No but it's better than the first game in every single way except you lose some trademark licenses.

Handling, drifting, mechanics, car upgrades. It's all slightly more refined. Single Player actually has (well) drawn art cutscenes. Online cross play actually works.

And the track design has more variety and flow than U1. If you know U1 and go into U2, every change and extended thing is fun and a little sensation. Fun arcade racers are kind of minimalistic so every change counts and is welcome :)

Hm alright good to know, maybe it will be another steamdeck game for me.