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Test Drive Unlimited 2 - Review Thread

D

Dennis

Banned



Why? Because open-world racing games are probably the only meaningful evolution of this genre we are going to see from here on out.
And TDU was easily one of the the best driving games ever when it came out. With that said, here is the first review:

http://www.gameinformer.com/games/t...2011/02/01/drive-into-a-virtual-paradise.aspx


Concept:
Have car will travel. Ibiza and Oahu are yours for the cruising

Graphics:
Seeing the day-to-night cycle come and go is a gorgeous sight, and overall the game looks great given the sheer amount of content

Sound:
You have two radio stations in your cars – the electronic Hariba Radio and Road Rock. Too bad you can’t import your own tunes

Playability:
You’ll be able to notice cars’ different acceleration, overall speed, and other characteristics, so developing a full garage is useful

Entertainment:
It’s as fun as a vacation on a resort island should be

Replay:
High

Score:
8.5
Click to expand...
 
ResidentDante

ResidentDante

Member
Positive to see it got a good score, I'm really looking forward to getting my copy. TDU1 is one of my favourite racing games ever.
 
M

markot

Banned
Atari :/ so what kind of DRM does it have?

Just checked, securom... and steam achievements.... why bother to put in steam achieves and leave in the assssssssy drm that makes no sense in steam considering steam is drm...
 
R

Rhindle

Member
It's funny that it has been more than 4 years since TDU was released, and it still has:

1. The most impressive MMO overlay of any console game.

2. The best integration of Achievements into core gameplay of any game.
 
W

Wario64

works for Gamestop (lol)
Is there a complete soundtrack listing? I want more than just two radio stations and the wishlist of custom soundtracks.
 
E

epmode

Member
markot said:
Just checked, securom... and steam achievements.... why bother to put in steam achieves and leave in the assssssssy drm
Click to expand...
Because they don't want my money, obviously.
 
DJ_Lae

DJ_Lae

Member
I expect the game to be much the same as the first - a fun, relaxing open-world racer with floaty handling and slightly janky graphics.

And I'm okay with that.

Can't wait for next week.
 
B

Brazil

Living in the shadow of Amaz
The last Test Drive game I played was 4 back in the PS1.

I think I'm ready for another one.
 
DiscoJer

DiscoJer

Member
DJ_Lae said:
I expect the game to be much the same as the first - a fun, relaxing open-world racer with floaty handling and slightly janky graphics.

And I'm okay with that.

Can't wait for next week.
Click to expand...

I liked the first (I actually played the PSP version a lot more because the handling was a lot better) but between the higher price ($60 vs $40) and the lack of cars I like (Lambo/Noble) I think I will pass until it hits the bargain bins.

I hate sequels that somehow offer less than the original. I guess some will get added back as DLC. But still, that car list, how generic can you get?
 
S

Spasm

Member
Serious question, does the 360 version allow throttle/brake on the right stick? TDU 1 didn't, and sadly I skipped it as a result.
 
C

Crazed Alien

Banned
DennisK4 said:
Why? Because open-world racing games are probably the only meaningful evolution of this genre we are going to see from here on out.
Click to expand...

That's crazy talk. There are so many things they could still do with track based games. Campaign co-op for example... In F1 I should be able to play the career mode with a real person for a team mate.
 
F

Foliorum Viridum

Banned
I liked the concept for the first game, but it handled like shit and the races were wayyy too boring.

I hope this is a bit different, but I doubt it will be.
 
N

Neuromancer

Member
Foliorum Viridum said:
I liked the concept for the first game, but it handled like shit and the races were wayyy too boring.

I hope this is a bit different, but I doubt it will be.
Click to expand...
You are such a downer, man.

Anyway this reminds me I need to go out to Home Depot and get a space heater this weekend. My racing wheel/chair is in the basement where it's like, 10 degrees.
 
Big-ass Ramp

Big-ass Ramp

hella bullets that's true
This will be my first purchase in 2011. I loved the first TDU, but it certainly had some rough spots. If they can polish the core gameplay, this could be a stellar game. I hope this game is forgotten, however. I've been hyped for this game for a while but even I forgot about it.
 
A

Amon37

Member
Wario64 said:
Is there a complete soundtrack listing? I want more than just two radio stations and the wishlist of custom soundtracks.
Click to expand...
Especially considering you could use your own tunes with the radio in TDU 1
 
DJ_Lae

DJ_Lae

Member
DiscoJer said:
I liked the first (I actually played the PSP version a lot more because the handling was a lot better) but between the higher price ($60 vs $40) and the lack of cars I like (Lambo/Noble) I think I will pass until it hits the bargain bins.
Click to expand...

Is the game still full price in the US?

Gamestop/EB posted a price drop to $50 in Canada a few weeks back. I don't know if it was just a preorder deal but it still seems to be listed at that (and $40 on PC).
 
Big-ass Ramp

Big-ass Ramp

hella bullets that's true
DJ_Lae said:
Is the game still full price in the US?

Gamestop/EB posted a price drop to $50 in Canada a few weeks back. I don't know if it was just a preorder deal but it still seems to be listed at that (and $40 on PC).
Click to expand...


According to Amazon, the MSRP is $10 below the typical MSRP for the respective platform. For example, the PC version is $39 and the consoles cost $49.
 
DiscoJer

DiscoJer

Member
DJ_Lae said:
Is the game still full price in the US?

Gamestop/EB posted a price drop to $50 in Canada a few weeks back. I don't know if it was just a preorder deal but it still seems to be listed at that (and $40 on PC).
Click to expand...

Ah, I missed that. When I had it pre-ordered (which I dropped), it was still $60.
 
M

Mar

Member
I just found out there's no Mclaren F1 in the game... Such an odd thing to not include (on the disc at least).

Think I'll pass on the game then.
 
B

BigDug13

Member
Wait, we get to drive both Oahu and Ibiza? So basically you can get rid of your first game when you buy this one?

I wonder if they updated the roads at all. I used to live in Oahu and even though I saw some road layouts that I recognized, a lot of it wasn't even close to the real thing.
 
N

Neuromancer

Member
VibratingDonkey said:
At least one.

IIRC in TDU you could adjust the height and distance of your virtual seat. I would assume this remains a thing in TDU2. Or not.
Click to expand...
It should probably noted that in the 'cockpit' view in TDU1, you could roll your windows up and down.

Let that awesome bomb sink in a for a minute.
 
G

Gen X

Trust no one. Eat steaks.
Neuromancer said:
It should probably noted that in the 'cockpit' view in TDU1, you could roll your windows up and down.

Let that awesome bomb sink in a for a minute.
Click to expand...

That was an awesome feature, thought it would just be all wind noise but it changed the sound of the engine too.
 
N

NullPointer

Member
Neuromancer said:
It should probably noted that in the 'cockpit' view in TDU1, you could roll your windows up and down.

Let that awesome bomb sink in a for a minute.
Click to expand...
If the cars don't handle like go carts I'm sold.
 
D

DuckRacer

Member
Valru said:
How does TDU's handling compare to Midnight Club: LA?
Click to expand...
MC:LA's cars handle like boats, TDU's cars handle as if a skewer was stuck through the car and you're controlling that skewer.

e: wait TDU2 is releasing next week? Haha what the hell talk about sneaking up on you.
 
C

CaLe

Member
Just purchased this on Steam, call it an impulse buy.

The game looks beautiful, it will be fun driving around taking the sights. I'm a sucker for mindless games.

Dynamic Weather ? Purchase houses and go to the casino ? Drive around for miles and miles ?

Hell yeah.
 
T

The Antitype

Banned
DennisK4 said:
Why? Because open-world racing games are probably the only meaningful evolution of this genre we are going to see from here on out.
Click to expand...


The only area of evolution we're going to see from here on out is a design paradigm that's been around since Midnight Club 2? Thats.....sad. Open world racers have been around for awhile, and while there's still more to be done with the format, it's not the only road left to be traveled.

I think there's a lot more to be done with the racing genre in the online, competitive and social space (obviously), but the whole idea of an MMO racer is still intriguing.

Hopefully the controls are better though, cause they REALLY kept me from enjoying the first game.
 
DiscoJer

DiscoJer

Member
The Antitype said:
The only area of evolution we're going to see from here on out is a design paradigm that's been around since Midnight Club 2? Thats.....sad. Open world racers have been around for awhile, and while there's still more to be done with the format, it's not the only road left to be traveled.
Click to expand...

Actually, Test Drive III

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Test_Drive_III

But I think his point was that TDU was really the first popular racing game on a massive scale. Not a city, but an island.
 
G

GONz

Member
Really liked the 1st one. I was quite hyped at the reveal of this one, but now I realise that, with my work schedule and everything, I probably won't find the time to play this one at launch and in the following months :/
 
D

Dilly

Banned
NullPointer said:
This will make it or brake it for me. Love the concept, but what I played of the first game was horrible.
Click to expand...

The handling in the first game was great compared to what I experienced in the open beta.
 
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