I really love the level design of Need For Speed II. It’s at the same time intentionally unrealistic, but still feels “realistic” at the same same - as opposed to the cartoony feeling of the likes of Mario Kart.
So, what more modern games reach that atmosphere? Burnout Paradise to some extent, but even that loses by far to the track scenery design of NFS II. I’ve seen all tracks on NFS II SE so many times that something more would be good to find!
Hah, I hadn’t even remembered the self-created obstacle I have, that I’m trying to stop buying anything from the US-based Steam and buy all new games from (Polish?) GOG instead.
And Forza Horizon is not available there.
But, I’ll mention here under this post that my brother gave me a good recommendation: The Flatout series. Flatout 2 is available on GOG, and looks like something I’ll surely be playing a salary day or two! I already tried Flatout 4, (or: “Fl4tout” 🤣), which ran as a very beatiful slideshow on my computer. Flatout 2 might be what I’m looking for.
Oh, and I do need to give props to Screamer 2, another game I used to play as a child! It has very similar track scenery design to NFS II, although I do like that of NFS II better. It has secret passages, after all! What is a realistic racing game with 100% real cars if it has not shortcuts, enabling you to comfortably use your McLaren F1 car to caress sand roads going through woods?
I think the game style I am after should probably be called kitsch racing game.