Driving Emotion Type-S

"Squaresoft... Stick to RPGs and you'll get payed."

Intro

Squaresoft are well known for their RPGs such as their Final Fantasy series and their Chrono titles. However, they decided they'd try making a second racing game (their first being Chocobo Racing - a cart game). This time, based on reality and top cars.

Driving Emotion had being a failure right from the start. Everything had gone wrong in Japan with horrid controls and horrid graphics and now its released, and it hasn't really improved.

Gameplay

You could call it ''CRAP''. I have yet to use that term in a review but this game seriously has control problems. The in-car view is great and realistic but you can't turn right. It feels totally un-natural and you can't steer properly.

There are many cars in this title and all are rather nice and licensed such as BMWs. But however, this car has too many flaws.

The controls just don't work. And this being a racing title.. Its kind of important to be able to steer.

Story

None.

Graphics

The graphics can be quite nice at times and others, there is slowdown. This title feels too rushed in most of the areas.

The cars look semi-impressive but honestly, the new Dreamcast titles look better than this!

The cover may decieve some people into thinking that the BMW is a main part of the game. It isn't. The BMW looks nice in the menu but once racing, it looks allright from behind the car.

There is slowdown when you steer for some weird reason. This is in the Australian/European PAL versions and it really scares me. Slowdown in a racing game is a NO NO.

Sound

I expected more from Squaresoft. The sounds sound so unoriginal, copied, distorted and overall horrible.

The music, if you can call it music, is more of beats mixed together with a few words every now and then.

As you can see, this title lacks all the key things a game needs.

Other/Overall Presentation

There is some slowdown in the menus but the graphics are nice such as when you choose you car.

But sometimes the menus feel rather disfunctional.

Replayability

NONE. you'll get tired and bored of this title straight away. I gave it an hour of effort before returning it to EB and trading for Ridge Racer V.

RENT or BUY

Neither. Don't waste $5 renting it. You're better off going to the shops, or EB and playing it there for free. You'll get sick of it straight away because of its lame controls.

SCORES

Story - 0
none.. a bit more effort please..

Gameplay - 2
Cheap controls and a rushed title saddens me.

Graphics - 7
Great at times but slowdown kills it!

Sound - 4
Rushed. Simply put, Squaresoft could've done better.

Other/Overall Presentation - 7
Alright menus with some nice touches but the menus can become disfunctional with slowdown at times.

OVERALL (not an average): 2
Stick to their RPGs and you'll be fine. It seems that Squaresoft is trying out all genres and are failing.

Author's Comment :
Squaresoft.. I expected more

Reviewer's Score: 2/10, Originally Posted: 03/11/01, Updated 06/14/01