Need for Speed: Rivals – Complete Game Guide
Need for Speed Rivals is an open-world racing game developed by Ghost Games and Criterion Games and published by Electronic Arts. Set in the fictional Redview County, players can experience the game as either a street racer or a police officer, each with unique careers, vehicles, and progression systems. Powered by the Frostbite 3 engine, Rivals introduced the innovative AllDrive feature, seamlessly blending single-player and multiplayer gameplay into one shared world.
Release Date
- November 19, 2013 (North America)
- November 22, 2013 (Europe)
Price
Original launch price:
- Standard Edition – $59.99 USD
Current prices:
- PC – $5–20 USD
- PlayStation 4 – $10–20 USD
- Xbox One – $10–20 USD
- PlayStation 3 – $10–20 USD
- Xbox 360 – $10–20 USD
The Complete Edition is frequently discounted during digital sales.
Platforms
- PC
- PlayStation 3
- PlayStation 4
- Xbox 360
- Xbox One
System Requirements (PC)
Minimum
- Windows 7 (64-bit)
- Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz
- 4 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 / AMD Radeon HD 7870
- DirectX 11
- 30 GB available storage
Recommended
- Intel Core i5
- 8 GB RAM
- NVIDIA GTX 760 or better
- SSD recommended
Where to Buy
The game is available through:
- Steam
- EA App
- PlayStation Store
- Xbox Store
- Physical retailers
Where to Buy Accounts
Need for Speed: Rivals uses EA accounts for online features. Purchasing accounts is not officially supported and may violate platform terms. Using your own account is the safest option.
Where to Get Mods
Popular PC modding sites include:
- Nexus Mods
- ModDB
- GitHub
- Need for Speed community forums
- Discord communities
Online and Offline Mods
Offline Mods
Popular mods include:
- HD texture packs
- Graphics enhancements
- Reshade presets
- Vehicle unlockers
- Camera improvements
- Performance optimization
- UI improvements
- Custom liveries
- Handling tweaks
- Weather enhancements
Online Mods
Gameplay-altering mods are not recommended for multiplayer and may lead to account restrictions. Cosmetic and offline mods are generally the safest.
Comparison With Similar Games
| Game | Focus | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Need for Speed Rivals | Cops vs Racers | AllDrive multiplayer |
| Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit | Police pursuits | Autolog |
| Need for Speed Heat | Street racing | Day & night system |
| Forza Horizon 5 | Open-world festival | Huge map |
| The Crew Motorfest | Online exploration | Multiplayer events |
Screenshots
Achievement Guide
The game includes Steam achievements, Xbox achievements, and PlayStation trophies.
Main objectives include:
- Complete Racer Career
- Complete Cop Career
- Reach maximum Speed Level
- Unlock every pursuit technology
- Purchase elite vehicles
- Win online events
How Long to Beat
- Main Story: 12–15 hours
- Story + Side Activities: 20–30 hours
- 100% Completion: 40–50 hours
Achievement / Trophy Guide
To unlock every achievement or trophy:
- Complete both career paths.
- Reach maximum rank as Racer and Cop.
- Unlock all pursuit technology.
- Purchase every vehicle.
- Complete SpeedLists.
- Earn Gold Medals in events.
- Win online races.
Steam Deck Compatibility
- ✅ Playable
Need for Speed: Rivals runs well on Steam Deck using Proton, with full controller support and stable performance after minor configuration.
Controller Support
Supports:
- Xbox controllers
- PlayStation controllers
- Steam Input
- Keyboard
- Racing wheels (limited support)
Co-op Information
Available multiplayer modes include:
- AllDrive shared world
- Online races
- Police pursuits
- Friends sessions
- Competitive multiplayer
There is no cooperative story campaign.
Cross-Platform Support
Need for Speed: Rivals does not support cross-platform multiplayer or cross-save.
Similar Game Recommendations
If you enjoy Need for Speed: Rivals, you may also like:
- Need for Speed Heat
- Need for Speed Unbound
- Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit
- Forza Horizon 5
- The Crew Motorfest
- Burnout Paradise Remastered
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Need for Speed: Rivals open world?
Yes. Players can freely explore Redview County while switching between races, pursuits, and online activities.
2. Can I play as both a racer and a police officer?
Yes. Rivals features two separate career paths with unique vehicles, progression systems, and objectives.
3. Can I still buy the game?
Yes. It is available digitally on Steam, EA App, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store, as well as through physical retailers.
4. What is AllDrive?
AllDrive is a seamless multiplayer system that combines single-player and online gameplay, allowing friends and other players to join your world without loading separate multiplayer modes.
5. Does the game have achievements or trophies?
Yes. Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation versions all include achievements or trophies.
6. Is Steam Deck supported?
Yes. The PC version is playable on Steam Deck using Proton and supports modern controllers.
7. Can I customize my cars?
Customization is focused mainly on performance upgrades, paint colors, license plates, and pursuit technology rather than extensive body modifications.
8. Are mods available?
Yes. PC players can install graphics enhancements, reshades, UI improvements, vehicle tweaks, and performance optimization mods for offline play.
9. Does Need for Speed: Rivals support multiplayer?
Yes. Players can race, chase, and compete with others through the AllDrive system in a shared online world.
10. How long does it take to beat?
Most players complete both career paths in 12–15 hours, while full completion generally requires 40–50 hours.
11. Does the game support cross-platform play?
No. Multiplayer is limited to players on the same platform, and there is no cross-save support.
12. Is Need for Speed: Rivals worth playing?
Absolutely. With stunning visuals, exciting police pursuits, seamless multiplayer through AllDrive, exotic supercars, and fast-paced arcade gameplay, Rivals remains one of the strongest modern entries in the Need for Speed franchise.