THE BORE
General => Video Game Bored => Topic started by: Stoney Mason on April 29, 2010, 12:48:04 PM
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMOQTS49zrI&hd=1[/youtube]
Test Drive Unlimited 2 First Look
Head to the Mediterranean Sea in style.
by Ryan Clements
April 29, 2010 - The videogame landscape is filled with racing games. With such a crowded genre, how are developers supposed to create a product that can stand out from the rest while still maintaining a certain familiarity to capture an audience in the first place? The developers at Eden Studios are tackling these challenges in Test Drive Unlimited 2, a "massively open online racer" that combines the online functionality of an MMO with a traditional arcade racer. I recently had the chance to sit down and watch a demonstration of Test Drive Unlimited 2 and I was impressed with the amount of multiplayer options available to players. With a lovely Mediterranean locale and some extremely exotic cars to drive, Test Drive Unlimited 2 has the potential to be the next great multiplayer racer.
Test Drive Unlimited 2 is set on the island of Ibiza. The developers at Eden Studios used actual topographic information to design the environment and recreated a number of the island's towns in detail. All the road networks are designed to be as true to life as possible, so players will feel like they're really racing on Ibiza itself. The island has a full day/night cycle (and weather effects!) which spans approximately two hours, so players will be driving their cars of choice through rainy nights and brilliant sunsets.
But like the first Test Drive Unlimited, this sequel isn't just about racing. Test Drive Unlimited 2 is designed to celebrate a luxury lifestyle in a number of ways, from expensive cars to lavish homes. The game tells a "rags to riches" story, so players will be earning money to purchase new items, be it clothing or new cars. It's great to see a racing game that pays attention to elements outside of traditional races, as a lot of care has gone into designing the game's interior environments. These environments are feasible because Test Drive Unlimited 2 allows players to walk around the game world with their avatar in first-person. More importantly, almost any location in-game is also a location where other players can meet up and socialize.
This multiplayer functionality is an absolutely crucial part of the Test Drive Unlimited 2 formula. Players can walk around each other's homes and even peruse car dealerships together. A full set of emotes has been built into Test Drive Unlimited 2 and the game will obviously support voice chat for those with headsets available. I was impressed that players shopping for new cars will even be able to climb inside a potential purchase with another player in the passenger seat. Friends can discuss the interior and admire the intricate detail Eden Studios put into rendering the leather stitching, dash boards, and the countless dials that come with cars of high class.
Although the obvious appeal of Test Drive Unlimited 2 will come from racing against the competition, you'll be able to invite other players into your car for joy rides, which sounds like a fantastic feature if you want someone to give you directions to a particularly charming spot or good road to race on. Little touches like these definitely enhance the game's multiplayer support.
If you're interested in plain ol' racing, there's also plenty of that to do in this game. Players can create their own challenges and put up personal funds as the reward for completion, or they can bet on races and instantly challenge another player in the area. Of course, this multiplayer support is made even more robust with the return of racing clubs, which was a feature in the previous game. Adrenaline junkies will be able to form clubs and purchase swank club houses to meet in which even come with their own exclusive club cars. Rival clubs will be able to participate in club challenges or clubs can compete internally to see who's the best and brightest driver of the group.
All these online mechanics would be great on their own, but there's a full suite of options for those more interested in their own car collection. Players will be able to tweak their rides with custom paint jobs, decals, rims and more, and they also have full creative control over their avatar's appearance. Remember, Test Drive Unlimited 2 is all about living the luxurious life, so don't be afraid to spend money on that vacation home in Hawaii.
Yes, Hawaii returns in Test Drive Unlimited 2. The entire island is fully traversable and has been modified to keep the locale fresh for players that sunk time into the original game. I was amazed that the developers would take the time to build a whole new island and then include a reworked version of the original game world as well. Talk about an ample supply of content...
Unfortunately, the demonstration of Test Drive Unlimited 2 was entirely hands-off, so I couldn't play. But from the looks of things, the game was already running smoothly (even in its early state) and the car models were slick. My only concern was the actual handling of the cars, because they looked to be a little stiff when the developers were playing. There's no way for me to know for sure, of course, so I'll just have to reserve my judgment for when I can play the game for myself.
It's worth noting that the demonstration ended with a hot tub party on a massive yacht. Amazingly, one of the homes players will be able to purchase is an actual yacht that cars can drive onto and take elevators up to the deck. As the camera pulled back to reveal the setting sun, the Eden Studios representative presenting the game concluded with my favorite sizzler line of all: "with Test Drive, the possibilities are Unlimited... 2." Epic win!
Test Drive Unlimited 2 is scheduled to launch this fall for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. And according to the developers, there's plenty more to come.
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/108/1086774p1.html
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I heartily approve of this new setting.
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GET IN MY CONSOLE NAOW!!!
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I loved the first TDU.
That's even acknowledging the fact that it was incredibly janky and the racing model wasn't exactly top notch.
I'm very interested in this one. We'll see if the novelty has worn off though.
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I drove around so much in TDU I accidentally got the achievement for driving all the streets. Turn on some tunes and just drive, it was simple and fun. One of the best cruising games ever made.
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I drove around so much in TDU I accidentally got the achievement for driving all the streets. Turn on some tunes and just drive, it was simple and fun. One of the best cruising games ever made.
Agreed. Something about just driving around that world was really fucking cool. No other racing game this gen has quite captured that feeling for me. Paradise didn't do it for me like this game did even though on a technical level Paradise is above it. But I like TDU so much more.
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I must have done the circuit of the island race at least three or four times. The trick is to go with a motorcycle; the top speed isn't quite as high, but you get better maneuverability and motorcycles won't lose traction and spin around like the cars will.
Then I found a quick and easy time challenge that netted me more money overall per time spent.
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TDU was incredible. Pulling up to another car, rolling down your window, revving your engine and taking off in style was awesome.
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Looks nice. Will keep on eye on the PC version. I don't remember TDU getting a PC version?
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Looks nice. Will keep on eye on the PC version. I don't remember TDU getting a PC version?
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/driving/testdriveunlimited/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review
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Considering the game is set in Ibeefa, I really expect a lot from the soundtrack...
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I'm just glad they put the other island in too. Should be fun
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8F87Pj-7nI[/youtube]
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl0vxa7oyG4[/youtube]
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I'm more excited for this than Gran Turismo 5.
So, are we gonna start an EB club when this comes out?
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this game will shit all over blur, split second, gt5 :bow
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:O
Fuck awesome open world racing plus n-tss-nn-tss techno
YES PLEASE
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the ibiza angle looks like pure cheese. I don't think I ever got around to trying the first one.
maybe that's why I'm so skeptical. :-\
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFLwYnK20UU[/youtube]
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These environments are feasible because Test Drive Unlimited 2 allows players to walk around the game world with their avatar in first-person.
YES.
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KaZPysBpf_I[/youtube]
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Delayed into 2011.
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Oh well. I'll still be around then
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dammit.
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Delayed into 2011.
I'm cool with that, more time for NFS Hot Pursuit, then.
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You can get beta codes here for the PC version.
http://gamers.eurogamer.net/giveaways.php?id=87062
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You can get beta codes here for the PC version.
http://gamers.eurogamer.net/giveaways.php?id=87062
Gonna jump on that.
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Kind of lame that the beta is only open four hours every day. :-\
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I got into the Beta like 6 weeks ago but then I bought Minecraft :(
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Code no worky. Corporal sad. :'(
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Kind of lame that the beta is only open four hours every day. :-\
All the beta's I've been in lately are like this.
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Huh, got it to work somehow. Maybe there's some sort of delay between the key being issued and the key being valid.
Now downloading the installer at glacial speeds. Why can't these clowns just give us a torrent or use Steam. Sheesh.
The things I do for free entertainment... ::)
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Huh, got it to work somehow. Maybe there's some sort of delay between the key being issued and the key being valid.
Now downloading the installer at glacial speeds. Why can't these clowns just give us a torrent or use Steam. Sheesh.
The things I do for free entertainment... ::)
You can download, install, and even launch the game, but you won't be playing it until the game server is back online tomorrow.
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[youtube=560,345]6NZiA_weP6U[/youtube]
Does the beta have HAWT ASS FRENCH ELECTRO like in the above trailer?
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vl0vxa7oyG4[/youtube]
Oh, cool, it ships with DJ Hero as a pack-in? I knew they'd end up just giving that away.
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The beta's open right now. I tooled around a bit, but didn't actually do any races.
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQCG2Ebe9j4[/youtube]
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Day one, I'm having one hell of a time figuring out where I'm going to purchase my copies from though. So many Exclusive cars, and then Gamestops Casino add-on.
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Already have it pre-ordered through Steam.
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This game looks like it might be good even though it looks pretty sterile. It's not open world, is it?
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This game looks like it might be good even though it looks pretty sterile. It's not open world, is it?
It's exactly open-world.
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instant pass
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Test Drive Unlimited was a great game to just cruise around in, not have to worry about racing other cars, just relaxing and checking out the scenery. Kind of boring, I suppose, but I really like that about it. It had a lot of extra stuff to do besides racing and cruising though, like trying to get super cars to a certain destination without damaging them or driving people to various destinations without running out of time. I also like the race that took you all the way around the island. It's a different kind of racing game though, not like Burnout or Need for Speed, or even Gran Turismo.
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I liked it for the same reasons I like games like Risen and Fallout, sometimes I just want to explore the world that's been created. Driving around Hawaii through the different areas and scenery was quite relaxing.
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Yeah, that's how I feel about it. Some people aren't big on that though, they want a tightly controlled environment with scripted events and that's cool too, but, to me, TDU just provides such a unique racing experience. I played it a lot on the Xbox360.
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I didn't even like the races that much, just the time trials and delivery missions.
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IDUVxuooWQ[/youtube]
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u guys just sold me on tdu i was really let down by hot pershits nfs because its way too linear I just want to drive and listen to Eletrci Feel justice remix
god where is my midnight club 4
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OyCiVkMPSsU&feature=sub[/youtube]
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I remember some dev once said when they don't know how to extend the gameplay of a game, they just stick in gambling or a maze. Or both. It's a giveaway of not knowing what else to do.
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[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx6_32TcSjs&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
[youtube=560,345]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GY4_1W3MUJQ&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
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McLaren SLR :hump
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Ohhhh yeah, stupid cutscenes!
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Yea get that story shit out of racing games. The Codemasters career stuff in F1 and Dirt was tolerable and it wasn't bad in NFS Shift, but this looks so bad you better be able to skip it.
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Fuck me, looks like this is out in 2 weeks. Didn't hear about it until there was a GAF thread with the GI review (8.5, whatever). So hyped. This better support the MS steering wheel.
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Preorder at Amazon at $49 for $10 amazon credit and release day delivery. Win
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Fuck me, looks like this is out in 2 weeks. Didn't hear about it until there was a GAF thread with the GI review (8.5, whatever). So hyped. This better support the MS steering wheel.
The last one did.
I completely forgot this was out soon too. Still umming and ahhing over the PC version instead of 360. I guess it depends where the Bore club is setup
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My Amazon copy shipped :hyper
I heard the car handling might be kind of flaky though :-\
But it is full of awesome electropop techno, Prole get in here!
:bow Phonat :bow2
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I forgot to put this on my gamefly. :(
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THIS GAME IS TURRIBLE, I HURLED THE DISK ACROSS THE ROOM
WHO PROGRAMMED THESE CAR PHYSICS AND WHO DIRECTED THE AWFUL SNARKY NPC VA WORK
RAGE RAGE RAGE
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FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is sitting in my car right now as I eat Gluten free pasta with my woman at her house
I was going to excuse myself early to go home and play this buuuuuuuuuuuuut...
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stay with your woman. STAY. this game is the very essence of horrid. i am so mega-bummed!
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Staying with woman
FUCK the shrinkwrap has been cracked. Maybe I will drive straight to Gamestop and trade this in. I did get Dead Space today for $30 so maybe I will still be even steven
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I played around with the beta a few months ago, the driving didn't really seem any better or worse than the first game. Although it has been a while since I played the first game.
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Any hopes for the superior PC version?
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I have no idea if Atari cares about this game. $10 cheaper than other games and FFS the back of the box doesn't even say what it is or what's been added over the first (no mentions of Ibiza).
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1st game on the PC is probably the worst port of this gen. It was almost unplayable because of random stutters that occured even on the most powerful PCs.
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Just started
Oh my god these cutscenes :lol
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NOOOOO IT WAS ALL A DREEEEEEEEEEEAM :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol :lol
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Eurogamer review wasn't very kind, I can't believe they would ruin it :(
car physics in the first game weren't that crash hot anyway
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these physics aren't just "not hot," they are massively glitchy
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... the driving is worse than the first?? The first was fun to drive around, more like a car adventure game. Is that even a fun aspect in this one?? i wanted this to be good :(
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I preordered this WHICH I NEVER DO just because 1.) I loved the first one and 2.) Game Informer gave it an 8.5 -- I don't usually trust their reviews but I figured Atari wouldn't have the marketing clout to affect the score, and an 8.5 seemed to be a good "THEY DIDN'T FUCK IT UP" indicator. NEVER AGAIN
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http://www.giantbomb.com/quick-look-test-drive-unlimited-2/17-3776/
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The pre-order key just unlocks the car in the garage. The Steam pre-order unlocks the Zonda, but you need $2.3 million to buy it.
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2011 already ruined :gloomy
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this game needed another good six months to a year of development, and possibly even a complete re-engineering. it's not short of content, mind you; it's fucked to the core. there are so many mechanical bugs and bizarre design decisions, and half of the game's structure seems to be designed solely to compensate (and badly) for them. stay away :'(
i loved the first game tons -- it was fun to drive around and explore. this game ostensibly attempts to do that, but the net code is terrible and coupled to the rendering pipeline, and somewhere along the way the driving physics were tortured to the point of madness and breakdown. i could forgive simple fuggo-ness; i could forgive the shitty mandatory licenses and the terrible progression/unlock structure; i could even forgive the hateful shrieky douchebag npcs that interrupt any "chill appeal" this game might have had; but i cannot forgive them collectively when they're are all strung together with the barbed wire of a FUNDAMENTALLY BUSTED DRIVING MODEL.
i cannot reliably powerslide. terrain effects are horribly inconsistent. braking doesn't brake, it send you into some wacky inertia world where things like friction are irrelevant. the steering randomly bugs out. you can gas the car lightly and the wheels will STILL spin in place on ASPHALT. what. the. fuck!
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Sounds like the sequel was just built on the horrible PC port of TD1.
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Man, I was gonna for a $20 Steam sale, but I may just pass on it completely. :yuck
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(http://www.abload.de/img/animation4fuc0.gif)
:(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4enYkeYgNZg
7/7 for hats, look out TF2
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Only a 2/7 for nudity? PASS.
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At least the car doesn't get all jaggy in the rain like GT5. That's a victory of sorts, right?
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The game sure looks nice from the videos, but it doesn't really look fun to play. I liked the original a good deal, but nothing in the videos makes it seem like it offers much more besides nicer graphics and apparently worse handling physics.
Will pick it up eventually when it's a few bucks on steam, but I still haven't played NFS HP much really, so I'd rather just play that until Motorstorm 3 and Dirt 3 are out.
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Sounds like the sequel was just built on the horrible PC port of TD1.
did it? never had this myself. thought the pc port of tdu1 was very solid. a lot of extra stuff like trackir support in there. sadly no trackir support in tdu2. :( hopefully someone will mod it in
but still, loving the shit out of this game so far. seems like they're having some problems with servers and whatnot though. honestly don't get the handling complaints. you just have to tweak the control sliders to your liking, the default settings button on pc gets it almost right when you choose keyboard/360 pad/wheel defaults and just tweak a bit from there.
Will pick it up eventually when it's a few bucks on steam, but I still haven't played NFS HP much really, so I'd rather just play that until Motorstorm 3 and Dirt 3 are out.
nfs hp and motorstorm over tdu2? you're crazy.
At least the car doesn't get all jaggy in the rain like GT5. That's a victory of sorts, right?
the cosmetic damage is much much nicer than gt5 as well :-*
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(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5254/5436875181_c2050b0981_b.jpg)
holy crap! Did they make sure ANYTHING was working before shipping this? ^^;
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The PC version had a lengthy closed beta.
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Eden Games developed both. And it doesn't really seem like they were under any major time constraints, since their last games [Alone in the Dark] came out about two and a half years ago.
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yeah, the game was even delayed from the original september or whatever it was (august?) releasedate to now. so they definitely weren't rushed.
but, is that screenshot up there even real? http://forums.testdriveunlimited2.com/ I've been looking in on the forum regularly and haven't seen it as being offline ever?
the only version of the game with serious problems seem to be the 360 version. and that's being taken care of quickly it looks like. http://forums.testdriveunlimited2.com/showthread.php?t=24430
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holy crap! Did they make sure ANYTHING was working before shipping this? ^^;
LOL Infogrames LOL
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what a disaster :(
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The only good song in this game is the one from the trailer :maf
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from page 1:
instant pass
8)
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I got halfway through the Giant Bomb quick-look and decided I should never buy this. I just need to keep playing Burnout Paradise or Midnight Club Los Angeles.
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I'll be honest. I still really want to play it. The first TDU was incredibly janky also. I liked it despite all that stuff. (Although I'm sure if I had it and I couldn't go online with it, I'd be angry as fuck)
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My Amazon copy shipped :hyper
I heard the car handling might be kind of flaky though :-\
But it is full of awesome electropop techno, Prole get in here!
:bow Phonat :bow2
FUCK, I love Phonat. Shame its coupled to such a bad game, I had hopes for this one with the eyebeefa setting :'(
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Hoho, just found this mod for adjusting in-car camera. http://forum.tdu-central.com/showthread.php?t=24122
I'll be honest. I still really want to play it. The first TDU was incredibly janky also. I liked it despite all that stuff. (Although I'm sure if I had it and I couldn't go online with it, I'd be angry as fuck)
Definitely get it in a couple of weeks or so. At least wait for the corrupt saves thing to be fixed. Uh, at least if you're looking at the 360 version. Somehow I am sure you would get 360 version, no idea where that came from. Correct?
Servers seem to be down across the board now. but other than that I've been enjoying the hell out of the game. Probably put 30 hrs or so into it already :lol