Need for Speed II

"What a shame for EA to waste such a potentially good game."

Need For Speed II is the second iteration of the Need For Speed series. As of many's expectation, the game came out to be a mediocre title. Fortunately Need For Speed III came to the rescue, and Need For Speed's dignity was saved. Let's talk about this so-so title.

Graphics
One of the major problem is the game's slow frame rate, which I think couldn't have been more than 15 frames per second. This slows the games action generally. As an example, the McLaren F1 seemed to be moving at 70 kilometres per hour when the speedometer showed 373 kilometres per hour. Lame action is what the slow frame rate has generated. The tracks' design are not that good as the details can't be seen very much, and there are superbly sharp, impossible corners. There is too much pop-up too, even in one player mode. So you can imagine how it likes to be in two player mode....But the crashes are spectacular. Here are some ways to crash like crazy:

1: Hit a bus sideways at 300 km/h.
2: Fly up an elevation and hit a tree. This is one of the most beautiful way.
3: Turn suddenly just before flying off an elevated terrain.

Sound
The cars roar with the power of an electric razor. They whirr, not roar to be precise. Crashes all sound too same. The music's bad. You might want to turn off the sound for a change.

Controls
Marginally better than any other aspect. You can rev the car up as fast or as slow as you want it to be. But for some cars, the controls are the living hell if the cars were chosen. Take Isdera Commendatore for example. The controls stats for it is only a bit lower than the McLaren. But controlling it is the real hell for anyone. Dare to imagine?

Difficulty
No comment.

Gameplay
I assure you, this one is not gonna last long. That's it. Not even two player mode can save the day. It would be even worse, and I'm speaking based on personal experience.

Don't even go near to this one. Please, take my advice.

Reviewer's Score: 2/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 11/01/99