Content: 5/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 6/10
Gameplay: 7/10
Re-play value: 5/10
Overall (Not an avg): 6/10
Driveclub tries to be testing waters for the socially inclined racer. It offers the most basic range of content. And nothing more. I was stunned by the visual audacity and quality of this game from the moment I first laid eyes on its footage back in the PS4 launch days. And on that front it has certainly delivered. However after multiple delays and lengthy explanations, the game to this day is not feature complete. Nor is it fully functional. Leaving in its wake a horde of disappointed PS+ subscribers who were hoping to get a taste of things. I must sadly also report that even the full version will only leave you hoping there was more.
The gameplay elements that actually matter will however not disappoint. When the multiplayer is working, its a blast! I had the ride of my life on a BAC Mono thrashing a McLaren MP4 amongst others in what was only the most scary and exhilarating racing experience of my life (it was a perfect 3 laps with 0 mistakes). Think you can handle 30fps JUST because you're an ace at 60? Think again. The sense of speed, the details in the tracks and cars, the brutish aggressive AI will leave you breathless in the race of your life!
And yet, the entire time you're left listening to 5 or 6 songs on endless cycle of repetition. This, was the second time the game design...stunned me! How could they? When has it ever been a good idea for a racing game (and an arcade one at that!) to have 1 good song lol! But even beyond that.. The actual progression system and reward mechanic of the game is a grind similar to old school RPGs. So perhaps there's something familiar to this game after all, even though a simple tweak to allow you to actually spend those Fame points would've suited far better. Its a grind to even get just a decent car, out of the only that are available. Moreover this trifle lot will not offer you any form of complete customization beyond the (unlockable) pre-rendered vinyls. Vinyls that have long ago become a common place in racing games and have had their own set of tools to design as you wish.. In Driveclub? No.
The tracklist is left wanting. Granted that I keep playing this game over and over anyways because they're all just so beautiful and truly interesting. I just wish there were more. At least there could have been an effort to include real world tracks to bolster this rather weak list of locations (fictional tracks are usually a bonus btw!). To add to things, the final list of cars to date include ZERO Japanese cars along with a lone Hennessey Venom standing in for glorious America (even then its mostly, a Lotus). It seems then that this is no car collectors' paradise.
The driving physics are an interesting phenomenon in Driveclub. It'll play like nothing you've experienced before, I'll tell you this much. Whether that's good or bad is up to you. Its almost an uncanny balance between sim and arcade. At least it tries to be. The handling can be quite punishing if you're careless with your braking and throttle. Its a lot of fun though and winning races feel very rewarding. Not predictable like Forza or even GT at times, since the track elevations will straight up toss you over if you're not careful enough. And the game packs all fictional tracks with heavy variation in corner widths, elevations etc. Not to mention that the A.I can be a real S.O.B at times (but not as challenging as GT or as diverse as Forza's "Drivatar") and the penalty system in this game is an absolute pain to get used to. Overall this game is less sim than either GT or Forza because you're simply not getting as much feedback or 'feel' from the physics as you would in either of those games. But its certainly still challenging enough to be fun. And with the HUD completely turned off, it makes for an unexpectedly epic road experience trip on these gorgeous graphics ! I often find myself chillin with this game like doing just that.
Give this game a chance just based on what it offers (not what it could/should) and you won't be disappointed. Provided you ARE aware of exactly what it offers and not what the box says. Multiplayer is a blast (when its working), though simply the range of content lacking will ultimately be a huge disappointment.
Verdict: BUY, if you're a racing nut (like me). The price is alright for what it offers. RENT if you're eager to try your hand at racing and jaw dropping visuals. WAIT for the free PS+.....if you're anybody else.