Test Drive Unlimited

"Test Drive: Unlimited. That's right, UNLIMITED."

I've not played a whole lot of Test Drive games in my time. However, the titles that I HAVE played, I have enjoyed very much. Test Drive: Unlimited being my absolute favorite. This game takes place on the beautiful island of Oahu. An island full of awe-inspiring scenery, an incredible landscape, and many high-end sports cars and bikes that are always looking for a race. Never, have I ever played a game that was so deserving of a perfect score before this title came along. It really lives up to the "Unlimited."

Game-play - 10/10

That's right, a perfect 10. The controls are very easy to get a hang of. They are just the same as any other racing game, only a tad better, because what's better than having the option to roll the windows down or up? The races are intense, yet not too hard, the driving is as simple as a Need For Speed game, only with quite a bit more realism, and the controls are rather simple, and, again, easy to get a hang of. You can teleport to the areas that you have been to using your GPS (A nice little feature, to help you save time). Also, there are police chases on this one too. You can avoid these... by avoiding wrecks.

Graphics - 10/10

With such a massive titanic map, you might not think that the producers would find the time to incorporate such amazing detail in this game. Well, if you thought that way, you thought wrong. It's almost unbelieveable how much detail was used in creating this game. To give you an example, I was driving along the mountain side in the middle of Oahu (Beautiful scenery, and very impressive for a video game) on a Ducati motorcycle. I decided to go off-road, just to explore. Well let me tell you, I've never ever seen anything like this before. I drove probably three or four miles off of the road, and over some mountains (the bike seemingly handled these obstacles the way any real life bike would). All around me I saw a lot of well drawn brush, and some detailed, and different, trees. To think that they would put in the effort to create such detail is mind-blowing.

Not only was the landscape PERFECT, the cars were also something else. The reflections and the lighting were so realistic. The interiors of the cars were so realistic. EVERYTHING about the vehicles on this game was very realistic. The cockpit view from inside the car, actually makes you feel like you're driving around Hawaii.

Story - 10/10

This game lets you use your imagination. The whole game starts out at an unknown airport, in an unknown city. You have the opportunity to pick from a number of pre-made characters. Not to worry though, you will be able to modify your character in a very deeply detailed, and well thought-out manner. Anyway, your character gets onto a plane, and you watch as the plane takes off, as it is about to land, and finally, as it lands.

From then, you are to pick a car to rent. You take this rental to the house of your choice, which you will buy with the money that you have. After this, and an introduction race, you are free to roam the great island that is Oahu, where you can challenge other racers to a race, complete time-trials, and deliver different things for people spread out across the island. This is a very efficient way to make money. Money that you can use to either buy an apartment, the house of your dreams, a beater car, or the most exotic sports car on the market. The story is really under your control.

Replay value - 10/10

A DEFINITE ten. This game is one that you will always come back to. I almost shouldn't say "come back to," because I doubt you'll put this game down. I reccomend this game for anyone who wants a game that involves racing. Heck, I reccomend this game for those who want to go on a tropical vacation!

Buy/Rent

A positive must have. You'll get hours of fun from this game.

You'll not be disappointed with this title, and you'll not put it down either. This game is very deserving of a perfect 10. If I could, I'd give it an 11.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 06/16/08

Game Release: Test Drive Unlimited (US, 09/05/06)