Insane 2

Lore & Background

Development of Insane 2 began in 2009 when Codemasters, who owned the Insane trademark, licensed it to Targem Games. Invictus Games, the original developer, had no known input in the creative process, so Targem relied on the original game and reviews published near its release. The team altered game mechanics to speed up the pace at the expense of physical realism, adding a boost ability and changing the damage system so that only wheel loss affected performance. The game was first published in retail in Russia on September 30, 2011, then digitally worldwide through GamersGate on October 6, and later on Steam on January 24, 2012.

The game features ten game variations, with four new to the series: Greed, Pursuit, Knockout, and Zone Patrol. In single-player, career mode spans 170 races grouped into four championships, with progression rewarding points for vehicle upgrades. Multiplayer supports split-screen with a second player using an Xbox 360 controller, as well as online play with up to seven other human players. The maps permit open-world exploration and wrap around so that vehicles exiting one side reappear on the opposite.

Reader's Guide

Insane 2 is notable as the sequel to the 2000 game Insane, developed by a different studio—Targem Games—after Codemasters licensed the trademark. The game's multiplayer mode was often praised, though critics noted the absence of online servers near launch. The variety of game modes was also praised, although some individual modes received criticism. Reviewers were divided on the artificial intelligence, level design, and graphics, but tended to be more unfavorable toward the sound and musical score. In Hungary, where the series originated, reception was lukewarm, with reviewers favoring the predecessor. The game's development involved extensive analysis of player feedback and a deliberate shift toward faster-paced gameplay, sacrificing physical realism for dynamics. Its legacy lies in continuing the Insane series under a new developer, introducing new modes and a boost mechanic, while maintaining the off-road racing and open-world exploration of the original.

Did You Know?

• Insane 2 was developed by Russian studio Targem Games, not by the original Hungarian developer Invictus Games.
• The game includes a Pursuit mode where players strive to remain longest in a cone of light beamed from a helicopter.
• Vehicles are based on real-life brands like buggies and Bigfoot trucks but carry no trademarked names or symbols.
• The game's designer could not contact Invictus Games for input, so the team studied the original game and its reviews.