Need for Speed Rivals launched on November 19, 2013 for PC (Steam). It was developed by Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. Set in Redview County, it splits play between Racers and Cops with AllDrive linking sessions, letting pursuits spill across a shared world. Personalization, pursuit tech and route choices turn each sprint into a risk calculation.
Complete Edition — what’s included
- Base game plus 6 DLC packs: Simply Jaguar, Ferrari Edizioni Speciali, Concept Lamborghini, Koenigsegg Agera One, Complete Movie Pack, Loaded Garage Pack.
- Timesaver Pack listed separately on Steam.
Review
Rivals works because roles feel distinct. Racers gamble speed points for bigger payouts and higher heat, while Cops trade style for coordination and takedowns. Pursuit tech creates quick reads: spikes, shockwaves, EMP, turbo and jammers all swing chases without bloating the HUD. The handling model is drift‑forward, easy to read and fun to push, and the world flows well at highway speeds with enough shortcuts to reward route knowledge.
Progression moves fast at first, then settles into setlist checklists that push you to sample events on both sides. The online layer is lighter today with servers retired, but free‑roam and single‑player still carry the loop. Two caveats: the 30 FPS cap on PC needs external tweaks if you want higher refresh, and traffic density spikes can feel random. Even with those quirks, it remains a clean cops‑and‑racers sandbox.
Verdict: fast, readable arcade racing with satisfying pursuit toys.
PC System Requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 SP2 32‑bit | Windows 7 SP2 |
| CPU | Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or AMD Athlon X2 2.8 GHz | Intel Quad‑Core CPU or AMD Six‑Core CPU |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon 3870 512 MB, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT, or Intel HD 4000 512 MB | AMD Radeon 7870 3 GB or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 3 GB |
| Storage | 30 GB available space | 30 GB available space |
