Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"All it's cracked up to be"

The second game in the series, and like the original it was released on PC. Before I get into detail, you're reading of a review of a guy who played both the playstation version and the special edition for the PC before checking this out, and it actually measures up to be almost as great as the widly known special edition, but comparing this to the ps version, it is exactly the same, except with more acceptable graphics and frame-rate along with AI names. Electronic Arts did not seem to care so much about Need For Speed on playstation until Hot Pursuit, probably because they had very little to make with the lack of quality graphics for the playstation before 1998.
But for Need For Speed II on PC, those awful pop-up graphics and choppy frame rates have come to an end, placing this well ahead of the playstation version. Because of that, I'm now able to sit down and enjoy the game without the interruption of pop ups as they tend to generate the 'old-school' feeling of low quality graphics.

On to the game, just like the ps1 version, we're given eight cars to choose from as well as a bonus car for completing the tournament. My favorites personally are the Mclaren F1 and the Jaguar XJ220. Both cars have provided me with intense racing against eleven other opponents (yes, eleven, one thing neither the ps1 or special edition had) adding onto the entertainment.
Along with that, we have six new courses (and one bonus for winning the knockout) which I personally consider to be greater than the tracks of the original since NFS2 courses actually exist...
Oh how I remember the good old days when I would find myself crashing and tumbling thousands of times on Mediterraneo or Monolithic Studios or running like the speed freak in Outback and Pacific Spirit. All provided hasn't disappointed me in relation of the Need For Speed II cars and tracks.

We're also given a new mode known as 'arcade' along with 'simulation'. I find myself keeping well away from the 'simulation' mode due to frequent inability to maintain control over the cars. Arcade mode does me fine, and as un-realistic as the drifting on Need For Speed II may be, its what you'd call good hours of fun.
EA have done a fine job with the menu design and it keeps all options placed tidily and seperated, and moving on, I was quite impressed with the AI options as you can now select between racing alone, with another person or in a full grid of twelve including yourself. This now brings me to the lack of Police in this game, who cares? NFS II's fabulous impressions of greatness lead me to great thoughts as such, but the cops in the original were nothing but annoying mustangs anyway.

We're given three race modes, Single Race, Tournament and Knockout.
Knockout is heaps fun as getting to know a specific AI such as Nemesis or the annoying Zippy and we always want to juggle the results to eliminate who we don't want to continue. But I've got myself eliminated a couple of times for doing that, so be warned, winning is more important than AI results. I have nothing to complain about here.




Gameplay:


Racing into action is the beginning of what has always been a tough driving simulation. I was not too fond with the driving controls/systems anywhere near as much as the next few releases due to the time of NFS II, but regardless, the action is fun and intense, and crashing can be hilarious especially when it involves flipping up, down, left and right hundreds of times. So all in all, gameplay is very good for NFS II.

8.2/10


Graphics:


Okay, I'm not too fussed but I'm surprised in relation to the negative comments in relation to NFS II's graphics. They are a little lower in quality than the special edition but the difference isn't huge.
There really isn't anything bad about them, it's 1997, it's what is expected around this time. At least (unlike the ps1 version) we're not given close pop up graphics and choppy frame-rates. All I'd recommend is if the graphics bother you so much, play NFS II SE with the 3dfx glide patch installed. It works like a charm in most cases and provides a more realistic look.
Overall, the graphics are decent and passable at best.

7.3/10


Sound:


I've always envied the sound effects on NFS II. Comparing it with NFS III and IV's, I just wished they had kept these sounds as they seem far more realistic than what NFS receives nowadays. The first two games will always hold superior power over sound effects than the more recent releases, but the music is a completely different story. Superior to the original NFS soundtrack? Hell yes. This time we're given a mixture of rock and techno with interactive music. NFS II and III are the only NFS releases I can remember that played various parts of a specific song based on where you are currently positioned on the track you're doing.
Hearing the crashing, sound effects and engine noises really hasten the grip of realism in the gameplay, it truly is a winner.

8.3/10

Value:


In my opinion, NFS II deserves more postive reception than it does, and just because there is a special edition, it doesn't make this completely inferior. Besides, this version holds the sole NFS with more than eight AI opponents in a single race along with a stronger NFS II 'feel'.

This is my opinion but the lack of Police did not become a huge issue as the gameplay just provided all the fun I need to keep interested in this game.


8.0/10


Overall:


So, the sequel deserves the given score, and right now I'm not too sure whether this is better or worse than the original. Putting aside the lack of more cars which disappointed many or the fact that there are no Police to be seen... NFS II for PC is an incredible improvement over the playstation version, graphics wise while various tuning options and high entertainment from gameplay proved us that Electronic Arts could do it again... NFS II is a very good game, an impressive sequel that I still keep fond memories of.


My actual score:
7.9/10 "Good"