If you like free-roaming racing, you will love this game.
User Rating: 8.9 | Test Drive Unlimited PSP
I'm reporting from a Waikiki (Honolulu) Beach hotspot, looking directly at the Pacific Ocean. Sipping a Mai Tai, and eating Maui Garlic and Onion Macadamia nuts. What better place to review this game. The game is based in the Hawaiian island of Oahu. There are many places to explore in Oahu. Sadly, you can only explore coastal parts and some interior parts of the island, since there are 2 huge mountains at the middle of the island. The controls, are very well done. Easy to understand. The game is very solid, and no bugs I am aware of. The formula of the game (racing cars to get money, then using it to buy over 100 cars, and about 30 houses) is either very addicting for some, or slowly bore others. The online is a high point in the game. You could race with other people from all over the world. When you are offline, a cop "system," comes into play. When you crash a car, or speed, a cop will either give you a warning, fine you, or let you off. What is a racing game when you can't speed! So if you are not near a hotspot, I would highly recommend playing in Ad-Hoc mode, even though there isn't anyone to play with. It would "bypass" the cop "system," and save you time. Another high point is that the game has a VERY accurate map system, every street is there. The graphics were great for the PSP. The only problem, is that there isn't much buildings or scenery to look at, even in the densely populated areas, like Waikiki. The sound was good. The soundtrack is quite good, but if you don't like their soundtrack, you could upload your own. The game still costs around $40-$50, but is well worth the money, for the amount of content (races, cars, houses, the whole freaking island of Oahu) you get.
Overall, I think the game is very good. I'm a guy that likes free-roaming racing games. If they added some more scenery to look at, that would make the game better. You either hate or love the formula of the game (racing cars to get money, then using it to buy over 100 cars, and about 30 houses), and I love that "collecting" formula, and love the game.
