The different challenges range from solo time-trials to competitive race series. The variety of choices makes for a nicely non-linear progression, though - you can race straight to a particular challenge if you really want that reward, or gradually go through and unlock every item in sequence. The way the tree is arranged, it immediately expands into several different options, and then contracts down once you're further into the championship, making the final challenges more difficult to attack. Each challenge unlocks some kind of reward, like a new car or track for the other game modes, as well as another challenge or two on the tree. Both the competitive race and Hot Pursuit modes are focused on an array of 30 different challenges, arranged into an expanding and contracting tree. There are two basic game modes available - racing and chasing - split up into different sub-modes. On the other hand, this gameplay model was manifestly not broken, and the extra trappings around it make the sequel a worthwhile effort. There are more tracks, more challenges, improved graphics, and so on, but the game still handles in the same way. In fact, the biggest knock against this game you could come up with as far as its basic design is that it presents, more or less, the straight Hot Pursuit experience. The creators of Hot Pursuit 2 are having none of that, of course. In a larger sense, one could view it as the last hurrah for a long tradition of arcade racing, as it appeared at the very same time as Gran Turismo's rise to prominence, when simulation racing hit the mainstream with the news that driving a Honda Civic could in fact be an exciting experience. It's generally considered Need For Speed's high-water mark, as subsequent games diluted their focus in comparison. Hot Pursuit 2 is a sequel in spirit to Need For Speed III, three installments back, which was the first game in the series to make high-speed chases its central gameplay element. They are of course not simulated with Gran Turismo's exacting precision, but it's cool to simply be given the impression of driving the world's greatest sports cars. Even the McLaren F1 is in attendance, both the original and Le Mans editions. The Ferrari 550, 360, and F50 Porsche's 911, Boxster, and Carrera GT Lotus BMW Mercedes American representatives from Corvette and Ford Aston Martins. EA has to have shelled out a positively unearthly amount of money for the licenses in this game. If you like cars, you'll probably get a kick out of the simple fantasy factor in Hot Pursuit 2's car lineup. I pick up Emap's CAR magazine off the newsstand every month, I can dope out the difference between BMW 3-series with a little effort, and I'll happily share my opinion on the Subaru Impreza's headlights or the front-end design on the Enzo Ferrari (respectively, I like them, and I don't like it). Now, I like cars, as you can tell if you've read some of my other racing reviews. Skip down to the next heading if you want to read about the game, rather than watch the author wretchedly geek out. And you'll definitely want to play it on PS2, since this version has plenty of features that the competition lacks. Gran Turismo 3 remains the best-looking racer on PS2 by a substantial margin (a margin we're starting to doubt any game will be able to make up), but Need For Speed's engine drives it well enough that it can focus on what it does best: fast, competitive, exciting arcade racing. Hot Pursuit 2 is mightily impressive simply as a collection of exotic cars - never have this many sweet rides been packed into a single game. Attempting to elude the cops in a red Ferrari 550 Barchetta, top down, is pretty good as fantasies go. After all, attempting to elude the cops in your 1989 Honda Civic DX is not much of a fantasy. Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2 delivers that fantasy in unadulterated form, and several other fine fantasies besides.
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