Driver's Ed

From ramming to roadblocks, sideswiping to spike strips, the police have dozens of tools they bring to bear against reckless drivers in Need for Speed™ Most Wanted. Your only hope of survival, let alone zooming to the top of the blacklist, is relying on your wits as well as your abilities behind the wheel.

Sure, split-second reflexes count for something, as you deftly avoid head-on collisions, screech into sudden turns, and squeeze through spaces so tight you can barely fit a Porsche 911 Carrera S inside. But unless you heed the following advice, believe me ... your days of dominating the asphalt are numbered.

Quickly scope out upcoming terrain for multiple escape routes.

Easy Does It
It's tempting to mash the B button and let nitrous do all the hard work for you. Just remember—your reserves build back up slowly, and persistent as enemies are, you never know when a last-minute injection could mean the difference between peeling away and the penitentiary. Be judicious about how you use your stocks; don't burn all your juice at once.

Instead, look for holes that open up in foes' formations and tap your turbo supply as needed. They attack in patterns, and constantly have to compensate for track conditions the same way you do. This creates small windows of opportunity which you can use to escape before traps close around you.

Duh ... which way did he go?

Slow and Low
News flash: you've been afforded a brake button for a reason, and it's not just so you can hug hairpin curves without French-kissing the wall. The next time a pair of city cruisers or undercover state patrol cars zip on ahead of you and start flanking your position, wait until they're going full bore and suddenly slow down.

Often, they overshoot, giving you the opportunity to zip around a corner or slam into a full spin, switching direction on a dime. It's a great way to show the competition who's boss without tapping into your limited supply of speedbreakers or turbo boosts.

Crunch Time
The speedbreaker feature isn't a gimmick—it's an essential element of play. Activating it causes several things to happen. One, time slows, so you can make last-minute decisions and more effectively dodge barricades, weave around lines of traffic and punch through cops' attack formations.

Two, maneuverability and grip improve, letting you take corkscrew turns with ease and avoid oncoming obstacles. Number three, the mass of your car actually increases, allowing you to smash through anything (like lines of parked patrol cars) that gets in your way. Utilize it frequently for maximum effect. Don't forget: the meter refills over time, but you can build it back up much faster by drifting.

Looks like a dicey situation ...

Watch the Road
Every course is rife with shortcuts and unexpected ways to get around. But you'll have to use common sense—not your radar—to spot them. Scan the road as you coast along, looking for driveways, ramps, lightweight barriers (chain-link fences, cones), or out-of-the way paths.

If it looks like there's an opening you can fit between and no obstacles standing between it and your car, hey—bank for it on the double. Nine times out of ten, you have found a hidden secret.

Chill Out

Managed to evade the fuzz long enough to break their line of sight? Peachy ... welcome to cooldown mode. While they're out there blocking off quadrants, searching for your law-breaking behind, start scanning back alleys, parking lots, and enclosed structures for hiding spots, marked by visible icons. Find one, enter it while in cooldown mode, and end pursuits that much faster.

The sawhorse points the way.

Bob and Weave
It may sound like common sense, but always remember ... it's harder to hit a moving target. Traveling in a straight line is the easiest way to keep control over your car, but bob and weave from side to side, and it's much more difficult for opponents to box you in.

Think Fast
As I've already alluded, brainpower is almost as important as horsepower, especially when going head-to-head with adversaries or obstacles. So always use your noggin when approaching any given situation. For example, consider stationary roadblocks: gun it right for the center, and you're screwed. Look for the sawhorse instead, and you'll find the best way to crash through.

Likewise, as in the real world, never try and slam into stationary cars on the engine side. Instead, go for the rear, where there's less resistance.

Hmm ... somehow, we don't like these odds.

Radar Love
You're provided with both a radar and map from the outset. I can't stress how important it is that you use them. It's the best way to get a sense for what lies up ahead, be it SUV, patrol car, or assault helicopter. Quickly scope out upcoming terrain for multiple escape routes, educate yourself on enemies' positions, and react accordingly. The best plan of all is having one to begin with.

Damage, Inc.
Interactive props are everywhere—bring them to bear against the coppers whenever possible. Destroy the supports holding up objects like roofs, sailboats, signs and water towers, and you'll annihilate rivals located directly behind you or to your sides. It's the most satisfying and direct way to clown the competition.

Listen Up

Finally, when it doubt, just keep your ears open. Police are constantly chattering amongst themselves. Give them just a few seconds, and they literally choreograph their entire gameplan. Doh!

Article by Steve Richter