Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 (PS2)

"Breathless driving, police interference, cool shortcuts, and superb 3-D. This is an enjoyable and hugely satisfying racer. 8/10."

In Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 you'll feel the rush of flying down the open road in a Ferrari, a Lamborghini, a Porsche or some other exclusive automobile recreated in loving detail. Oh, while being chased by some of the fastest cops on the roadways. There are more than 20 of the world's greatest supercars rendered in awesome detail; the immersive environments are full of downpours, intense sunlight, storms and blizzards. The crashes are spectacular, with realistic damage, and incredible graphics effects include detailed reflections, lighting effects and particle physics. Police pursuit ranges from a single police cruiser to an intensive manhunt with a full squad of cars, choppers and road blocks; traffic and police combine to create exciting situations unique to non-racetrack environments. The gameplay is fast and furious, with simulated speeds of 170 mph (running at 60 frames per second) through realistic traffic situations. There's an extensive reward path with upgraded cars, new courses, new race modes, and more.

Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 has it all--fast (officially licensed) cars, wide-open roads, and the lousiest weather you've ever seen. Just when it seemed like racing games had explored all the possibilities, here's Hot Pursuit 2 with amazing and frequently ferocious weather effects to up the ante. Forget the usual touch of drizzle or spot of fog seen in other games; here drivers have to deal with real downpours, not to mention blizzards, tornados and even fully-fledged hurricanes. The environmental challenges don't end there, either, with other hazards such as brush fires adding a real edge to each race. Even without all these fancy elements, the tracks in Hot Pursuit 2 are something else, with waterfalls, canyons, lush forests, rivers, beaches, and a whole range of other beautifully depicted environments making it a serious eye candy experience. And it's not called Hot Pursuit for nothing: as well as dealing with other drivers, there are also the cops to consider. It takes some hot driving and sneaky tactics to outwit the police, while bagging all the upgrades, Easter eggs, and extra game modes that reward hot driving.