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 PGR
had its fans and others that did not like the game.
It was one that required the player to use more than
speed to win. You needed all the skills of a pro racer
in order to win. The game also had a unique point
system called "Kudos" awarded for power sliding, drifting
techniques and making the perfect line just to name
a few. The game was the number 1 racing game for the
Xbox in sales. After playing the game, people soon
learn the game was more than a simple racing game.
It offered fast racing yet focused more on the realistic
ways of real life racing. PGR 2 takes the same approach
and really delivers a game that is more than a sequel
with just a few more cars and tracks added to it.
PGR 2 is a game that is made for those who love to
race but also like the real aspects included. If you're
simply into the arcade style of racing and hitting
the gas and going, then the game will seem very hard.
In fact the game is made to teach you the finer points
of the sport while offering some great things and
hours of fun.
PGR 2 is loaded with levels and different classes
of cars. The game supports 4-player's offline or 8
by linking up two systems. There are 14 different
classes alone and over 100 Cars. It also includes
over 100 tracks from all over the world. They also
included night and daytime races; in short the game
has something for everyone. Learning the game will
challenge you until you go through the first few levels
and learn the way the points are awarded. Basically
it teaches you how to handle any situation in a real
race. Over slide a turn and start to loose control
and you will learn how to get the car back under control.
When the first game came out, a lot of people asked
how to get the points needed in certain challenges
in the game. You will learn that you can combine combos
and chain them together. This multiplies the points.
In many ways think of Tony Hawk and the way you earn
trick points. It's not that different just another
sport. The game is certainly geared for those who
want to enjoy a more realistic racing game.
Bizarre should be really proud of PGR 2. They managed
to add so many things into this game and it still
looks great. Also with the added Xbox live support
and downloadable content even more options, cars and
modes of play will be available this certainly adds
to the replay value. The cars look great until you
smack one against a rail or another car and it will
show the damage. Does it affect the cars performance?
It depends on who you ask. In a way it does and in
a way it's just for show. However, with a game that
looks and plays this great, who cares? The game has
some great graphics and the frame rate is great. The
locations were modeled after the real places and the
details really help the game stand out. Like any racing
game there are times where you will have to learn
the tracks before being able to beat the challenge
or earn those big points. They did a great job making
the game playable in many different ways. You can
try and just win or beat the challenge or go for the
record and really work on your skills.
 The
game plays as well online as it does off line. Although
the lobby could be a little better since you will
have to do a search a few times to find a mode your
looking for. As far as the way the game plays while
online its very smooth and I noticed no lag. Something
I was surprised at with up to 7 other players all
going at it. When you're playing the single player
mode and have the Xbox connected to live, you will
also have help in the way of a ghost car in certain
levels, another great feature. After you complete
a race or challenge, it will show you how you compare
to others via Live. You will need to start with the
little cars and work your way up but that's part of
the fun of the game. While doing the cone challenge,
you can score big points by pulling off the prefect
360 while trying to finish the challenge. They really
left it wide open for the players. As you improve,
so will the AI and it can get hard even for those
who think they rule at racing games.
PGR 2 has excellent controls. The only thing that
might get a little frustrating is the fact they placed
the camera button (The White Button) too close to
the hand brake (The A Button). This at times can mess
you up a little if you hit the camera button during
a race. Nothing major and after some time you will
learn how to avoid this from happening. You also have
the choice of steering with the D pad or the left
joystick. The gear shifting buttons and everything
else are placed for easy access. If you want, you
can even change them. The game has some impressive
graphics and even a few neat effects like the sun
hitting the back taillights and causing a reflection,
small things that really make the game feel real.
There are a few blind areas in the game. That is common
for any racing game. Other than that the game really
shows off some great graphics.
The sound effects are great and they included a wide
range of music in the game over 200 songs. If you
want more then switch to your custom soundtrack and
play to the tunes that you want. You can even play
online while listening to your own tunes. The game
also features some very realistic sounds. From the
engines to the shifting, they all sound incredible.
The tires squealing and the sound of the car sliding
are all top-notch. This is another example of a well-made
game.
 PGR
2 is a game that will take a long time to master and
to beat. You have the option of playing each challenge
or race on easy all the way to the hardest setting.
The higher the setting the more Kudos you get. There
will be a few challenges that may take several times
to beat. If you get frustrated, just take a break.
There is always a way to finish the challenge or beat
the other racers. Now with the option of taking the
game online you can see how you measure up to others
who own the game. Every time a new racing game comes
out the famous line from Cole comes to mind. "Does
the world really need another racing game?" The answer
to Cole is if it is as good as this one than most
certainly! PGR 2 is a game that is fun and looks great
and proves that a sequel can be worth every Penny!
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One
of the highlights of the Xbox launch, Project Gotham
Racing was one of those racing games you either loved
or didn't quite love so much. Due to it's pinpoint
accuracy requirements for such things as, oh, turning
a corner, PGR separated the men from the boys when
it came down to sheer video game driving prowess.
Personally we kinda dug it around these parts - but
not everyone around here was a big fan.
