Hands-On With Midtown Madness 2

Even though Midtown Madness 2, announced at Microsoft's Gamestock event, still has several more months of development time, the arcade-style racer looked impressive. Players who tore through the streets of Midtown Chicago in the original game will be instantly familiar with the controls and gameplay mechanics of this sequel.

The biggest change from the first Midtown game is the sequel's two new cities: San Francisco and London. As in the first game, the cities in Midtown Madness 2 are modeled and mapped out with great detail. In the San Francisco level, we raced by several recognizable landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, and the GameSpot offices. The London level wasn't playable at the event, but it's safe to assume that it'll contain the same attention to detail as its San Francisco counterpart.

Also new to Midtown Madness 2 is the addition of seven cars. The game still has the same vehicles from the first Midtown, like the bus and VW Bug, but it now includes sports cars like the Audi TT and the Aston-Martin Vantage DB7. The designers at Angel Studios even threw in a cherry-red fire truck to liven things up a bit. Gameplay remains largely unchanged, as the series still has the blitz, checkpoint, circuit, and capture-the-gold modes from the original. Midtown Madness 2 isn't without gameplay improvements. It now features an improved physics model that accurately simulates maneuvers like power slides, hand braking, and even racing on two wheels. Unlike in the first game, the cars in this sequel are visually changed by damage, resulting in breakaway bumpers, fenders, and other body panels.

We also got to sample a mode called crash course. These are mission-based levels that place you in the shoes of a trainee cabdriver or Hollywood stunt driver. The missions take place in either London or San Francisco, and they are designed to improve your driving skills and unlock new cars, tracks, and even some Easter eggs.

Midtown Madness 2 is due out sometime this fall. It will be on the show floor of E3 for all to see.