Introduction
Need for
Speed: Carbon is a racing game developed by EA Black Box and published by
Electronic Arts in 2006. It is the tenth installment in the Need for Speed
series and was released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, PlayStation 2, Xbox,
GameCube, Microsoft Windows, Game Boy Advance, and Nintendo DS. The game takes
place in the fictional city of Palmont and focuses on illegal street racing.
Storyline
The story of Need for Speed: Carbon follows the main character, a street racer known as the player, who returns to Palmont after leaving town due to a mysterious accident. The player soon discovers that the city is controlled by three rival street racing crews: the Kenji, the Wolf, and the Angie. Each crew has their own territory and the player must compete in races to gain control of these territories.
The main
antagonist of the game is Darius, the leader of a fourth crew that used to rule
Palmont before disappearing. Darius returns and challenges the player to a
race, which the player wins. Darius then reveals that he has taken control of
the city and demands that the player work for him. The player refuses and
Darius vows to destroy the player's reputation and take control of all of
Palmont.
Gameplay
Need for
Speed: Carbon features several gameplay modes, including:
Career Mode – The main mode of the game, where
the player competes in races to gain control of territories and defeat rival
crews.
Quick Race – A mode where the player can race
on any track with any car they have unlocked.
Challenge Series – A series of challenges that the
player can complete to unlock new cars and upgrades.
Multiplayer – A mode where the player can race against other players online or on the same console.
The gameplay of Need for Speed: Carbon features several improvements over its predecessor, Need for Speed: Most Wanted. The game introduces the Autosculpt feature, which allows players to customize the appearance of their cars by adjusting parts such as hoods, rims, and spoilers. The game also features improved police chases, where the player can escape by causing damage to police cars or by using nitrous.
The game
also introduces a new gameplay mechanic called "Canyon Racing." In
Canyon Racing, the player competes in races on narrow mountain roads with sharp
turns and steep drops. The player can earn points by staying close to the
opponent's car and using their nitrous to gain speed. The first player to reach
the end of the canyon wins the race.
Cars
Need for Speed: Carbon features over 50 licensed cars from a variety of manufacturers, including Audi, BMW, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Lamborghini, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, and Toyota. The cars are divided into three classes: Tuners, Muscle cars, and Exotics. Each class has its own strengths and weaknesses, and players must choose the right car for each race.
The game
also features a new car delivery system, where the player can choose to have a
car delivered to them at any time during the game. This allows the player to
quickly switch cars without having to drive to a garage.
Soundtrack
Need for
Speed: Carbon features a diverse soundtrack with over 30 songs from a variety
of genres, including rock, hip hop, electronic, and metal. Some of the notable
artists featured in the game include Kyuss, Goldfrapp, Ekstrak, The Roots, Gary
Numan, and Peaches.
Reception
Need for
Speed: Carbon received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics praising
the game's improved police chases, car customization, and Canyon Racing, but
criticizing the game's repetitive gameplay
