Do you love driving? What about clubs? If the answer to both of those questions is “Yes” then this might just be the WeView for you.
Yes, we’re turning our attention to Driveclub this week. Sure, the promised PlayStation Plus edition still hasn’t appeared, and may not for a while, but hopefully some of you went out and spent your money on the full edition of the game.
Before we get to your views on the game though, it’s time to hear what Tef thought of the game when he reviewed it back in October. The headline for him was the game’s visual presentation, where he was impressed by the way each of the game’s locations was “stunningly created and minutely detailed”. For example, the fact that the game features “the actual plant life that you’d see on a trip” to the various locations in game is particularly worthy of note, as is the way “Flags blow in the wind, flocks of birds burst out from trees, confetti gently floats down to the ground and balloons are let loose into the sky.”
The look of the cars is, of course, just as important as environment, and it seems safe to say that Evolution haven’t skimped in this area, with Tef relating that they “look as accurate and true to life as can be”. He also praised the sound of the game’s vehicles, saying it “sets a new bar for the recreation of a car’s sound”.
He was also impressed with the game’s challenge system, particularly the simplicity with which challenges can be shared. However, he did wish that the system would let him “take the customisation of my challenge even further,” saying that he’d like to “be able to pick the exact Face Offs that feature, choose whether it’s my own score that features in them, set if it’s a time, time and race position together or score to beat and more”.
He was also somewhat frustrated by the lack of customisation in the game’s multiplayer races, particularly the lack of private lobbies. This missing element perhaps contributed to his frustration at the way that other drivers “felt the need to try and push you into walls” on particularly tricky corners, saying that moves like this can “be infuriating when racing against people you don’t know.”
Despite these minor let downs, Tef did score the game at 8/10 and had this to say in conclusion:
As you finish the Tour and start to take on more and more challenges, Driveclub starts to show its true colours. It may be difficult for some to adapt to in an age where racers sprawl across open worlds featuring hundreds of cars and tons of tracks, but this is a game with a very singular focus. The overarching goals soon start to peel away, and you’re left with the purity of competing against the times and records of friends and rivals, the stunning scenery and the joy of driving cars absolutely on the limit.
The question is, do you agree with Tef’s view of the game? Did you love Driveclub, or was it a let down for you? Did it live up to the extreme hype it seemed to receive, or was it underwhelming when you finally got your hands on it?
If you feel like sharing your thoughts on the game all you need to do is drop us a comment below, and we might even include you in Monday’s Verdict article. Remember to include a rating for the game from the Buy It, Sale It, Plus It, Avoid It scale.
aycizzle
I bought my ps4 a week before the ps+ version was supposed to release so needless to say I was disappointed when it was delayed. I held off until I saw the weather update, so took the plunge and bought the game a week before the update released. Since then it has consumed 90% of my gaming time and I love every aspect of the game. It’s not perfect but no game is, but it is far and away the best driving game in years! I’ve not seen post release support as good as evolution’s since burnout paradise! It’s only 20 quid new these days so buy it and buy the season pass too. You won’t be disappointed.
JustTaylorNow
Buy buy buy buy!!!
I bought it on ps plus sale & honestly I don’t regret the purchase at all by far one of the best driving game for me in a long time & this is coming from a guy who hates car games especially the ones that tries to be real life situation rather than being fun (burnout) but my God this game is an absolute gem. Beautiful better than that other evolution game that had awkward controls.
I know this game had its share of problems & most people are waiting on the ps plus version but I beg you people forget the plus version with limited card & tracks when you can get the full version for under £20, go buy this no regret at all. I will refund you personally if you not happy with it
Forrest_01
Oh, that’s a good deal.
I’m not happy with it *holds out hand for promised refund*.
JustTaylorNow
Please Sir, tell your reasons for not being happy with the purchase?
Forrest_01
Oh, I didn’t buy it (was waiting for the plus version that is now never likely to materialise) – Just seemed like a good way to blag a bit of free money! ;)
double-o-dave
This worryingly sounds like you two are trying to spice up your relationship with a bit of role-play. ;)
Forrest_01
Why worringly? I just wanted him to put a deposit in my hand.
Zambayoshi
I don’t usually like racing games that much because I am pretty crap at them, but Driveclub is really forgiving for amateur racers like me. You start out with easier cars and the gear shift is set to automatic by default. You can set the game to a following view of the car, which makes it easier to see the turns coming. Crashing is very forgiving as well, with car damage being visible but superficial – it won’t affect performance. It is also easy to reset the car on the track when you spin out on a corner.
Challenges are a great aspect of this game. They tend to come up at random points in races or time trials and can be based on drifting around corners, keeping a high average speed or following a good cornering line. These make the game that bit more interesting in my opinion, although you can turn them off if you like.
Car selection is good, but not great. I would have preferred some Nissans in there from the get-go. I still have faith they’ll be included at some point. There are a lot of Audis, BMWs, Mercedes, Ferraris etc as well as a lot of the more exotic vehicles, which is fun.
The car handling is really excellent. Each car tends to handle in a different way. You also get great rumble effects from the different road surfaces.
The visuals are superb, with a super-smooth frame rate and realistic lighting and weather effects. The cars have an insane level of visual fidelity, and you can unlock a plethora of custom paint job options as well.
I am surprised at how much fun I’m having with this game. I recently also got the season pass and it was well worth it. The platinum trophy is also reasonably achievable even for a novice racer like myself, which is a nice change from most racing games!
Definitely gets a ‘Buy It’ from me!
Zambayoshi
Oops, forgot to mention the sound! The soundtrack is non-intrusive but if you don’t like it I believe you can now use the PS4 to run your own tunes in the background (I could be wrong). The sounds of the cars themselves though… never heard anything like it. Unbelievably good. Whether it is the high-pitched scream of a Lotus or a Ferrari or the throaty growl of a Bentley or a Jaguar, this game really delivers a phenomenal soundscape.
JR.
I haven’t bought a racing game since the first Motorstorm in 2006. And before that, Collin McRae Rally on the PS1. It’s safe to say, racing is not my favourite genre.
Driveclub then is a bit of a surprise because I’ve loved every minute so far. Like others on here, I was waiting for the plus version but I’d seen enough vids and read enough reviews to know that I really wanted to play this game and when I saw it in a sale, I jumped.
Haven’t regretted my decision one bit. Fantastic game and very addictive. BUY IT.
JustHonour
Only recently picked it up (so I think I’ve missed the server issues – fingers crossed). Enjoying it so far but I have a few niggles… Lack of a multiplayer server browser is a major downer. Plus, for me at least, the lack of a way to turn of the jiggly camera while racing. Still it’s definitely worth the money until some more racers turn up.
DividSmythe
My biting price was £20 and I’m glad I bought it now. I’ve enjoyed DC quite a bit. £20 digitally and use of cdkeys credit makes it a bit less painful really. Well an extra £3.50 for a £5 spare credit not bad. I would say sale it but its cheap enough now so buy it.