This game has focussed on one of the fundimental reasons we game, to me atleast, which is to escape.
So you knew you wouldn't own those 7 Ferrari's or 7 Lamboghini's for the 7 days of the week. Or that huge mansion with deeds to the opposite mansion and two mansions adjacent to your mansion just so that you can be your own neighbour. And than you gave up and withered slowly but surely.
That might be me just speaking for myself, but all of us were totally blown away by Test Drive Unlimited... I mean... I'm still playing this game... and I already finished it 3 times already. Weather you're hooked to the fact that you can buy only the most beautifully exotic cars and the most huge, over furnished houses, living in the mansions and driving those cars... and actually affording it, Test Drive Unlimited is an excellent game.
From the famous Ferrari to the unknown Saturn, to most 3rd world countries, the list of cars to purchase is bordering on endless. I enjoyed this game very, very much... weather I was cruising on this emensely gigantic island, or giving a lift to the most gorgeous (sometimes ungrateful) women, or giving a lift to hitchhikers, or 'test driving' cars... this game was a delight. It also features a multiplayer option, online of course, which I imagine to just put a cherry on top of things, since you can trade each others cars, race together, form little groups and other stuff. One could also buy clothes at shops with the coupons they recieved from giving lifts and stuff.
The game kind of has a similar reward system as Need for Speed, where you recieve money for winning races and stuff. The game is a bit different however by introducing another rewarding system where you can get money for delivering cars or packages. You can also customize cars here too, just don't expect to go all the way with racing seats, spinners, exhaust tips, decal logos or something like that. One can only customize the fundimentals that influence car perfomance.
You won't hear me complaining though since I personally think that this game is a gift from the heavens to people who wish they could, but most probably won't. LOL. I particularly enjoyed just cruising the island, exhibiting the pure beauty, which is nature, enjoying the beautiful scenery it presented. With a little bit of soul or acid jazz of course.
Defiinately one to conisider if you like games like Need for Speed or Gran Turismo. I think it would have been nice though if it had a little story line to it or amalgamated the concept of off-course or free roam racing, vehicle customization and some nightime scenery. I feel however that it is better on console than on the PC since graphics for the PC are dependant on the card, and I had to put my settings minimum for all options.
The game is actually much better than this terrible review, which focused more on my opinion of the game rather than what it has to offer. It is an excellent game if one considers to escape from this abomination we call modern day civilization.