For you gamers out there, I feel the need to share what I feel will be one of the premier games this holiday season. Need For Speed Underground. I've been looking forward to this game since it's debut at E3 last May, and have had high hopes up until now. Well, after playing the demo of this game (due out 11/17), I can assuredly tell you this will probably be the best of the Need For Speed series thus far.
A little literature for those interested:
IGN Preview - 10.3.03
Gamespot Preview - 10.13.03 <------ BEST preview available
Gamerankings Page <----- Links to plenty of previews
Car list (according to the IGN preview)
- 1999 Dodge Neon
- 2003 Ford Focus ZX3
- 2000 Honda Civic Coupe Si
- 2000 Acura Integra Type R
- 2003 Honda S2000
- 2003 Acura RSX Type S
- 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
- 1995 Mazda RX7
- 1999 Mazda Miata MX5
- 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
- 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
- 1999 Nissan Skyline R34-GTR
- 2003 Nissan 350Z
- 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
- 1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback
- 2003 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
- 1998 Toyota Supra
The car list is a little skimpy, I think. IGN claims it to be the complete car list, though, so let's hope they are wrong. That's only 17 cars! Gamers, like myself, expect more cars from today's racing games. But it's understandable, afterall, because each car has tons upon tons of aftermarket parts. Making all the visual adjustments for each part on every car has got to be a chore. Plus, it's those aftermarket parts that will completely change your car into something new and better looking.
If you want to play the same demo I have, go pick up a copy of December's issue of the Official U.S. Playstation mag. It's included on the DVD (along with a playable FFX-2 demo!) that comes with it. $8.99 stand price.
Pros:
- Incredible graphics.
- Sense of speed.
- Handling of the cars is superb (this was what I was worried about).
Cons:
- Severe framerate slowdown while cars are coming up to the line before a race (framerate flows beautifully right before race start, no framerate issues while actually racing).
- Not enough turning capability at high speeds to dodge cars during drag (not too much of a con, because how much would you want to turn going 150MPH?).
This is entirely based on the demo, which includes one street (circuit) race for 1 lap, and a drag. The drag is basically 4 cars at the line, the girl throws her hands down, and you take off. Straight shot down the street. No automatics here, manual shifting only (auto would defeat the purpose of a drag). If you shift right, you'll noticable stick with the pack. Shift early or late, and the comp cars will noticably slide ahead of you. The only thing I hated about the drag was that in 3 sections of the straight stretch, cars will come across the road at intersections. They are sometimes impossible to miss, and once you hit one, you're out of the drag, whether your car be totaled or you won't be able to catch up. A good drag will only last 13-14 seconds, after all .
I'm so looking forward to this game, can't wait.
EDIT: Almost forgot, the PS2 and PC versions let you go online to race your own customized car against other racers. Imagine tricking out your car with lights and ground effects and graphics, then taking it online in a drag race against 3 other racers!
A little literature for those interested:
IGN Preview - 10.3.03
Gamespot Preview - 10.13.03 <------ BEST preview available
Gamerankings Page <----- Links to plenty of previews
Car list (according to the IGN preview)
- 1999 Dodge Neon
- 2003 Ford Focus ZX3
- 2000 Honda Civic Coupe Si
- 2000 Acura Integra Type R
- 2003 Honda S2000
- 2003 Acura RSX Type S
- 2003 Hyundai Tiburon GT
- 1995 Mazda RX7
- 1999 Mazda Miata MX5
- 1999 Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX
- 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer
- 1999 Nissan Skyline R34-GTR
- 2003 Nissan 350Z
- 2004 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
- 1992 Nissan 240SX Fastback
- 2003 Subaru Impreza 2.5 RS
- 1998 Toyota Supra
The car list is a little skimpy, I think. IGN claims it to be the complete car list, though, so let's hope they are wrong. That's only 17 cars! Gamers, like myself, expect more cars from today's racing games. But it's understandable, afterall, because each car has tons upon tons of aftermarket parts. Making all the visual adjustments for each part on every car has got to be a chore. Plus, it's those aftermarket parts that will completely change your car into something new and better looking.
If you want to play the same demo I have, go pick up a copy of December's issue of the Official U.S. Playstation mag. It's included on the DVD (along with a playable FFX-2 demo!) that comes with it. $8.99 stand price.
Pros:
- Incredible graphics.
- Sense of speed.
- Handling of the cars is superb (this was what I was worried about).
Cons:
- Severe framerate slowdown while cars are coming up to the line before a race (framerate flows beautifully right before race start, no framerate issues while actually racing).
- Not enough turning capability at high speeds to dodge cars during drag (not too much of a con, because how much would you want to turn going 150MPH?).
This is entirely based on the demo, which includes one street (circuit) race for 1 lap, and a drag. The drag is basically 4 cars at the line, the girl throws her hands down, and you take off. Straight shot down the street. No automatics here, manual shifting only (auto would defeat the purpose of a drag). If you shift right, you'll noticable stick with the pack. Shift early or late, and the comp cars will noticably slide ahead of you. The only thing I hated about the drag was that in 3 sections of the straight stretch, cars will come across the road at intersections. They are sometimes impossible to miss, and once you hit one, you're out of the drag, whether your car be totaled or you won't be able to catch up. A good drag will only last 13-14 seconds, after all .
I'm so looking forward to this game, can't wait.
EDIT: Almost forgot, the PS2 and PC versions let you go online to race your own customized car against other racers. Imagine tricking out your car with lights and ground effects and graphics, then taking it online in a drag race against 3 other racers!