VIDEOGAMES.COM
"At this year\'s annual Editors\' Day, Infogrames was eager to show off the latest build of the upcoming (and sparsely titled) Test Drive game. On display were both its Xbox and PS2 builds, which--thanks to the Pitbull Syndicate\'s skill in down-to-the-metal programming--look largely similar. Which is not to say that they\'re exactly identical: The Xbox version is definitely a small bit sharper overall, but, in terms of graphical detail and polygonal girth, the PS2 version stands proud alongside it.
The most significant bit of news revealed at Editors\' Day wasn\'t even implemented into the current build, however. As revealed by Infogrames earlier today, both versions of Test Drive will sport a full-featured story, complete with a bold and edgy cast of characters, in the spirit of SSX. Four were revealed, though only in concept art, which included a blonde bombshell type, a Japanese male, a female of indeterminate ethnicity in a kimono, and a black man with an afro and shades. The game\'s producer went on to state that friendships and rivalries will exist between the characters, and much in the manner of SSX, these relationships will manifest on themselves on the tracks. Race with a friend, for instance, and he or she will provide you with driving tips. Race with an enemy, conversely, and he or she will try to ram you off of the road.
The track we got to sample was the famous San Francisco course, about which much has been said. The race begins in San Rafael, on the other side of the Golden Gate Bridge, and quickly makes its way through the heart of the city--right past Fort Mason and into the crisscross highways in the city\'s downtown area.
The sense of speed is marvelous, and there was nary a hiccup, in regard to the game\'s performance. All of the cars seem to have been environment mapped, as well; everything you pass by--from neon signs to rival cars--is accurately reflected on your car\'s chassis, windshield, and mirrors, and the effect is quite impressive. The game\'s physics, however, were still a little sketchy, as Infogrames was ready to point out; during a particularly hilly stretch of street, the cars were virtually bunny-hopping.
In order to work in the newly conceived story elements, Infogrames has extended Test Drive\'s release date to March. We hope the addition is worth it. We\'ll have some media of the game for you soon, along with an update. Keep your eyes peeled till then."
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