What to play? – Need for Speed Underground
I present to your attention a new article from the “What to play?” Series, in which I very briefly talk about games that really deserve a return to your computers.
Today I propose to return to the streets of the night Olympic City from Need for Speed Undeground, and with graphics mods. This is one of the most significant racing games of the zeros, which for many years became the benchmark for how games of this genre should be made.
So why was the game so valued at the time? To begin with, I note that the project successfully captured cultural trends, or rather, the fashion for street racing, which was largely launched by the Fast and the Furious movie. All these night city lights, cars with neon under the bottom, as well as the atmosphere of illegal races were not as beaten as they are now, but, on the contrary, were a breath of fresh air in the arcade racing genre. And even though Undeground is far from the first game to popularize street racing (the same Midnight Club by this time had already released the second part), it was one of the most discussed projects of those years.
Another reason was the unique car customization system at that time. In addition to the fact that you are free to improve the performance of your iron horse, putting a cooler engine, gearbox, tires, etc., you have the opportunity to express your individuality by taking on the appearance of the car. Previously, before the release of NFS Underground, the emphasis in racing games was placed only on graphics, physics and control. The visual component of almost any project usually ended with the choice of car color. In Need for Speed Underground, players can choose from spoilers, rims, neon lights in different colors, hoods, a variety of paints and airbrush options to create truly unique cars. In those years, schoolchildren often boasted to each other about how unusual their virtual car looked. The fact of such enthusiasm for this innovation is easily explained, because the forces spent on creating the appearance seem to bring you closer to your racing machine, increasing attachment to it. This is no longer a faceless car, made in accordance with the tastes of the developers, but a full-fledged comrade in which you have invested a piece of your soul.
The possibility of choosing different race options was also significant. Now these are not just races in a circle, as in the previous parts of the series, but completely new modes that have appeared in this part of the NFS. And even though the police chases from the Underground were cut, there is already something to do in it. In addition to the usual races (including knockout), sprint (a race from one point of the city to another), drift (a race whose goal is to score as many points as possible by sending the car into a controlled skid) and drag racing ( racing in a straight line, where timely gear changes are monitored for the best set of speed). Each mode is unique in its own way and has interesting moments. For example, I’ve always loved drag racing, but I’ve seen a lot of feedback from people who literally hate it. Not everyone succeeds instead of the usual tracking of the track, obstacles and oncoming traffic, to control the gear shift and do it at the right moment, getting maximum acceleration. Another unusual type of racing was drifting, where the player rides on a small track and tries to keep the balance of speed and perfect drifting into corners without hitting the walls. The better the skid is executed (and the closer you get to the wall), the more points you get. But be careful, sometimes it’s better to stop a skid, save points, and start a new one than risk it for a higher multiplier. Keep in mind that any collision with an obstacle resets your counter.
Need for Speed Underground was good for its arcade physics, which, although it did not really convey the feeling of driving a car, gave an interesting and dynamic gameplay, while maintaining the individuality of the cars present. Every car feels different. And even though this is not regulated in any way in the game, certain cars are better suited for a specific type of racing. You will very quickly understand which car is easier to drift, and which one to compete in the ring race. The only pity is that the possibility of buying several cars at once is not provided. When purchasing another car, all your purchases from the previous one are automatically transferred to it, including spare parts and visual items. And since there is plenty of money in the game, and a new wheeled friend does not cost too much, this introduces an aesthetic problem rather than a factual one.
The appearance of a plot in the series is another feature of this part. Yes, there was very little of him and he was served with the help of rare videos and brief monologues between missions, but the very fact of his presence added meaning to the gameplay. Now the game was no longer aimless races combined into a campaign, but had a narrative that prompted action. As an aspiring racer who wants to win honor, respect and become a legend of the night streets, you will have to challenge the king of this city named Eddie. On the way to glory, you will meet many characters who can both provide assistance and become your competitors on the track.
If you ask any person who has played NFS Underground what he associates it with first of all, he, of course, will say – with music! And this is no accident, because the game was licensed just an amazing soundtrack! Driving and energetic – just what you need when you rush at high speed through the streets of a night city. Having launched the game, already in the menu you will be met by a cult among the fans of the game Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz – Get Lowand once in the race, you will hear songs from artists such as Rob Zombie, Junkie XL, The Crystal Method, Static X, Story of the Year, and many others. Their music has become the hallmark of the project, causing a surge of nostalgia when listening. Even if you do not want to return to this game, I suggest you turn on the playlist and remember how it was.
Interesting fact: the game files contain seven songs that for some reason were cut from the release version.
If we are already talking about returning to the game, I suggest installing an assembly with graphic mods that include ReShade and improved textures. Unfortunately, even the most advanced mods are not able to raise the game to modern standards, but they allow at least a little improvement in the visual experience. In the Telegram channel I
with an already installed game, crack and mod. If interested – you are welcome.
In conclusion, I will say that the game at the start made a lot of noise, giving a second wind and a lot of new ideas to an already stagnating series. In subsequent projects, many mechanics and elements will be finalized, but it is the first NFS Underground that is the very foundation thanks to which this line of games has developed in the future. I enjoyed playing it now, and despite some shortcomings, I really enjoyed racing around Olympic City even after 20 years. I advise you to plunge into the world of night racing!
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