December 14, 2004

Horse 253 - Chav Racing - NFSU2

Don't expect to see much of me over the coming weeks. I have finally found a worthy contender to GTA3. The best thing about GTA3 and possibly San Andreas (because it was bigger) wasn't the shooting things but the mindless driving about the place with the radio on. Grant that the radio isn't nearly as good as GTA3 but NFSU2 has got a very very nice "explore" feel to it.

It's obvious that they've gone for a world market here. The choice of cars even at the beginning of the game will confuse most pundits. Apart from the obvious Nissan GTR R34 which I assume has to be in the game somewhere, the options of cars at startup include 3 legendary "chav" cars. The Pug 106, the Vauxhall Corsa and the Toyota Trueno.

The Trueno? A Toyota Corolla AE86? One would ask why of all things. Made famous by the anime Initial-D, the "Eight-Six" has now achieved cult status in Japan.
The Corsa? Chav-magnet! Why would someone spend 500 quid on a Corsa then spend the next 5 years spending 20k to do it up? Insurance I'm told which makes me think, why not spend 15k on a decent car and 5k on the insurance and the original 500 quid on a bracelet, burberry hat and jacket in the sales.
The Peugeot 106? Again another legend. Some idiot on London managed to pour nearly £35,000 into one of these, took it down the M1 and got stung doing 125mph down the motorway.

I can guess that there'll be other little pokes at international motor culture. I also guess that there'll probably be a Monaro in there (probably in Pontiac GTO guise) but I'm hoping that at some point, one can buy an XR3 Escort or a BTCC Astra.

Whatever the case I'm taking my eight-six for a burn, so far have pulled 139mph out of the sucker.

PS: I wish I had a real "Eight-Six", maybe I can find one in the Trading Post.

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