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Test Drive Unlimited (PS2)

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High: Wonderful MMOR action, smooth gameplay, great controls.

Low: The graphics are a bit on the rough side.


Well I have been lucky enough to preview the game Test Drive Unlimited which is being developed by Melbourne House (Atari) which developed other racing games including Need For Speed Porsche Unleashed, the V-Rally series and currently developing a first-person shooter, Alone in the Dark, in addition to Test Drive Unlimited.

Over the years, the name Test Drive has become more of a brand name than a racing franchise, with the name being attached to several different styles of racing games. Atari has brought the Test Drive series back to the racing game we expect. Test Drive Unlimited has brought the series back to its roots, so to speak. Yes the Massive Multiplayer game play is new, but the games mass openness and competitive yet fun nature is back.

Test Drive Unlimited will be the ultimate sandbox for car enthusiasts, racing fans, video game enthusiasts and mainstream audiences. Being so universally appealing, it contains the most basic element of any form of entertainment: it is fun.

Without question, Test Drive's most unique feature is the persistent MMO-style racing world, or better known as "M.O.O.R. “ Massively Open Online Racing". You will be able to see all the other people online at the same time, just out on the street; you will also be able people in clubs.

When I say this game is open I mean it, there are over 1000 miles of open road in this game. No "tracks" so to speak so the form of races is very customizable. Most of the challenges online can be found in single player mode. However, there are a few things in multiplayer mode that aren't available due to the nature of the challenge. There are several different areas to explore in the game, including racing challenges, which in itself holds a world of options; tasks like hitchhiker delivery and then of course tasks that include finding certain spots or items on the island for points and/or cash.

Single player challenges include winning all the preset races against up to seven bots, time challenges, speed trap challenges, missions to deliver goods, hitchhikers, and vehicles with good driving and within time limits, and even pulling a top model. Non-driving achievements include owning 50 cars, 3 bikes, 15 houses, and even having a wardrobe packed with 10 or more Marc Ecko and Ben Sherman outfits. The rival driver AI is almost indiscernible from the behaviour of the real thing “ sometimes they accept challenges to race, sometimes they don't, and they always drive hard.

So really, the challenges of single player are just as customizable as multiplayer mode “ plus, if you want to hone your skills in single player, you can build up your credibility and then jump online.

There are other Modes in this game that we did not get to test in this preview, Ola Mode, Quick Race, and Arcade Championship. Since we didn't get to play these modes I can't comment on them but I am sure they would extend the shelve life of this game.

The graphics of the PS2 version is a bit off from the Xbox 360 version (I know duh, and it's a preview build,) but even for a PS2 game it seems unpolished. Now the game play of the game is a step above the rest, the seamless online play is great, and the races are fun. Running into other players in real time on the streets is beyond sweet. It just makes the game jump out and screams hey this is like a mini real word. Though in the real world I would never race my street car, but that is beyond the point. Oh the cars look great, almost as good as they do on the screens of the Xbox 360 version of the game. With a big of polish the scenery of the game will look as good as other current generation racers.

There is a nice mix of music in this game, granted I mute the sound, but that's because I have a mix of music for racing. The sound effects are fitting, noting amazing or new, but I am here to race not to listen to sound effects. Not that I am making light of the importance of sound in games, but in a racing game for me its all about game play.

If I was pricing this game, I would be pricing it in the $59-$69 dollar range based on game play and fun factor, but the nice people at Atari are pricing the game at the low price of $39.99. No I was not paid or otherwise compensated to say this, it's the truth. The online play alone of this game is unique and fun, and makes this game very accessible to all types of players. I look forward to reviewing this game, and I am anticipating a 90+ rating for this game.

Reviewed By:EG Admin Reviewed On: Tue, 01 August 2006 02:34:33 Read: 270

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