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[StoOgE]

So, I was playing the demo today, and it has some problems (i.e. the handling isnt very good).. and Im not sold on the gameplay mechanics, but that sad..

I have to say, this is the first "next gen" racing game to really take the genre in a new direction... because lets face it, racing games have been nothing but an evolution of prettier graphics and better physics over the years..

the way this game becomes a living breathing world is really amazing, almost a massively multiplayer online racing game.. for those that havent played the demo or kept up with the game, it goes something like this:

They mapped the entire island of Ohahu (I think, may have the wrong island) and basically turn you loose on it. You drive around wherever the hell you want with no boundries or set tracks. You can drive to certain points on the map that will let you race in short races or time trials for money. With the cash you can drive to car dealerships and buy new wheels, or you can buy a house/garage to keep them in...

the real revolution here is as you drive around the island there are other real people driving around the island on their Xbox 360's. If you run across one of these, honk your horn, place your bets and the challengee creates a track by picking where the finish line for the "track" will be.. and the two of you go at it.

Very inventive idea.. and I think its the first racing game since Gran Turismo to really do something different with the genre.

 

[Majmun]

Well yeah. It's a great idea.

Let's hope they'll execute it well....

 

[DopeyFish]

actually the game is like Test Drive 3 imo

 

[davepoobond]

actually the game is like Test Drive 3 imo

BEFORE ITS TIME

 

[DopeyFish]

BEFORE ITS TIME

i really liked the open aspect of test drive 3

 

[momolicious]

wow, this does sound like the best racing game idea ever

 

[StoOgE]

I was speaking more the the fact that other people were roaming the "world" with you.

 

[KillJade]

i agree. it's a step in the right direction. in a sense you're single player game is more "alive" with real gamers occupying your roads as well as AI cars.

 

[ZombieSupaStar]

I think a next gen ssx with a mountain full of users as a lobby would rock using this kind of setup....

 

[Animal]

I think a next gen ssx with a mountain full of users as a lobby would rock using this kind of setup....

EABig hire this man please.

 

[CB3]

Test Drive: Unlimited is the first "next gen" racing game.

Project Gotham Racing 3 says hi.

 

[Stoney Mason]

Sounds interesting.... Downloading now....Reminds me of Midtown Madness on the PC a little bit for some reason. I agree though racing games are stuck in the doldrums. I rather take an ice pick to the eye than play any more Need for Speed.

 

[Crag Dweller]

I agree. I like the direction they are going with this series. The game though is let down by the driving model. However, it might be something I could get used to with time. Still, with the price at 39.95 and no other racing games coming out soon, I'll give it a go.

 

[KyanMehwulfe]

Wasn't there a Need For Speed game in development that basically let's you loose in a single game environment of the United States (obviously compacted) and basically gives you the single core goal of crossing the country first?

 

[Smokey]

Test Drive: Unlimited is the first "next gen" racing game.


Sorry. Project Gotham Racing 3 has earned that title from me I.M.O.

 

[Wario64]

double post

 

[Wario64]

PGR3 I agree. What's so special about having multiplayer fused into single player? Only next gen can offer this?

Wasn't there a Need For Speed game in development that basically let's you loose in a single game environment of the United States (obviously compacted) and basically gives you the single core goal of crossing the country first?

I was gonna post this but I wasn't entirely sure. I think I remember seeing it in beta form but couldn't find anything about a retail version

 

[Rahxephon91]

PGR3 I agree. What's so special about having multiplayer fused into single player? Only next gen can offer this?

Because it's something new for racing games. PGR3 did'nt offer anyting but a visual upgrade.

 

[skybaby]

Wasn't there a Need For Speed game in development that basically let's you loose in a single game environment of the United States (obviously compacted) and basically gives you the single core goal of crossing the country first?

Motorcity. Canned long ago.

 

[Smokey]

Because it's something new for racing games. PGR3 did'nt offer anyting but a visual upgrade.

Oh but it was such a beautiful one.

 

[dskillzhtown]

TD:U represents the next gen. Online+HD. That is all that next-gen is truly about and it utilizes those things all through the game. To the point that if you do not have your 360 hooked up to the net, and no HDTV, I would think you would miss out of about 75% of the game.

 

[op_ivy]

i hate your thread. bullsh!t, test drive sucks. the driving is horrid. the racing genre doesnt need new ideas like this, only casual, or non-racinf game fans would think such a thing. thats like saying football games need to be re-invented.

just nail the actual driving aspect, and you have a winner in my book. sadly, test drive unlimited has COMPLETELY failed at this most basic aspect thus far.

 

[The Faceless Master]

Project Gotham Racing 3 says hi.

... earlier that thread ...

I have to say, this is the first "next gen" racing game to really take the genre in a new direction... because lets face it, racing games have been nothing but an evolution of prettier graphics and better physics over the years..

yeah, i think i'm gonna go with StoOgE on this one.

 

[CB3]

... earlier that thread ...
yeah, i think i'm gonna go with StoOgE on this one.

So bad gameplay with a different idea = True next gen racer? Bullshit. Its RACING. Better graphics and physics are what make racing games. Mix that with things like Gotham TV, cone challenges, and the almost seemingly perfect mix with Xbox Live makes it the first, and so far only, next gen racer

 

[thorns]

the idea is cool but the handling is total shit. pgr3 is in completely another league and even nfs: most wanted handles better... It might be as next gen as it wants, a racing game with crap handling will be a crap game.. Eden studios' old game, NFS: Porsche Unleashed was better:/

 

[X26]

It's a neat idea for an arcade racer, but if the gameplay mechanics aren't there the novelty will wear out fast.

 

[SolidSnakex]

i hate your thread. bullsh!t, test drive sucks. the driving is horrid. the racing genre doesnt need new ideas like this, only casual, or non-racinf game fans would think such a thing. thats like saying football games need to be re-invented.

I don't really think that's a fair comparisons. In terms of whats popular there's really only 1 way to do a football game. The racing genre is much more diverse so you don't have to just stick to 1 style of how it plays. So its not a bad thing when someone tries to extend it in a new direction. That's what Burnout did this gen.

With that said, I still don't get why Atari gave Eden the 360 version to make and then had Melbourne House do the current gen versions. Melbourne has proven how good they are at making racing games and would've been a great choice.

 

[squicken]

Burnout 3: Takedown actually earned this title 2 years ago.

 

[op_ivy]

I don't really think that's a fair comparisons. In terms of whats popular there's really only 1 way to do a football game. The racing genre is much more diverse so you don't have to just stick to 1 style of how it plays. So its not a bad thing when someone tries to extend it in a new direction. That's what Burnout did this gen.

With that said, I still don't get why Atari gave Eden the 360 version to make and then had Melbourne House do the current gen versions. Melbourne has proven how good they are at making racing games and would've been a great choice.

yeah, you're right. not a good comparison, but i think my main point stands. racing games dont need to be re-invented to be "next-gen". better graphics, control and physics are plenty.


and burnout (above post) is hardly a racing game

 

[HokieJoe]

just nail the actual driving aspect, and you have a winner in my book. sadly, test drive unlimited has COMPLETELY failed at this most basic aspect thus far.

Truth FTW.

TDU is an interesting direction for a racing game, but you pegged it- give me a good driving experience. IMO, TDU doesn't deliver in this respect.

 

[Rhindle]

The new demo isn't THAT bad. Still a bit floaty, but I could get used to it.

 

[Rhindle]

My biggest issue with the game is that I keep feeling like I need to get out of the car and beat up some hookers or something.

 

[btrboyev]

yeah its too bad it has terrible graphics and control.

 

[ZeoVGM]

the racing genre doesnt need new ideas like this, only casual, or non-racinf game fans would think such a thing. thats like saying football games need to be re-invented.

you are completely insane.

 

[HokieJoe]

I dunno. At first, I was flying all over the place, sliding off the road and generally ****ing up at every turn (literally). I decided to hunker down and attune myself to the driving model for about 30 minutes, and after that, Driving around is a breeze. The cars are just a bit touchier in this game, especially the Ferraris and the like. They'll skid out on a dime, so the key is to favor easing off the accellerator in turns and watching for traffic. The graphics have really shaped up nicely, especially when the sun is low in the sky, the lighting really shines (pun intended).


I plan on picking it up, as it should tide me over somewhat until Forza or GTHD, whichever comes first.

I tried the first demo and thought it was decent, but not compelling enough for me to buy the game. The other night I test drove the Ninja and it was too arcadey for my tastes. The game has a nice sensation of speed, but I couldnt' get into the driving/riding part of it that much. I'll give it another try with some cars to see if they've improved that aspect of the game.

Truthfully, I'm probably not a good demographic for this game. Except for the BO series, I generally don't like real arcade racers.

 

[Bloodwake]

Very, very good idea.

Bad execution.

I hate when that happens

 

[Morbo]

and burnout (above post) is hardly a racing game

I've been playing it wrong then.
As for TDU, concept=rock'n'roll, execution=generic pop.

 

[Stoney Mason]

Played it. Not bad. I prefer arcade racers so the driving model didn't bother me. Cool concept. If it gets decent reviews I'll pick it up, especially with the price.

 

[GhaleonEB]

Wow, I had no idea the game was structured that way. Sounds really cool. I hope they clean the handling up.

I totally agree about the evolution comment - I have not bought a racing game in years because there really has been only marginal improvements. A new game structure like this sounds great. I hope it catches on and is a hit.

 

[painful fart]

I would have prefered the small steep roads at Maui, but Ohau is not a bad choice.

Is there a release date for the PS3 for this game?

 

[Raiden]

Burnout 3: Takedown actually earned this title 2 years ago.

There you have it.

 

[shuri]

I think nextgen racing games should be modelled on the multi player integration of this game. I don't see the point of racing 'alone' anymore.

Please listen to this, Polyphony

 

[gtmax]

Everyone says that the driving model sucks, but feew of you explain what's so bad about it.

Is it floaty? What's new in that? Most racing/driving games are floaty and i don't think this is marketed as another 'racing sim.' What exactly is wrong with the driving model? It's impossible that this game is worse than NFS:MW. I got that game for free and threw it away after ten minutes.

Cars spinning on turns? Sounds like someone's taking turns on full throttle, which means the game handles realistically. Do the cars accelerate as they would in real life? can you do a proper donut? Can you drift through a turn? Can you lose control of the car? Do you bounce off walls and other cars? Can you perform a proper power steer? ARe there noticeable differences between different drivetrains? Do FR cars oversteer and are MR cars more stable?

Do any of you know anything about racing games?

 

[Sjoerd]

Well most people consider GT4 to be the most realistic racing game ever and most of the things you are describing are impossible in that game.

 

[gtmax]

Exactly. Most people are wrong.

And didn't Midnight Club 3 do this same thing? Now there's a 'racing' game with a horrible driving model.

 

[Rahul]

so basically it's now a GTA minigame

 

[Zenith]

sounds like NFS Underground 2.

 

[R0nn]

Well most people consider GT4 to be the most realistic racing game ever and most of the things you are describing are impossible in that game.

No it isn't.

1. It's not the most realistic racing game ever (sims like GTR would take that crown easily)

2. It is possible to do most of those things he mentioned, though they aren't easy to pull off

I just played the second demo. Well, the handling of the cars is mostly something you need to get used to. Also, all the cars handle very differently from eachother. I think the biggest problem of this game is that it want to strike a balance between arcade and realism. PGR manages to pull that off quite well, but TDU falls kinda short. It's not really in balance. In regards to the arcade part of the game, I want to be able to drift through corners with ease, like in PGR. But that's not really possible. Performing spins has been made too hard as well.

Oh, and the handling of the bike was just terrible imo. If there's one aspect by which this game could fall flat on it's face, it's the handling of the bikes. It gives you the impression that the whole motorcycle aspect was an afterthought. The roads aren't even really made for them. You just keeping jumping off each moderatly steep bump in the road (of which there are quite a few).

 

[deadhorse32]

sounds like NFS Underground 2.

Yeah NFS underground did the whole "open city" drive around to find opponents/races and shops to customize your car.

 

[RyuHayate]

Man, I wish the motorcycles handled much better. To me, the implementation feels like an afterthought.