Driveclub VR Reviews
A game so bad it'll literally make you sick
Rather than being PlayStation VR’s killer app this updated racer lays bare its limitations in embarrassing fashion, at least until the PS4 Pro comes along.
Driveclub VR is Sony’s VR racing welcome wagon and, in small doses, I think it does its job of demonstrating the potential of VR racing. The racing genre is perfect for seated VR, and Driveclub VR delivers a functional example of that experience. Unfortunately, that’s really about all it delivers. Beyond that it’s just a pre-existing game with fewer features and graphics that make me feel like I have the vision of a 95-year-old man.
Racing in VR is a thrill, but playing Driveclub again isn’t, which makes Driveclub VR a pretty unenticing offer despite the game housing more content than other VR titles so far.
Driveclub VR retrieves many of the contents included in the "classic" edition, but it would have needed a more careful optimization process, aimed primarily to "restructure" circuits and layouts and to lighten the rendering job. The new development team, instead, cut features and reduced visual enhancements. The result is a "scrambled" and ugly look.
Review in Italian | Read full review
DriveClub VR has all of the features and functionality of its PS4 forebear, so you're guaranteed quality handling and plenty of content here. But the compromises made to get the virtual reality working strip the racer of its visual prowess, and its poor image quality can make it hard to see. There's no shortage of effort been invested here, but we can't help but wonder whether the rewards were worth all of the evident exertion.
While the game may not be anything near the visual showcase that the original game was for the PS4 itself, Driveclub VR is one game that gives a glimpse at the potential of VR racing and needs to at least be tried by any PSVR owner.
When I heard about DriveClub VR, I was really expecting the same PS4 experience as the previous title, however I was sadly mistaken. Sure, it has very similar parallels, especially with the amount of content but it’s all about the illusion and due to the reduced graphical capabilities of this game, particularly if you’ve played the previous game, it’s a little disheartening. Nonetheless, the gameplay is sturdy and the VR aspect works but it missed reaching the next level which would have been amazing.
Those who have previously played Driveclub will no doubt get a kick out of trying Driveclub VR with its host of new tracks, but it’s unlikely to wow them as it feels just too familiar and too visually inferior to impress.
Rough visuals dampen its impact
Virtual reality racing has an enormous amount of potential. Racing games are often visual delights however, so what Driveclub VR lacks in this department is notable despite the sense of presence that makes it so fresh.
Driveclub VR has its shortcomings and doesn’t quite match up to the high bar that the original game now sets, but even then, it’s an outstanding racer, especially if you have a racing wheel. Driveclub VR is an essential purchase for racing fans on PSVR.
DriveClub VR is a content-packed racing title that's cool to experience VR, if you can forgive the poor visuals.
Immersive and lots of content, it is a pity that the poor graphics overshadow the overall result of Driveclub VR.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Yes, the visuals have taken a hell of a beating to get DriveClub VR running on PlayStation VR, but even without the game's trademark obsessive attention to detail, DriveClub VR provides a hell of a lot of fun. Just, er, make sure you've got a bucket parked next to you. You know, just in case.
Despite some rough edges that mar the experience, Driveclub VR is a great racing title that justifies getting back into the seat of a Koenigsegg Agera R as long as you don't mind being motion sick every now and then.
Though a sizeable visual step down from the regular version of the game, DriveClub VR remains a worthy offering. Boasting tons of content, great handling and some cleverly implemented VR immersion, it’s a worthwhile buy for PSVR owners looking for a decent racing game to showcase their latest purchase.
If you’re willing to overlook some blurry visuals and get down to the serious business of racing you’ll find that there’s still a lot to love here and, for a launch title, it’s an impressive first outing for racing games on PSVR.
In spite of the immediately obvious drop in graphical fidelity, Driveclub VR has a great sense of immersion that can only be achieved with VR, and the PlayStation VR headset produces an experience that I don’t think I’ve ever had from a racing game before. An impressive swansong for a game that never had it easy, DriveClub VR is well worth picking up if you’re grabbing a headset in the coming weeks.