Need For Speed: The Run

16 cert, EA, Xbox 360 (also Wii, PS3, PC) ****

GAME OF THE WEEK:You're never waiting too long before a new Need for Speedgame comes hurtling around the corner, and with The Run, the franchise has hit 18 titles.

While less sophisticated than, say, Shift 2, The Runis leaner, more accessible and livelier than many previous instalments. In the single- player campaign, you play a Channing Tatum lookalike who's in hock to the mob. He's thrown a lifeline; a lucrative and perilous race across the States.

The Rundoes offer a fun – if very simple – narrative. More importantly, the races have that right mix of momentum. and chaos. Gain positions (by fair means and foul); spot short cuts; avoid road blocks and police interceptions; and, later, dodge the mob.

The tracks are dotted with save points, so you don’t have to start all over again if the race doesn’t work out.

There’s a decent variety of weather conditions, roads and topography en route. It looks very cinematic and scenic, but it hurtles by at such a clip you won’t get much time to take in the scenery. The soundtrack, with its grandiose score and rock music, compliments the roar of the engines.

The single-player campaign (despite being a little short) is great, but the online experience is mixed. The “autolog” facility, where your driving is weighed up against that of your friends at the end of each race, is nice. And it plays really well online – whether you’re hosting a race or just dropping into a mini-league with strangers.

However, why do you have to have an EA account and to key in a pass for online play?

That speed-bump aside, The Runis a zippy, great- looking game; an engaging journey for both petrol heads and adrenaline junkies.