This night-time street racing sequel positively shimmers thanks to the neon backgrounds illuminating the devilish courses. The original was a massive hit two years ago, but EA has returned to the drawing board in a bid to improve the high-octane experience. Now hot-rodders take to snaking courses set in five linked districts.

Skilful driving is rewarded with funds to customise cars, with the usual array of add-ons and fine-tuning tricks that armchair boy-racers drool over. Earn enough credits and you can upgrade to newer, more powerful models.

The courses in this game are just as much the stars as the cars. The dazzling downtown locations are massive, dominated by skyscrapers whose light bathes the streets in a radiant glow. Improved weather effects, including hazardous downpours, affect the handling of the cars at speed and must be taken into consideration if you want to make it to the finish line.

A number of additional race modes have been added to the familiar mix, including circuit, drift and drag events. Two players can be conveniently accommodated in split-screen mode, while more ambitious players can head online for demanding multiplayer challenges.

TIM WAPSHOTT

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