The Need for Speed series of games has built a reputation on stretching the boundaries of the racing genre. With over 20 installments in the past 2 decades, NFS has toured in porches, romped in rallies, and even run from the law on a few off occasions. The next installment, Need for Speed: Underground, will take the player to the increasingly hyped Illegal Street Circuit to race against rice burners and pilfer pink slips.
Alliteration aside, let's go over the basics.
The controls are nice and responsive, and defiantly of the "arcade" persuasion. The graphics are standard, and really benefit from the great level designs. Zipping past bright neon lights and elaborate skyrises is a visual delight. The framerate suffers a bit, which detracts not only from its appeal but also its gameplay.
There is also a severe lack of damage modeling. I was able to take my little Eclipse, clock it up to 125 mph, and proceed to run myself into an oncoming taxi. The taxi then proceeded to run into a telephone pole. The taxi, myself, and even the pole walked away from this incident without a single scratch. I hope they fix the damage modeling before the game is released. I was also thrown off by the lack of in-game music, especially in a game where heavy beats would have complimented the overall style.
The key to this title's gameplay is going to be the different game modes available. First, you've got your Circuit mode: take a few laps, win races to unlock and update cars, and so forth. There is nothing novel about this approach, but it's a solid strategy for a game such as this. However, this mode is a little too forgiving as bumping into walls, buildings and even other cars doesn't slow you down. This detracts from the strategy, and leaves you with a run-of-the mill arcade driving game.
But where this game really excels is the drag race, where challenge, style, and speed combine to form one of the most interesting takes on driving games in years. As drag racing doesn't have you doing any turns, your main focus lies in perfecting your shift, drafting your opponents and hitting your nitrous at the prescribed time. The camera is nice and shaky when you get over 100, and prepare for some real rumbling when you hit the nitrous oxide.
Control is as difficult as it should be, rivals are sharp and devious, and the levels are just as beautiful as any other portion of the game. The only flaw in drag mode is the use of scripted events, which means that the same oncoming traffic, trains and other moving obstacles will get in your way at the same time every time you race. This detracts from the reality of the game, and makes crossing the line first less of an art and more of a science. Still, it's not enough to make the mode any less interesting to play.
There's defiantly some clean-up to be done, but with a little polish this title should come out looking fresh and clean. Expect Need for Speed: Underground on shelves mid-November.
