Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit 2

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 172 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 144 out of 172
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 172
  3. Negative: 5 out of 172
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  1. Tubie
    Oct 3, 2010
    7
    The game builds on the first one and while it didn't feel as fresh it was still a nice ride and any fan of the racing genre that is looking for a fun arcade racer should pick this up.
  2. JimmyW.
    Aug 20, 2004
    5
    Is cool cos of the lamborghinnis ferraris and porsches and most of all the coppers i own this game (my first game) and used to luv it but now ime thinkin of sellin it good game for people who like to play then sell games.
  3. MattR.
    Oct 10, 2002
    7
    Fun game, but so incredibly forgiving in its physics model that it actually hurts the game. The computer can almost always pull out a last minute victory through some cheesy maneuver. The car selection is great, but they all feel the exact same, which stinks.
  4. Steve
    Oct 6, 2002
    7
    High quality, but it is missing some of the small features that made the Need for Speed series unique. I was and still am a big fan of Need for Speed: High Stakes. NFS HP2 doesnt have features such as car lights, turn signals, weather features, and damage. Its difficult to damage tail lights, or even scrape the paint on the car. The AI for the cops is much more difficult now and can be High quality, but it is missing some of the small features that made the Need for Speed series unique. I was and still am a big fan of Need for Speed: High Stakes. NFS HP2 doesnt have features such as car lights, turn signals, weather features, and damage. Its difficult to damage tail lights, or even scrape the paint on the car. The AI for the cops is much more difficult now and can be difficult and fustrating for racing. But dont get me wrong, it a great game.… Expand
  5. Uter
    Sep 17, 2003
    7
    I was pretty hyped to play this, but came away slightly disappointed. the graphics aren't great. the load times are long. and the whole experience doesn't feel fully fleshed out.
  6. oldgamer81
    May 1, 2020
    6
    Despite one big problem the game is great fun, especially because compared to many other games and the successors "underground" and "underground 2" you cannot stay on full throttle all the time. The biggest problem with the game: On the PS2, even though the gameplay is pretty fast, it feels somehow slow because the framerate is not at the standard I got used on the PS2 and the controllerDespite one big problem the game is great fun, especially because compared to many other games and the successors "underground" and "underground 2" you cannot stay on full throttle all the time. The biggest problem with the game: On the PS2, even though the gameplay is pretty fast, it feels somehow slow because the framerate is not at the standard I got used on the PS2 and the controller input is pretty delayed in responding to car steering. Especially when the screen is full and you do a hard curve, you have the impression the car reacts half a second after you start steering. The latter NFS games on the PS2 have the same problem, and I wonder why there is written so little about that. Maybe I am more sensitive to that problem?
    Anyway there is a lot of fun in racing over the different landscape tracks, chasing speeders or getting chased by the police, when you got used to the sometimes delayed controlls and the not very fluent framerate in the gameplay.
    What makes the game great anyway, besides the controll problem, is the real arcade game mechanics: You can enter a curve at top speed and spontaneously release the accelerator when you are too fast for the curve and step back on it when you feel that you get the curve and accelerate out of it. That is so much fun. Why do so few games integrate this game mechanic? NFS underground 1&2 have a typicall arcade game mechanic: Allways stay on full throttle. Boring! And other games who are diffrent from that do it too much in a simulation style way: You have to know the curve or see how steep it is and know at which speed you can enter it and have to brake down to that speed before out start steering. No, thats not how an arcade racers should be.
    Therefore I like NFS Hot Pursuit 2 very much, even though the delayed steering drives me up the wall sometime - in both senses.    … Expand
  7. neojotic
    Aug 29, 2020
    7
    Decent racing game and awesome that they have a Rush song in it!

    I would say it's not one of the better games in it's genre for PS2 but you'll get some satisfying hours in playing it
  8. Mr_Nobody34
    Jan 14, 2022
    6
    Ratings for the time period it came out
    Story : 2
    Gameplay : 7
    Graphics : 10
    Fun Factor : 8
    Environment interaction : 4
    Sound effects : 6
    Overall Immersion : 7
    There's no such thing as a perfect game
  9. The_D4RknesS
    Oct 10, 2022
    7
    the only cool thing about this game is the multiplayer, other than that the campaign is horrible

Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best PS2 Game of 2002
14
#14 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2002

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
89

Generally favorable reviews - based on 31 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. Game Revolution
    91
    The best arcade racer to hit the PS2. With it's combination of really fun gameplay, good delivery, terrific tracks and robust modes, this is definitely worthy of gracing the collection of any console racing fan.
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  2. GameSpy
    89
    The best arcade racing game available for the PlayStation 2.
    Read full review
  3. Absolute Playstation
    83
    The graphics are sweet, and the racing is sweeter still. Its pure, unashamed, high-energy fun, and it lasts for ages!
    Read full review
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