Best NFS Title Since "Hot Pursuit"

I've owned every single Need For Speed title since the 3rd installment: Hot Pursuit. Although that game was technically inferior to every installment that came after it, it was the relatively most unique and most fun racing game, until now. Underground 2 has captured my amazement, and I have no objection to the idea that this is the best Need For Speed game in the series.

Graphics:
By course of logic, this would have the best graphics in the series so far. It's made for faster computers, has the most advanced 3D libraries, and has to compete with games that could look as real photographs. So, in relation to technology, it's for me to say "wow" at a graphics engine, but this game takes an exception. Even though my 3D card can't handle some of the cool features in the game (like crowds), the detail involved in the car models, the scenery, and the special effects were so good that I never noticed them. It was like I was actually driving through a city.

Gameplay:
Although the premise is kind of corny, the format of the game is unique to itself. You start out with a stock sports car of your choice. Simple ones, a Mazda Miata, Honda Civic, Puegot 206, etc. Then you are placed outside of the car lot and are free to roam about a city. Although you are directed to different places on the map, and have to accomplish specific types of tasks, the game is pretty much yours to build...every time you play, it can be unique, adding to the replayability of the game. Throughout the game you can add aftermarket visual and performance upgrades, customized to your tastes. You can make your car look as gaudy or sleek as you want, similar to Underground 1. But the level of customization is almost double U1, more places to put neon, custom doors, more vinyls, hydraulics, spinners, and more cool stuff. I couldn't find any mod in real life that I couldn't add to my game's car (except add Warp Nacelles, see my website). Your progress, just like every other racing game, is based on the races you beat, and in Easy mode, they're easy, and in hard mode, they're had...unlike U1, which (honestly) I would rerace some races 3 dozen times before beating them. And of course, if you don't like one race, there is many times the option of doing a different one instead. You can even focus on specific types of races, like drag or drifting. Overall, this is the most involved racing game I've ever played.

Sound:
Not much to say here, stereo sound is still an option, and the sound effects you hear are appropriately complex as the graphics, but I would have like to be able to have seen 4 or 5 speaker surround sound implemented. Like usual, the music sucks, in my opinion; but that's my opinion, so you might like it. Simply, I turn off the music and use Windows Media player to play my own MP3 library. I haven't found any hacks yet to replace the built-in music, and since my keyboard has buttons mapped to WMP, it doesn't really matter.

Network play:
Looks cool, but I haven't used it.

All in all, this game is definetely worth the money. Maybe not the original $40, but you can get it other places for as low as $10. Expect it to take you about 30 hours to beat a full game. I completely recommend it.