Great concept, poor execution.
Test Drive Unlimited 1 was a great game overall, the sandbox replication of Hawaii to the customization of characters, houses bundled MOOR racing, great cars and bike proved to be a great formula. The game was going to be hard to beat.
Fast forward to 2011, Test Drive Unlimited 2 was released with great expectations; after all, it is meant to be better in every way. That is where Eden Games really dropped the ball in just about every aspect of the game.
Driving Dynamics | Instead of improving on where TDU1 left off, it feels like TDU2 was completely redesigned with a different driving engine. I was shocked and utterly disappointed that the basic “starter” cars I driven had zero driving pleasure, struggled to handle and ultimately translated to a soulless motion. You cannot grip or drift, hitting into a power pole meant coming to a dead stop, driving off road meant going into an abyss of poor graphics. If you cannot drive, you can throw the game out of the window. It feels worse than driving in GTA IV while that game is not even designed as a racing genre.
Graphics | Last generation non-HD? TDU1 looked great when it was released and the environment was relatively well rendered, but TDU2 is simply rubbish. How much time was spent developing the environment, let alone the cars? Nobody is expecting Gran Turismo 5 standards, but at least, it should be as smooth and appealing.
Too Much Yet Too Little | Character customization, level of detailing in cars, basic game play and licensing? Anyone sense an influence from the Gran Turismo series? Gone are the detailed unique engine notes of different cars, gone are the sound effects of opening doors, putting the windows down. Only to be replaced by generic mediocre driving bundled into a story lifestyle genre. The licensing requirement only made things feel dated and a poor attempt to “have it all”.
If Eden Games was to attempt TDU3, they really need to sit down and wipe the slate clean. Focus on developing a proper driving experience, then package the “lifestyle” in. Until then, everyone should avoid this extremely sloppy sequel. Especially when competing with the likes of Gran Turismo 5 and Need for Speed Hot Pursuit. They leave TDU2 for dead.
