Forbidden races

'Need for Speed ​​Underground 2': the very name itself suggests, what is involved here. Since this also is a famous racing game series and was developed by Electronic Arts, it was almost inevitable that this racing spectacle appeared nationwide for all trendy 'big' game consoles, as since X-Box from Microsoft, PlayStation 2 of Sony and Gamecube would be an Nintendo. I confine myself to the PS2 version, since only these I know. Before starting the same must be said: it is a formidable Raser pleasure, so that everyone can safely access of you who can abgewinnen this genre something. Unless so unless you want to have fun only with serious, very strongly opposed to Realism race simulations, then yes, this title could possibly be anything but. In other words: we are dealing with a hit because it is true in almost all respects. What for me here is crucial: the substantial long-term motivation, in particular, the career is noteworthy and represents the showpiece this PS2-rodders.

Who thinks now, Electronic Arts had on the laurels of - rested predecessor, is mistaken - if not entirely error-free: many innovations speak for a (amazing) level of creativity. This was not necessarily expected. Venue are certainly not tens of very different places, but in fact only one city. This is, however, turned out extremely large and offers a wealth of possibilities. And that's almost an understatement. In Bayview 'as the name of the city, which, however, strikingly reminiscent of Los Angeles' is certainly going the bear, in the huge complex there oodles stick to ambitious wannabe racers on Stars. Many rivals roam the streets, so we have to deal not only with the usual road, including the local police (always been in Need for Speed ​​a troublesome matter), Special from well with the likewise (as we did) rude competition in the form brave traffic rowdies. This we can challenge them to duels, called Outrun races will then immediately instead. Regardless of the local road traffic regulations, of course.

In the great metropolis there is to discover numerous shops, which are often very well hidden. Of course, we are investing our hard earned loot and grumble in the following period by the tuning parts available there our mobile pedestals mightily. The hobbyist or inventor would be to complete an extensive setup menu and the possibility of sea trials before must be definitively determined at the start of the next race. The good overview map, or rather the map ensures that we are always up to date and helps us on request with the corresponding arrows in terms of orientation. Very helpful, no question. Even a SMS feature exists which notifies us if new parts have arrived, there is also in the further course of the game to one or other promotional appointment, provided that we have attracted enough attention from the public by correspondingly good performances. Core point is the career mode, in which of course true masses must be completed at the race in order to slowly but surely climb up to. Over one hundred different competitions are virtually compulsory, but that is far from enough: further voluntary extra races be guided on request in the way.

As for the other game modes, so we look forward to a very decent considering the Multiplayer fun: Couple offline or up to eight like-minded people online are possible. Either we duel us on special routes with the other at the same time or face the demands of the league in which we go to a 6-starting field to hunt for championship points. The focus is still the solo part, the career, it is that should captivate the long term. The routes will vary in their course management, of oval courses at the stadium, on highway race at full speed to routes in the city center, grows with countless narrow curves is of course represented everything. The focus will be extended drifts, for which there are extra points. Especially when it rains, which can suddenly occur during a race, extreme caution is required: the steering of the cars designed immediately more difficult. The control is certainly internalized rapidly, making it beginner-friendly. The difficulty level varies from easy to difficult, so that each of us should be doing the right thing. Just as the precise handling also like the camera work, which never lets us really, despite the enormously high tempo down.

Regarding the graphics prevailed with me an ambivalent feeling before: on the one hand I was happy about beautiful car models, beautiful light and shadow effects and successful paint reflections, on the other hand, I missed the 60-Hz mode very and 'what was particularly annoying' a not strong but often not be overlooked bucking the graphics and very annoying loading pauses in between what the game flow sometimes severely inhibited and drove me the worry lines on the forehead. Was about as sloppy? Similar to its predecessor? It almost looked after, though the extent of 'Ruckelparade' here in the second part was not nearly as bad as its predecessor. Although the great design of the city or the very detailed and varied scenery along the course shown comforting mostly over it, but not completely forgotten can those blemishes. The soundscape which offers almost thirty different pieces of music that come from the area of ​​rock music and rap, the outside noise sound authentic. Surround sound is not supported, Dolby Digitial is a foreign word, so that existing German texts and voice output (in racing games actually usus) are no real consolation. However, we find a dense atmosphere before anyway, so I now do not want to judge too hard.

What it is now, that can inspire in 'Need for Speed ​​Underground 2' here? Quite clearly expected because the lovingly detailed design of the coastal metropolis come first, followed by langzeitmotivierenden career mode, the extensive tuning part, the clean and camera control as well as the annual consideration of multiplayer fun. We need to frown on the other hand with regard to the (albeit slight) Ruckeleinlagen and annoying loading pauses that inhibit the flow of the game again and again. However, the benefits outweigh clearly, especially the very long playing time, the pleasant change wealth through numerous different race types and the constant high motivation are stuck in my mind. Who already (despite the quirks of partly violent Grafikruckler) liked part 1, you will love this improved second part. Racing game freaks with a penchant for tuning come anyway not get around this PS2 title. Even today. Game Rating: 83%.

PLUS - illustrated> Pretty coastal metropolis, career mode, control, camera, multiplayer, playing time, tuning until you drop

MINUS -> constant (albeit understated) stuttering, in the long run annoying loading times