Test Drive Le Mans for Dreamcast

To tell you the truth, I had never played this game before purchasing it. Hollywood Video and Blockbuster didn't have it for rent so I couldn't try it. I didn't want to buy it since I was returning games like mad at my local EB and Gamestop(they give me the evil eye EVERYTIME I walk in) I've probably read every single review of Test Drive Le Mans available on the net, seeing if it was worth purchasing, after my experience, I advise any of you not to do that, ever. Well I finally decided to just buy the game and see if I liked it. Let me put it this way, all those reviews I read about it were all right. This game will make you start wanting to watch NASCAR even...well possibly not that powerful, but this is a damn good game!

Visuals:: If you're even remotely interested about Test Drive Le Mans, then you must now about the graphics. Any person who has played this or seen this game must acknowledge its great visuals. What can you see? What NOT can you see? While definitely not on a Gran Turismo 3 level, everything about the cars and backgrounds are so detailed and graphically beautiful that you will think you are in a real car, minus your butt feeling the slight vibration from the car. The driver is very visible, and you can see the support frames inside the back. The backgrounds themselves are very nice, including great lighting on objects such as the lights on the little cages on a ferris wheel, street lamps and numerous other things on a race track.

Weather effects are also done very well. The sun sets and rises in the right spots, and rain blurs your view (especially when driving fast) Then theres the almighty factor of the framerate. No worries here though, as I haven't seen even one slip of framrate in the game yet and I doubt I ever will. Visually, this thing will not let you down in any way, shape, form or track =)

Audio:: Go out and tape the sound of a Viper. Now play the sound of the real Viper and the sound in the game and I dare you to tell me that the sounds aren't damn close. The engine noise is not just a regular rising hum when the gear shifts. Instead, you hear clunk noises during gear shifts, a weird sound from the engine hear and there. This just goes to show how real this game is, I mean, no engine is perfect right? Even when you drive the stands of people sitting in their seats, the'll let out a big cheer as cars start to race past them. Also, if you see a ton of cars start catching up to you, then you better cover your ears as the roar of their engines overtake you and your car. But then again, if you cover your ears, how you gonna drive?

Gameplay/Control:: The controls aren't simulation...nor are they arcade...they're just right. You won't have to do too much fancy sliding, but don't expect to make a turn at 100mph. The AI is competitive to say the least, so don't let your guard down against these guys. I've always liked the use of the analog triggers on the DC controller for acceleration/deceleration and I'm glad Test Drive Le Mans continues that method of controlling. Even if you are new to racing games, the concept isn't hard, and the learning curve isn't bad either. You won't spend that much time learning how to play, but once you do start playing...you'll fall in love.

Extras:: Hmmmm lets see....lots of different modes to choose from, many cars to unlock, 24 hour Le Mans race, what else can you really ask for? There are too many extras to name and there are challenges to make you into an even better driver.

Overall:: I've never played a Test Drive game until now and even though I've heard horrible things about past games, THIS game is worth it. Its graphics, audio, and gameplay are the best blend of programming I have ever seen. Besides, a $30 price for something that is on this level of greatness deserves to be purchased by all racing fans and non-racing fans. By the way, whoever tries to finish the ACTUAL 24-hour race...don't forget to take those pep-pills because you know its going to be an all-nighter.