Need for Speed titles for the future would be developed wholly by Criterion, but did say that the studio would have "strong involvement" in them.

Ghost's website went live around the same time and called for potential staff to apply for a range of open positions.

[28][29] On May 23, 2013, EA confirmed their next Need for Speed game, Rivals, with a teaser trailer,[7] following marketing material tease days before.

[63] Previewers who had access to Rivals called the game a spiritual successor to 1999's Need for Speed: High Stakes, citing similar gameplay style.

Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Need for Speed Rivals for "Racing Game of the Year".

[66] Steve Hannley of Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 4.5/5, saying "It’s raw, visceral, intense and boasts a ton of replay value thanks to over one hundred events and seamless online multiplayer.

It may hit a few bumps, but if this is what Ghost Games can pull off in their first release and the first next-gen Need for Speed, the future is bright for this franchise.

Pino was critical of the car customization and damage, but commended the game world for feeling alive.

Robinson's main criticisms were concerning the "obnoxious" soundtrack, the inability to pause the game, the world size, and the vehicle takedown systems.