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Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit 2
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 18 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 13 votes
Read user comments
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Game Info
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Seattle
Genre(s): Racing, Driving
Players: 2
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: October 1, 2002
Summary
Become the "Champion Road Racer" by conquering numerous racing events, all carrying rewards such as: cars, tracks and high performance upgrades. The game challenges the driver to dodge traffic, police and natural elements in high speed and high style... true NFS style! Evade any cops encountered, as getting busted just might end your career. [Electronic Arts]
Also On Metacritic
GAMES: Need for Speed Most Wanted Need for Speed Underground
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Official Game Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GamePro
The Xbox version varies from the PS2 edition in several key ways—different challenge structure, no look-ahead mode, more police chatter, darker colors, and a points-based system for unlocking cars and tracks—but it’s no less fun.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
The fuzz and Need's sense of speed are what kept me playing. However, many of the modes are the same rat race in disguise. [Nov 2002, p.141]
Entertainment Weekly
Killer aerial shots, intense chases, and a rock-infused soundtrack make for a heart-pounding ride. [18 Oct 2002, p.124]
G4 TV
The graphics are decent, good enough on the PS2 but lacking somewhat on the Xbox.
Read Full Review >Gamestyle
If you want a game to be realistic but not so real you need an MOT, buy this game. If you feel that games should offer boundless enjoyment and make you smile like a ten year old at Christmas, buy this game.
Read Full Review >Play Magazine
The visuals at work here are arguably the best ever in high-speed, open-highway gameplay, especially considering the self-induced slow motion and course study, which is wicked cool. [Oct 2002, p.84]
Official Xbox Magazine
It's not the best racing game on Xbox, but every racing fan should try it just for its unique approach and tense chase action. [Dec 2002, p.92]
GameZone
A great multiplayer mode. Playing by yourself could use some work, but if you don't mind the unintelligent cops, or the racers that seem to ignore everything around them, there are 33 cool levels to enjoy.
Read Full Review >Cinescape
Why is this version so much different than the Playstation 2 one? I understand there were different developers, but the games are so much different and the Playstation 2 version is so much better.
Read Full Review >Electric Playground
The biggest disappointment of Hot Pursuit 2 comes in the multiplayer. There is no way to have one player be the speeder and the other player be the cop. Either you're both racers, or you're both cops. This is a terrible omission.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
The [PS2] game is easily one of the best games in the series, whereas the sloppy controls, floaty cars, and average graphics of the [Xbox] game make it simply OK.
Read Full Review >IGN
Neither the police-chasing aspect nor the brand name are enough to help elevate this game into the upper-echelon of Xbox racing games.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
A good game that would've been great if it ran as fast as the PS2 version. [Nov 2002, p.300]
Xbox Nation Magazine
Outrunning the cops while racing on gorgeous international tracks is damn fun... [but t]he intense sense of speed found in the PS2 version is missing. [Winter 2002, p.103]
Gaming Age
If you own an Xbox, however, "Project Gotham Racing" and "Sega GT 2002" take advantage of the hardware's capabilities far better than NFS: HP2.
Read Full Review >eToychest
Should be one of the best racing games available, yet on the xBox it just comes off as slow and clunky.
Read Full Review >TotalGames.net
But the worst crime of all is the dynamics – or rather, lack of them. You can plough into a police car at top speed, and mostly come to a grinding halt.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 5.6 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Scott B. gave it a4:
Bottom line....not good.
Dane B. gave it a9:
When I got my Xbox this was the first game I bought and I was not disappointed. Hours of gameplay, cars are responsive and fun to drive, learning curve exists so the game gradually gets harder, lots of fun. Easy enough to finish so you probably won't get bored before you unlock all the cars. Overall a very good buy in my opinion. I still play it two years later.
Ben D. gave it a 10:
This is actually my favourite game on X-box. Sure the cars don't handle realisticly compared to the Project Gotham Games but NOT having to slow down for corners is a lot more fun. Hardcore racing fans might not enjoy it but i feel this is the best racing game on offer. And i also think its alot better than the newer NFS-UG which has a lot of missing options. But that's just my opinion.
[Anonymous] gave it a 10:
Great.
ACE S gave it a 7:
Gameplay is very good with cops being very aggressive, lot of collisons, 2 cop cars chasing staying right with you. You can also be a cop. The graphics are good won't be disatisfied. The problem is that to unlock new tracks you have to play and beat the game and you play the same 3 tracks (also beat in reverse)which are 4 laps just to long. If you loose you start over and it gets annoying and you end up playing the same tracks as you move. You want to unlock features but after a while you just stop playing the game.
[Anonymous] gave it a 4:
Fair if it were released after NFS3, but a shit after NFS Porsche.
Deathstalker 79 gave it a 9:
Ok. For those who gave it a low score shame on you. You just don't know how to drive. Graphics are stunning, Framerate are nice and crisp, handles like a dream. Learn the mechanics of driving this ain't no Ridge Racer.
