DriveClub is out this week – and there’s even a free version of the game (read :demo) for PlayStation Plus subscribers. As the first really new racing game to hit the PlayStation 4, it’s got quite a task ahead of it to convince players not to wait for Gran Turismo 7. Of course, that’s made a little easier by people not wanting to wait until 2023. I’ve been playing DriveClub, and it’s quite good looking, straddling the line betwixt sim and arcade, like a modern PGR. I know nothing though. Here’s what critics think.
Polygon – 7.5
DriveClub doesn’t have any one element that makes it an incredible game or a huge leap forward for the racing genre, but it makes some smart choices underneath top-of-the-line presentation. And in embracing a social media-influenced setup to build enjoyable asynchronous multiplayer, it teaches a few important lessons other developers should learn from.
SixthAxis – 8/10
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.
Joystiq – 3/5
Driveclub is a well-made, sometimes irritating juxtaposition of the old and new. The career mode is old-fashioned and its AI is hopelessly ignorant, but the graphics and competitive jabs online feel perfectly fit for 2014. Embracing your fellow human is key to overcoming Driveclub‘s faults, which ultimately make it a better staging ground for car-loving friends than an expression of automotive admiration itself.
Destructoid – 7.5/10
Driveclub is fast and easy to get into, nice to look at, and it has a lot going on in the background to keep you connected and competitive with your club members and other individuals. But that doesn’t change the issues in the foreground. Its approachable and enjoyable racing is marred by AI cars that love to unfairly bash and crash on the single-player side. And bugs with the interface and the networking kept me from fully enjoying the multiplayer side. Beyond all of this, it feels likeDriveclub needs more race and event types. What it offers has kept me going for a couple of weeks, but how much longer will it continue to do so?
Gamespot – 5/10
It’s hard to find any true celebration here. Driveclub is ordinary menus and ordinary races, standard time trials, and a few drift events. Driveclub is bland social competition. Driveclub is the fear of risks and the embrace of the ordinary. It’s basic racing in basic packaging, beautiful and inert and full of attractive cars. It is not, however, an argument for a new generation of driving, given how it fails to exceed the standards of the old one.
IGN – 7.9/10
Driveclub is the best-looking racing game I’ve ever seen on a console, but down deep it’s a more modest, conventional arcade racer than the sprawling, open-world types we commonly see today. While it successfully creates fast and fun races with a great sense of speed, the overly aggressive AI grates, the difficult drifting seems at odds with the accessible handling, and the single-player loses zest once the solo content runs dry. I’m also surprised at how partisan the day-one car list is. That said, the tentacles of Driveclub can grip tight if you get invested in the game’s asynchronous challenges, and it’s very much geared around encouraging us to hop online and compete by making it so easy.
We’ll have our own review for you later this week.
Last Updated: October 7, 2014
Captain JJ Underleyened
October 7, 2014 at 15:11
I caught that mistake. But I’ll leave the ranting about corrections to Admiral. 😉
Hammersteyn
October 7, 2014 at 15:13
This?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/f/f9/Twix-Wrapper-Small.jpg
Captain JJ Underleyened
October 7, 2014 at 15:15
Heh? No, the mistake in the header. But I realise that by saying it I’m being the grammar Nazi already.
Hammersteyn
October 7, 2014 at 15:16
thought you meant “the line betwixt sim and arcade”
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 7, 2014 at 15:17
Betwixt is a word. Tound isnt.
Hammersteyn
October 7, 2014 at 15:19
O_o I’m ashamed
Captain JJ Underleyened
October 7, 2014 at 15:20
Don’t be. It’s only Geoffrey, Gavin and Admiral that lived during the dark ages.
Hammersteyn
October 7, 2014 at 15:23
Betwixt, archaic term for between. Archaic being the appropriate word.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 7, 2014 at 15:43
your face is archaic.
Hammersteyn
October 7, 2014 at 16:27
LOL!
Captain JJ Underleyened
October 7, 2014 at 15:18
The tound up. (yes, I’m being that guy now)(refresh)
Admiral Chief 0
October 7, 2014 at 15:17
Dat nickname!
Captain JJ Underleyened
October 7, 2014 at 15:17
You know it 😉
Spaffy
October 7, 2014 at 15:36
And what about the mistake on the box art?
refresh
Rock789
October 7, 2014 at 15:48
“Race in hundreds of online and offline players”?! o_O
What kind of game is this?!
Captain JJ Underleyened
October 7, 2014 at 15:57
Magic. When offline DRM finally becomes available.
Speaking of which, this just made my day. http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/10/07/planetary-annihilation-offline-mode/
Sadly it took the moaning of customers for them to realise that they need to do this and in turn lost sales. I cannot understand how devs have not learned this yet.
Matthew Holliday
October 7, 2014 at 22:28
Im going to race inside you.
Il use your heart to keep time.
Hammersteyn
October 8, 2014 at 07:53
lol
WolfyZA
October 8, 2014 at 08:03
The Fappening DLC confirmed!!!
Hammersteyn
October 7, 2014 at 15:15
I haven’t seen the new PS+ games yet, anyone else have this problem?
Captain JJ Underleyened
October 7, 2014 at 15:15
I haven’t either. My pc doesn’t want to display any of it. 😛
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 7, 2014 at 15:17
Updates tomorrow, you’ll get all the new games tomorrow.
Admiral Chief 0
October 7, 2014 at 15:18
…unless it is DOWN again
Hammersteyn
October 7, 2014 at 15:18
A tad bit late aren’t they? Must be new management. Probably a municipality, higher prices, slower service delivery.
Skyblue
October 7, 2014 at 15:24
First Wednesday of every new month but they were too busy counting their cash this month
Admiral Chief 0
October 7, 2014 at 15:29
Indeed, all that extra cash was burning a hole!
Aries
October 7, 2014 at 16:39
Thought it was the after the first tuesday
CAE9872
October 7, 2014 at 16:28
Dis altyd Wonesdag!
Must admit I thought it was 1st Wednesday which was last week…
Hammersteyn
October 8, 2014 at 07:52
eggzachary
Admiral Chief 0
October 7, 2014 at 15:17
Daai mini is moertoe!
Captain JJ Underleyened
October 7, 2014 at 15:19
Doesn’t look like anyone can drive. All those cars are messed up. That poor A-class
Admiral Chief 0
October 7, 2014 at 15:29
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL I thought it was a moertoe GTI at first glance
rollingmol
October 7, 2014 at 19:55
Admiraal vang ek jou uit , jy’s die flipper wat die manne Afrikaans geleer het daar by die Developers van Metal Gear Solid Phantom pain http://www.gamespot.com/videos/metal-gear-solid-v-the-phantom-pain-english-gamepl/2300-6414968/ check so by die 9:00 min merk. Japan is nie meer japan nie
Hammersteyn
October 7, 2014 at 15:20
Meh, at least the demo is free.
FoxOneZA
October 7, 2014 at 15:50
Someone needs to resurrect SDF after the mediocrity that is Destiny, Watch Dogs and Drive Club.
L337J1MB0B
October 7, 2014 at 19:17
Care to explain why Sony fans would care that multiplat titles like Watch Dogs or Destiny are mediocre?
Gerald Nchabeleng
October 7, 2014 at 15:52
No replay mode as yet, even after the initial update, such a shame because it is so eye candy!
Next….project cars!!!
CAE9872
October 7, 2014 at 16:31
Reviews don’t overly surprise me. I will still get this.
Sk3tz0
October 7, 2014 at 16:46
is it me.. or did not one of those reviews mention how the cars handle and race.. everything about mulitplayer and the looks.. people forget thats not why GT is so popular because of looks.. its because of how each car handles on the track.
Francois Knoetze
October 7, 2014 at 20:37
Mine is downloaded and I can’t wait. to upgrade from PS+ to full for R509 is a steal in my books. Been dying for a racing game on my ps4.Was not in the mood for NFS rivals and next month it is project cars!
Nikola
October 8, 2014 at 08:43
What a suprise gamespot gave it a low review, those guys are really bunch of idiots I swear not one of there reviews makes any sense. I might pick up this title will see have not played a decent racer since most wanted that I really enjoyed. Will try the free version first to make sure if it’s decent:)