Project Gotham Racing 2 (Xbox Classics)

In offline mode, players compete for Kudos points, taking part in time trials, road races and a variety of high-speed challenges that allow them to unlock new cars and circuits from the many on offer. These unlocked treats can then be played single player or taken online and raced with competitors over the Xbox Live system.

It's almost bewildering to race around the tight streets of Italy in a Mini Cooper then take over the wheel of some ludicrously overpowered American muscle car and attempt to keep it in a straight line as the power to the back wheels constantly forces it to fishtail out of control. Full credit must go to programmers Bizarre Creations for not only furnishing the game with a broad range of vehicles but also making each one feel so very different--changing car classes can be quite a challenge.

With locations around the world (Australia, Russia, Spain and even Edinburgh featuring strongly), the graphical look of the game is lush and a real treat for the eyes. Birds soar lazily over the racetracks, there's no popup to speak of and in Yokohama even the big wheel in the distant fairground is fully animated--though at the speed this games moves along it's unlikely you'll have time to check it out.

Take PGR2 online and the fun really begins--there's simply nothing like blasting through the tyre smoke of a multi-car pile-up and taunting the opposition as you roar into the distance. Pages could be written about how engaging, absorbing, deep and exciting this game is but it's enough to say it's destined to be a massive hit. It's a must for petrol-heads everywhere. --Chris Russell

I just can't get enough of occasions where without fail, everyone PELTS full speed into the barriers on the first corner in an eagerness to get that vital lead spot, accompanied by the sounds of people creasing up with laughter over the communicator. There is something more fulfilling about racing some real people than GT4s mindless drone cars. When was the last time that a car in GT4 weaved around in front of you, trying to stop you getting past? Smacked into your rear end to spin you out in front of the finishing line? Misjudge a corner and completely screw up? It just doesn't happen, the AI just can't compete with the human element.

Yes PGR2 has been out for donkeys years now, but I'm only just cottoning onto the Live experience with this game and its an absolute blast.


THE BEST RACING GAME EVER   March 19, 2005
 2 out of 3 found this review helpful

man this game is really good, if you want a good and the best racing game on x box get projet gotham racing 2, you can drive all the best cars including the ferrari enzo, lotus, lexus and a lot more. i have been playing this game for some time now but i still think it's the best racing game. the graphics are so realistics that you will think that you are in the car.you race around the world in all the countries including the streets of Chicago,Washington DC,Florence,Barcelona,Edinburgh,Yokohama and a lot more. i think that the graphics are better on x box than if you were playing it on ps2. if you are getting an x box get this game. it is still my 5 star game but i am only waiting for forza motorsport ot come out, that game will be very good, but fornow i will stick with PGR2. i hope that my review was helpful to you. thanks for reading...