Need For Speed Underground

Need for Speed: Underground is a fast-paced racing game designed for Windows operating systems on the personal computer.

Those who are fans of action-packed racing games that offer truly impressive levels of excitement will certainly not be disappointed with Need for Speed: Underground. Developed and published by manufacturer Electronic Arts in 2003, this game holds the reputation of being one of the first street racing games within this massive genre. There are a number of unique features associated with this platform and as it is able to be purchased as a free trial version, a closer look is warranted.

Plot

The player will be immediately thrown into the middle of an exciting street racing scenario located in the fictional environment known as Olympic City. An Acura Integra is the first vehicle supplied although upgrades can be made along the way. As in other role-playing games, Need for Speed: Underground offers a helping hand through a character named Samantha. She is able to provide tips and tricks along the way; many of these enabling the player to advance to different levels while enjoying a host of different vehicles. There are other racers that will be encountered within the increasingly difficult competitions. As the player becomes more advanced, he or she can gain experience points as well as vehicular upgrades.

Different Modes of Play

There are several different types of play which can be chosen from the beginning. Three interesting additions are "drag", "sprint" and "drift".

Drag racing is very popular and pits two to three competitors in head-to-head competition; much like in a real-life competition. Good timing, great reflexes and the need to employ technologies such as nitrous oxide are all factors to be taken into account.

Sprint races will take place on a traditional track but these matches are shorter than the traditional circuit variety. While infused with action, they are also technically challenging and the driver must make sure he can run a technically proficient race.

Drifting is considered to be the most difficult addition included in Need for Speed: Underground. It consists of a shorter track and the player is literally required to drift during the course in order to score valuable points. Bonuses are awarded for those who perform more difficult movements and this is the only race within the game that does not have a time limit. Those who are looking to hone their skills may therefore choose drifting before entering into the more common races.

Upgrades and Tuning

One of the reasons that Need for Speed: Underground proved to be very popular in 2003 was that there are a number of different tuning options that players could take advantage of as they progressed in experience. Some of the choices include decals, rims, spoilers, tinted windows and kits to increase the width (and stability) of the car. In the same respect, the performance of the vehicles can be enhanced. This will come in very handy when street racing through scintillating Olympic City.

Vehicle Models

Another interesting innovation that can be seen in this game is that many high-end street racing vehicles are made available. In fact, some of these were taken directly from the movie The Fast & the Furious (and the subsequent game). Fans of this franchise will therefore be pleased with their options as they progress. Note that most of these cars will be "unlocked" as experience points are gained.

Music and Soundtracks

Much like other successful games within the racing genre, Need for Speed: Underground provides an action-packed soundtrack that mirrors its graphical excitement. Some of the artists included are Rob Zombie, Story of the Year, Overseer, Lil' John & the Eastside Boyz, Fuel and Rancid. In many ways, this is comparable to the bands heard in the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

Specifications

Need for Speed: Underground is compatible with Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows ME and Windows XP. It is 291.5 megabytes in size. This is due to its release date of well over a decade ago. Still, the developer recommends that a computer should host at least 128 megabytes of memory. 32 megabytes are devoted to the video components within. Direct X 9 is the required platform to support the graphics of the game. A processing power of 700 MHz or higher is likewise necessary.

A Summary of Need for Speed: Underground

This game is a great choice for anyone who enjoys action-packed racing platforms that also boast impressive graphics. To review, let us look at a few benefits and potential drawbacks of Need for Speed: Underground.

Design the car of your dreams before hitting the city streets to race other drivers.

Need For Speed Underground isn't the typical racing game. Take to the streets in Olympic City, completing challenges and racing against other drivers who have cars with a design similar to yours. The game begins in your garage where you will look through numerous vehicles that include Honda, Toyota and Nissan.

In order to earn money to upgrade your car, you have to complete challenges, such as drag racing or drifting. When you have enough money saved, you can add components to your car to make it faster or to make it handle better on curves. There are three new ways to play that have been added to this version. You are now able to drag race against another car to see who can get the best time, drift around curves, or sprint from one location to another before you run out of time.

Some of the aspects of the game include the realistic appearances of the cars and some of the most popular modifications that drivers can make to a vehicle, such as spoilers, tint for the windows and new rims. There are also several options when it comes to upgrading the engine of the car so that it's faster. New races have been added to Need For Speed Underground, and you'll also meet new opponents. As you increase your reputation among other drivers, you have the opportunity to earn more money, which allows you to make your car better. Once you conquer certain courses, you unlock more quests to complete, which offer higher rewards.