I bought the real $30,000 WRX because of this game! No joke. The price tag includes everything: taxes, finance charges, delivery, everything.
NFSU2 is one of the most realistic and well developed racing games for any game platform past or present. It was so much fun driving the WRX in the video game, that I had to test drive the real thing. And when I did test drive the real WRX, I was sold.
My review of the real WRX:
http://www.epinions.com/content_226263535236
One very good point about this video game is that you can drive cars that the common joe can afford. It can be a Honda Civic, Toyota Celica, Ford Mustang, Lancer Evo, STI.... just about every fun to drive street car is here. While it is nice that other games let you drive Ferrari's and Porsche's, most of us won't be able to afford those cars. But in allowing us to drive cars within our buying power (or cars that we can buy like the Civic and then modify to our wallet's content - or discontent)... NFSU2 creates a sense of realism that allows us to connect with the game.
I own and also extensively play NFSU 1, and NFSU Most Wanted. NFSU2 is the best. True statement: I like the graphics in NFSU2 much more than the other games. It seems more real... yes, more real than Most Wanted. The audio in U2 also sets it apart from U1, which was a shorter game and had a shorter, less exciting story line. In U2, each car has a very realistic exhaust and engine note. Even tire screeching can sound unique when you change the rubber. It seems the game developers at Electronic Arts meticulously explored every detail of street racing.
You can power slide through turns and curves, customize your car to break 200mph, paint vinyls on it, use nitrous, bounce using hydraulics, buy performance upgrades (that we can truly afford in real life), body kits, paints, vinyls, special stuff like underglow neon, etc, etc.
There are many types of races you can engage. These include circuits, sprints, drags, track races, drift/slide races. You can even race 1 on 1 against other tuned up hot rods on the street.
I regard this as one of the funnest video games I have ever played.
It's an awesome game that you can buy these days for about 25 bucks brand new. It is definitely worth it, and you'll be playing for hours at a time.
I don't regret the influence this game has had on me, with respect to it pushing me to by the real WRX. NFSU2 really is a great game, and I love it.
