Test Drive Unlimited 2

With two islands, a good number of luxury cars, cool environments and lots of races, Test Drive Unlimited 2 follows the path of the previous installment, and improves on it, although it doesn't change the formula.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 might be lacking in some areas, but this is one instance where the sheer quantity of features prevails since their structure is thoughtful enough to make this game more than just a lazy vacation.

A ridiculous amount of playtime and enjoyment. We poured over 15 hours into TDU2, having only pushed through a small sliver of the mulitplayer experience, and just a sixth of the way through the game's leveling system (60 total). As frustrating as the first hour or so may be, the sheer amount of content and scope of the islands is enough to warrant a thumbs up from us.

It's incredibly filled with content, and free roaming is motivated with many options and stuff to do. It's a shame that the driving model doesn't look polished at all, and some minor bugs and flaws don't let it shine as a masterpiece. It's still a fun and rich game, which you'll enjoy if you fancy arcade racing with a strong community support.

Not without its issues, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is definitely a step forward for the series, and in absolutely the right direction.

Pick up an arcade racing game and mix it with little bits of RPG and MMO. Blend them together and you'll have a juicy cocktail called Test Drive Unlimited 2.

While TDU2 isn't quite as polished as we hoped it would be, there's more than enough content on offer to keep us coming back for more.

TDU2 has insane potential and offers a truly unique gameplay-experience, that's nowhere to be found elsewhere. But it's not free of flaws - like the extremely dull single-player story and the mediocre graphics and sound effects. Still: If you consider yourself a gearhead with a thing for socialising, go get it!

Enormous and ambitious, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is a good game and a truly unique gameplay-experience. It's a step forward for the series.

The AI is silly, there's little challenge – and little urgency or tension – concerning the regular competition, and the technical elements don't have that extra "oomph." But the developers worked hard on that singular environment and atmosphere, the online mode and community offer a wealth of options and freedom, building up your rank and social status can be pretty darn fulfilling, and sometimes, it's just fun to drive around in your favorite car and watch the sunset.

Though the production value leaves a lot to be desired, Test Drive: Unlimited 2 has a lot of content, and maxing out your stats and gaining levels in the game provides a fresh take on progression in the automotive genre.

TDU2 is an incredible toy box full of racing, exploring, car collection and the lifestyle of the fast and famous. But the rough start has probably made the rest of the game's experience a lot less than it could have been.

At it stands, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is like a used Ferrari with a broken passenger seat - a solid ride as long as the player doesn't mind some of the nicks and bumps and is willing to drive mostly alone.

The game is good, if you are looking for a different driving experience then this may be it, if you are willing to overlook some of the shortcomings you will become completely drawn into the world, you will want the best house, clothes and most importantly, car. With the right mindset and a wanting to like and enjoy the journey of TDU2 you will.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 will most likely receive a cult following for its kooky characters and general offbeat atmosphere, and the solid multiplayer options will keep many coming back. A word of warning, however - give this one a rent before you go the whole hog, as the baffling physics and numerous technical oddities are sure to kill this ride for many.

On top of the irritating cinematics and clunky non-driving gameplay elements, the game continues to feature some unpredictable AI when racing computer drivers.

Nasty controls and clumsy visuals mask a truly entertaining game. [Apr 2011, p.76]

While not quite a lemon, Test Drive Unlimited 2 proves to share a similar fate to its predecessor in that it possesses a host of flaws under its shiny coat of paint that make for one frustrating ride.

The longer you play it, too, the more enjoyment you'll get out of it, but only because you start to accept TDU2's many shortcomings and instead enjoy its endless possibilities. [Apr 2011, p.116]

Each time it wows you with a neat touch it dashes your enthusiasm with something else. For instance, we get working convertibles but we don't get working windscreen wipers (odd in a game with cabin view and wet weather effects). Just when you're getting into the driving an unskippable cutscene full of people who share more in common with trust-fund babies and hotel heiresses than actual racing drivers yanks you away from the open road. And why is everyone on Ibiza American, including the police? It's jarring and cringe worthy. [April 2011, p.74]

Test Drive Unlimited 2 is the narrow margin between travelling for pure enjoyment in the late afternoon and finding invitations to race in pursuit of those tunes as a favorite radio station.

With two immensely large islands to explore and dozens of cars to use, TDU lives up to its legacy. Too bad the graphics look so outdated.

For all the added modes and interaction, simply strapping yourself into the seat of a Bugatti Veyron and unleashing power on the asphalt roads to no pre-destined destination is what makes Unlimited 2 memorable.

This title is very rough around the edges, but in spite of that, it's also still very fun.

Eden Games innovative spirit might have got the best of them as Test Drive Unlimited 2 stays true to its "unlimited" mindset, but wavers in its execution, which ends up feeling more like "semi-unlimited."

Please Eden, next time just focus on the driving.

Developer Eden Studios has put way too much time in creating a good online experience. This is probably the reason why the gameplay hasn't really improved on its predecessor. Test Drive Unlimited 2 is a good game, but can't challenge the greater racing games of our generation.

Good points: Massive amount of area, long-term motivation thanks to 100+ cars and a sophisticated online experience. Negative points: Handbrake is useless, the handling is next to unexpectable, the streets seem to be pretty empty, you can't drive over bushes ... oh, and it's ugly, too. I'd say: Taking a test drive is okay, but buying is not (yet) an option.

We were really looking foreward to TDU 2. The controls of the cars and the AI are really poor. Online multiplayer is more offline than online.

A patch is due out in early March to rectify many issues, and we'll take a look at the game after that to see just how many issues are fixed. However, in the state the game is presently in, I can't recommend a purchase. $60 is simply too much to pay for the game as it is now.

The most vapid, materialistic and all-around terrible representations of humanity we have ever seen. [Issue#203, p.90]

Test Drive Unlimited 2 has brilliant potential with loads of driving content and all the necessary grounds for a brilliant MMO. However, the game delivers a really bad driving experience and the servers are more often offline than online. It's still worth buying if you enjoyed the last game of the series though, but be aware that it doesn't stand a chance against rival series like Gran Turismo, Need for Speed and Forza.

We played through the PS3 version and noted several bugs with the network along with large loading times. Although these problems didn't distract us from enjoying the game, dropping connection during a race can cause extreme virtual road rage.

Doesn't live up the hype. It has licensed cars, good ideas and beautiful scenarios, but the game just fails compared to other options in this genre.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 is an example of a good idea gone wrong. The first game was such a huge step in the innovation of the genre but, since then, online implementation has come so far, and the team behind this series seems to have fallen behind.

Quotation forthcoming.

Test Drive Unlimited 2 is not a racing game, it's an MMO with racing elements. There is a lot to discover on the two islands and it can keep you occupied for dozens of hours, but it fails to live up to its predecessor. The controls are sluggish and the graphics outdated.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Sure, the car collecting is addictive and the races are quite entertaining. But the graphics are mediocre and that feeling of freedom never sets in.

I'm a fan of games that give you control of your character's life (see: buying houses, decorating, pimping sweet rides), but the driving is missing the raw energy it needs to stay interesting and the rest of the experience is bug-ridden.

Quotation forthcoming.