Need For Speed: Underground

Introduction
Ever so hard is it to not talk about import racing games without at least once saying "The Fast And Furious". That movie put a lot of effort into their cars. Since that film, many other game designing companies to get into the Import Racing Games genre. Electronic Art's attempt, which is the product currently being reviewed, definetly brought them into that scene.

Gameplay (Rating: 7/10)
Their import racing is also quite big in Underground. The upgrades are split into two sections: Performance and Visual. Performance being upgrades like better engines, turbo charge, etc. and Visual being chip tuning, etc. These upgrades also enchance and give certain affects on your car. Some effects are car's appearcance, their reputation, and the amount of style points they get, and this will let you unlock more awards.

The tracks are quite good, and they have a slight pattern in them. What explains this is that there is just one track, and each track you select opens up and closes off different parts of that one track. This also means that leaving the track takes you right back to the street.

There is also a good variety of races. Circuit Races, drag races, circuit-knockout races, and drift racing. In circuit races, you basically race around a track 2-3 times, and see who comes in first. Drag racing may sound boring, but Underground makes it fun & challenging. You are inclosed in a tiny space, and hitting a traffic car, or blowing your motor means DEAD!

Console edition of Underground will give you a two-player-on-the-same-console mode, however, the PC gives you online multiplayer which can compete with PS2 Underground players. Multiplayer is good, though the lag makes the cars appear HERE and then tHeRe.

All the single player concepts are fine. However, when it comes to Multiplayer support... ohoho. The PS2 PC thing really sent NFS:U's multiplayer down the crapper.


Graphics (Rating: 8/10)
The best thing about Underground, in my opinion, is the graphics and models. One word to describe them: Realistic. In the console edition, going fast makes a realistic blur, that gives you a feel of speed. The reflections in console however, I noticed, look REAL choppy. The frameskip will also go up and down in console version. The PC, unfortuantley, has blur not enabled, and even when enabled, the blur isn't really a NFS blur. In both editions the models are quite accurate. The sounds, exhaust pipes and smoke are also top-quality.


Sound (Rating: 8.5/10)
The sounds are just great. The motor and music are just great.

Overall (Rating: 8.1/10)
In overall, NFS:U is one of the best NFS games so far. The races and cars could have a bit wider range, but other than that, it's absolutely perfect. The time it takes to learn is quite short, so you can master it quite easily. Import and racing fans should definetly try out Underground!

Post last edited by Gafaddict on 25.02.2004, 04:22.