Project Gotham Racing 2

 Xbox
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 106 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 89 out of 106
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 106
  3. Negative: 7 out of 106
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  1. mkharris08
    Jul 24, 2017
    9
    Couldn't ask for much more from a racing game on that generation of consoles. perfect blend of arcade and sim and love the kudos system. Worth itttttt
  2. sergiomach5
    Mar 19, 2014
    10
    While I have played racers that have a purer fun factor and others with OTT simulation, this is likely the slickest racing game I will ever play. The mere act of driving through the streets of its many cities is cool in every sense, particularly at night and your favourite track on the in game radio comes on. The difficulty is just about right, arcade mode in particular demands a challengeWhile I have played racers that have a purer fun factor and others with OTT simulation, this is likely the slickest racing game I will ever play. The mere act of driving through the streets of its many cities is cool in every sense, particularly at night and your favourite track on the in game radio comes on. The difficulty is just about right, arcade mode in particular demands a challenge even for gold medals which makes them all the more satisfying once you have attained them.

    Graphically still holds up, the cities are wholly convincing and little touches like the cable cars moving in the background of Barcelona or trains on the rails above in Chicago show a great deal of care. Racing feels smooth, not frustrating like sims can be but definitely need a bit of mastery that other arcade racers don't cater for.

    Racing style is what the game wants, and you will want to beat the game with as much Kudos as possible after a short time getting in the groove, and ultimately its a game that's very hard to put down.

    Buy if you liked the other PGR games, and try it out if forza is just not as fun as you would like, but still want a game with somewhat grounded racing.    … Expand
  3. GoombaJMR
    Jul 11, 2015
    10
    The best racing game I've ever played. The sheer perfection of practically everything makes this a game worth getting no matter what the cost. With so many beautiful cars, tracks, wonderful custom track list and just so many songs, wonderful menus, organization of the showcase, impressive online, single, and multiplayer modes, including the arcade mode... etc. etc. The main single playerThe best racing game I've ever played. The sheer perfection of practically everything makes this a game worth getting no matter what the cost. With so many beautiful cars, tracks, wonderful custom track list and just so many songs, wonderful menus, organization of the showcase, impressive online, single, and multiplayer modes, including the arcade mode... etc. etc. The main single player campaign is pretty long and the replay value is pretty high, assuming you want to play online or test your skills at getting some of the bonus cars in the game (my favorite being the Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion. Anyways, this game is extremely satisfying - buy it right now!

    Gameplay: 9.5/10
    Story: N/A/10
    Music: 9.5/10
    Presentation: 9.5/10
    Length: 9.5/10
    Overall: 10/10    … Expand
  4. GlennL.
    Nov 20, 2003
    10
    BEST RACING GAME EVER!
  5. SenorKoquonfaes
    Dec 2, 2019
    9
    This is the game that kicked off my foray into the racing genre and I've honestly never looked back. It's a game I played for hours on end with family and friends via couch co-op. Even by today's standards, the graphics still hold up rather well for a 16 year old game. The tracks are largely city streets and they're all rendered beautifully, considering the Xbox hardware specs for theThis is the game that kicked off my foray into the racing genre and I've honestly never looked back. It's a game I played for hours on end with family and friends via couch co-op. Even by today's standards, the graphics still hold up rather well for a 16 year old game. The tracks are largely city streets and they're all rendered beautifully, considering the Xbox hardware specs for the time.

    Sadly, this game has largely fallen by the wayside among the emergence of Forza Motorsport, Project Cars, Grand Turismo and Need For Speed. But it was a legitimate contender for being the one of best racing series available, making Project Gotham Racing 2 and under appreciated gem.    … Expand
  6. Dittuss
    May 31, 2023
    10
    this game is just based
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  7. AnttiS.
    Jan 28, 2005
    1
    S-l-o-w Feels like I'm going 35 km/h, when the tachometer says 250.
  8. bboycrosel
    Mar 19, 2016
    0
    This game sucks!!!!!! You have to play it for hours before you can use any of the good cars. The steering is difficult because it starts you off with bad cars. And the courses also suck, because they're too short.

    Don't bother with this one. All the positive reviews for this game are likely from people who have played the game for ample time. If you're looking for a quick play to have    This game sucks!!!!!! You have to play it for hours before you can use any of the good cars. The steering is difficult because it starts you off with bad cars. And the courses also suck, because they're too short.

    Don't bother with this one. All the positive reviews for this game are likely from people who have played the game for ample time. If you're looking for a quick play to have fun, look elsewhere.    … Expand
  9. Hugeonpluto
    Jul 21, 2021
    3
    This game is possibly the most overrated racing game ever. Still don't understand why people like this game so much. The racing's clunky, the car balancing is god-awful (some cars will ALWAYS beat other cars, even if they're in the same catagory), the A.I. is flawless and becomes impossible in harder modes, and the Kudos system is set up in such a way that it feels like YEARS before youThis game is possibly the most overrated racing game ever. Still don't understand why people like this game so much. The racing's clunky, the car balancing is god-awful (some cars will ALWAYS beat other cars, even if they're in the same catagory), the A.I. is flawless and becomes impossible in harder modes, and the Kudos system is set up in such a way that it feels like YEARS before you unlock every car. I could go on and on, but i don't feel like it.… Expand
  10. HankL.
    Dec 2, 2003
    10
    This game works very well with a Cobra Wheel & pedals for Xbox. It handles well and feels real. The Graphics make Need for Speed 2 and other race games look like a big joke! Buy this game if you love to play auto racing games!!!
  11. AmilcarA.
    Dec 8, 2003
    9
    Sure, this game has by far the best graphics of all the racing games, the detail is awesome, if you know the cities where the game is you will actually recognize the places and the stores and every bit of detail. The gameplay is very good, it's OK that you can't tweak the car is not the GT3 style of game, it is not like if you want to do a racing pilot carrer out of it, but it Sure, this game has by far the best graphics of all the racing games, the detail is awesome, if you know the cities where the game is you will actually recognize the places and the stores and every bit of detail. The gameplay is very good, it's OK that you can't tweak the car is not the GT3 style of game, it is not like if you want to do a racing pilot carrer out of it, but it does have a lot better "real life" cars (I mean there is a bit of a chance you get your hands on a ferrari, I can be you'll never have the chance to get your hands on a Toyota GT1... We all really miss the McLaren F1 and the Merc SLR. Plus the Clio 172 should be there as well as the Lambos and the Crysler Crossfire... THERE SHOULD BE A FORCE FEEDBACK WHEEL LIKE THE ONE FOR GT3.… Expand
  12. JasonM.
    Jan 1, 2004
    10
    Obviously the best racing game ever, undeniably beautiful graphics possibly the best ive ever seen.
  13. BobbyS.
    Feb 26, 2004
    10
    The best and most realistic damn game ever.
  14. Hype
    Jul 4, 2004
    10
    Best xbox game.
  15. MishuM.
    Apr 20, 2005
    10
    Very nice game.
  16. KeithY.
    Nov 20, 2003
    10
    There's really nothing to complain about in this game. Anyone who has something bad to say must not have spent enough time playing, or either is just a cynic and probably doesn't like giving credit where credit is due. This game is astonishingly beautiful. It has to rate as the most photorealistic game of any videogame, EVER. There is absolutely no flickering, and the locales There's really nothing to complain about in this game. Anyone who has something bad to say must not have spent enough time playing, or either is just a cynic and probably doesn't like giving credit where credit is due. This game is astonishingly beautiful. It has to rate as the most photorealistic game of any videogame, EVER. There is absolutely no flickering, and the locales are so well drawn, you could stop your car on the screen and it'll look like a photograph (minus the HUD). The controls take some time to get used to for the unitiated, but once you learn the beauty of a powerslide, and hear the grip of your 40series tires on the road, you'll be hooked!!… Expand
  17. AndrewA.
    Nov 21, 2003
    10
    Everything is awesome! i really like the 300 car thing.
  18. BenjaminF.
    Nov 24, 2003
    10
    Kudos for this racing game! Mine favorite racer at the moment. I love the racing in style. The graphics are jaw dropping. XBOXlive is also great (unlike what some critics say). Now all attention is focused on GT 4 with it's own great promises......... so far PGR 2 is mine favorite racer ever.
  19. Sean
    Nov 26, 2003
    5
    I sort of liked the 1st but I hate the Kudos system, anything you do you get Kudos for. Maybe I like my racing game to be more sim like but PGR1 and 2 can't hold anything with either GT3 or NFS UG.
  20. Daz
    Nov 30, 2003
    10
    This is a BRILLIANT game!!! everything about it smells of pure class.the graphics are very good, the game will last you hours and hours and the online game is among the very best around. The kudos system is excellent making you constantly want to have 'one more go' just to see if you can get a few more tokens to unlock some more cars. The cars are a great mixture (i was even This is a BRILLIANT game!!! everything about it smells of pure class.the graphics are very good, the game will last you hours and hours and the online game is among the very best around. The kudos system is excellent making you constantly want to have 'one more go' just to see if you can get a few more tokens to unlock some more cars. The cars are a great mixture (i was even pleased to see the mini there) and all of them handle slightly differently. to sum up - i didn't really like the first game, but i'd pay double the asking price for just half the game if it's what was need to get this excellent peice of software. buy this TODAY.… Expand
  21. AdamJ.
    Dec 15, 2003
    6
    As great as it is, Its not exciting!! The handling is the best i've seen but I struggle to feel excited by it, its deep and full of rewards and cars GT fans would dream of owning! I do admire the technical brilliance of the game but its a chore to play I feel.
  22. RachaelF.
    Dec 2, 2003
    10
    PGR2 is the most beautiful, fun, and addictive racing game I have ever played. Some people complain about the AI, but I think that's one of the funniest things in the game: the behave like agressive human opponents. But you can always play on Xbox Live!
  23. JustinD.
    Dec 23, 2003
    10
    Simply Amazing! The best racing game i have ever played. It is the most fun online game on Xbox by far. Graphics are amazing and sound is awesome. You can even put your own music into the game. There's nothing better than blasting Metallica and doing 150MPH down Florence, Italy.
  24. MatthewE.
    Dec 5, 2003
    10
    Too addictive!! Haven't stopped playing since I got it. The best game I have ever played by quite a bit, although Halo is a close second. I can't say enough about this game really...just that the graphics, sound, gameplay and online modes add up to one of the most perfect gaming experiences you will ever have. Fantastic stuff.
  25. Uter
    Jan 28, 2004
    9
    It's great, but they didn't do anything especially original with it. It's a little creepy how the downtown streets are always deserted. There's really not much to complain about though.
  26. GeorgeM.
    Feb 10, 2004
    9
    This game rocks. I really enjoyed the different cars, and how each had unique handling characteristics. Great game to rent, but I if you weren't into the Live! stuff, it may wear thin after a couple of weeks.
  27. MatthieuR.
    Feb 18, 2004
    9
    Great game, but with some nagging flaws: 1)The AI in this game is infuriating. While you will spin out of control when bumped and almost always end up perpendicular to a guardrail, even serious crashes will see the opposing CPU drivers recover quickly and effortlessly. 2)The linear nature of the single player game can get tedious. The fact that you have to "pay your dues" in each class Great game, but with some nagging flaws: 1)The AI in this game is infuriating. While you will spin out of control when bumped and almost always end up perpendicular to a guardrail, even serious crashes will see the opposing CPU drivers recover quickly and effortlessly. 2)The linear nature of the single player game can get tedious. The fact that you have to "pay your dues" in each class before moving up makes some classes really tedious (ie: American Muscle cars).… Expand
  28. BenL.
    Feb 2, 2004
    10
    So yeah, this is like the best racing game that money can buy. What made it awesome for me was the ability to have my own custom soundtracks. Like any other death metal fan, I like to have my Morbid Angel, Naplam Death and the like playing full blast . So yeah like I said, every racing game should have custom soundtracks, it should be a standard inclusion. For that I give this masterpiece So yeah, this is like the best racing game that money can buy. What made it awesome for me was the ability to have my own custom soundtracks. Like any other death metal fan, I like to have my Morbid Angel, Naplam Death and the like playing full blast . So yeah like I said, every racing game should have custom soundtracks, it should be a standard inclusion. For that I give this masterpiece full marks. Ben L … Expand
  29. AndresM.
    Mar 13, 2004
    10
    Best racing game ever, ever, ever.
  30. OlavS.
    Apr 6, 2007
    10
    I am not so experienced in racing games but I love this game, especially if I play it with a friend on a huge TV with split screen. I think its incredible.
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best Xbox Game of 2003
5
#5 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
17
#17 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 50 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 50
  3. Negative: 0 out of 50
  1. Weekly Famitsu
    80
    8 / 8 / 8 / 8 - 32 gold [Vol 780]
  2. Xbox Nation Magazine
    90
    Playing the game through Xbox Live is literally like having a shared arcade machine in your living room. [Mar 2004, p.100]
  3. GMR Magazine
    90
    When it comes to online play, PGR2 knocks it out of the park. [Jan 2004, p.76]
See all critic reviews »