OutRun2

"Outrun returns to gaming prosperity - in style!"

Outrun 2 is an arcade racer, through and through. It's truly a game that harkens back to the Sega of the old days, when the company made games that were easy and inviting to get into, and impossible to put down. This sequel to the original 1986 Outrun makes use of the venerable Ferrari license just like its predecessor. You get every car that was in the arcade version of Outrun 2, along with some features from the upgraded arcade Outrun 2 SP such as more cars (like the 360 Modena, my favorite) and better collision detection. The new stage areas that were included in SP are not in this Xbox version, however. Both Xbox Live support and system link support are both present, making up for the lack of split-screen multiplayer action.

The sense of speed in this game is truly something to experience. Far better than most racing games out there, the sensation of speed that is created by the tracks whizzing by you with lush scenery and passing cars is really well done. No gimmicky effects like those in Need For Speed: Underground were needed either. The 3 car views that you can choose from in this game include one that puts you right in the left-hand driver's seat. This is something that I find to be very cool, and it also is a rush to experience with the aforementioned great sense of speed. While the game is not a physics tour de force, the game does a very good job creating a slick-controlling racing experience. Admittedly, this game masks its lack of realistic physics with the ability to do crazy power slides. Fortunately, this game pulls it off well enough that most sim fans, like myself, won't mind. I personally prefer the uber-real physics of the Gran Turismo series, but I can't complain. Swerving through S-curves and traffic has never been so fun in an arcade racer.

Control-wise, this game is very tight and the cars handle very well with the Xbox controller. While the arcade version features a very nice Ferrari steering wheel and nice sturdy pedals, features that just can't be had at home, the L and R buttons are perfectly capable of the acceleration and braking duties. Don't like the L and R buttons for stop and go? No problem. You're given many control schemes to choose from, including my favorite that utilizes the right analog stick for upshifting and downshifting in manual transmission mode.

The music is very typical of an arcade racer. You have the over-enthusiastic announcer, and a handful of catchy songs with cheesy guitar riffs. It fits the game just perfectly. There are many different versions of the few songs present, so while the game doesn't have too many different songs, the various versions of the ones there make it seem as if there's more of a wealth of music than there really is.

This game features some of the best graphics I have ever seen in a racing game, and it's a shame that many people will not experience them due to Outrun 2's non-existent publicity. The Ferraris are all modeled perfectly, and the stages feature incredibly detailed and colorful objects. Seaside towns, cornfields, deserts, and the Roman Coliseum all look stunningly rendered. The use of reflection effects and shadows is nothing to look over either. This is truly a good-looking game.

Outrun 2 is a game that appears innocent as a simple arcade racer at first glance, but upon further investigation it's a monster that will suck in even the most diehard racing game fan for good. The mission mode alone is worth a good amount of time for any gamer. Add in the fact that there's the arcade and Xbox Live modes, not to mention the unlockable original Outrun 1, and you have an arcade racer that plays like an epic.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/21/04, Updated 01/03/05