Re: Year in Review: 2004

On Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:21:30 -0000 (UTC), address@is.invalid (LucLan)
wrote:

Spalls Hurgenson <spallshurgenson@gmail.com> wrote:

        * Need for Speed: Underground 2

All my memories goes to NFS U2.

Honestly, I could have given this game its own section; I too have
fond memories playing it. Not so much for its atrocious 'too-cool'
street racer attitude or awful soundtrack... but for the awesome
pinball-racing mechanics, gorgeous neon-saturated visuals, and big
open-world; one of the first I encountered in a dedicated racing game.
While not quite as differentiated as we'd say in "NFS: Most Wanted",
the neighborhoods all had their own character which made the races
feel more varied. Upgrading the cars had real impact (even if too much
emphasis was given to cosmetics), giving the game a sense of
progression that earlier titles lacked. I preferred the 'circuit
races' but - too my surprise - found satisfaction in the other
race-types too (even drift races, which usually left me cold).

"Need for Speed: Underground 2" maintained a position on my hard-drive
many long years after it was released. It was finally only ousted by
the aforementioned "Most Wanted", which had more satisfying races...
if less stimulating aesthetics.