Customer Reviews

Test Drive Unlimited

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The real star of this game is the island of Oahu. The whole thing, with terrain and streets modeled down to the meter. Mountain passes, ocean drives, back streets, it's all there. You can even refer to online maps to find your way around the virtual version. There's plenty of eye candy for the sightseer. Lush forests, beaches, rock formations, plantations, private homes, and just enough traffic to make it feel populated. It's surprisingly fun to just pick a luxury car and go for a Sunday drive. And it's not even wasted time, because you get achievements for exploration.

Of course, nearly every mile of roadway is incorporated into one of the pre-planned races and missions, so you will see most of the sights just playing those through. One race in particular takes a 118 mile loop around the entire island. And racing and completing time trials earns money that can be used to buy more cars and homes to store them in.

The selection of vehicles is disappointing, no doubt due to licensing issues. There are plenty of supercars, and the American major manufacturers are all well-represented, but there are no Japanese brands besides Nissan, which only offers two versions of the 350Z. BMW and Porsche are also missing. Customization is limited to a choice of wheels, paint, and pre-set performance levels. As a result, the cars all feel somewhat interchangeable, with little reason to pick one high-downforce, 200MPH+ monster over another.

The cars that made it into the game are nicely modeled, however, and some of the older models do have some character. The option to set seat position for the inside view is a nice touch that makes it feel more realistic. The physics model seems decent, especially with the traction control turned off.

I doubt I'll end up buying every car in the game, but I may pick up the achievement for exploring the entire island. And if I really need to take a Porsche through Kolekole Pass, I might just have to book a trip to Hawaii and do it for real.

I have had this game for about 5 or 6 months now, and it has to be one of the best games I've ever played, and the best driving game. Great graphics, and tons of places to go. Hundreds of miles to drive all over Oahu, Hawaii. One negative thing is you can only play one person at a time, unless you're online. Online is ok, but not to great. Not really good at all without a mic. A very wide selection of cars/bikes, with more being added each month available for free download and microsoft points via xbox live marketplace. Can tune almost every car, with the exception of the ones you win by completing all the challenges in a certain type. (i.e. racing, timed, speed). But very fun to do, and takes a while to finish so you'll be playing for a while, depending on how long you play each day. Another thing I don't like is that to finish the game depends about maybe 15-25% online. You have to win I think it's 5, 10 , and 20 races against another players which will take a long time. I havne't even found anyone to go in a headsup match with me yet. Just unranked matches, that don't count. You also have to join or create a club, which isn't hard at all, but there are a few more things you'll need to do online to finish the game 100%. All in all a GREAT game that you will play a long time. Here's the list of cars and bikes in game, and available for download via xbox live marketplace. I made this list myself, and there shouldn't be any missing, unless a new download has been added to marketplace in the last few weeks, as I haven't checked back yet. Enjoy, and buy the game!

CARS

AC 289
Alfa GT 3.2 V6 24V
Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione
Ascari KZ1
Aston Martin D89 Coupe
Aston Martin D89 Volante
Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato
Aston Martin DB7 Zagato
Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Aston Martin Vanquish S
Audi A3 3.2 Quattro DSG
Audi A6 4.2 Quattro
Audi S4 Cabriolet
Audi TT Quattro Sport
Cadillac XLR-V
Caterham CSR 260
Chevrolet Camaro Z-28
Chevrolet Corvette C6 Coupe
Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Z06
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 69
Chevrolet SSR
Chrysler 300C SRT-8
Chrysler Firepower Concept Car
Chrysler ME Four-Twelve
Dodge Viper SRT 10
Enzo Ferrari
Farboud Supercharged GTS Prototype 2005
Ferrari 280 GTO
Ferrari 575M Maranello
Ferrari F430
Ferrari F430 Spider
Ford GT
Ford Mustang GT Convertible
Ford Mustang GT Coupe
Ford Mustang GTR Concept
Ford Shelby Cobra Concept
Ford Shelby GR-1 Concept
Jaguar Type E Coupe
Jaguar XJ220
Jaguar XK Convertible
Jaguar XK Coupe
Jaguar XKR Coupe
Koenigsegg CC85
Lamborghini Gallardo SE
Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder
Lamborghini Miura P40GSV
Lamborghini Murcielago Coupe
Lotus Elise R
Lotus Espirit V8
Lotus Sport Exige 240 R
Maserati 3500 GT
Maserati GranSport
Maserati MC12
Maserati Spyder 90th Anniversary
Maserati Spyder Cambiocorsa
McLaren F1
McLaren F1 GTR
Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Mercedes-Benz CLK 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG
Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLK 55 AMG
Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren
Nissan 350Z Coupe
Nissan 350Z Nizmo S-Tune
Noble M12 GTO-3R
Noble M14
Pagani Zonda C125
Pontiac Firebird
Pontiac GTO
Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo
Saturn Sky
Shelby Cobra Daytona Coupe
Shelby GT500
Spyker C8 Laviolette
TVR Sagaris
TVR Tuscan S
Volkswagen Gold R32
Volkswagen W12 Coupe
Volkswagen W12 Roadster
Wiesmann Roadster MF3


BIKES

Ducati 999 R
Ducati Monster S4R
Ducati SuperSport 1000 DS
Kawasaki Z1000
Kawasaki Ninja ZK-10R
MV Agusta F4 Brutale 9105
MV Agusta F4 Tamburini
Triumph Speed Triple


FREE DOWNLOADABLE CARS

Audi RS4 Quattro Saloon
Cadillac CTS-V
Chevrolet Corvette C1 1957
Dodge Challenger RT
Lexus GS 450h
Lexus LS 350
Lexus LS 460 L
Nissan Skyline GTR R34
Saturn Curve


DOWNLOADABLE CARS FOR MICROSOFT POINTS

Alfa Brera
Audi S6
Cadillac Cien
Cadillac CTS-V
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible 1971
Chrysler Crossfire SRT6 Roadster
Corvette C6 Convertible
Dino 246 GT
Dodge Viper SRT-10 Coupe
Edonis
Ferrari 250 GTO 1962
Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Ferrari Challenge Stradale
Ferrari F40
Koenigsegg CCR
Lamborghini Countach 25th
Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster
McLaren F1 GT
Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR
Noble M4000
RUF RGT
RUF RK Spyder
RUF RT 12
RUF Rturbo
TVR T440R

I tried the demo for this game the day it was released (the demo). The game looked nice but the controls were horrible and the GPS not very well done. After reading some reviews of the actual game and hearing about it from various sources I decided I'd give it a try seeing as I was done with PGR3 and Need for Speed Most Wanted. I'm now very glad I gave this game a second chance.

First the car controls are A LOT better in this final game than what they were in the demo. It's a case of night and day. The GPS is also a lot better, although this might just be me.

The amount of road is simply amazing. you can seriously drive anywhere on the island with roads that never seem to end. The island is very nicely detailed and beautifully rendered. The cars however, while they do look very nice, in my opinion do not look as good as in other 360 racing games. Don't get me wrong the cars look exactly like there real world counter parts, but graphically they could have been a bit better.

The map looks exactly like what you'd see if you went to google map and looked at the sattelite shot. This is a cool feature, but again in my opinion I would have been quite happy with a fictitious island with a drawn map.

Something I;ve read in a lot of reviews is how the game let's you completly customize your character. I was actually quite disapointed in the very limited customization options, but then again...this is a racing game not the Simms.

I;ve also read mixed reviews about the amount of cars. some saying there are a lot, others saying 125 is not enough. I think there is a very wide array of cars to choose from, and let's face it, not many ppl will actually use every single car in this game. I think everyone out there will be able to find at least a handfull of cars they want to buy. Personally I'm glad they have ferrari's but even happier at the fact they have included a good selection of some very nice old american muscle cars.

There is a wide variety of races to participate in, most of which are original (to me anyways...). I;ve heard it said often this game is repetitive, but which racing game isn't?

It has been said very often, if you aren't on live, you will be missing out on a lot in this game, but I've found single player only very enjoyable. It is quite cool to be driving along and have another player blast by you in a high end car.

If your done with PGR3 and other such 360 racers, I highly recommend TDU. Don;t base your choice on the demo however.

This is an awesome game. The only gripe I have with it is that you have to visit all the car dealers to unlock the bikes. Thats a major pain. Online play is fair. If you get this game, get a wheel too!

Some of the cars handle really well, and are pretty realistic. Some of the high powered cars are unrealistic, for example, a little more gas than necessary and you're spinning out, a little over sensitive!

Some of the challenges are stupid. Still don't understand why game companies don't give you an unlock option for those of us who aren't kids and don't have umpteen hours to spend playing :)

They actually recreated Oahu to exact specs. This game is just fun to drive around and see the sites. If you haven't been to Hawaii now is the time to take this affordable trip. I gave this game a lower rating in general because the racing is actaually a little lackluster. Driving a car seems to move a little slower than usual. While recreating a Hawaiian Island they have failed create a great racing sim. I would recommend this game to others just for sheer beauty. Although if you are looking for a great racer turn head.

I totally enjoy the feeling of really driving on Oahu. I've visited the island and this really brings that feeling to the Xbox 360. All that's missing is the Trade Wind!

Welcome to the world of M.O.O.R. (Massively Open Online Racing). The emergence of a new genre takes the cake, eats it and burns pavement at insane speeds through blurring and beautiful landscapes that are not only massive but somehow surprisingly well-done. And here we are, standing amazed on the island of Oahu wondering if something this massive, lush and wonderful can hold up in the area of gameplay and endurance. The quick answer: Yes. The guys at Atari have done their homework despite their generic title and have bum-rushed the scene of MOOR by inventing the genre and re-iventing an old one. If you have never experienced the european lifestyle, here's your chance in a virtual world that takes your breath and makes your heart race simultaneously while you dodge traffic and rush through crudely realistic and seamless landscapes. Your mission is insanely expansive and diverse ranging from timed races, speed traps, trials, knock-out, staged quests involving transporting models and hitchikers, delivering packages and delivering vehicles and more. It's the racing game that 'keeps on giving' for those of you, like me, who thought PGR grew rapidly tiresome after just a few races. Test drive keeps the wheels spinning on some big tires by offering a refreshing arcade/simulation type racing style that makes PGR seem like Rad Racer for the NES. The frame-rates are blistering fast and car models are dead on with their real-life counterparts down to the stick shift. The car models dynamicaly reflect the dynamically lit backdrops that are astonishing and endless. From sunrise to sunset, to artificially lit tunnels to natural shade from valleys, trees, hills and oceans -- it's all here and surprisingly realistic when you realize how massive this world really is. The attention to detail is absurd as you never drive past an area that is remotely identical to another.

Cars: Although this game doesn't house every car out there that car fanatics would like to see,it certainly has chosen most of the ones we care about -- leaning more towards euro-fashion fantastico w/ Ferraris, AshtonMArtin, Audis, Mercedez, Alfa Romeo, Lamborghini (can you say murcielago -- one of the best cars in the game), Volkswagen (GTI), Jaguar, Maserati. They have also done a superb job covering the classics (mercedez, jaguar), muscle-cars, a few japanese models from Nissan (nizmo 350z anyone?) and many more.

Test Drive adds a lot of refreshing elements of an RPG w/ the ability to advance skill level as you progress along with earning cash for each event. Earning cash and buying cars actually has a sense of thrill and achievement unlike PGR where sports cars become easily available. When
you get your hands on one of Ferraris in this game, there is almost a real sense of excitement tapped w/ realistic controls, handling and speed to fit w/ the type of car. To add icing to the cake, Test Drive doesn't stop there as you have the ability to customize your character, buy clothes for your character (can be bought using coupons earned from hitchhiking and transport events) and even houses for your character and cars to reside in.

Probably the most thrilling part of this game is unlocking the bike shops (Ducati, MV Augusta, Kawaski)and blazing past traffic in your Ninja through the beautiful landscapes of the Oahu island. It is the most freedom I felt in a video game in a long time. Further to boot, re-race events with your new found bike or new ones that are specific for motorcycles. Popping wheelies at 130 mph + is also quite amusing or during a race to taunt your opponents.

And for something massive, fun and glorious -- can you beat the price tag?

After reading all of the reviews, I came to the conclusion that some people don't really get this game. Some enjoy it because it looks great and I would agree but I don't think this is the allure of the game. Basically, if you would like to drive a Ferrari but can't afford one, guess what, you can actually play this game and imagine what it would be like sitting in a F430 Spyder cruising down a beach highway in Hawaii at 220mph. Then you can hop in your stage-3 Z06 and slam through six gears on your way to over 200mph. This is the cool factor here, really cool cars in this immersible world. Of course, I love exotic cars. If you like older cars, there are also a decent selection of those.

My point is that this game really uses the the 360's power to create an immersive environment for fans of near-sim racing games. If you play this game in the cockpit view, it really is an experience unlike other driving games. I don't see how anyone could be annoyed at flying down the backroads of the island at 250mph in your McLaren F1; this is not a Monday morning commuter scenario IMHO.

They also have been offering car packs online. Some are even free. I have added a RUF Porsche, convertible C6 vette, and a Lexus LS350 which opens up a new dealership as well. There are some other dealerships that are not open yet, so I expect they will keep extending the game.

Some nits:
Wish there was some extra time spent by the game developers to add weather and a day/night system; maybe they could update it through a download. There is a bit of a lighting change throughout the gameplay but it is really only an HDR exhibition. I can't imagine the cars handling in the rain though (see next point).

Car physics leaves a little to be desired. Don't even think about any drifting or e-brake use like PGR3 or NFS. I think you really need a wheel to manage the subtle driving required at 190mph. The standard controller works, but the levels of acceleration, braking and steering are a little too sensitive to use a hand-held controller.

The character clothing aspects borrow a little from Saint's Row, poorly. I could have lived without this part because there really is no character development to the game. You see your character for 5 seconds before you pick what car to drive.

The bottom line is that this game really sets a standard for open gameplay in the driving genre. The nits do not distract from the core of this game and the overall fun factor.

I can't believe how GREAT the graphics look! I'm the kind of guy that doesn't care much about graphics but Test Drive Unlimited is a game that made me completely change my mind. The amount of detail and energy that went into making this game... wow! I simply love the way everything looks.

As for the actual racing... yeah, it's pretty fun. But I have to agree with the person who said the racing feels slow. If for example the speedometer says you're going 60 mph, it feels more like 35. Oh well. That's not much of a problem. I can't imagine a more enjoyable racing experience.

When I bought this game shortly after the release I was looking foward to a great game acoording to the reviews. And the reviews were right!!! I LOVE this game!! It is one of the first games on xbox 360 to really show some light on the "uncharted" areas of this beautiful console.
If your like me, I love freedom and space in video games. This game gives you a LOT of space. It takes at least 30 minutes to drive along one side of the awesome island following the speed limit. The cars are amazing! There are manufactuers from Ford to Audi to Ferrari. I could write 30 pages of features about this game. But I dont have that much time.
The only downside to this game is it gets very annoying to drive everywhere.
But other than that it is a very sweet game. For your sake please purchase this game!!!!

A Very Happy Gamer