Product description
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From the Manufacturer
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Are you ready to pit your driving savvy against six
international courses? Pick one of eight mean machines and let's
go! Need for Speed II is fast and realistic with detailed 3D
graphics and full-circle view. And when you think you're ready
try the two-player split-screen mode for teeth-grinding
competition!
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Review
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Need For Speed II is the first realistic street racing game on
the PlayStation since the original Need For Speed. Unlike Test
Drive: Off-Road and Tokyo Highway Battle (which were
exaggerated), or NA and Mario Andretti (which were true to
life, yet never left the track), Need For Speed II focuses on
realistic racing in populated settings...and the chaos that
ensues.
While it's trite to say, "If you've ever wanted to get behind the
wheel of a (insert expensive car name here), then you'll be
to play Need For Speed II," it's also true. The game does
feature eight supercars: the Ferrari F50, Lotus GT1, Jaguar
XJ220, Ford GT90, Lotus Esprit V8, McLarren F1, Italdesign Cala,
and the Isdera Commendatore 112I. But while each resembles its
real-life counterpart in appearance, the simplified play control
doesn't come close to capturing the feel of driving the actual
car. The tracks do provide a thrill however, and if you've ever
wanted to barrel downhill through a small Greek village, your
fantasies will be fulfilled. With five other tracks to race
through (Canada, Norway, Australia, Northern Europe, and Nepal),
the variety of exotic locales will keep you entertained long
after you're of the supercars (no matter which of the
fifteen available colors you paint them).
Like most driving games before it, Need For Speed II sticks to
the basics: You select a manual or automatic transmission; your
goal is to cross the finish line in the shortest a of time
possible; and there are buttons to accelerate and brake. The game
also features power slides, burnouts, a rear view, replays, a
two-player split-screen mode (accomplished with minimal
slowdown), tournament mode, four varied camera angles, and the
ability to drive in reverse - but most of these were available in
the original Need For Speed or have been touched upon in other
next generation driving games. A unique feature of note, but
hardly a selling point, is the extensive information on the cars
featured in the game. It's neat to look at but doesn't add much.
There is also an undisclosed number of hidden cars and tracks,
that is if you beat the game under a certain a of time.
Once you're behind the wheel, Need For Speed II kicks into gear.
The control, while loose at first, is quite accurate - expect to
c often, though, until you master it. Each level is
challenging, taking an hour or so to familiarize yourself with
and hours to master. But once you memorize the tight turns, there
isn't much surprise left, aside from the hidden shortcuts in most
levels. The most frustrating feature is the game's myriad ces
- pileups occur whenever you hit a car and you'll flip numerous
times when you get too close to a wall at high speeds (no
physical damage shows up on your car, but it takes you out of the
race momentarily). Some courses will also try your patience;
prepare to use your brakes often.
Need For Speed II looks really good. The 3-D texture-ped
graphics are on par with most N64 titles, although there is a
significant a of pop-up and the occasional backdrop looks
flat or jagged. What is most impressive is that Electronic Arts
has created a game on a 32-bit platform that, at least
graphically, rivals the N64's Cruis'n USA. The sound is also
quite good, featuring an electronic Euro-style soundtrack and
realistic sound effects. In terms of presentation, the game
scores big points.
Overall, Need For Speed II is the PlayStation's slickest racer
yet, with its mix of realistic locales, superior graphics, and
fast cars. It's more realistic than Ridge Racer and more of an
arcade game than NA Racing, and the combination should score
with die-hard and casual genre fans alike. Simply put: Short of a
Cannonball Run-esque plot, Need For Speed II has it all (although
let's face it, who wouldn't like to see Dom DeLuise and Burt
Reynolds in a driving game?). --Glenn Rubenstein
--Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction
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