Project Gotham Racing 2: A Retrospective Review

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Some footage I used from around KZbin: • PGR
Join me as I take a critical look at Project Gotham Racing 2, one of the most popular and well regarded racers to grace the original Xbox.

[@zachhatten261]

One thing you missed was the 'museum' where you could see every car in the game and walk around in first person mode. I always got excited to find a new wing with cars that I didn't unlock yet.

[@DarkIzo]

and the arcade machine in the garage :D

[@jarredconnorg2980]

I loved doing that. Then you take the car and race it around the track outside. I remember my brothers and I saving kudos to buy the Enzo. Simpler days.

[@RellupNorth]

This was my favorite as a kid

[@JM-io2uv]

Showroom*

[@FreakRunner]

Rest in peace Bizarre Creations, you have been missed.

[@nandoboiii5215]

^

[@savageduck2613]

Blur

[@EnemenyYT]

Still wish we would've gotten Blur 2 :(

[@Jimbo.Ori.]

The original was just an upgrade of MSR On the Dreamcast

[@shaundavidssd]

Most are at playground on horizon

[@Larry]

Have you ever considered looking at Midtown Madness 3 on Xbox as well? Played that an absolute ton on xbox live back in the day, to the point I felt physically sick playing it. But that was another big MS racing IP, but they suddenly got cold feet over it on consoles strangely.

[@Kaceydotme]

I have, actually! I’ve been meaning to look into getting the first two running on Windows 10. Have played that one online with friends a few times recently. Still works on Kai.

[@DarkIzo]

@@Kaceydotme i second that suggestion also i request you to do at least one race with mouse steering :D

[@bosyogurtlight]

The original xbox was a powerhouse for Racing and FPS games

[@applescruff1969]

I love how nobody's surprised to see you anymore, Larry. That's how you know you've left your mark on the internet.

[@Arrozconchopsticks]

@@bosyogurtlight i wish Xbox would return to that. As much as I like Forza, we could do with other great racing games.

[@trevorpoole8097]

The cities in Project Gotham 2 still look astonishing, as good as (great-looking) 7th generation game maps on a 6th generation console.

[@DrayLoco]

Absolutely. I never played this game until this year, but it really holds up. I’ve been playing it on my 360 and the graphics and gameplay feel surprisingly modern

[@trevorpoole8097]

@@DrayLoco Did they ever fix the slowdown with PGR2 when played in backwards compatibility mode on the XBox 360? The PGR 2 slowdown on Xbox 360 is what made me get a thrift store original XBox back when you could still easily get them at thrift stores.

[@DrayLoco]

@@trevorpoole8097 I haven’t noticed any slowdown! I’ve only played for about 3 hours tho so far

[@trevorpoole8097]

@@DrayLoco I think it's mainly for the challenges with the cones, the XBox 360 really seems to have trouble with the cones for some reason.

[@Starfire_Storm]

The car inequality is something that I didn't really liked, for example, I tried getting the platinum medals in the Supercar class with the Ferrari 360 Modena and it was practically impossible, but then I used the Delfino Feroce and what I tried doing well over 20 times without success in the 360, I did it first try with the Delfino Feroce. This is one of the very few reasons this is only my 2nd favorite game of all time, with the 1st one being PGR4. Personally, PGR4 is basically Flawless and I don't have any problems with it, it's just amazing.

[@Skumtomten1]

Can agree with that. I recently just finished the game on platinum and as you said, in most classes not driving the best car makes it impossible which is a shame. I do really like that the cars are different though, I personally don't like when classes are "too" balanced because then it feels like everyone drives the same car with just a different skin. But yeah the dispersion is a bit too great in some classes, I remember the Shelby Cobra being ridiculously op in it's class for example.

[@Starfire_Storm]

@@Skumtomten1 I remember the most balanced class being the Classic one, where you could use a Ferrari 275 GTB or a 250 GTO and you could do everything in Platinum

[@grege9968]

You had to achieve master skill level to drive the Ferrari

[@JinteiModding]

Ah, yes Starting the video with GT PSP menu music Idk why i have the "nostalgia" feel I still have the PSP and the game to this day

[@nostrodelaantares8416]

Playing it right now!

[@brokenhearth1826]

The kudos system in this game is what makes this game incredible, the point was given to how perfectly and stylish you behind the wheel and would be decreased if you made a mistake such as crashing so this game is not only about how fast are you but also how perfect are you driving well like its slogan on original MSR intro "its not about how fast you driving, its all about how you drive fast" glad you describe the kudos system perfectly nice review as always

[@OmgItsLeaa]

Another game with great damage model from the same era is flatout 1. Would love to see a review on that game, or the entire series.

[@dbszady]

I miss this game. I was among the first to play Cat and Mouse. Played the hell out of it until I got a 360 in 2006. By the time I stopped I was around 160 in the world leader board. Loved when newbies would accuse me of hacking because I'd destroy the other 3 teams. The original rules were 4 teams of 2. Fast cars can boost their mouse or attack the first place car. If your car was in first you could destroy the 2nd place mouse, block the Cats, or boost your mouse. I would use the Porsche Carrera GT. It wasn't the fastest but it was the heaviest supercar, front heavy, which allowed you to really grind other cars into rails with ease. A neat side note is if you went fast enough on Nurburgring and T-boned a car you could sometimes send it flying off the map, spinning like a helicopter, lagging them out of the race. Many people I met on pgr 2 are still on my friends list.

[@M311Y]

I remember all of that. Wish it would come back as a series.

[@grege9968]

Cat and mouse was a blast

[@iannolan7326]

PGR2 is easily in my top 10 racing games ever and I really feel you on some of its issues of structure. Most of the harder challenges are straight up impossible without the Best Car. The roadster series is basically the AC 427 series. Still love the game though

[@20blog28]

PGR2 sometimes looks like an early PS3 title running on Composite cables

[@christopherdavy2152]

I lived on this game in 2005. This was my first experience with online gaming, and it was bliss. I played for hours and hours and made it near the top of several leaderboards.

[@SunglassesAfterDark23]

The death of Bizzare was the first time I had experienced the unfair games industry as a kid. What's worse, Blue failed despite being amazing to play. Looking back, the PGR series was definitely the most consistently good series to come out of that whole era of driving games, and I will miss it dearly. BTW loving your new vids. I've already watched your UG2 review multiple times lmao.

[@Wally17.]

Great video! I really like Project Gotham Racing 2, but I really dislike the cone challenges lol. They’re just not my cup of tea. And man, the Platinum difficulty is no joke. It’s so hard!

[@bloodycrow01]

Oh boy did you bring some memories, a friend got the dreamcast and this game, still remember playing it with him for hours since the game was so fun but your review IS so spot on I was almost recalled to those times

[@Ness793]

I keep forgetting this game has nothing to do with batman

[@ludicrousfool7953]

Great video. By the way, you CAN use a manual transmission in arcade mode, but you have to go to the options menu in order to toggle it on or off. Baffling, I know. And the fact that each class has an obvious best car really killed any incentive I had to try out the other cars.

[@shinkuhs]

Another amazing review, been looking forward to this one and it was worth the wait, this was amazing.

[@Bearcade]

Been playing these since Metropolis. Loved how I could recognize tracks from MSR in PGR 1&2 with some differences.

[@HeManForReal]

Excellent review as always. As a guy who grew up in a Sony household, it's really interesting to hear about an Xbox exclusive through someone who fully understands the franchise. Cheers.

[@delusionalx2605]

This game was my whole childhood and the reason i fell in love with cars altogether, super glad to see it living on in some small way here

[@YokoCrossbow]

I never gonna stop going to the cool showroom to see some beautiful cars and test drive them all day, also behold its beautiful landscape while im drivin'!

[@krishnasadhanala3735]

the game that launched my whole love for cars and racing games of any realism level, very few people talk about it! Also im sure someone already said it but you can change the transmission to manual for arcade mode in the overall options menu. Sub well earned!

[@creativerayn]

Nicely put together post review - loved the Gotham series 🙂

[@dylansmith8501]

The vehicle showroom with the test drive feature was amazing at the time for me haha

[@russell1617]

4player split screen on this game, was soo damn good! This game and Rallisport challenge was definitely the Halo of the racing games! Can't beat the 4player splitscreen!

[@HybridAngelZero]

So like, they went from METROPOLIS Street Racing to Project GOTHAM Racing. Subtle little DC Universe joke there, I've never seen anyone else catch that

[@nostrodelaantares8416]

Never ever actually, i'm not a comic book fan but that is brilliant!

[@adamlach6572]

great video, subbed! Best generation for racing games, i still play them, and PGR2 is really high on my list

[@b2th3m1th]

dude, im not even huge racing game fan. Im as casual as they get. I love these racing game vids. Keep it up!

[@OtsoCafe]

PGR 2 was the first game I played online with Xbox Live. It was magical and I made a bunch of friends on it. A bunch of unsanctioned community organized modes came out of that. Cat and mouse, for instance. You’re split into teams consisting of a Mini Cooper and a hyper car. The goal is to get your Mini across the finish line first by pushing it or knocking other Minis off the track. The track was always Nurburgring.

[@Syntheus]

Another well done video. Thanks Kacey.

[@mk1valver]

Man I loved this game back when I was in Uni, this brings back a flood of memories and nostalgia. Can't remember the exact numbers, but I completed the majority on Platinum and the rest gold. I even Won a console, selection of games and invite to a competition to win some money up in Manchester, thanks to setting a fastest lap on this one night in a Local student pub. Unfortunately I went out with a mate and his friends, who happened to be at Manchester Uni at the time, the night before. I could barely even stand the following day I was so drunk still. Fun times. To this day it is the most well rounded racing game I have played. Shame it isn't Series X backwards compatible.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Great review as always. Really like how in depth you go into the game's workings. I've never played any games with manuel transmission on. Can you suggest me some games where I can get a hang of MT?

[@Kaceydotme]

Any Black Box Need for Speed is a great starting point. Really forgiving. Most Wanted or Carbon in particular.

[@TF-bi8ru]

I learnt how to use MT in games by playing Gran Turismo 4 from a young age. It tells you what gear to take each corner in on the HUD. Don't worry about it too much. You'd be surprised how quickly playing in manual starts to feel.

[@fq540]

I’m used to using the bumpers on modern consoles so I could never get used to MT on older games

[@lillexus5589]

Asseto Corsa is quite good to learn manual on, especially with an controller.

[@ElectricVikingTube]

I played PGR2 via XLink Kai exactly once, and here I am on this video. AwesomeVanArt checking in!

[@grege9968]

Best racing game ever. I miss playing this game online so much. We need a remaster for new gen

[@smegmaz9388]

I remember playing this back in the day... I did earn all races with gold medals but could never win platinum against that super difficult TVR Cerbera speed 12 at nurburgring... Loved this game and it will always have a special place in my heart

[@Locksharpe]

One of the graphical things I loved about this game over later games in the genre, was that it didn't blind you with yellow/orange bloom, the contrast was a little low across the colours and lighting, but it didn't hurt my brain to play it.

[@PCReboot]

Keep at this quality pal and will be at a million in a year or so

[@NotReallyHifumiTakimoto]

I really like the Gran Turismo music in this :) What do you think about PGR's menu soundtracks? From what I've heard (PGR3 and 4), I think it's... mediocre at best.

[@Starfire_Storm]

I personally think PGR2's menu soundtrack is pretty decent, but for me, nothing beats the original Forza's menu soundtrack.

[@jwatsss453]

It’s not mediocre tf

[@saadhasan2518]

PGR will always be remembered as a Great Racing game series when I bought an Xbox I got the first two games and to me PGR4 and PGR2 are my all time favourite racing games

[@Adam-zi5se]

I loved this game as a kid

[@TimothyDong]

I remember playing this game in my early years, I didn't know what to really do so I just went to the museum unknowingly and just testing the cars there. Honestly if I had the OG Xbox again, this would be one of my first games to replay alongside Ghost Recon 2

[@IxEATxMYxOWNxDICK]

My second racing game on xbox after MId Town Madness 3, true nostalgia here.

[@RoomyTester]

This game was and still is one of my favourite racing games

[@Gnik4144]

PGR 2 is my all time favorite racing game. I still have my original copy & play time to time on my wife’s OG Xbox.

[@PG2248CoasterNews]

As someone who's played PGR2 for 13 years, this was shockingly accurate to the experience. It is worth noting however that the arcade mode helps you get more Kudos towards your rank, which gives you more tokens, giving you a slight incentive to play it. I was a little disappointed you didn't mention the showroom or the different cities in the game, but oh well. It's still a great game (my favorite of all time), and a really solid title for the Xbox.

[@DarcyFerrier]

no idea how you have such low viewership, your production quality is fantastic! keep it up

[@floranhupscher272]

its really nive that you use GT6 muisc in this review. Abselutely perfect

[@Starfire_Storm]

It's from GT6? I recognized it from GT PSP

[@Kaceydotme]

@@Starfire_Storm some of GT6, GT5 and GT PSP.

[@floranhupscher272]

@@Starfire_Storm Song i am talking about is at 8:54 and is from GT5 (my bad). Its called Like a bird from KEMMEI.

[@2000Julesmy]

Man you should do like the flat out series or burnout!!! Anyway good video as always man!

[@GoldMan27]

Great review! I myself was raised up on NFS games as a kid, and have only recently begun diving into the racing game scene of the 6th and 7th console generations (courtesy of a friend of mine who's also a big racing game fan). Not sure if you knew about this, but apparently PGR2 also had DLC back in the day that you could buy through the Xbox LIVE Marketplace! You can still obtain the DLC files online and install it on a modded console, otherwise, you just have to hope you get lucky that you find an OG Xbox with the DLC still on the hard drive (like my friend did a few months ago...) Anyways, big fan of your racing game reviews! I am curious though about your take on the Sega GT games, as those were also supposed to Dreamcast-exclusive until the console died. :D

[@Kaceydotme]

I've been meaning to talk about SEGA GT Online in particular. Played that with a friend over Kai recently. It might come soon but Underground has to come first :)

[@GoldMan27]

@@Kaceydotme Understandable, Underground 2 was my childhood specifically, but I've played Underground 1 as well in the past. :) I keep meaning to try Kai sometime, but the issue I have lies in lacking a second ethernet port on my PC to connect the Xbox to (I use a hardwired connection to my PC since my motherboard doesn't have a Wi-Fi receiver built-in). :/

[@Kaceydotme]

network switches are pretty cheap and do the job!!

[@jayda1k_]

GoldMan27 wonder if the same could be done for the first Forza Horizon and it’s no longer supported dlc

[@Kaceydotme]

Jamar Sloan Jr if you have a modded 360 yes. But it’s a lot easier to mod an Xbox than a 360.

[@charlesleeiii]

I still want every DLC from this game.

[@p4nd4st1c98]

There's a video about download the dlc (if your console is hacked)

[@The101Point1]

Pgr 2 is like literally one of my favorites partially because it includes one of my favorites radio stations DC101 with Snippets of Elliot in the Morning...

[@dankmemesmeltexistentialdr2769]

Great job!

[@greensamurai5805]

That gran turismo PSP music at the first minute of the video

[@veronviper06]

PGR4, though the last in the series, is undoubtedly the best, with PGR3 having most peoples nostalgia. I grew up playing 4, and both the car roster and music are amazing. Cadillac sixteen racing a Subaru 22B? Ducati 999 battling it out on the Nurburgring against a RUF supercar concept, with an SSC ultimate aero right behind? Amazing experience including the bikes. The Michelin test track is a surprisingly good way to test your car, with a NASCAR style oval course, a skid pan, and multiple layouts. The only other Xbox 360 racing game that compare to it (for me) is Forza motorsport 4, even though they are completely different styles of racing games

[@xerest4306]

this game is my whole childhood

[@ImadHadjersi]

Wow, got this video in my recommendations just as I was thinking about the game..

[@RAA12586]

Pgr2 is still my favorite racing game. I kept my copy from childhood and bought another OG xbox just for this game, the graphics are still good in my eyes.

[@J.Wick.]

My favorite genre. And I do believe, this is my favorite game out of it. PGR2 was perfect when it came out. It was the premier title of early Xbox Live in my opinion. Cat and Mouse was sooo much fun! The hours I put into this game....SOOOO miss PGR....and Bizarre Creations. PS - The OST on this game is fantastic...

[@davimatias4570]

great review! Rx-8 gang

[@saadhasan2518]

PGR2 is my 2nd favourite PGR games with 1st being PGR4 with really cool cars and bikes and game modes

[@kevmarkwell5713]

this was the best racing game out at the time, nothing comes close to the handling physics , PGR3 and 4 werent the same, not sure if thats because of the new console or the game engine. would purchase this in an instance if came on GOLD.

[@dbszady]

I feel you. I felt the handling in the sequels left something to be desired. I poured countless hours on Live trash talking and slamming cars in Cat and Mouse.

[@DezuKiwami]

Anyone have a clue as to the name of the track from 9:10 onward? Or if it's on the game's soundtrack or not. Love it.

[@Kaceydotme]

God I’m trying to remember. I’ll see if I can’t find it later

[@Brylant1980]

I just bought a OG Xbox very cheap and i intend to play a lot of this game! MSR was my favourite game on Dreamcast :) Loosing Bizarre Creations was a big pain for me as they made many of my best games ever.

[@riddledtomcat1360]

Best game in the series. I platinumed this car like 2 years ago. worth it.

[@DarkIzo]

ah, my childhood game, wonder why i didnt discover this video earlier, since ive watched a couple of your nfs videos (goddamn rubberband ai)

[@tritonefreeze4058]

You actually can use manual transmission in Arcade Mode, but you have to go into the game options to switch to it.

[@kroneyt1493]

What I dislike about PGR 2 (although I can't really blame Bizarre Creations for this) is that there were certain cars that you couldn't unlock and buy without completing certain challenges on Xbox Live. Meaning there are cars in the showroom that are under tarps that I will literally never be able to see, drive, or experience in any way. And that's upsetting considering how large of a part this game played in my childhood.

[@infinitilover3539]

I can hear gran trismo music in the background

[@shadsherzad6329]

you should really make a video on blur, it was really great and it still holds up.

[@Overload2003x]

Your content its from great quality, you deserve more subs

[@user-fj3gl8wc7s]

Idk why youtube likes recommend me shitty reddit stories videos but i have to search for this type of content.

[@Wally17.]

r e d l a n c e r Because it’s a pretty niche video so KZbin doesn’t recommend it to people. Not many people are searching for original Xbox content, so it’s not recommended.

[@DARS_04]

These games looks so cool, wish I had an Xbox to try them out.

[@Gnik4144]

They are kinda cheap. Usually an OG. Box is $50

[@GamesAndWhales]

Was that Blur I saw when you mentioned BC being shuttered? Awesome game. It deserved better than what it got.

[@cloudstrife1983]

I remember a preview of PGR1, they were talking about how MSR flopped. And that development for a single system burned them. And then they went and did it again for PGR.

[@Kanzuki]

Omg I used to play this game and the first one alot back in the day. It's honestly criminal Microsoft hasn't brought it to Xbox One via backwards compatibility

[@Starfire_Storm]

@@ddd7038 It's just backward compatibility, not a remaster. Licensing isn't a problem.

[@Kaceydotme]

@@Starfire_Storm They would have to provide a download, so they'd be distributing it. Also, they're not going to bring something to BC if they can't sell downloads of it, esp with initiatives like the all-digital X1.

[@NobodyUR]

Nothing beat the community created last man standing and cat and mouse he modes. Bizarre tried to add them officially on later sequels wasn't that same magical gameplay. That and custom soundtrack were great memories

[@TallTapper]

so true tbh

[@5nbome114]

To play manual arcade mode you need to change your default driving to manual in the settings

[@H0T5H0TJ0N]

Thank.

[@irairairuuhhh]

I never unlocked the TVR Cerbera Speed 12. It pains me to say that

[@haranatrash]

what's the name of the song that plays at 15:25 i need to know 😖

[@rexbk09]

Nice.

[@emaheiwa8174]

I love BLUR. One of the best racing games ever!

[@dopey473]

My man out here listening to Fist Fuck by NIN in a racing game lol

[@avdcfan1998]

What the hell about the showroom the showroom was the best part of pgr2 get to walk into every different room / manufacturer and you can buy the cars inside the showroom and test drive any unlocked car even if you don't own it

[@mrsaulthegreat]

Will you ever review the genki games? (Tokyo Xtreme racer/Xtreme drift)

[@Kaceydotme]

Yes, I am particularly interested in Import Tuner Challenge.

[@llanthaax4306]

They have porsche in this gam- 10/10 GREAT GAME I LOVE IT

[@wolfboy20]

You should also review pgr 3 and 4 and do most wanted and midnight club la in the future! Edit: Also Grid 2008. Its hella fun!

[@Kaceydotme]

these are on the list. i tend to space out entries in a series to not wear the audience (or myself) out on a topic. all will happen. MC3 probably before LA tho.

[@samueltheprideofafrikarobi9319]

The original Grid was amazingly good. The simulated team dynamics, hiring on with sponsors, building up your professional garage...even the fact that there were a bank of player names in that game and you could quite possibly be greeted by your promoter BY YOUR REAL NAME whenever you resumed your career..... The original Dirt was the same way. I have absolutely NO IDEA why these type of career/life simulator racing games went away in favor of the overly simple "pick-a-track-and-go" arcade style racers. And it's a shame that both Grid and Dirt transitioned from simulators to arcade racers to appeal to the masses while completely forgetting the niche market that made them popular in the first place.

[@wolfboy20]

@@samueltheprideofafrikarobi9319 This guy gets it!

[@user-fj3gl8wc7s]

Sadly I never had the opportunity to play this game

[@Rastek19]

I thought I was going to see the Batmobile...

[@2000Julesmy]

Man you should do like the flat out series or burnout!!!

[@omjeeo]

How did you get this game to look so good? I tried to play mine and the aliasing is so bad I can barely see my own car. Also there's a setting in the general options - game options called "arcade mode shifting" and you can change it to manual there.

[@Kaceydotme]

I’m not really sure, sorry. This was before I had any upscalers, I’m pretty sure this was just a cheap HDMI converter. Do you use component or composite cables? Component makes a huge different for Xboxes.

[@omjeeo]

@@Kaceydotme oh wow, I had no idea they made things like that for the original Xbox, the last time I played it was probably 10 years ago. I was just using the original composite cable, just ordered an HDMI convertor. Thank you!

[@evelynxl]

VROOM VROOM

[@emulatorgaminguk2751]

Ahhh, GTPSP OST. (You can tell I love that game by looking at my channel lol)

[@SummonerArthur]

Why the F only 10% of yours viewers press the like button? I simply dont get it.

[@TheSonic497]

3:54 Ah, I see someone is a fan of Test Drive 6.

[@Kaceydotme]

a fan of Lunatic Calm even more so, but yes, TD6 is one of the first games I ever played. That track also featured in The Matrix, one of my favorite films.

[@applescruff1969]

One thing i have always hated about this game is how long it takes to unlock everything. I feel like it would take years to unlock every car in this game due to the ridiculous difficulty and the balancing issues.

[@ruddgrandprix-speedrunraci8515]

Special Cameo appearance by original Counter-Strike.

[@hawken796]

You have to review any of the newer nfs games

[@DegenerateProdigy]

What is the game with Corvette in beginning?

[@Kaceydotme]

DegenerateProdigy midtown madness 3

[@DegenerateProdigy]

@@Kaceydotme Oh thank you