Test Drive Unlimited Published by: Atari Developed by: Melbourne House Release Date: March 21, 2007 Genre: Racing I know I requested this, but oh well, looks like no one else is going to do it. I did a different format this time saving all of the pictures for last. This version of Test Drive Unlimited has the least amount of features but still maintains the main features of the game. This takes everything that the PS2 version has and crams it into a UMD. Obviously, the graphics aren’t as great as the PS2 version, but the gameplay remains unchanged. This is one of the few racing games that has online play, however, recently, the online infrastructure mode hasn’t been working. If the only reason why you would want to go online is to avoid the cops, then use the ad hoc mode. You can take your offline save data and use it online. This has one of the most in-depth maps in a racing game that I have seen on a handheld. The map is based off of an island in Hawaii (Oahu) and when the GPS says 13 miles, it actually feels like you are driving for 13 miles, even doing 3x the speed limit. The point of the game: Rent cars, buy cars, Test Drive cars, buy houses, race events and race other people online. That pretty much sums it up. No damage: X, [ ], O, Triangle, Left, Up, Right, Down, Left, Up, Right, Down. Actually, there is no damage, so there is no cheat to have no damage. This isn’t a driving simulator, so no damage is acceptable by my standards. Physics: The physics aren’t “simulation†type, but they are sensible. You can’t make a right-angled turn at 130 mph and expect to stay on the road. Also, the top speeds are realistic so going 125 is actually quite fast and not recommended on curvy roads. Also, going off-road in some areas means suicide, literally. Some hills drop pretty steep and don’t expect to get back to a road anytime soon. You could always hit Select to reset yourself, but that might not be the same road you were on last. Hitting any random objects like trees and whatnot should be reprogrammed as brick walls, because that is what they are. You can go from 200 mph to 0 if you run into a tree or a bush. AI: The AI in this game is robotic for the most part, but in a bad way since their driving is near perfect unless you smash into one of them. Even after derailing one, they quickly resume back to the way they were. The cops are a nice little money pit, so get rid of them altogether by playing ad hoc. And yes, they pull you over for speeding, driving in the wrong lanes, running lights, hitting cars, and hitting objects. The easy way to get rid of them besides playing ad hoc is when the cops are alerted, either stay put, or evade while not hitting anything and your wanted level will go down in a few seconds. However, if you stay put and a cop sees you, then you have to evade, and most likely, will have to pay a hefty fine. The traffic likes to purposely make lane changes to block you and slow you down. Use the shoulder when you see that happening. Online play: At least, for now, the game remains a single player game unless you have a friend that you would like to play via the ad hoc mode. The ad hoc mode isn’t all that bad. Unlike some online PSP games, you can actually see the other players on the screen. Presentation: 8.5. Extremely fast load times, except for the few times it forgets to load an entire section of the map, resulting in the car falling into an abyss, and then resetting. The difference between online and offline, is obviously the number of players, but that’s really the only difference. Graphics: 8.5. Not bad for looking like the PS2 graphics, especially on a handheld. Sound: 6.5. Engine sounds are decent. Music isn’t. I ripped out the soundtrack because it isn’t worth an extra 300 or so MB. Gameplay: 7.5. If you don’t like the way the game races, you can always just drive around crashing into stuff. I find that it is hard to race in general on such a small screen and a small joystick. On the PS2, I had no problem with the first few races. On the PSP, I had some issues. Lasting Appeal: 7.0. Everything is pretty much open ended so if you don’t set a goal, you might not keep interest in the game for very long. Total: 38/50. Average: 7.6 Overall: 7.5 (not an average) Rating: 4 stars. Final Comments: Whether you like a pure racing game or just like to cruise the island at excessive speeds, this is the game for you. Just don’t expect the MMO feature to be “fully operational.†As far as racing games go for the PSP, this is one of the better ones. Houses don’t really do much besides store your cars. Dealerships are scattered throughout the island and you have to drive to them first before you can teleport to them. Specific shops let you upgrade your car. Obviously, you can’t upgrade your Mercedes at a Ford shop.
Why'd you rip out the music? well its a good review otherwise, but you clustered the shots together at the end, kinda didn't work for me
ehh. i was trying a new format, but i think i will stick with the old one. i ripped out the music because the game is 1.6 GB uncompressed. and the compression was why it was making me fall into the abyss. compressed, it was 600 MB (too small), and with the sound ripped it close to 1-1.2 GB. so i had to make up for that by ripping out the music. (the music is nothing special, since I've listened to it on my PS2 version)
