DriveClub
Overview -
'Driveclub' is of course the PS4 game that Sony pitched as a hip (and faster to market than a 'Gran Turismo' installment) first-party racing game long before the PS4 launched. Back in September 2013, two months prior to the PlayStation 4's release, a small batch of Belgian journalists was cordially invited by Sony and its representatives to test the shiny new console in a fancy hotel in Brussels. That was the my first hands-on encounter with 'Driveclub,' when it was still set to be a launch title. With racing clubs being one of the game biggest features, it isn't an easy thing to demonstrate. Just a few weeks later, Sony formally delayed the game. Now, it's time to see if the extra year of development been kind to 'Driveclub.'
Video Review
Graphics-wise, 'Driveclub' is one stunning game, even at 30fps. As far as PlayStation 4 racing games go, 'Driveclub' takes the cake, decorates it and wins the bake-off. Landscapes and vistas impress with endless amounts of detail. You could actually count the leaves on the trees, should you choose to slow down during frantic face-offs. During certain events, the sun slowly goes down, darkness falls across the land and beautifully obscures the road. Lest I forget, car models are hyper realistic eye candy for enthusiasts. While still not THE reference game to convince your sceptical friends to splash the cash for a PS4 from a pure graphical standpoint, 'Driveclub' still scores very high on the visual charts.
Audio Review
There's no music during the races by default, just loads and loads of 'vrooms', screeches and braking noises. The audio submenu offers the possibility to turn on a questionable selection of background tunes. While crystal clear and designed to give your subwoofer a good work-out, the audio ranks as 'Driveclub's weakest aspect.
Final Thoughts
'Driveclub' features all the thrills of high-speed octane driving one can have without having to fear a speeding ticket, however, this isn't a driving simulator of the 'Gran Tursimo' variety. Graphically amazing and technically flawless, 'Driveclub' has more pros than cons. The one real caveat is that it's still just a racing game that isn't particularly fun or hilarious. For those kicks, I heartily suggest 'Mario Kart 8'. 'Driveclub,' meanwhile, is part of the new social racer genre, but its gameplay left me cold. Recommended for racing aficionados, worth a look for everyone else.
