This entry was posted on Monday, January 29th, 2007 at 8:50 AM and is filed under Gaming, Microsoft, Software, Xbox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I recently purchased and began playing the latest title in the Test Drive® franchise, Test Drive® Unlimited, on the Xbox 360. I have to say that this game is one of the better titles I have played in a while when it comes to a non-stressful, challenging, open-ended, racing game. The setting for this title is an island, which is pretty big mind you, and you are free to drive anywhere on it you choose, even if they’re aren’t paved roads where you want to go.
The graphics are more than acceptable on this game. They’re not as good as PGR3, but then again, PGR 3 doesn’t have all the terrain, birds and planes flying overhead, or AI controlled traffic to deal with. The scenery on this game looks really cool. Like I said earlier, you can drive anywhere you want to. You can pull into a parking lot at a near by building or drive across the grass and mountains attempting to avoid trees and boulders along the way.
I think the car models look pretty good considering everything that is going on. There are a number of vehicles to choose from that you can buy from the respective dealers or from other Xbox Live players. You can also get a number of motorcycle for cruising around the island.
This game is one that you can just sit down and start playing. If you don’t feel like completing a challenge, don’t! Just drive and explore the island. If you are interested in the many challenges available on the game, you wont be disappointed there either. There are challenges like Transport where you have to deliver a car from point A to point B for someone and get paid mad cash. There are also hitchhiker challenges where you either take nobodies or “top models” from point A to point B in a set amount of time. The Courier challenge has you taking a package of unknown contents from point A to point B and can get you some crazy cash if you do it in time. And of course, there are time trials, average speed contests, and good ole’ fashioned heads up racing across some beautiful terrain.
One extremely cool aspect of this game, if you have Xbox Live, is that while you’re playing the game, other XBL gamers will show up on your map and can drive with you or against you. There are a number of people playing this game right now so finding people to do free rides, crazy jumps, challenge, or whatever is not a problem.
I have got to be honest and say that this is probably the most fun game I currently own for the 360. It is a cross between PGR3, Grand Theft Auto, and Midnight Club in my opinion. There is just so much you can do. Buy clothes, buy houses, buy cars and motorcycles, challenge other XBL players on the spot, as well as many single player and multiplayer challenges.
This game has come down in price. I believe I snagged my copy for $39.99 at Target but you can probably find it for $30-$35 used at some of your local game stores. If you have a chance to get/rent this game, do it! It is more fun than you could imagine, with or without Xbox Live!
Until next time…
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4 Responses to “Anyone Down for a Drive?”
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January 29th, 2007 at 7:04 PM
Sounds like a lot of fun! I might have to try it myself.
FromJanuary 29th, 2007 at 7:37 PM
I’ll show it to you next time you guys are over at the house. You’d enjoy it, although, it’s nothing like running folks over in the Warthog on Halo!
Jeff
FromJanuary 30th, 2007 at 9:06 AM
I can vouch on this one…TDU is great fun to play! I haven’t touched my other games since I got it.
FromJanuary 30th, 2007 at 9:44 PM
Yeah, me neither, Wooley! I have played a few here and there, but the majority of my time is spent on TDU.
Jeff
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