That game is Need for Speed: The Run (2011). Developed by EA Black Box (the studio behind the golden-era Underground and Most Wanted titles), The Run stripped away open-world freedom and garage customization not as a regression, but as a narrative device. It replaced the cop-versus-racer cat-and-mouse with a desperate, cross-country gauntlet where losing didn't mean a restart—it meant death.
While intended to deepen the narrative and flesh out Jack’s character, these segments received mixed reviews. Some fans appreciated the break in pace and the cinematic flair, while others felt they distracted from the core driving experience that defines the franchise. ### Handling and Car Selection Need For Speed The Run