Game:

Need for Speed II (1997)

Category:

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Duration: 1:36:27

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Need for Speed II, Special Edition. In my opinion, it was really this game that started Need for Speed down the path it took. The first game was more of a showcase for the cars, done in conjunction with a magazine - Road and Track. And, it was fine for what it was. It more served as an advertisement for the magazine and the game, and had he beginnings of a neat little simulator. But this is the game where the developers decided to unleash, make it more arcade inspired, and just have fun with it. It still has those showcases, still gives you some specs and history of the cars, and a little video showing you the real thing in action. But the focus really was more on the racing.

Unfortunately, the game just doesn't hold up well. Honestly, even by '98 this game was showing its age. When Gran Turismo hit, this style of Need for Speed was almost obsoleted. This one also lacked the 'gimmicks', like the police. It was just straight racing with a limited number of very floaty vehicles on tracks that were somewhat pretty, but not great to drive. Way too much focus on elevation changes, especially around corners. It's a bit of a chore to drive.

This is the series' growing pains. I enjoyed this game when it came out, but when better games released, I moved on and never looked back. And that's my recommendation for this game. It's a novel piece of gaming history, but let it stay history. -- Watch live at https://www.twitch.tv/the_nametag

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