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Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 for PlayStation 2 Videos >>
Summary The expectations I had for this game were destroyed in the first 10 minutes I played the game. Game looks good, sounds ok but gameplay just doesn't have it.Sound Sound is good, but why can't anyone make a racing game that makes your adreniline run when you rev the engine? If I am sitting in a real Ferrari and I rev the engine, or I shift at 9000RPM the sound is music to my ears. But in this game and ANY OTHER RACING GAME I HAVE EVER PLAYED the engine sound is just plain annoying. In this day and age where any sound is perfectly reproduceable why can't I get an engine rev that sounds like the real thing?Gameplay The usual Cop chases speeder. You have some serious wheels though and you need to out run the law. Too bad it just doesn't "feel" like I am speeding when I am supposed to be in a Porshe doing 160 MPH. The speedometer says 160MPH but my brain says 45MPH. They just didn't catch the element that was needed for this game to work. In fact the old NFS did a better job of this than this version.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Summary I was really looking forward to this game, and it delivered what I was looking forward to.Sound I play on a surround system and I turn the soundtrack off because it isn't something I prefer when racing, so I leave the ambient, engine, tire noise up. The ambient sounds are great, you hear sound effects from everything, the volcano, the fires, the dust storm, it's great.Gameplay The game plays smooth, people talk about the game not giving a sense of speed, I have to disagree. When I've been playing I have had a constant sense of speed, especially when driving the higher end cars such as the Ferrari Spider and the Lambhorghinis. The only gripe I have is there is only 3 camera angles to choose from, whereas in Need for Speed III and IV, I had my favorite camera angle, the far away viewpoint, and the only time I get that angle in this game is when I'm going really fast and I do some cool slide and my car jets out in front of the current camera angle.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Summary Overall a good game with a few minor flaws. It reminds me of the original on the PS1 but the execution is much better. The initial hype surrounding this game was definitely more than the game produced but it is a good game nontheless.Sound What more can you say its ok. But, I have o admit I had the sound down very low because my son was sleeping nearby.Gameplay My biggest gripe is the handling. The controls are too loose. The game provides two control types : classic & extreme, and depending on your vehicle one is better than the other but overall the control needs to be tightened up! The sense of speed is ok but the sense of speed in Test drive is much better. I enjoyed the courses as they are long and have enough variety to make you want to keep racing to find shortcuts. The cops are tough but I found that if you slam on your brakes when they are next to you, and getting ready to ram you into the guardrails, that you can easily slip by as they speed past and you just go around them. I found powersaliding the way to go as you have to rely on the brake constantly instead of down throttle. I think the gameplay will get much better once I get used to the controls.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Summary The king of arcade-style racing games is back and better than ever! I've owned every Need For Speed game and I must say that this version stays true to it's roots. Great graphics, great variety of cars and courses and nice, tight handling.Sound Good. No better or worse than any other racing game I can think of. They use licensed music this time but I've only heard about 5 or 6 different songs.Gameplay What's there to say? It's a racing game. You pick your car, pick your course and race! You're limited to 7 cars at the start but can unlock 49 by playing through the Championship mode. These races seemed a bit easy at first but the more I progressed the better the AI cars got. You can also choose Hot Pursuit mode and either be a cop or run from the cops. The cops in this version can call in a helicopter to drop stuff in the roadway to block you.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Rating Reviewed By Mario AndrettiFrom Wa State Review Date 10/04/2002 Overall Rating  4 of 5 Rate this review? Summary Excellent game. The sense of speed has been a question in some magazine articles, like EGM. They said the XBOX version wasn't as good or fast as the PS2 version. Having both systems, I purchased the PS2 version.Gameplay is spot on. Control is awesome. Cops are relentless. Sense of speed is just fine, no problem there at all. Sound Sound is pretty good. That's all.Gameplay If you've played this franchise before, then it's the same with a load of extras put in.Extras: 1. Hit a button, game freezes and you follow a fire ball for about a quarter mile. Purpose is to show you the track ahead. So, if you know there is a spike strip ahead, you can hit this button and your car freezes right where it is, you leap ahead behind this fireball and then see what side of the road the spike strips are on, then you will know which side of the road to travel to avoid the spikes, very innovative. 2. Hit another button and the your car freezes and the camera scrolls around your car 360 degrees. I guess this is to see what is going on around you or to see a specatular wreck you are just in. 3. If you have played Burnout, then you know what I am talking about here, When you hit a cop car real hard or bombs that the cop helicopter drops, you freeze and the camera pans around and you see the explosion and/or wreck in slow motion. They stole this from Burnout, but it is pretty cool, none the less. Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Summary The return of EA's classic arcade racer, and I could not be happier!! An excellent game that does just about everything right, tons of different modes to play, as well as tons of different cars. I am very pleased with my purchase and I highly recommend this to anyone who has an itch to drive exotic cars but doesnt have the pocket.Sound Good engine sounds and the EA tracks are nice but a little repetitive. The cop noises and ambient sound are standard compared to other racing games. Good job, but nothing specatcular. Turn down the music and turn up the car sounds.Gameplay Perfect example of what an arcade racer should be...easy to pick up, but hard to master. The cars move really fast(somewhat exagerated) and the control is very intuitive so you are not flying off the road. The zone cams are a nice addition, but not necessary. Starting off you are able to unlock things relatively easily but as you get further along the tasks become much more daunting. Unlocking things realy becomes a the main purpose after a couple of races. Overall very good.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Rating Reviewed By smakx T.M. LemonsFrom Iowa, USA Review Date 10/06/2002 Overall Rating  5 of 5 Rate this review? Summary NFS: Hot Pursuit 2 is an excellent game. I have been a fan of video games since they first appeared late 70's, and the racing genere has always been one of my favorites. Since the NFS series first appeared, it has set its self apart with excellent action and graphics in real world settings, with hills and traffic. This game continues that tradition. Anyone who has ever enjoyed a racing game (especially an arcade racing game) should enjoy this.Sound The car sounds are pretty good and there are some cool environmental fx thrown in occasionally (birds, dog barks, ect...) The skid sounds are convincing and are not repetative or annoying. The pop-rock/rap soundtrack gets old quick unless you are a radio fan and are used to hearing the same 8 songs 5 times and hour - this is typical and can be turned off (thank god). Overall, the sound is better than most racing games.Gameplay Let me first say that play this game as a racing game, without the cops. Maybe I will try this when I master the racing aspects, but so far I find that they just get in the way. Fortunately, NFS offers many different play modes so that you can play it how you want to.Like any other driving game, it took a couple spins around the track to get used to the controls. Once I did, I found the steering to be spot-on, each car has unique handling characteristics (as they should) and require slightly different control startegies. This isn't a 'blast it all they way through and powerslide every corner' racing game, which is a good thing. The game is challenging, even for an experienced video-game racer on even the medium difficulty setting, which mens you wont master a couple techniques and effortlessly destroy the competition. This does alot for the game's replay value. In short, the game plays perfectly in my opinion and my friends and I have had a blast playing it. Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Summary BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT. Its that simple. If you like racing games and most of all street racing and running from the cops its hands down the best there is and the best to come. Graphics rock, gameplay rocks, music rocks. I honestly don't knwo where to start its that good.DON'T LISTEN TO THE XBOXERS. Xboxers are saying it sucks and I guess it does for them. EA built it towards teh PS2 version and dissed on Xbox so they're all pissed. Sound Perfect, sound track rocks and the effects and engine noises are changed up between vehicles, not as throuty as I prefer my ferraris' but I'll live. Damn good soundtrack and at least the subscreens advertising the songs are so small you can barely read them as opposed to maddenGameplay Hands down EA has teh market cornered on a good AI. NOthing like racing against racers that hold a grudge and remember that you threw them into the wall 3 turns ago. Each character has a name and a personality, some are pushovers, some run you into the wall at first chance, and most of all they seem to adjust. I've read comments about lack of speed, I race modifieds and I know what flying around a corner sideways at 100 is all about. Honestly look around you at 65 or 75 the next time your driving, its not flying by that fast. With that said, racing these cars through these turns is right on the head and totoally exhilerating. just Wow, was almost quivering with excitement, couldn't believe how good it is and fast and wow.Camera's: holy crude!! They have these jump cameras when you get some air, totally cool. And they have these two buttons setup that are totally cool. One is the flame forward where it freezes time and shows the next 1/4 mile of so. The other is a freeze button where it freezes the car for a second and gives you a glimpse around you, totally rad. Just rad. The tracks rock of course and they're like long as crap, you keep driving and driving, no wonder it took so long to develop. PHYSICS: finally the NFS physics is back. I love racing games that when you screw up and are sliding you have the ability to adjust and pull out of it. NFS is all real time controlling, everything reacts the way cars react in skids, not that cruddy Gran Tourismo slide and wait til the ocmputer lets you out cause none of your controls are helping. Only wish we had the NFS2 crashes, thats all I miss. Oh yeah and the cops rock and especially working your butt off to get 4 stars the helicopters comes after you dropping exploding barrels. At first I heard of it and it sounded stupid but it totally is rad. Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Summary This game is a must have and will go down as a PS2 classic! If you like racing in various enviroment off the normal oval tracks, this game is for you. It offers cop chases...you can be the cop as well...many cars 49 but you have to unlock them. The game rivals that of Grand Turismo visually but yet doesnt sacrifice the feeling of speed...dispite some reviews I've read here.Sound I hate the rock music. I wish the had more Techno tracks. They used licensed music this time..but I'm probably going to end up turning the music off completely because it annoys me. Cars sound great, track effects and etc go way beyond my expectations.Gameplay This is the kinda racing game I like to play. If you start to loose control you can gain control sometimes BEFORE you crash or totally screw up. This is lacking in most recent games. It offers two modes..classic and extreme. I've only played classic so far so I can tell you much about that. But classic seems to be easy to learn but HARD to master! It varies greatly on which car you're using too.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Rating Reviewed By jay hallFrom atlanta ga Review Date 10/08/2002 Overall Rating 5 of 5 Rate this review? Summary GREAT...There is no need for other words...Great since of speed , wonderful exotic cars, and cops that are nuts, as well as the guy in the helicopter all this happening at a good frame rate(oh yes the graphics are b e a u t iful). If u pass up on this game, you should write LOSER on your for head right now......go head.Sound Its typical car sounds cop sirens yata yata yata but its done GOOD.plus the sound track isnt that bad.Gameplay everything i luv in the need for speed series(not that porshe crap)...all the cars,,,the cops chasings, power sliding...since of speed...Very well executed.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Summary this is one of the best arcade racers for the ps2 and the best version on all platforms by far. if played the xbox version and a little disappointed by the overall game by not the ps2 version is amazing so fast more tracks more cars better graphics so go buy it you wont be disappointed and you can make fun of xbox onwers by how much better your version is for the first time.Sound very good there is more speech in the hot pursuit mode between the police and the sound affects are better.Gameplay quite simply the most fun ive had playing a racing game in a long time.the fact you get so much more over the other versions is a big bonus.like the car setting classic or extreme 10 more cars 5 more tracks blew me away exspecially sence the xbox is so much more powerful i asume it would be better.also the handling is so much more persice and responsive then the other version big time.in hot pursuit mode you dont get busted if you get pulled over you just get 3 stars not race over.but the biggest thing is the point system your rewarded for driving more wildly how far you jump your car etc making overall better gameplay experience.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Summary This game is absolutely brilliant at first, but the learning curve is way too low. Within 5 days of playing it, I've discovered that while it's still fun at times, the difficulty drops significantly, even in expert mode. I hate to say this, as I'm a big NFS fan and have been looking forward to this game for a long time.Sound The sound is also excellent. Police chatter, tires screeching, engine revs -- all brilliant and realistic. Again, no complaints.Gameplay As I said, this game becomes rather easy very quickly. Most of the user reviews I've read that praise this game are written by people who have only been playing for a couple days. But give it a week and you'll find that you're placing in first almost every time. The events are all surprisingly easy to pass, except for maybe the final two in each mode.There's also some gameplay elements that you can easily exploit. The shortcuts are cool, but there's nothing preventing you from using them on every single lap and blowing by your competition. The competition uses these shortcuts, but only once in a while. If you use them every time, you'll win almost every time. Also, in Hot Pursuit mode I've discovered that if you're on the final lap, you can often press the select button and forfeit a "bust". This costs you a few seconds, but you now can complete the rest of the race with little to no police interference, allowing you to make up for lost time and cross the finish line with ease. The road blocks, spike strips and helicopters are tough at first, but again it's easy enough to avoid them once you learn the tracks. Simply holding down the X button will allow you to blow through almost all road blocks. This low difficulty factor was really disappointing me. I remember playing the original Hot Pursuit game and getting burned if I didn't drive with utmost care, especially in expert mode. Not the case here. Blackbox apparently designed this game for the very casual, very untrained racing game fan. Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Rating Reviewed By Mr. Joey FreitasFrom Hayward, CA U.S.A. Review Date 10/09/2002 Overall Rating 5 of 5 Rate this review? Summary XBox Vs PS2. Whoa. I am surprised. Usually when a game comes out for multiple systems, the XBox clearly has better graphics, sound, options, control and gameplay. This is not the case here. Every attribute I just mentioned the PS2 has an edge over the XBOX. WOW.Anyways, before I start to tell you just how much better the PS2 version is I better tell you a little bit about the game. This is the best racer you will ever play. You can pick from dozens of exotic cars and try and outrun the cops, or you can play as a cop and try and catch those speeding exoticas. The sense of speed has never been better in any racing game. You are rewarded as you progress such as winning a race breaking a time record, catching the bad guys (hella fun) etc. Once you start to play, you wont want to put the controller down. Highly addictive gameplay, tons of replay value make this a definite must own for anyone looking to enjoy a good game because this game is just that. AAA Sound Everything here sounds authentic. The engine roars sound almost identical to their counterparts, The police are really chasing you.The music contains a little high energy music and a lot of rock. Thankfully you have the option of choosing the songs you want to hear. AAA Sound Effects. A Music. Gameplay I am not a big fan of racing games but one day a demo disc arrived in my mailbox and one of the games was NFS:HP2. I was blown away at how easy to pick up and play this game was. the controls were the best ever, (sorry Gran Turismo 3), the sense of speed totally engroses you, and the challenge never diminishes. The tracks are so big (were talking 3-8 minutes for just one lap) and there are so many shortcuts that even months from now you probably will find something new. when the cops are on your tail you gad better use some strategy. I love to push those PIGS off to the side and into oncoming traffic. Thats just frickin sweet. You can even stop the camera for a MATRIX-LIKE 360 pan around your can at anytime in the race, (A feature that XBox & Gamecube owners do not have the luxury of having) along with the Zone Zoom that freezes time and zooms about 1000 feey ahead so you can see whats coming your way, and trust me, you will need to use it and you will love to use it. As I said before, the gameplay is very rewarding as you unlock new cars and tracks as you complete objectives. Fantastic. AAA Gameplay.Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Rating Reviewed By Matt GriffinFrom Evansville Review Date 10/13/2002 Overall Rating 5 of 5 Rate this review? Summary This has got to be the best game I have EVER played. Everything about it is dead-on, from the cars, the cops, the competition, and the perfect experience curve. It's a blockbuster title all the way. Expect it to be the NUMBER 1 selling game for the next 6 months or so.You really have to play it to believe it. Just go out and buy it today. It's really like a 'male fantasy', running from the law in bad-ass cars, with beautiful graphics, stellar sound, and a learning curve that is never too easy and never gets TOO hard, although later levels are definitely challenging. Once you get that far, however, you will undoubtedly have the motivation to complete the entire game. Just run one race in Hot Pursuit mode, and its all over. You won't be able to turn this one off. Sound The sound is also bomb. The CB 'chatter box' is so cool. It is helpful in letting you know if a roadblock is set, and what cops you have 'taken out' of the race.Also, unlike many games with licensed soundtracks, this one is the truth. Tight songs from Course of Nature, Pulse Ultra, and even Bush help gameplay so much. They fit in with the game perfectly. Bottom Line: go buy it, don't just rent it, or then you will buy it afterwards, spending unnecessary money. It's really a no-brainer Gameplay Outstanding. 10 of 10, or for better precision its really about a 999 of 1000. No joke. The game has 2 main modes: Hot Pursuit (with cops), and World Circuit (racing without cops). there are 30 events for each, making a total of 60 events. As you progress, the quality of your car will improve, but the difficult increases ever-so-slightly, as well.THE COPS These pigs are the bomb. Although annoying at times, I am sweaty and breathing heavy at the end of every race. Winning a race in this game is as satisfying as succeeding at anything in any other game, period. Also, it is fairly easy to 'kill' cops, which is a blast. I thought that opportunites to 'take out' cops would be few and far between, but it happens (if you MAKE it happen) on nearly every lap. WORLD CIRCUIT While I am not a big car-game fan, I was looking forward to Hot Pursuit much more than World Circuit. However, considering the pulse-pounding, nerve-wracking HP missions, the World Circuit is a very welcomed 'breather'. It is the S__t, as well. OTHER TIGHT THINGS 1. if you pick your, say, Dodge Viper, in yellow, the game automatically makes sure no other car is yellow. They will be red, black, white, etc. So you never confuse any 2 opponents 2. BOMB MAP. The map shows you everything - cops, their roadblocks and spikestrips, and opponents, and you don't really even have to take your eyes off the car (only for a nanosecond) 3. Excellent variety. Each event in either mode is completely different. (different goals, # of opponents, lap #, race #, etc) You NEVER get bored of having to do the same thing over and over 4. OUTSTANDING LEARNING CURVE. This cannot be stressed enough. From Event 1 to Event 30, the difficulty flows perfectly. Events 25-30 are tough, but, by that time, you will definitely have the incentive to beat everything Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Rating Reviewed By Jerry GraciaFrom Wilmington, DE Review Date 10/15/2002 Overall Rating 4 of 5 Rate this review? Summary The XBOX version is getting unfair negative attention, and alot of folks seem to be buying into it.Sound If I had to part with one version, it would be the PS2 game that would go.Something to ponder…I am 28 and I prefer the XBOX version. My friend is 29 and he also prefers the XBOX version (we played both versions extensively yesterday)…my son is 8 and he likes playing the PS2 version. Make of that what you will. If there is one thing that I wished was available on the XBOX that is on the PS2 version, it’s the replays! The PS2 has a great replay after you run a race. You also have multiple camera angles to choose from during the replay. I can’t understand why this couldn’t have been implemented on the XBOX. On the XBOX, you only see the replay from the same camera angle you had during the race…I mean, what’s the point in that!? The 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound can’t be beat on the XBOX either! Here’s a brief summary comparing the two versions: PS2 = Mindless fun. XBOX = Calculated, prettier fun. Gameplay I’ve been reading much about the comparisons of Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 on the internet and in gaming magazines (XBOX vs. PS2). For the record, I own both the XBOX and PS2 and I also own both versions of NFPHP2. One of the most consistent things I keep hearing is how much better the PlayStation 2 version is than the XBOX version. Here is an interesting quote:“the Xbox and GameCube versions of Hot Pursuit II have slightly detuned graphics, mushier controls, and inexplicably, a variety of minute but tangible omissions from the PlayStation 2 game.” –GAMESPOT.COM I can’t help but wonder how the author of this review came to this conclusion. The controls may seem “mushier” due to the fact that on the XBOX, NFPHP2 handles more like a SIM than the PS2 version. The PS2 version is as ARCADEY as you can get in game in my opinion…I think they are mistaking “tight” and “responsive” handling with ARCADE handling! “Detuned graphics”!? This one has me baffled! Again, I don’t know what kind of TV they are using or how they might have their reviewing monitors set up, but the XBOX version is clearly the better looking version. The PS2 version, when compared to the XBOX version, looks very PS1-like…heck, I even think the car models are better looking on the XBOX! I heard that the PS2 version had a “faster” frame rate. Granted, when I played the PS2 version for a few hours yesterday, there was a great sense of speed…but there was also a sense of cheapness in the graphics. Everything that flew by just had that PS1 look/feel to it. I also heard that on the XBOX, the frame rate was slower…again, these folks are confusing slow frame rate with simulation! When you drive a slower car, the frame rate will seem to be slower. Yesterday I ran some fast cars and the frame rate was every bit as good as in the PS2 version, but with prettier scenery going by! HOWEVER, in order to get that great sense of speed on the XBOX you have to use the 1st person road view, if you use any of the “outside” 3rd person views, the sense of speed is not there, this may be the grip most people have with the frame rate on the XBOX. Here’s something that some XBOX owners may not know…the RIGHT trigger actually acts as a boost button! The game manual and the game itself has no mention of this! (at least non that I could find) Would you like to Comment? Join VideoGameReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member. Rating Reviewed By Nate JohnsonFrom New York Queens Review Date 10/15/2002 Overall Rating 4 of 5 Rate this review? Summary In brief EA Games and the Need For Speed company have done it again. They managed to make another Need For Speed title without letting down their current gamers or making a bad impression on new gamers. With its many strong points, you can VERY easily see past the few weak point of the game.Just like the last game, you are racing through huge worlds in two modes, Hot Pursuit and World Racing to unlock courses and over 40 cars. Hot Pursuit of course is with police and World Racing is without the police and with more computer components. Each has their own event tree that helps you unlock cars and courses by earning NFS points, and doing special missions. Not much has change since last game, so if you loved the original Hot Pursuit, this game will be no disappointment. Sound The car's sound in this game are awesome. Every car has a different an unique engine sound that literally makes you want fall in love with each car, regardless on its looks. When cars pass, or when you crash, all the sound and perfectly timed and it is as real as it gets.Now the music on the other hand is not what I was hoping for. I honesty was hoping for music more like, if not a recantation of the original NFS Hot Pursuit music. For those racers who's history doesn't go back that far; the original Hot Pursuit music to me was hottest techno music that I had heard in a racing game at that current time. It is not the diet techno you get fed in the current NFS game. But don’t let how I feel scare, or offend you, because isn't all that bad. If you have a liking for rock and a weird combination of pop music, than the games soundtrack will not disappoint you. Gameplay The game play for the most part is smooth and fluid like. You get blown away with realism that was put into the handling a performance each of the cars. As you get use to the control of the cars, you car put the handle level on extreme and enjoy super realistic control.Even with it's huge emphasis on realism they let a few factors slide that add excitement and a beatable but most of the time annoying challenge, to the game. For starters: In Hot Pursuit Mode the police have: *Infinite Boost power -This allows you to catch the speeders but also makes it harder for you to get away. *The Ability to Request Police Assistance -With three Police Assistance Requests available, you can order a roadblock (spike strip) or a helicopter attack þ). The computer on the other hand is not limited þ(. *A Good Selection Of Police Cruisers. -They give you the performance you need to keep up with racers, but also makes it impossible to genuinely outclass the police. *A Event Table For Hot Pursuit Mode and World Racing Mode. -Most people would consider this to be an great thing, and to a point it is. But if you are a well seasoned gamer like myself, it wont take very long before everything is accomplished. *The Cars and Tracks You Unlock Are Not Worth The Trouble. -They just aren’t, they only make two player mode worth wild. If you don't have somebody to race against the game quickly becomes boring. If you can see theses flaws in the game, than you will love playing it. | |||||||||||||||||
4.53 of 5
