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User Rating: 9 | Need for Speed Underground 2 GC
Introduction
One quick thing before I start... NFSU - Need For Speed Underground
mph - Miles Per Hour
IRL - in real life

Need for Speed Underground is a fairly new series of racing games that EA Games had started a few years back when they realized Need for Speed: Underground on the Xbox, PS2 and GC. It's expectations were high since it focused on the inside life of what real racing is all about in the city. The game hit off really well but didn't get as much talk with it's lack of reputation. Well Need For Speed 2: Underground is finally here and you couldn't ask for a better racing game. This makes Grand Turismo look like a joke. EA Games knew exactly what they needed to add to the installment of a new series of racing games and the kind of things gamers love. All I have to say is I can't wait till NFSU3.

Gameplay - 10/10
The depth of this game is unreal. The game spans across a city that compares in size to Grand Theft Auto 3 on the PS2. You're free to do just about anything you want that involves racing and cars.

The choice of cars is unreal. There are at least 3 times as many cars to choose from than the first NFSU. I've only completed about 30% of the game and I probably have about, 15 vehicles? Maybe close to 20. It's awesome to wonder what else is available in the future.

Career mode is what you'll be more than likely spending 99% of your time doing with this game since that's where all the real play comes in. You have the choice to pick from over hundreds of custom vinyl's, decals, spoilers, ground effects, rims, etc, you name it, NFSU2 has it. All from racing free roamers on the streets for cash, to circuits, sprint racing from one spot to another to the traditional drag racing to see who's car really has the beef. Drift is back and much smoother than before in my opinion. In the original NFSU you had to literally perfect the tracks in order to score points without running into walls. It was very touchy. In NFSU2 it's much easier to control and handle your car even with the new addition of actually having opponents on the track as you drift for points.

There are also 2 new styles of racing in NFSU2. Street X and URL. They add a much harder difficulty to the game and variety. Street X is basically drifting tracks except you race. URL is the famous racing on actual tracks which are located through out the game. It involves real car handling skills with good timing of gas and brake. Most are worth a huge load of money and unlockables afterwards.

The controls are easy to use and if you don't like the setup you may change them in the options menu. Speaking of menu's... you have plenty of options to satisfy you when you race. Autosaving, displaying speed or world map while you race, which songs play and in what order... all things you can customize to your liking. There is a new feature with a cellphone you carry around in the game that you receive text messages from people that give you hints and tips and let you know what new parts just came out or new rides that rolled up in the car lot. GPS is also new which helps you navigate your way around the city while you get used to it.

You also have to find the Auto shops if you want to do anything to your car(s). The more you unlock, the more things you unlock to add to your vehicles. You'll be back and forth at the shops constantly pimping out your rides to your liking since there are so many parts and add-ons. The customization goes as deep as being able to change your gear ratios and suspension to be loose or tight. ECU and transmission are a few more among the many other things you can tinker with.

The game is mostly open for you to do whatever you please. However, you eventually have to do some things to open up another section of the game or storyline, but chances are you won't even realize it.

Story - 8/10
The story is much better in NFSU2 than the first one. The game in general is focused around the storyline and ties it all together regardless of what you're doing in the game. They actually didn't focus so much on cut scenes and all this wasteful crap that takes up space and put a lot more audio files in the game with people talking to you all the time making you feel like you're racing with the real deal.

Graphics - 10/10
Absolutely flawless. Top of the line in realism when it comes to games these days. Everything is just so detailed and chiseled to perfection it makes playing the game more the fun watching all the little things going on. All ranging from rims spinning around, reflections off of windows, NOS out the exhaust and rain coming down on you as you fly down the street doing 120 mph playing tag with another racer for a couple hundred bucks.

Every spoiler, rim, roof scoop, hood, you name it all has it's own awesome design that you can't mistake for something else. Everything is unique which makes your choice for customization endless. Every car you deck out will be different than your friends which is one reason this game is so great.

Sound - 9/10
The all around sound in the game is great. The music choice isn't personally my liking, but it's nothing annoying or god awful to where you'd rather listen to barney. Besides, if you hear something you don't like you can always turn it off in the options menu under soundtracks. Something you don't find in very many games. :)

The sound effects are just awesome. Tires screeching, engines reving, the impact of cars slamming into each other at 120 mph is just so... soothing. It's like being there, except you don't actually get hurt. Let's face it, you can't drive like this IRL and expect to not get hurt. But all in all the sound is everything you want and nothing less.

Replay Value - 7/10
Considering the fact this is a racing game, I feel the replay value will be moderately high unlike the first NFSU. Being a set storyline, lacking such a free roaming environment to play in lessens it like such. And with you having the choice to do what you want, you may get one car really early your first time around and then not get it till much later in the game because of the way you do things in the game.

I haven't personally beaten the game yet, only bein playing it for 2 days but I can say this game is just bomb right now. I couldn't ask for more, except maybe the car I'm driving right now to appear in my driveway. >_>

Overall - 9/10
Superb. One of the best games I've ever played. Even if I know it's not going to last forever. I would highly recommend you rent this game. Buy it by all means if you're a hardcore racing fan because NFSU2 will become one of your all time favorites. Hope you liked my review. Got any questions or comments about the game or my review, feel free to e-mail me.