Cons: Vague steering, weak 2 player, levels get repetitive.
The Bottom Line: While not up to par with Gran Turismo 3, this game is intended for a different audience and succeeds at representing the underground street racing atmosphere.
aknutson's Full Review: Need For Speed Underground for PlayStation 2
This game is definitely made for the Need For Speed series - it has noticeable characteristics NFS fans will recognize right away. Elastic-like driving feel (too much or too little and you're done), detailed backgrounds, and amazing car graphics are predominant features of this new custom hit. The shear amount of custom parts is admirable - just about every part of the car, save for the door handles, can be independently modified. But be prepared to work for it - you have to win a hefty amount of races and put in lots of game time before you get rewarded with stage 3 nitrous and the like.
The Cars
First off, the cars. This game has about 20 cars to choose from total - not a bad selection. You start off with cars like the VW GTI, Mazda Miata, Dodge Neon, Peugot 206, and several others. From the get-go, just about the only thing you can modify is the paint colour. But as you start to race, body kits become available, followed by engine upgrades and great paint schemes. Well accomplished racers get to modify cars like Nissan Skyline's, Acura Integra's, and Nissan 350Z's, all with unique parts.
The Tracks
The tracks have always been a bit lacking in previous Need For Speed games. While they were detailed with well-rendered textures, they were limited and repetitive. This game addresses those issues to some degree, and there is adequate variety. The unfortunate part is that all the tracks are part of the same city. This gives the game a realistic atmosphere, but it does get familiar very quickly, and similarly gets old. However, detail is, as usual, excellent. Reflections and small details are done with precision accuracy.
Gameplay
As a racing game enthusiast, I've played pretty much every racing game that's come out. I have to say, unless your as much of a critic as myself comparing everything to Gran Turismo 3, then this game is just fine. The only problem is the steering is very vague and, to some degree, unrealistic. I would simply recommend EA spend a few more weeks on their physics engine for the game to give a little more accurate vehicle feel.
There are great game mode options - drag, circuit, time trials, drift and drag. Drag is the most realistic, where your engine can burn out if you abuse it, and your car is totaled if you crash. But this is definitely the most intense, driver-oriented mode. Circuit is also entertaining, and the most often used during career mode to earn points. In circuit you basically compete with 3 other drivers around a city course and try to win. Drift is an innovative new racing style that has skyrocketed in popularity in real-world street racing. In the game, many think it's useless (and does take time to master a successful technique) but I find it interesting. No games I have played feature this driving mode, so kudos to EA for bringing it in.
2 player action is not as good as hoped - Underground is meant as a primarily one player game and excels in that area. The graphics are reduced and visibility is nill in 2-player.
Sound quality is noteworth, as this game is a THX game with full surround-sound technology. While I don't have the speaker system deserved of this game, I have heard it on a friends surround system and it is excellent. Online play is also a big benefit of this game.
Overall this is a great direction for the NFS series, and a worth game to that famous name. Racers, start your custom tuned turbo nitro-boosted engines!
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