Need for Speed Underground 2

Welcome to the ultimate driving playground

NA release: 15th November 2004
EU release: 19th November 2004
JP release: 22nd December 2004
Developer: EA Black Box
Publisher: EA Games
NGC Magazine Score: 69%
Mods Used: None

While the first NfS Underground had an open world, you couldn’t just drive around. The sequel, however, has exploring the open world as a major part of the game, as you have to drive to every event. You’ll also need to find shops throughout the city, marked by a glowing neon area, so that you don’t have to travel long distances to get to each shop to upgrade your car or buy new ones.

The city itself is much more interesting, with more distinct areas and different weather types (although still tied to locations), meaning you’re not looking at roads that look the same for the entire game. That said, driving around everywhere does get tiring quick and it just feels like a lot of padding in between races, as there really isn’t much to do as you drive between locations.

There are different types of events, which are pretty much just a few different kinds of races, a drag race and a drift competition. And, unfortunately, I just didn’t like the racing at all. Turning never felt satisfying and the enemies are oddly aggressive, often ruining their own chances just to ram you into a wall. But if you manage to avoid that, then you barely get hassled once you are out in front.

Fine

It’s going to be a big hit, and maybe the effort that went into making the game so vast merits success. Shame they couldn’t have concentrated a little more on the things that make a great game rather than just a long one.
Martin Kitts, NGC Magazine #101

Remake or remaster?

A collection of the older Need for Speed games would be good.

Official Ways to get the game

There’s no official way to get Need for Speed Underground 2