Need For Speed™ World 6.15

MMO racing game with modern cars and a micro-transactions system. Earn "rep" points by winning races and unlock new cars or pay real money to have them unlocked.

Need for Speed: World is a MMO racing game by Electronic Arts. Nowadays, we see MMO (massively multiplayer online) games about anything. Now, we have a racing game that can be played by thousands of people around the world. The game has a single player mode, where you race computer opponents, but the star of the show is the multiplayer mode. Let me first introduce you to how the game works. You earn reputation points, or "rep" for each race that you win or based on your standings. With those points, you can level up and get new cars. There are only 25 available vehicles and there is virtually no customization for them except for visual customization like decals, shapes, etc. You can download the game for free and play until you have gotten to the 10th level. After that, you have got to pay to keep playing. When you pay, you get "rep" points that you can use to rent better cars or get unlockables. The problem is that it is such a nuisance to unlock the new cars, mainly because you have to play a ton of races before getting them, that you will feel tempted to buy the "rep" points to do so. In the end, the game is all about getting you to pay for things that you should get by playing.

Monetary issues aside, the game is on par with other racing titles by EA and the competition. You race in an open world that you can freely roam. Car models and the map look nice and racing feels natural. I am very disappointed that you can't customize the mechanics of your car. That is just a missed opportunity.

UPDATE: I received an e-mail from EA Sports telling me that now, you can play for free as long as you want. So happy racing!