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''Need for Speed II'' was met with mixed reviews. Aggregating review websites [[GameRankings]] and [[Metacritic]] gave the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] version 71.39% and 71/100<ref name="MCPS"/><ref name=GRPS /> and the [[Microsoft Windows|PC]] version 68.25%.<ref name=GRPC /> A [[GameSpot]] reviewer liked the game but felt most of the roads were "outrageous" and that the cars would be unfamiliar to many.<ref name="gs">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/need-for-speed-ii-review/1900-2543786/ |title=Need for Speed II Review for PC |author=Tasos Kaiafas |accessdate=2009-09-30 |date=1997-05-15 |work= |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. }}</ref> An Adrenaline Vault review described the game as a "good overall driving experience" with easy installation, realistic sound effects and both an excellent interface and music.<ref name="av">{{cite web |url=http://www.avault.com/reviews/pc/need-for-speed-2-pc-review/ |title=Need for Speed 2 PC review |author=Shawn Quigley |accessdate=2009-09-30 |date=1997-05-11 |work=Adrenaline Vault |publisher=NewWorld.com, Inc. }}</ref> Another review like the crisper graphics, smoother animation, rich colors and increased detail compared to the original.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamegoldies.org/download-nfs2-ea-need-for-speed-2-review/ |title=The Need for Speed 2 by Electronic Arts. NFS 2 Download and Review |accessdate=2009-09-30 |date=2007-11-05 |work=Old Games Collection }}</ref>
''Need for Speed II'' was met with mixed reviews. Aggregating review websites [[GameRankings]] and [[Metacritic]] gave the [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] version 71.39% and 71/100<ref name="MCPS"/><ref name=GRPS /> and the [[Microsoft Windows|PC]] version 68.25%.<ref name=GRPC /> A [[GameSpot]] reviewer liked the game but felt most of the roads were "outrageous" and that the cars would be unfamiliar to many.<ref name="gs">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/need-for-speed-ii-review/1900-2543786/ |title=Need for Speed II Review for PC |author=Tasos Kaiafas |accessdate=2009-09-30 |date=1997-05-15 |work= |publisher=CBS Interactive Inc. }}</ref> An Adrenaline Vault review described the game as a "good overall driving experience" with easy installation, realistic sound effects and both an excellent interface and music.<ref name="av">{{cite web |url=http://www.avault.com/reviews/pc/need-for-speed-2-pc-review/ |title=Need for Speed 2 PC review |author=Shawn Quigley |accessdate=2009-09-30 |date=1997-05-11 |work=Adrenaline Vault |publisher=NewWorld.com, Inc. |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105034600/http://www.avault.com/reviews/pc/need-for-speed-2-pc-review/ |archivedate=2010-01-05 |df= }}</ref> Another review like the crisper graphics, smoother animation, rich colors and increased detail compared to the original.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamegoldies.org/download-nfs2-ea-need-for-speed-2-review/ |title=The Need for Speed 2 by Electronic Arts. NFS 2 Download and Review |accessdate=2009-09-30 |date=2007-11-05 |work=Old Games Collection }}</ref>


Criticism of the game stemmed from its being easier to play and therefore less realistic than its predecessor.<ref name="tt">{{cite web |url=http://www.techtree.com/India/Reviews/The_Evolution_of_Need_for_Speed/551-87812-699-1.html |title=The Evolution of Need for Speed |author=Navneet Prakash |accessdate=2009-09-30 |date=2008-03-22 |work=techtree.com |publisher=UNML }}</ref> An [[IGN]] review felt the game was not as good as the original.<ref name="ign">{{cite web |url=http://au.psx.ign.com/objects/000/000739.html |title=Need for Speed II |accessdate=2009-09-30 |work=IGN.com |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. }}</ref> Some reviewers felt the steering was a little "jerky," and one went as far as to describe the graphical details as poor.<ref name="ign"/> Another issue was that the game required a fast computer at the time, to display the graphics at the highest setting.<ref name="av"/><ref name="tt"/> A reviewer for [[Computer and Video Games]] didn't appreciate the combination of super realist cars being driven on fantasy tracks and thought that the crashes "look and feel wrong".<ref name="cvg"/> The Official PlayStation Magazine said the game had "atrocious handling" and that it soon got boring.<ref name="opsr" />
Criticism of the game stemmed from its being easier to play and therefore less realistic than its predecessor.<ref name="tt">{{cite web |url=http://www.techtree.com/India/Reviews/The_Evolution_of_Need_for_Speed/551-87812-699-1.html |title=The Evolution of Need for Speed |author=Navneet Prakash |accessdate=2009-09-30 |date=2008-03-22 |work=techtree.com |publisher=UNML |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130205070522/http://www.techtree.com/India/Reviews/The_Evolution_of_Need_for_Speed/551-87812-699-1.html |archivedate=2013-02-05 |df= }}</ref> An [[IGN]] review felt the game was not as good as the original.<ref name="ign">{{cite web |url=http://au.psx.ign.com/objects/000/000739.html |title=Need for Speed II |accessdate=2009-09-30 |work=IGN.com |publisher=IGN Entertainment, Inc. }}</ref> Some reviewers felt the steering was a little "jerky," and one went as far as to describe the graphical details as poor.<ref name="ign"/> Another issue was that the game required a fast computer at the time, to display the graphics at the highest setting.<ref name="av"/><ref name="tt"/> A reviewer for [[Computer and Video Games]] didn't appreciate the combination of super realist cars being driven on fantasy tracks and thought that the crashes "look and feel wrong".<ref name="cvg"/> The Official PlayStation Magazine said the game had "atrocious handling" and that it soon got boring.<ref name="opsr" />


===''Special Edition''===
===''Special Edition''===

Revision as of 09:06, 15 February 2018

Need for Speed II
Cover art featuring Ferrari F50
Developer(s)EA Canada (PS)
EA Seattle (PC)
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Producer(s)Hanno Lemke
Designer(s)Scott Blackwood
Hanno Lemke
Programmer(s)Laurent Ancessi
Writer(s)Gregg Giles
Richard Mul
Scott Blackwood
Composer(s)Saki Kaskas
Jeff van Dyck
Alistair Hirst
SeriesNeed for Speed
Platform(s)PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
ReleasePlayStation
  • NA: March 31, 1997
  • EU: 1997
Microsoft Windows
  • NA, EU: 1997
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Need for Speed II is a racing video game released in 1997. It is a part of the Need for Speed series and is the second installment in the series, following Road & Track Presents: The Need for Speed.

Setting

The tracks are based on fantasized or exaggerated race courses in otherwise real settings around the world. For example, in one course cars race through a Hollywood film set while in another cars race along the edge of the Himalayan mountain range.

Gameplay

Like its predecessor, Need for Speed II allows players to race exotic cars, either against computer-controlled opponents or human opponents via a LAN, modem, serial connection, or in split screen. There are three distinct gameplay modes: Single Race mode in which a player simply chooses a car and a course and completes a single race. In this mode, the player can customize both the number and type of opponents as well as the number of laps to be completed. Tournament Mode in which the player must complete a series of races successfully to unlock a bonus car. The Knockout Mode consists of a series of 2-lap races with 8 opponents; the last-place finisher at the end of each race is eliminated from the competition.

The game features eight real life high-end sports cars and concept cars which the player can drive and race against. The "Special Edition" release of the game added four additional cars. In addition, the game features a "showcase" which provides photos, videos, and technical information about the cars as well as the history of each company and background of each car's development.

The game also features several new elements compared to the previous game in the form of customizable car paint and components of their car including gear ratios, tires, and spoilers.

Special features

As in the original Need for Speed, the game features detailed specifications, history, and audio commentaries on each vehicle. The largest feature are several full motion video (FMV) segments for each of the cars, several of them being the professionally-produced videos for the concept vehicles produced and directed from Vancouver by Howard Shaw of creativeguy productions.

Development

Need for Speed II was developed by EA Canada. The lead programmer for the game was Laurent Ancessi with Wei Shoong Teh and Brad Gour as senior programmers.[1] To ensure the physics of fast car handling and performance were as accurate as possible, the programmers collaborated with the manufactures of each vehicle.[2]

Reception

Need for Speed II was met with mixed reviews. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the PlayStation version 71.39% and 71/100[1][3] and the PC version 68.25%.[4] A GameSpot reviewer liked the game but felt most of the roads were "outrageous" and that the cars would be unfamiliar to many.[5] An Adrenaline Vault review described the game as a "good overall driving experience" with easy installation, realistic sound effects and both an excellent interface and music.[8] Another review like the crisper graphics, smoother animation, rich colors and increased detail compared to the original.[9]

Criticism of the game stemmed from its being easier to play and therefore less realistic than its predecessor.[10] An IGN review felt the game was not as good as the original.[6] Some reviewers felt the steering was a little "jerky," and one went as far as to describe the graphical details as poor.[6] Another issue was that the game required a fast computer at the time, to display the graphics at the highest setting.[8][10] A reviewer for Computer and Video Games didn't appreciate the combination of super realist cars being driven on fantasy tracks and thought that the crashes "look and feel wrong".[2] The Official PlayStation Magazine said the game had "atrocious handling" and that it soon got boring.[7]

Special Edition

Released on November 6, 1997 in the United States and February 2, 1998 in Japan and Europe, the special edition of Need for Speed II includes one extra race track, four extra cars, three bonus cars, a new driving style called "wild", and 3dfx Glide hardware acceleration support.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Need for Speed II (PlayStation) reviews at". Metacritic. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  2. ^ a b c Duncan McDonald (13 August 2001). "PC Review: Need For Speed 2 Review". ComputerAndVideoGames.com. Future Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 2009-11-01.
  3. ^ a b "Need for Speed II (PlayStation) reviews at". GameRankings. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  4. ^ a b "Need for Speed II (PC) reviews at". GameRankings. CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
  5. ^ a b Tasos Kaiafas (1997-05-15). "Need for Speed II Review for PC". CBS Interactive Inc. Retrieved 2009-09-30.
  6. ^ a b c "Need for Speed II". IGN.com. IGN Entertainment, Inc. Retrieved 2009-09-30.
  7. ^ a b Need For Speed 2 review, Official UK PlayStation Magazine, Future Publishing, June 1997, issue 20, page 117
  8. ^ a b c Shawn Quigley (1997-05-11). "Need for Speed 2 PC review". Adrenaline Vault. NewWorld.com, Inc. Archived from the original on 2010-01-05. Retrieved 2009-09-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "The Need for Speed 2 by Electronic Arts. NFS 2 Download and Review". Old Games Collection. 2007-11-05. Retrieved 2009-09-30.
  10. ^ a b Navneet Prakash (2008-03-22). "The Evolution of Need for Speed". techtree.com. UNML. Archived from the original on 2013-02-05. Retrieved 2009-09-30. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
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