Five Things We Love About Test Drive Unlimited 2

by Adam Sutton - IGN.com | 01 February 2011 12:00
 
Not yet excited about Eden Games' car racing MMO sequel? This should get your motor running.
 
For every racing sim fan, there is another individual who prefers his/her driving games a little less… well, simulated. Don't get me wrong, franchises like Gran Turismo and Forza produce amazing titles, capturing the minute details of motorsport that simulation aficionados crave. That said, there is another breed of gamer who would prefer their racing games a tad more relaxed, and concentrated on the very essence of driving really cool cars, and the lifestyle that comes with it.
 
This is where Atari and Eden Games come in. Test Drive Unlimited 2 (TDU2) hands players the keys to over 90 of the world's most desired automobiles. Essentially a car racing MMO, TDU2 allows players to rip up 3290 km of open road all over the islands of Hawaii and Ibiza, all the while getting a taste of the life of someone with money to burn.
 
With an already solid foundation on which to build upon, thanks to the 2006 original, Eden Games has crafted a racing game with the word 'fun' in mind. Here are five things we really like about the experience…
 

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Open Road Racing While obviously not a new concept, open world games give players the freedom and choice to tackle a game how they see fit. Take the racing genre, for example, the formula typically follows these lines; choose car, race, earn credits, rinse and repeat. TDU2 on the other hand lets you make the executive decisions. Want to see the new rides on offer over at the Ferrari dealership? Just take a cruise and have a look. Think your in-game house needs a little sprucing up? Browse through some fresh styles for your crib at the various shopping outlets.
 
Dotted across the two islands are a multitude of races, events, car dealerships and different activities for you to discover and take part in. Helping you traverse the 3000+ km of open road is your trusty GPS. Hit the select button to bring up an overview of your surroundings. From here you can set a destination waypoint, map out a stretch of highway on which to race or find that elusive photo op.
 

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads..."

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Car, Avatar and House Customisation TDU2 has a wealth of options on board for tweaking your new Bugatti Veyron, or purchasing that new lamp you have your eye on for the holiday house. While car customisation doesn't sit on the same level as say, Gran Turismo 5, you have enough at your disposal to make your ride feel just right. Upgrade options come in the form packages; different levels of tuning and after-market parts to pump up your car for that next big race.
 
You can also choose to deck out your in-game home and avatar how you see fit. Head on over to one of the many clothing or furniture outlets, where you can drape your avatar in some new threads, or redecorate your million-dollar beachside mansion.
 

First piece of decorating: install a stripper pole.

As you start out in single player, a humble caravan will be your place of residence. As you progress through the story and continue to fatten your bank balance, you will be given the option of purchasing a number of increasingly impressive holiday homes and mansions, each coming with a self-contained garage to house your collection of automobiles.
 

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Give Me M.O.O.R. Just like its predecessor, TDU2 is M.O.O.R. (Massively Open Online Racing game), supporting thousands in the gameworld at the same time. Unlike the online components of most games where you have separate single and multiplayer modes, TDU2 combines the two so you are always connected to your friends and potential rivals.
 
To initiate a race, just flash your headlights when approaching another player to challenge them to a race. That's it, you're away. The game also features some incredibly fun co-op and multiplayer modes such as Chase Mode and Follow the Leader. The former allows players who are near another online player who has caused too many infractions to take on the role of the cops and chase down the outlaw. The latter mode, Follow the Leader, randomly nominates a 'leader' who is the only player able to see the checkpoint and GPS route. Your only hope is to trail the car at the front of the pack, and once all the checkpoints have been cleared, a new leader is selected.
 
Guild Support, Test Drive Style Another welcome addition to the game is the inclusion of Clubs. Clubs are essentially guilds which consist of a leader, and a number of members who can together take part in races and various other activities. Throughout the game, you will be given the option of acquiring a clubhouse, decking it out and inviting your friends to come and join in on the fun. Inside your clubhouse you can walk around and interact with friends, show off your favorite cars and basically talk smack to each other.
 
Different Clubs can challenge each other and race toward a jackpot that you lay out. As the leader, you can pull up the GPS and grab any section of road and create a race, be it a straight 1/4 mile drag, a dusty rally circuit or a speed test to see who has the fastest wheels, it's up to you.
 

A club for extreme racing. Not to be confused with a club for extreme racists.

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First/Third Person 'Out of Car' Mode To thoroughly appreciate the wealth of supercars and indoor environments, Eden Games has included a first and third person 'Out of Car' control mode in TDU2. The majority of the gaming population will never touch, let alone own a Lamborghini Gallardo. With first person inspection mode, you can take a walk through your beachside mansion, gaze onto your olympic-sized swimming pool, and stroll into your five car garage to check on your 'babies'. You can open the doors, hood and even start the car to hear that charming growl.
 

RAWR.

The fun doesn't stop there. Enter your clubhouse for a meeting with your mates, plan the next big race, all while checking out your friend's avatars in real time in first/third person. A big part of TDU2 is living the life of a high roller, and all the little perks that come along with it. You may, for instance, get invited to a private party onboard a million-dollar yacht moored just off shore. After parking up on the vessel's rear car port, you can exit the vehicle and mix with guests, all the while taking in a beautiful Hawaiian sunset. It may sound tedious to some, but it's these little touches that make the game stand out from the pack.
 

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This is just a taste of what you can expect to uncover in the full version of Test Drive Unlimited 2. With such a variety of events including Competition, Discovery, Collection and Photography on top of the aforementioned car/house customization, guild support and the extensive online suite, you will not be at a shortage of activities to keep you busy.
 
For gamers who love racing games, but feel the traditional formula maybe getting a little dry for their tastes, TDU2 could be a refreshing change. Keep an eye on store shelves early February for the game, and our full review coming soon.
 

 
Supplied by IGN.com