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Test Drive Unlimited is nothing like NFS: Carbon. While in Carbon you practically have no story, no background, and poor acting, with only arcade gameplay, Unlimited is game with a style. It starts at the airport, with few of different characters, both male and female, and while boarding a plane to Hawaii, you can choose what will your avatar look like. There is no customisation, you just select one from all the people standing in line. Then, the plane take off and you are above the ocean, and couple of minutes later, game starts. You leave the airport and need to rent a car. I selected this red beauty, Lotus Elise :)


Then, you drive to estates agent, and choose a house for yourself. yes, completely different from generic Carbon character who just shows up in the town and is in trouble already. After you settle, its time to buy your first car. First disappointment, no Elise for money that you have after buying the house. Interactive map of whole island pops up and there are three dealerships where you can go and buy a car. Several models are available, with different hp, acceleration, look, handling, ...


I went to Audi, and selected this little baby. Not this chick, but that black A3...



So, there it is. First free roam, like in old and forgotten Midtown madness. That was the game. And you know what? You couldn't flip your car in Midtown madness if you accidentally drive over the curb. here you can. Whoa, first minus. It is not simulation, but there is no talk about arcade driving too. Even so, graphic is way better then in Carbon, Most wanted, etc...


First race is easy. I mean, "if you miss a turn and need to go back in reverse you can still win" easy. But driving is strange. I tried to recalibrate the keyboard, but there is no use. The car is turning like it has iron bar trough the center which holds it to the ground, and it rotates around it... And it need some time to start rotating...


And later is even worse. This is not simulation, but you can end up in the bushes, someones back yard, and not just while in free roam, but in the middle of the race.


The picture down is clear - I ended up in some hole, and could not get back to the race. Even worse, one of the opponents is just behind me, across the street... Yeah, really fun... NOT!


So, in conclusion, really nice story, background, graphics, motion blur, cars, but poor driving feeling. If they just wanted to rip off Most Wanted's style, it would be heck of the game... Well, if they just combined this poor driving with that transparent thingies that don't let you leave the racing zone, it would be better... People who buy this kind of game want to have fun, not to be farmers in somebodies backyard...

Graphics: 10/10
Gameplay: 4/10
Freedom: 6/10
Overall: 6.6/10