Warning: the vehicle driving in this game may appear realistic …

The bicycle leans casually against the wall, likely vibrating as the pulsing engines rev past it, engines winding up and down through the twists and turns. The cobblestones on the course through Florence send a shudder through the car, as it decelerates for the hard turn coming up.

The yellow Seat Leon Cupra R handles well, cutting inside the competition and eating up the course. Interplay of sun and shadows cut the track, but all that truly matters are the cars ahead and the clock.

Microsoft Game Studios and Bizarre Creations have teamed up for Project Gotham Racing 2 for the Xbox. To put it bluntly, if you are looking for a racing game for the Xbox, one that is stunning graphically with superb racing mechanics, look no further than this title.

This game is all about driving and racing. There is no storyline, and while you can rub and bump your cars and incur some damage, at the earlier levels it is hard to rack up major destruction on the vehicles. This is really all about finely tuned machines challenging a host of tracks.

The player interface has been polished up; almost to as high a sheen as the paint jobs on the cars themselves. This game has a slick player interface.

The goal of the game is simple and well defined. You are out to be the best driver in the world. Kudos are the measure of your success. There are two separate ranking tables – single player and Xbox Live ranking. Kudos are measurements of the speed and style with which you race – and the daring. If you perform a particularly tough maneuver, you will earn more kudos. Hit a wall or other object before your kudos stash can be banked and you erase it.

For example, you race in Florence as a novice, and set the fastest lap time but get nipped at the wire. You are awarded 500 kudos for style (basically running a straight race, not too much in terms of daring maneuvers) and 500 kudos for completion of the event for a total of 1,000 kudos.

So you earn kudos, which translate into a Kudos ranking, which can be used to earn Kudos tokens, which unlock new cars.

There are 14 car classes, which work out to approximately 100 cars available, from luxury sports cars to the new Volkswagen classes. The courses span the globe and are magnificently rendered.

The sound is also very well done and really does a great job in supporting the video presentation.

And when it comes to the video – you had better be sitting down for it, because it will blow your doors off. From shadows glancing off the car, to the play of light on the uneven surface of the car, Project Gotham Racing 2 is graphically awesome.

There are five difficulty levels, from novice, to easy, medium, hard and expert. As you progress, you are moved through the difficulty levels. Once you unlock them, you can go back and try to better your time or placing.

Racing modes include the Kudos World Series, which is a race through several courses in a street format; arcade mode and Xbox Live Races.

The latter multiplayer aspect has been well done. You can host or join a game, customize the racing environment and choose the circuit and host. The kudos awarded in this format is different from the single player game kudos.

Project Gotham Racing 2 is the type of game that will appeal to racing and non-racing fans alike. This game is graphically superior to almost anything on the market, and sports racing dynamics that are solid. The controls are not confusing and the game, which simple to jump into the driver’s seat and go, is such that you will find challenge and game depth each step of the way.

If you want a street-driving game for the Xbox, this is it.

Gameplay: 9.5

This is simplistic. Get in the car, put your foot on the accelerator and out drive the competition. The courses are wonderful and the seamless.

Graphics: 9.8

One word – wow!

Sound: 9

The musical score is great, and the racing effects are very well done.

Difficulty: Medium

You will have no problems at the lower levels or play, but be prepared for a real challenge as you get up the ladder. The AI in single-player mode is strong, and multiplayer is a really enjoyable experience.

Concept: 9.5

A new interface and difficulty settings help make this a well-designed program.

Multiplayer: 9.2

Great online support for this game and the kudos ranking system allows you to find challenge within your skill level.

Overall: 9.8

Amazing, awesome, superb – the superlatives could never end. Project Gotham Racing 2 is THE street-driving game for the Xbox.