Need For Speed Underground is one of those wonderful driving games that fascinates even those who dislike driving.
User Rating: 8.8 | Need for Speed Underground PS2
I'm not a big fan of driving games. As a matter of fact I'm not interested in cars, either. I walk to work and hate traffic. A natural born pedestrian. It may seem that I'm not qualified for reviewing such games but in spite of my carelessness for such machines, some driving games have managed to attract my attention in the past few years. Honorable mentions include "Road Fighter" (MSX), "Rock'n'Roll Racing" (SNES), "F-Zero" (SNES) and "Mario Kart" (N64). Each of those have something in common: they please both casual and hardcore gamers. One could safely say the same about Need for Speed: Underground. You start the game with a simple version of an import car with few options for customization. As you progress through the game and win races, you're awarded two things: money and style. Style is awarded for performing cool moves during races such as drifting, finding a shortcut or avoiding an obstacle in the last second. High style points unlock "visual upgrades" such as neon, decals and stylized mufflers and other components. Installing such upgrades will increase your reputation, which act as a style point multiplier, allowing for further visual upgrades. I found myself dazzled by the sheer number of available upgrades. Money is used to buy both visual and performance upgrades. Perfomance upgrades comes in a variety of shapes. They may be better tires and breaks or a package for nitrous oxide. You can even chose the brand of your upgrades but for a natural-born-pedestrian, I'm satisfied by the improvement in speed and acceleration. Music is cool and fits well in the underground atmosphere of the game. Tough I'm not attracted to such music outside my racing career, the soundtrack do add thrill and excitment to both single and multiplayer games. Race trakcs are beautiful and challenging. 90% of 'em take place within city limits. As the races take place at night, the whole city lights and neon add a nice touch to the whole thing. Multiplayer games are nice and funny experiences, specially if you include select "heavy traffic". I'd recommend it to everyone.
