Product Reviews

Test Drive Unlimited (TDU) is rare in that it's a car game in which racing isn't the only focus. Instead, collecting is the real attraction. While a traditional online game would have you feverishly hunting down a magical sword, TDU has you saving up make-believe money for a Lamborghini, Jaguar or even a Ducati (there are bikes available, too).

Races, either solo or against other players, are merely a means to win the cash you need for these vehicular treats. This is just as well, as the racing is fun but patchy. The handling is exaggerated rather than realistic, while the courses are

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repetitive. The real fun comes from simply cruising around in your shiny new ride, either cheerfully hitting 180mph in a 30mph zone and terrorising the local traffic, or simply taking in the sights as a Sunday driver.

The game is set on a Hawaiian island, with miles of beautiful beach, town and forest road, all free to roam without interruption. If you're online, the island is shared with other players as well as computer-controlled drivers. A quick flash of your headlights throws down the gauntlet for a custom race there and then. You can either race against real-life online opponents or the computer. Alternatively, you can enter pre-set challenges or just play violent dodgems on a busy highway.

Entering a race temporarily cuts you off from the world at large, so there's no risk of a passing road hog ruining your progress. It's this kind of forethought that makes TDU a leisurely but compulsive experience, making big leaps forward for driving and online games alike.

While other online games are all about fantasy, it's refreshing to see a game that tries something different. TDU almost pulls it off, but the tracks and actual racing will need to be improved.