Driveclub Reviews
If you can look past the dings in the paint job there's a lot of fun to be had with DriveClub but be sure not to go in expecting the new standard in racing games. You'll surely end up disappointed.
Driveclub isn't necessarily the innovative or revolutionary game that we were expecting, but that doesn't make it a bad racer. Far from it. It is a visually impressive game with a clean, straightforward progression system, interesting courses and enough user-friendly social features to keep clubs entertained for the foreseeable future.
DriveClub falls short in many small ways that pile up to become insurmountable. Whether it's the dated mechanics, mobile game progression, or the bungled online experience, DriveClub just doesn't have much to offer.
So the ride won't just be exciting, it should be long, too. But right now, those prepared to embrace Driveclub for what it is will find a very accessible, carefully crafted, refreshing speed-over-sim driving experience that often provides fabulous fun.
Driveclub is a distinctly mixed experience; skeletal in some aspects, but breathtakingly complete in others. We'll check back around Christmas, by which time it may have grown into a different game altogether. Until then, approach with care.
DriveClub is easily accessibly and highly recommendable, even for no other reason than the simple fact that it's the only new racer available on PS4 this year. It's slickly designed and just plain fun to play. There's room for improvement on the car selection, progression and customization, but what's there is a fun racer with some interesting social options that dedicated racers can take advantage of.
With amazingly photo-realistic graphics and authentic car sim-style handling, DRIVECLUB offers a uniquely integrated social experience that collects and shares all your records and achievements. While lacking in its core gameplay variety, the endless potential of its online rival club challenges opens up this next gen racer in ways never before seen.
The PlayStation 4's exclusive is fun to take for a spin, but we expect its inevitable sequel is the social racing game you're really going to want to play.
The lack of customization, contradictory driving elements and tiny car list make Driveclub a pass for all but the most die-hard racing fans.
The PlayStation platform has always hosted tremendous driving games, and Driveclub tries hard to live up to that legacy. The parts that are exceedingly well-polished (gorgeous cars, skill-based driving) make those that trip up (ugly A.I.) all the more disappointing. It sets a high bar for the inevitable competitors to follow, but like an inexperienced driver on a hot lap in a solo challenge, it's sloppy in the turns.
Finally the game it promised to be at launch, DriveClub is one of the most exciting racers available on PS4.
DriveClub is a racer that entertains despite its shortcomings, but suffers from an identity crisis
Driveclub has a lackluster set of features to keep players playing what is a pretty solid arcade racer. The good news is, that everyone with a PS Plus account will be able to try before they have to make a decision on whether to upgrade to the full version, or not.
However, while it's not as broad in scope as some of its contemporaries, we aren't finding ourselves getting bored of Driveclub. On the contrary, the more time we invest, the more we just want to keep playing. Driveclub is a focused, thrilling racer for players looking to push themselves and compete in all new territory, working up a sweat as its captivating sights and sounds fill your senses.
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.
Despite numerous reasons to support Driveclub purely on concept alone, it takes a turn for the worse when scrutinized under the spotlight. It's unfortunate luck that the game had to release just a few weeks after Forza Horizon 2 which does nearly everything Driveclub does that much better. It may be an unfair comparison considering that this is its inaugural entry, but Driveclub was delayed multiple times and the standard for the hybrid racing genre is high with Burnout, DiRT, and Need for Speed. There's plenty to admire here, though, if you take Driveclub at face value and don't take things too seriously.
It's then fitting that Driveclub will be offered in a free form for PlayStation Plus users. The offering gives players about a fifth of the full game's total cars and tracks, but is otherwise unlocked for exploration both offline and on. Players can see for themselves if Driveclub has enough to offer over other new and upcoming racing alternatives out there.
A great multiplayer racer, but quite dreary as a single-player game, DriveClub feels like it needed more time in development to polish out its dings and flaws.
Driveclub looks nice and has a couple of good ideas about handling leaderboard challenges, but the core of it--actually driving a car--drags the entire thing down.
Driveclub is a solid, basic racing game with lots of tracks, lots of cars, and very little in the way of personality.