My first taste of the Need for Speed.

I am not familiar with the older games in the Need for Speed series (though after reading some of the reviews here I will have to go rent them), nor any of the other racing games for the Playstation 2. I was playing SSX 3 and I viewed the trailer for this game and I, like the video game junkie I am, ran right out and rented it. What can I say? I have a soft spot for sexy cars. With curves you can customize using body kits and fast looking vinyl graphics you can add in up to 4 layers - yeah, baby!

The first thing I did when I popped in the game was to go right to "customize". After playing around with the different looks you can give the cars, I decided I was ready to "go underground". I created my profile and the fun began!

Going Underground
The first thing you do when you start your “underground career” is complete a simple race. After you complete the race, you will be introduced to Samantha (who becomes the narrator for the duration of the game), and to the map. After a race, returning to the map to check your messages will always let you know what hot races are taking place. You can choose from drag races, time trials (which earn you special upgrades), lap knock-outs, sprints, and drift tracks. You also get to decide before every race whether you’re feeling up to medium or hard, or if you’re going to take the easy way out.

Drifts, Time Trials, Lap Knockouts, and Drags
The difference between the courses available to you is very apparent from your first glance at the map. Each has its own unique aim for skill building (and testing!).

Drift courses are usually short, winding tracks with killer curves. Your objective here is to power slide around the corners to rack up style points. Using your emergency brake (R1 on the Playstation 2 controller) will have you sliding into victory… but watch out for the walls! They come at ya pretty quick and they’ll send your points right into the negative!

Drag races, my favorite, are more challenging. You are automatically put into manual transmission mode, which means you have to shift yourself. If you’re not careful, you’ll have a blown engine and everyone will go speeding past you. Drag mode is also the only time in the game when you have to really worry about hitting things. One millimeter in the wrong direction toward a wall or another vehicle and you’re totaled!! You’ll have to start over and be more careful.

Lap Knock-outs can be frustrating. Perfection is pushed during these races. If you fall behind as you cross the finish line, you’re in trouble… the last place racer at the end of each lap is eliminated until there’s only one victorious car left.

Sprints are pretty self explanatory. They’re 1 lap, and you have to beat the other racers to the finish line. Racing from point A to point B… simple? No way! There’s traffic everywhere that will hinder your slide into success.

Time trials pop up every now and then, and they’re quite rewarding. You can earn special upgrades by getting to the goal before the allotted time runs out. If you can make it, you get to pick your reward (engine/exhaust, drive train, tires, etc.).

The variety in the different types of tracks you’re offered (regardless of which type you choose) is grand. Some tracks have a lot of twists and turns, some have death defying jumps over open drawbridges, and others were created for the speed addict in all of us. The dual shock controllers allow you to feel the different terrain and the bumps along the way, making the simulation rather sufficient.

Tournaments
Tournaments are done in drag or regular form. Each player is awarded points for finishing; last place obviously gets the lowest points. The points system is as follows: 1st - 8 points, 2nd - 6 points, 3rd - 4 points, and 4th - 2 points. After you complete 4 races, each racer’s points are totaled to determine the winner. If you just can’t finish first in one particular race, you can always go on to the next race… but you’d better hope you’re unspoiled for the rest of the tournament!

Your Ride
Before starting, you also get to pick your first car. Most of the hotter cars are still locked, but you are still given a choice of five: the VW Golf, Honda Civic, Peugeot 206, Mazda Miata MX-5, and the Dodge Neon. As you complete the various challenges, you can unlock some smoother rides like the Mitsubishi Lancer, Hyundai Tiburon, and Mazda RX-7. Some are older models (the RX-7 is a 1995), but most were manufactured in 2003.

You’re not locked into a car forever once you buy it, either. You always have the option to trade it in for something else. Your customizations (color, etc) stay the same, only the car changes. You will get money back or owe money, depending on the trade-in value of your car compared to the car of your dreams - or of the moment!

Controls
I was hooked from the very first race. It doesn’t take long to learn the controls of the game, as they’re pretty standard. I was definitely reeled in; I didn't expect the controlling to be so smooth. However, I originally started out using the joystick to manuever around the course but I quickly found out that the control pad made it a lot easier. Going around corners is always easier with the help of the emergency brake (R1), too. Watch out for other cars pulling out in front of you or hiding just over a hill. Don’t hit too many roadway signs, either, or you won’t be able to gain on the first place car!

The Lowdown on the Rest
The point is to become the best street racer known to the game. You do this by rising up in the rankings (done by beating various challenges). Your reputation plays a big factor here, as well as your skills. Keep checking the standings to see where you stand when pitted against the big dogs.

There are various upgrades you can earn throughout the game by winning races and collecting style points (done by pulling off power-slides, near misses, etc.). There are visual upgrades which increase your reputation meter, and performance upgrades which are self-explanatory. In the beginning of the game, almost everything is locked so you're basically stuck with a stock car. As you complete more, more is unlocked. Once everything becomes available to you, you're limited only by your own imagination. You can add NOS, paint your car/rims/brake calipers, add body kits, throw on some hot vinyls, and race your heart out.

All challenges have rewards, whether it’s money added to your bank or something getting unlocked. There are 111 challenges in the game. There are 114 style rewards, for which you need about 3,000,000 style points and a reputation of 5 stars. Each reward gets you a step closer to winning the game, and this is what we’re all here for… right?

Graphics: Hit or Miss?
The graphics are definitely hot! The textures are smooth as can be, the props used on the tracks make you feel like you’re really street racing, and The bad point about the graphics/game play is while it’s very realistic looking and feeling, the cars don’t react realistically to hitting traffic, flipping over, etc. With the exception of the drag tracks, when you hit someone or something you just ricochet into it/them, and you don’t even lose the largest percent of your speed. On a rare occasion, you can get into a good crash and actually reset your car but you have to really hit something fast/hard. You do get sparks when you sideswipe a concrete wall, though, so realism was not a total loss.

The Sound and Music
The soundtrack wasn’t the best I’ve heard on a game (especially a EA game), but it was pretty heavy. I was happy to see some old favorites like Rob Zombie and Static X. There’s a mix of alternative, metal, and rap (including the popular “Get Low” by Lil’ John and the East Side Boyz) so there’s something for everyone. Unfortunatley, you can’t put your own MP3’s onto the game. However, you can turn the music all the way down to zero if you’re not digging it… then just pop your favorite CD into your stereo and cruise to it.

If the soundtrack isn’t enough for you to really feel the Need for Speed, listen for these great sound effects: the sound of you whizzing by another driver, and the gnashing of metal on metal when someone finally bites the dust.

My Final Thought
I’m off to rent some other racing games I’ve read reviews about. For some reason, however, I don’t think they will replace Need for Speed: Underground. I’m going to buy this one and add it to my collection.