Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2

performance wise, this game just doesn't seem to run well on any computer i've ever had. first i had a p3 with 512mb and a geforce fx 5200. performance was pretty poor. and i put it down to the hardware i had at the time. since then, i have also had the opportunity to play this game on an Intel Pentium d with 1 gig of ram and a radeon x300. i'm at a loss, as there wouldn't be that many PCs up to this spec in 2002, yet still the performance is not good. no, there's just something not quite right about this at all.

aside from being extremely sluggish in the graphics department, the same can be said for the controls etc. in a big way. this is one of the most unresponsive racing games i have ever seen. people talk about this being 'realistic', but i'm sorry real cars just do not behave like this. you try to turn the wheel all the way round, and yet the car just seems to slowly veer off to one side. very slow acceleration which is highly frustrating. if this is truly realistic, then i'd much rather play super Mario kart, thank you very much.

the tracks are highly boring and mostly just look like any old unremarkable American highway. too much space, to open, not enough sharp bends. oh, i forgot, you couldn't put any sharper bends in, because the car simply wouldn't be able to manoeuvre round them. no, i'm not kidding, you'd probably have to do a 3 point turn. how do these people get off their drives, i wonder?

nope, this game sucks, IMO. if you want a really good racing game, then buy v-rally 2. though, nobody seems to have played it much. and looking around on the net, it's almost as if it never really existed. much the same with a lot of other things in this world, great things get swept under the carpet, while sucky things get high praise

Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 is one of those games that perfectly embodies the essence of arcade racing, delivering players an unforgettable experience full of speed, excitement, and intense competition. In the world of video games, the Need for Speed franchise has long earned its cult status thanks to its thrilling races, and Hot Pursuit 2 maintains the same high level of quality and action that fans have come to expect from the series.

One of the game's key advantages is the vast selection of tracks on which you can test your driving skills. Each track is unique, with its own obstacles, twists, and picturesque landscapes. You'll race through dense forests, along coastlines, and through city streets, all while enjoying the variety of environments and opportunities for maneuvering. The diverse locations allow you to feel like a real racer, with each track presenting new challenges. This variety ensures that every race feels fresh and exciting, even after hours of gameplay.

The game also impresses with its wide assortment of famous cars that become available to players. If you've ever dreamed of getting behind the wheel of legendary supercars like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, and other iconic brands, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 gives you that opportunity. Each car in the game is meticulously crafted with unique characteristics. You'll feel the difference between powerful engines, handling, and top speeds, giving you a true sense of the power of each vehicle. This allows players to not only participate in races but also enjoy different driving styles, adding depth and variety to the game.

In addition to classic races, the game offers a unique feature that sets it apart from other titles in the series. Here, you have the opportunity to not only play as a racer but also step into the shoes of law enforcement. This creates an interesting contrast in gameplay, as when you choose the role of a cop, your task changes drastically. Now, you need to chase down offenders, using various tactics and available resources to catch them. You can drive special police cars, lay down spike strips, and even call in helicopters for support - all of which adds elements of strategy and makes the gameplay even more thrilling. Switching between the two roles allows players to get double the fun from the game: enjoying the speed and danger as a racer and feeling the thrill of enforcing the law when pursuing violators as a cop.

The arcade style of the game makes Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 perfect for those looking for a fun and engaging way to pass the time. You won't be bogged down by overly complex physics or realism, as in some racing simulators. Here, everything is designed to give the player pure enjoyment and emotion. The gameplay is fast, packed with action, and exhilarating - every race delivers a rush of adrenaline, especially when you're speeding at full throttle, dodging police cars or chasing racers yourself.

Visually, the game also looks fantastic. Despite being released quite a while ago, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 boasts beautiful graphics that perfectly capture the atmosphere of high-speed racing. The cars are detailed, and the surrounding environments are pleasing to the eye with their beauty and diversity. The speed and dynamics are so well rendered that you can almost feel the wind whipping past as you race down the track.

Overall, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 is an exemplary arcade racing game that keeps players on the edge of their seat from the first race to the last. It offers a wide selection of cars, tracks, and gameplay options, making it appealing to a broad audience of gamers. The ability to play both as a racer and a cop adds variety to the game and makes it even more interesting. If you're looking for a game that will deliver tons of adrenaline and the joy of speed, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 is the perfect choice.

It is with "Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2" that my favorite games in the series begin. The graphics are already good here, and the races are pleasant, and this part of the game remains in memory as a harbinger of a masterpiece that will become a legend.

The main highlight of this game is the opportunity to take part not only in classic races, but also in intense police chases, where you either hide from law enforcement officers or find yourself on the other side of the law, that is, you try on the uniform of a law enforcement officer yourself. Dynamic gameplay, a combination of speed and driving strategy, make every race or chase exciting.

The game offers several modes: from single races and tournaments to the actual "Hot Pursuit" mode. Now, driving with rivals, you will not just have to compete with them, but also avoid collisions with the police. Although let's be honest - it will not be possible to avoid them, and such "meetings" themselves are a pleasure.

The locations deserve special mention. Sandy beaches, winding forest trails, mountain passes with waterfalls, bright city streets and even races near a volcano - each track looks like a postcard. The bright colors and atmospheric soundtrack create a complete immersion. These tracks are not just roads - it's a whole world that you want to explore again and again. It doesn't matter that there is no open world here. This is a matter for future projects. But already in this game there is a sufficient variety of places for races. The developers did their best.

Hot Pursuit 2 offers an impressive-sized "garage" full of licensed cars from well-known brands such as BMW, Jaguar, Ford, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Aston Martin. Each car differs not only in appearance, but also in its characteristics, which seems to allow you to adjust your driving style to specific tracks. It's not a bad idea, but I remember that I didn't notice a serious difference in driving.

The game encourages the player's success: new tracks and cars are opened for winning races and completing tasks. The player will have to move through the "tree" of tasks with a lot of branches and go through the game as if he is in the "Career" mode.

The soundtrack of the game sets the right mood for each race. Energetic tracks are perfectly combined with adrenaline-fueled gameplay, and the roar of engines and screeching tires sound impressive - you feel yourself in the center of events.

The arcade style of control makes the game accessible to everyone, regardless of their level of training. The driving physics maintains a pleasant balance between realistic car behavior and true driving pleasure. This allows you to effortlessly race along the track at high speed, enjoying every turn and skid.

"Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2" is a game that not only sets a furious pace, but also pleases the eye. Exciting races, diverse modes and stunning locations make it one of the best parts of the series for me personally. This is the case when every race is fun, whether you are a racer or a chaser. I always remember this part with warmth. She sends her somewhere in her youth, when the graphics reached an acceptable level and pleased the eye, and the set of features in the game became self-sufficient, filling the world of the game with depth and elaboration.

8 out of 10.

I have most of the N.F.S. games, but this one has to be the best so-far. The graphics are exellent, best to date, and the car selection is brilliant, some of them being the Vauxhall VX220, Ford Mustang, Mercedes-Benz CL55 AMG, Dodge Viper, and many more. As in some of the previous N.F.S. games, you still can either evade the cops or be a cop. Evading the cops is difficult, however being a cop is a different story. You have the option of letting down a spike strip, calling for back-up, and getting a police helicopter involved in the chase. Cop cars vary from a standard Ford Crown Victoria to a Lambroghini Diablo cop car. However, the game does loose points on the fact that they have the Vauxhall VX220 and the Opel Speedster as different cars, you cannot upgrade your car during leagues, and no visible damage on your cars.

Overall, and another great game from EA Games, and I would have to give it a 8 out of 10.

Rated E.

I'm surprised at the fairly low IMDb score.Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 is a very fun and good racing game.The graphics are good and the cars are good as well.Its fun being a cop and chasing baddies.Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 is a fun little game.Like most racing games there is no real story.You basically race cars to get money to buy new cars to use in a free mode.Need For Speed Hot Pursuit 2 is a fun game and I recommend it for racing fans.Although I don't know how it compares to the newer ones.

8/10