I know that there has already been a ton of griping about Test Drive:
Off Road. But, we have to let Accolade know how much we have
anticipated this game and how we are now VERY disappointed in the demo.
This game has the capability of being the best driving game ever - IMO:
being an off-road freak. Here are my thoughts on the demo:
First, a few of the good points, before I go off on the bad:
I thought the graphics were great. And the realistic look of the
suspension when hitting bumps was cool. As for good things, that was
it!
Some suggestions for Accolade:
I have driven off-road quite a bit, and a real 4x4 is not as hard to
control as the ones in your game. I have never had the back end of my
Blazer slide sideways as easy as your vehicles do in the game. I don't
care how much mud I've got caked in my tires, or how slick the surface,
it is tough to get the back-end to kick out like it does in your game.
It drives me mad just trying to keep the truck on the track, let alone
try to win a race. I am not a big Microsoft fan, but check out Monster
Truck Madness. I would be happy with you matching, at least, their
level of control and realism.
The next point: make the brake and reverse controls seperate. When I
slam on the brakes, I don't want to end up going in reverse. I want to
stop! A 4x4 is not like a hydrostatic lawn tractor!
The problems above are the main problems that I found with the demo. If
just those are fixed, I would buy the game. There are some other small
additions that would add a little more realism:
- The view from inside the truck would look better with the hood being
shown. Right now, it looks like you are driving an old VW Van!
- When you hit a signpost, you go through it.
- The truck should roll a little easier. When going across a hillside.
- Add a rear-view mirror to the inside view.
- Vary traction with terrain. If you go from mud or snow to pavement,
make the wheels grab the pavement and pull you in the direction they are
pointed.
This could be the greatest driving sim ever, or the worst! If you
release the version in the demo, it WILL NOT sell and you will give your
company a reputation for not living up to the hype you put out. I don't
care if the game is delayed until Christmas, just do it right!
Sorry for the length of this post, but I was REALLY dissapointed in the
demo. I wanted to give this game a chance, but the demo wouldn't let
me.
Todd