Super Street Game Reviews
| Console: PlayStation2 |
| Publisher: Infrogames |
| Genre: Racing |
| Hot: Scenery, graphics, and music |
| Not: Very arcade-like feel, no car damage |
| Score: |  |
Test Drive should not be in anyway confused with a racing simulator. Not that this is a bad thing; it's just that if you go into the game looking for the physics of Project Gotham or the depth of Gran Turismo 3, you will be sorely disappointed.
Test Drive lets you race a bunch of different cars across the countrysides of varying foreign and not-so-foreign locales. There is also an "Underground" mode that puts you in the seat as Dennis Black, a racer trying to make his name in the world of underground street racing, where as you beat competitors in different challenges, you win their cars to use in other sections of the game.
This game is an arcade game in every sense of the term. The cars don't get damaged, even if you crash your Nissan Skyline into a bus at 120mph. The bus will just flip into the air harmlessly and in a few seconds you are back to racing. This is not bad by any means, look at Cruisin' USA, it's still in the arcades making money, and nobody is complaining. The game looks incredible though (slightly better on the Xbox, but not much). The cars show environment reflections, and are very true to their real-life counterparts, the scenery is breathtaking as the sunsets and architecture all lend a very surreal feel to the experience. (I've been spending too much time in the art museums). The music pretty much kicks ass. The soundtrack is very reminiscent of a certain import car racing movie that sold millions of DVD copies, but I'm not naming any names. Music selections include pieces from Saliva, Ja Rule, Young MC (Young MC?), Moby, Bubba Sparxxx, and a few others. All that being said, Test Drive for both consoles is at least worth the rental if you are looking for a quick-fix driving experience. If you find yourself becoming addicted to it, by all means run out to the store and grab a copy.