The most recent NFS I've played is Most Wanted, and I can safely say I way prefer the handling of the vehicles on FUEL. I can see how some might say the scenery is repetitive, but that's because the map is so vast, and at the start, you are secluded to a few zones, whereas the different landscapes are way across the map from you. I havn't seen any hurricanes in free ride, however I know there are 3 races throughout the game where you are garunteed hurricane weather, not sure whther you get it in free roam though. Finally, vehicle handling is most certainly not the same on every surface, it becomes very apparent when you go from a few offroad races in a row on to a road race that the handling is clearly different. Hope that answers your questions.