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[GrizzleBoy]

Strange, I don't remember the complaints about lack of tuning and aftermarket parts in PGR4 discussions. Or tuning in Burnout and NFS.

I guess there's no place for a pick up and play arcade/simcade circuit racing games anymore?

PGR is almost a decade old, burnout offered more than just bog standard racing and the last NFS had weapons in it.

PGR also had weather, replays and did the kudos thing almost a decade ago.

 

[Nyx]

PGR also had weather, replays and did the kudos thing almost a decade ago.

Street Rod had deep tuning and customization options 3 decades ago.

 

[Shaneus]

The notion that every game should be reviewed in a vacuum is a stupid one.

The constant comparisons to FH2 are stupid as well. Seems like a cheap excuse too because some reviewers mentioned "open world" design.

Compare DC to other racing games if you want and it still looks slim in content and scope.

What is does it does beautifully, meta 72 or 7/10, good game, fair score.

Almost makes you wonder how a game like Ferrari F355 Challenge on Dreamcast scored a 92 around the same era Gran Turismo 2 was around. Guys must've been smoking crack to give it such a high score! Only three tracks and ONE CAR.

 

[Nyx]

Almost makes you wonder how a game like Ferrari F355 Challenge on Dreamcast scored a 92 around the same era Gran Turismo 2 was around. Guys must've been smoking crack to give it such a high score! Only three tracks and ONE CAR.

That review is a nice read after all this DC review talk:

The 355 is the only car in the game, for both you and the competition. That's right, the only thing you can do to customize your ride is choose a paint job. This is sort of a blessing and a curse. I mean, you will learn how to control your car - mostly because you have only one car to tame - and you will kick ass. But at the end of the day variety goes a long way, especially if you have raced something like, say, Gran Turismo.

Besides these things, the game really helps you get acclimated to its demanding conditions. The menus and option screens are very straightforward and easy to understand.

The controls are dreamlike. Natural, fast, responsive, predictable... if only I could put an "est" at the end of each of these words. The handling really is dead-on. You have a tremendous sense of momentum and weight in turns, a perfectly helpless sense of loss-of-control while spinning, and you feel really glued to the road when you are driving well. I simply cannot say enough how much I like the way this game plays.

Oh yeah, this is a graphics based game, not text only. And as a graphical game it is a masterpiece. Firstly the tracks. From plain Jane ovals to complex cityscapes, each track is beautiful. The game is fast, but don't miss the views, especially the skies: realistically lit, wonderfully colored, and acceptably dynamic. But I think the really visual strength of the game is in the textures of the tracks and the road itself. The sense of speed is amazing, much due to the road surface. Very realistic stuff

 

[Shaneus]

Strange, I don't remember the complaints about lack of tuning and aftermarket parts in PGR4 discussions. Or tuning in Burnout and NFS.

I guess there's no place for a pick up and play arcade/simcade circuit racing games anymore?

Not when you're reviewing bullet points.
Because:

• 900 cars > 55.
• Open world > corridor.
• Storyline > no storyline.
• Soul > no soul.

Always.

That review is a nice read after all this DC review talk:

I didn't actually read it, but those things you picked out... all perfectly applicable when describing DC. Goddamned surprising that this is the SAME WEBSITE that gave DC 5/10.

Go figure. Guess that means the days of quality being reviewed fairly against quantity is a bygone thing from a console generation or two ago.

 

[Kssio_Aug]

I just think that people are overracting about the score. 70+ is not a bad score, and by everything I've read it doesnt seem unfair. The game flawed (not sure if this word exists) content wise and not only at the customization options; the tracks seems to feel way too closed (the invisible walls too close to the road and the countdown if you step outside of it); also its release without weather and photomode that will only happen after a patch; and the strange collisions.

The game can handle good and look good, so 7/10 means it is still a good game even with everything else.

 

[GrizzleBoy]

Street Rod had deep tuning and customization options 3 decades ago.

I'm not sure you know what my point was, by extension meaning you may not actually know what your own point is either.

I was replying to someone asking why PGR wasn't knowed down for no customisation.

My reply showed that at the time, approaching a decade PGR was brining its own vibe and also brought more than DCs current position. It was a more complete racing game in terms of racing game features, "basic" as it was.

Are you trying to imply that Street rod brings more to the table than GT and Forza?

What is your point?

 

[Nyx]

I'm not sure you know what my point was, by extension meaning you may not actually know what your own point is either.

I was replying to someone asking why PGR wasn't knower down for no customisation.

My reply showed that at the time PGR was brining its own vibe and also brought more than DCs current position. It was a more complete racing game, "basic" as it was.

Are you trying to imply that Street rod brings more to the table than GT and Forza?

What is your point?

My point consisted of 2 things.

I tried to be funny, guess I failed cause you're not laughing.

My other point was exactly what you describe, you explained that PGR had stuff DC will have but a decade ago already, and therefore I said that customization and tuning also isn't something new that deserves extra points.

 

[travisbickle]

Almost makes you wonder how a game like Ferrari F355 Challenge on Dreamcast scored a 92 around the same era Gran Turismo 2 was around. Guys must've been smoking crack to give it such a high score! Only three tracks and ONE CAR.

Now that's a review. I think today's reviewers are pandering too much to the perceived need for every game to fit a certain template of content and experience. Live a little reviewers, enjoy games for being different.

 

[goonergaz]

If games were reviewed like that then every game not fundamentally broke would receive a 10

I said not good enough too!?

 

[QaaQer]

I'm sure the reviewers have their reasons but they almost succeeded in keeping me from buying it. I haven't had this much fun with a racing game in years, though. The handling, track design, progression, and presentation are exactly what I want in a racing game but I can very easily understand why it wouldn't work for everyone these days.

Still, it takes me back to the days of Ridge Racer V and PGR. I just want to keep playing.

This is why metacritic matters so much when it comes to what and how retail games are made. It is a big part of why AAA gaming is so generic. I'm not blaming you d10x cuz I'm the same way, it is just the way things are. Luckily, retail AAA gaming is a diminishing subset of gaming.

I'm looking forward to the day when people who have grown up with minecraft become game creators and reviewers.

 

[goonergaz]

Share button is no excuse for no replay! Also, I dont know how is it with DC, but as far as I can remember Share Button was broken and not recording exactly all the time how it should.

Replay is coming, share button is a compromise which (AFAIK) works fine. Whilst it doesn't do different angles etc it's better than nowt (or delaying launch for a month or so longer IMHO)

 

[QaaQer]

It's interesting but for some reason the lack of those features is partially responsible for my greater enjoyment, I have to admit.

I really just enjoyed the clean, simple, stripped back approach these days. It's the same reason I regularly return to a fair number of retro games.

It's fair to take a review hit for missing features, though, since I realize most people view it as a bad thing.

Still, at release, I actually felt that Forza 5 was much more limited than DriveClub when it comes to the things I care about. It had a very limited set of tracks, a simple selection of single player events, and huge barriers before acquiring new cars meant that you'd be driving the same cars for a long time. It felt as if I were racing the same tracks constantly and they always looked identical. The quality of the tracks is just really important to me - more than just about anything else. Good handling plus great tracks is all I want in a racing game.

I could have written that.

The odds of getting another DC are pretty slim, so I guess we should just enjoy this one while we can.

 

[QaaQer]

Then you can do that too. The tools are there and game is whatever you make it.

If you want the best times and are racing online, do you need to mess with that stuff?

 

[QaaQer]

I just think that people are overracting about the score. 70+ is not a bad score, and by everything I've read it doesnt seem unfair. The game flawed (not sure if this word exists) content wise and not only at the customization options; the tracks seems to feel way too closed (the invisible walls too close to the road and the countdown if you step outside of it); also its release without weather and photomode that will only happen after a patch; and the strange collisions.

The game can handle good and look good, so 7/10 means it is still a good game even with everything else.

It's not a bad score, its just a score that will ensure this is the end of the road for the series unless the PS+ version attracts enough buyers. I actually wish they had gone for a fair f2p model model (i.e. free base game, charge for additional cars and packs) because the f2p model is the best way of getting around the review score bullshit.

C'est la vie.

 

[Fortinbras]

You might wanna specify that they would have given the game a 7.8 but because of the server problems they see it at 5.0 for now.

I haven't read the review. I don't need to. I bought the game and think it's fun.

 

[Shaneus]

I just think that people are overracting about the score. 70+ is not a bad score, and by everything I've read it doesnt seem unfair. The game flawed (not sure if this word exists) content wise and not only at the customization options; the tracks seems to feel way too closed (the invisible walls too close to the road and the countdown if you step outside of it); also its release without weather and photomode that will only happen after a patch; and the strange collisions.

The game can handle good and look good, so 7/10 means it is still a good game even with everything else.

I can't speak for others, but I'm not upset about the score. I'm upset that a) in some reviews it's deemed bad and/or b) the justifications for *why* it's bad. I'm not looking at the reviews that gave it a 7 in those cases though, more looking at Gamespot and Eurogamer because they were completely bullshit justifications.

 

[nib95]

I'm sure the reviewers have their reasons but they almost succeeded in keeping me from buying it. I haven't had this much fun with a racing game in years, though. The handling, track design, progression, and presentation are exactly what I want in a racing game but I can very easily understand why it wouldn't work for everyone these days.

Still, it takes me back to the days of Ridge Racer V and PGR. I just want to keep playing.

It's interesting but for some reason the lack of those features is partially responsible for my greater enjoyment, I have to admit.

I really just enjoyed the clean, simple, stripped back approach these days. It's the same reason I regularly return to a fair number of retro games.

It's fair to take a review hit for missing features, though, since I realize most people view it as a bad thing.

Still, at release, I actually felt that Forza 5 was much more limited than DriveClub when it comes to the things I care about. It had a very limited set of tracks, a simple selection of single player events, and huge barriers before acquiring new cars meant that you'd be driving the same cars for a long time. It felt as if I were racing the same tracks constantly and they always looked identical. The quality of the tracks is just really important to me - more than just about anything else. Good handling plus great tracks is all I want in a racing game.

Nice. Was hoping for your follow up posts. It's weird how divisive Driveclub is, but even stranger how different the general opinion has been from most of those who actually own or bought the game, compared to that of a large portion of journalists. I think DC is a somewhat old school racer, harkening back to the days of PGR etc as you mentioned, only with an injection of tech innovation. I think some journalists actually frown upon those days, as they have been referred to as such things such as "dark days of gaming".

 

[fuzzyreactor]

Is it true that there are no replays? If so, lol. What a fuck up. This game should of been cancelled. I never had faith in it anyways. Looked shit from the start.

fuck u

 

[sangreal]

I just wish Sony would hurry up w/ the PS+ version so I can try it for myself

 

[FaintColt388301]

Not when you're reviewing bullet points.
Because:

• 900 cars > 55.
• Open world > corridor.
  [*]Storyline > no storyline.
• Soul > no soul.

Always.

I really don't want a story line in my racing games. Please keep that out for the love of God. I buy a racing game to race, not to have a watch drama unfold.

And Open world is not always better than corridor. They each have their benefits and I'm glad it's not an open world. I don't want to explore or drive from race to race. I just want to race. DC cuts out the filler and mundane tasks and just gives you the meat, and damn good meat at that.

 

[Shaneus]

I really don't want a story line in my racing games. Please keep that out for the love of God. I buy a racing game to race, not to have a watch drama unfold.

And Open world is not always better than corridor. They each have their benefits and I'm glad it's not an open world. I don't want to explore or drive from race to race. I just want to race. DC cuts out the filler and mundane tasks and just gives you the meat, and damn good meat at that.

I was very much mocking some of the reviews that had come out. Don't worry, I'm on your side

 

[Kssio_Aug]

It's not a bad score, its just a score that will ensure this is the end of the road for the series unless the PS+ version attracts enough buyers. I actually wish they had gone for a fair f2p model model (i.e. free base game, charge for additional cars and packs) because the f2p model is the best way of getting around the review score bullshit.

C'est la vie.

Reviewers do their job reviewing what is delivered to them. This is nowhere a perfect game, with such flaws I cant see WHY it should score more then 8 (and I myself believe a 7 is good enough for this all).

At the same time that I understand that 4 and 5 may be too little for this game, its general score is at 70+ what is completely reasonable it seems.

 

[FaintColt388301]

I was very much mocking some of the reviews that had come out. Don't worry, I'm on your side

Haha. Oops. I should've picked that up with the soul>no soul but you never know these days.

 

[avatar12]

Damn it! My game is still sealed, unopened because of all those comments and reviews lol. Not sure if I should return it.

 

[herod]

It's old school in the exact way I wanted. It feels like a mashup of Evo's WRC4, Sega Rally Revo and TOCA. I am smitten.

 

[Servbot24]

Not when you're reviewing bullet points.
Because:

• 900 cars > 55.
• Open world > corridor.
• Storyline > no storyline.
• Soul > no soul.

Always.

Open world games are almost always worse than linear ones. And I don't want a bloody storyline in my racing games, ffs. (I know this was a satirical post btw)

 

[drugstore_cowboy]

If you want the best times and are racing online, do you need to mess with that stuff?

Time trials and Rival modes yeah you do. Not so much in races. You can create private races and disable all those aspects too iirc.

 

[Ingueferroque]

PGR is almost a decade old, burnout offered more than just bog standard racing and the last NFS had weapons in it.

PGR also had weather, replays and did the kudos thing almost a decade ago.

Lol.

 

[SirMossyBloke]

Glad I waited for the weather update. I think I'm going to enjoy it for what it is when the new content has been added.

 

[ProfessorMoran]

I just think that people are overracting about the score. 70+ is not a bad score, and by everything I've read it doesnt seem unfair. The game flawed (not sure if this word exists) content wise and not only at the customization options; the tracks seems to feel way too closed (the invisible walls too close to the road and the countdown if you step outside of it); also its release without weather and photomode that will only happen after a patch; and the strange collisions.

The game can handle good and look good, so 7/10 means it is still a good game even with everything else.

I don't think people are reacting to the average rather than the low-ball scores Drive Club is getting, scores like 5/10 and 2/5 almost seem like some reviewers are determined to sink the title and Evolution along with it (given how it's common practice to link compensation with metacritic scores), the game is not THAT bad, it's a beautiful racer that is very fun to play.

 

[ALLseeingEYE]

Almost makes you wonder how a game like Ferrari F355 Challenge on Dreamcast scored a 92 around the same era Gran Turismo 2 was around. Guys must've been smoking crack to give it such a high score! Only three tracks and ONE CAR.

Dude, that was one review from 10 years ago by some other reviewer who probably doesn't even work at IGN anymore. If I remember correctly, F355 challenge scored mixed reviews on dreamcast, here are the PS2 version reviews:
http://www.gamerankings.com/ps2/560784-ferrari-f355-challenge/index.html


Also, ever since the PS1-era, racers have been getting slagged for having a lack of content. As an old Sega Saturn owner I know this too well, watching Sega release bare bones arcade ports and seeing them getting mixed reviews due to the lack of content.

I'm looking forward to trying Drive Club a lot, especially for the visuals, but from the outside, it seems like the game just doesn't seem to do anything remarkable outside of the visuals. Perhaps I'm wrong, awesome if you are enjoying it, it seems like a lot of critics liked it a lot, it's just that the overall sentiment is that it's good but not great. Nothing to be ashamed of. I loved the hell out of Daytona USA for Saturn, and still do to this day.

 

[rich7sena]

Not when you're reviewing bullet points.
Because:

• 900 cars > 55.
• Open world > corridor.
• Storyline > no storyline.
• Soul > no soul.

Always.

I don't believe the bullet points above are the reasons Driveclub didn't score as well as some expected, but a lot of those features give developers more overhead to try new things. In fact, I think one of the things reviewers have unanimously agreed upon is that one of Driveclub's highlights is the tracks. I also have seen many reviews criticize Forza Horizon 2 for it's "storyline."

Here's what I would have liked to see in Driveclub:

-55 cars is fine, but I would have liked to see a more diverse collection of manufacturers from around the world. I would have also preferred less performance hatches and sedans in favor of more true track machines.

-The penalties for impacts and going off track shouldn't have been implemented the way they were. There should of been a more organic way for penalizing players for cutting corners or smashing into walls.

-True customization of club logos and liveries is a glaring omission to me.

-I feel like the "club" aspect of the game should of been represented in the single player tour in some way.

The model of Driveclub gives Evolution very little room for error considering how little content is available. If you're looking for a robust single player experience (which many racing fans are), there is very little to nothing Driveclub can offer. To many, it doesn't look like Driveclub is worth the full price of admission, which is why people are upset at the PS+ edition being MIA.

That said, as a racing game fan, I still really want to try this game.

 

[wickfut]

I don't believe the bullet points above are the reasons Driveclub didn't score as well as some expected, but a lot of those features give developers more overhead to try new things. In fact, I think one of the things reviewers have unanimously agreed upon is that one of Driveclub's highlights is the tracks. I also have seen many reviews criticize Forza Horizon 2 for it's "storyline."

Here's what I would have liked to see in Driveclub:

-55 cars is fine, but I would have liked to see a more diverse collection of manufacturers from around the world. I would have also preferred less performance hatches and sedans in favor of more true track machines.

-The penalties for impacts and going off track shouldn't have been implemented the way they were. There should of been a more organic way for penalizing players for cutting corners or smashing into walls.

-True customization of club logos and liveries is a glaring omission to me.

-I feel like the "club" aspect of the game should of been represented in the single player tour in some way.

The model of Driveclub gives Evolution very little room for error considering how little content is available. If you're looking for a robust single player experience (which many racing fans are), there is very little to nothing Driveclub can offer. To many, it doesn't look like Driveclub is worth the full price of admission, which is why people are upset at the PS+ edition being MIA.

That said, as a racing game fan, I still really want to try this game.

So you've just low score reviewed the game without playing it?

 

[unapersson]

Some of the reviews remind me of the moment at the end of The Trial when Joseph K is taken off to be executed. They've been delayed and had to wait a year and a half but now the knives are out. I just hope Evolution fares better than K did.

 

[rich7sena]

So you've just low score reviewed the game without playing it?

Really? What score did I give it?

 

[hastethedav]

I really hope the reviews don't hurt evolution. I feel like between the apocalypse timing issue. The scores and the online issues, they have a lot of eyes on them.

It's such a addicting well crafted driving experience, I hope they can keep it up and give us a motorstorm in a few years

 

[QaaQer]

Reviewers do their job reviewing what is delivered to them. This is nowhere a perfect game, with such flaws I cant see WHY it should score more then 8 (and I myself believe a 7 is good enough for this all).

At the same time that I understand that 4 and 5 may be too little for this game, its general score is at 70+ what is completely reasonable it seems.

I think you are missing the point. The numbers in and of themselves do not matter. What matters is the following:

• retail console game sales correlate heavily with metacritic scores
• to maximize sales, decision makers only fund games that have a high chance of scoring well
• in order to score well, games must cater to the tastes of a particular niche group
• to help ensure this, games are continually evaluated by critics during the design and production, so much so you can say critics design aaa console games
• as such, retail console game games that do not cater to that group will never get made

Sometimes a game like driveclub or Nier will slip through, but in today's world, it is pretty rare. Mostly, retail console games are made for reviewers and designed by other reviewers (current and former). If you have the same tastes, the system works great for you.

For those people who tastes are not the same as "20-40 y.o. white males who get paid to play 30+ videogames per year", which is the vast majority of people, they must look elsewhere.

The biggest games in the world today are LoL, Dota2, Clash of Clans, Candy Crush, Hay Day, CoD, WoW, SWTOR, Minecraft, Crossfire, World of Tanks, Maplestory, Team Fortress,...probably forgetting some. The role of reviewers in determining their success? zero. The amount of time developers spent in catering to the tastes of reviewers?* zero. The amount of success? you be the judge.

*CoD & SWTOR being kind-of exceptions.

It is what it is, and we'll see what the long term prospects are now that we live in a world with ubiquitous powerful tablets and smartphones that do not rely retail game sales in any way. I'd love to know %tage of under 14's who don't care about consoles vs. 10 years ago.

Outside of the above, the actual numbers are completely meaningless, and arguing about them pointless (hehe).

SlightlyOT: I wonder if the butchering of Destiny occurred after the mock reviews came in.

 

[QaaQer]

wrong thr4ad

 

[travisbickle]

I really hope the reviews don't hurt evolution. I feel like between the apocalypse timing issue. The scores and the online issues, they have a lot of eyes on them.

It's such a addicting well crafted driving experience, I hope they can keep it up and give us a motorstorm in a few years

It's a wait and see for Evolution.

I've realised everyone has strong views on what a driving game should be, and what a video game should be. But Evolution has strong views too, and they made a game with those views. I think Sony has faith in them to a certain extent, an extensive demo and 9 months of DLC that will probably go well beyond the introduction of GT PS4. They'll have a lot of information about players' feelings towards the game come the latter stages of DLC if anyone's still playing.

And I agree it's well crafted, but needs the community element working.

 

[RedRooster]

Just release a full WRC DLC pack with cars and tracks and all will be forgotten.
Man, these graphics with Wreckfest's damage in a WRC game...

 

[Scoot McNairy]

I'm getting sick of how much benefit of the doubt this game is getting. It's considerably flawed, and not what we were promised, with a crap online aspect, no replays, music, weather, and very tight corridor tracks which penalise you repeatedly for things out of your control. This is one time where the press has got it right.

 

[1.21Gigawatts]

So any outlets ajdusting their scores since online doesn't really work after release?

I've seen 4Players going from 78 to 50.
Any other outlets doing the same?

 

[SmokedMeat]

First off, sucks to hear the low scores the game is getting for merely being a competent racing game.
Secondly, what's this new "corridor racing" term I'm reading? Damn modern gamers and your dumbass labels! What the hell do you think the vast majority of the greatest racers of all time have been? I despise this new term!
Lastly, the one thing that turned me off a bit to Drive Club was what seems like a lack of vibrancy in the world. Everything just looks rather drab and dreary. That for me is why I'm looking at a certain other racer. Much like the old arcade racers back in the day I want bright, vibrant, worlds to race in.
I just hope Evolutuon is ok if the sales aren't quite there. Let's get back to Motorstorm please!
..my two cents.

 

[BruiserBear]

Nice. Was hoping for your follow up posts. It's weird how divisive Driveclub is, but even stranger how different the general opinion has been from most of those who actually own or bought the game, compared to that of a large portion of journalists. I think DC is a somewhat old school racer, harkening back to the days of PGR etc as you mentioned, only with an injection of tech innovation. I think some journalists actually frown upon those days, as they have been referred to as such things such as "dark days of gaming".

I can't recall ever seeing a first party AAA console exclusive being touted for "harkening back" to the old days. First party exclusives are supposed to be showcase games, not only via graphics tech but also in features.

 

[rrc1594]

So any outlets ajdusting their scores since online doesn't really work after release?

I've seen 4Players going from 78 to 50.
Any other outlets doing the same?

Why?

 

[blastprocessor]

wow this is not looking so great on metacritic :/

Play the game and you won't care about the score. Yes it's not perfect but it's great to play.

 

[EBreda]

First off, sucks to hear the low scores the game is getting for merely being a competent racing game.
Secondly, what's this new "corridor racing" term I'm reading? Damn modern gamers and your dumbass labels! What the hell do you think the vast majority of the greatest racers of all time have been? I despise this new term!
Lastly, the one thing that turned me off a bit to Drive Club was what seems like a lack of vibrancy in the world. Everything just looks rather drab and dreary. That for me is why I'm looking at a certain other racer. Much like the old arcade racers back in the day I want bright, vibrant, worlds to race in.
I just hope Evolutuon is ok if the sales aren't quite there. Let's get back to Motorstorm please!
..my two cents.

There are 2 kinds of complaints when people use the "corridor racer" term in my point of view, and one of them is justified.

It's not about being confined to the racing track as opposed to an open world racer. Like you said, this is done in most of the greatest racers of all time and it has never been an issue. People complaining about not being able to head in any direction are clearly comparing apples to oranges here.

On the other hand, the problem with Driveclub is that 1) the game sells on you on a massive scale for the environments but in reality you're confined to the track, somewhat braking the illusion of freedom that the environment seems to indicate; 2) the game penalizes you for deviating slightly from the road with invisible walls and penalties; 3) the game starts a 3 second countdown everytime you put one tire off the asphalt, this being the most obnoxious thing in the game imo, cause it actually prevents you from seeing huge crashes and fighting to get back to the road, both of which are standards in racers.

Tl;dr: complaining about not being able to drive through vines is stupid, but being reset on the track everytime you miss a turn is stupider.

 

[Myggen]

Goddammit, metacritic @ 72, the game does not reflect that low score, utter nonsense.

The score inflation is real when 72/100 is considered a "low score". 72 is a good game, not a great game. It's not a low score.

There are 2 kinds of complaints when people use the "corridor racer" term in my point of view, and one of them is justified.

It's not about being confined to the racing track as opposed to an open world racer. Like you said, this is done in most of the greatest racers of all time and it has never been an issue. People complaining about not being able to head in any direction are clearly comparing apples to oranges here.

On the other hand, the problem with Driveclub is that 1) the game sells on you on a massive scale for the environments but in reality you're confined to the track, somewhat braking the illusion of freedom that the environment seems to indicate; 2) the game penalizes you for deviating slightly from the road with invisible walls and penalties; 3) the game starts a 3 second countdown everytime you put one tire off the asphalt, this being the most obnoxious thing in the game imo, cause it actually prevents you from seeing huge crashes and fighting to get back to the road, both of which are standards in racers.

Tl;dr: complaining about not being able to drive through vines is stupid, but being reset on the track everytime you miss a turn is stupider.

Yeah, having those kind of penalties in what mostly feels like an arcade game is just baffling to me. I would understand it in a sim racer, but in a game like DC?

 

[nib95]

I can't recall ever seeing a first party AAA console exclusive being touted for "harkening back" to the old days. First party exclusives are supposed to be showcase games, not only via graphics tech but also in features.

Absolute rubbish. First party games can be whatever the hell the developers intend them to be. This requirement for innovation or gimmicks, especially if it's from a first party studio, is just nonsense.