Need for Speed: Underground 2 is a street racing game set in the fictional city of Bayview, following the story of an unnamed protagonist. Players engage in illegal street racing, customizing vehicles, and building their reputation. The game features an expansive open world, new gameplay mechanics, and a variety of race types, enhancing the underground racing culture introduced in its predecessor.
Need For Speed Underground 2 takes place in Bayview after the events of Need for Speed: Underground. The prologue begins with the player driving in a Nissan Skyline R34 in Olympic City (though the racing scenes are actually in Bayview), the setting of NFS:UG. He then receives a race challenge from a rather ominous personality who offers him a spot on his crew, but `won't take 'no' for an answer.` The player races off — despite Samantha's warnings — only to be ambushed by a mysterious driver in a rage that totals his Skyline. The driver, who has a unique scythe tattoo, makes a call confirming the accident, and the flashback fades out.