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Test Drive Le Mans: It's Fun, But It's No Gran Turismo - Find it at RedOctane (www.RedOctane.com)! |  Arend Hart from Michigan says (17/Oct/2000): | Test Drive: Le Mans is an off-kilter sibling to the Test Drive Series. Dating back over a decade, Test Drive first started as a PC shareware advergame (advertisment disguised as a game) which allowed you to "test drive" production vehicles of a certain car maker.
Over the years, it grew to being a full-fledged racing title on its own. Focusing on bootleg street racing, the Test Drive Series had you dodging traffic and cops trough various cities throughout the world. Until Gran Turismo and Need For Speed really caught on, the Test Drive series was the premiere arcade racer on the Playstation.
However popular the series was prior to Gran Turismo, there is no denying that as soon as Polyphony released their masterpiece, Test Drive took a back seat. Arcade street racing was put aside for realistic physics and pit stops. Then, as icing on the cake, the Test Drive people sealed their own fate by releasing a very disappointing Test Drive 6, which was plagued with horrendous graphics which really affected gameplay.
So what does a company do when Gran Turismo has made GT racing so popular? Get the Le Mans licensing, make an OK game, and slap your name on it! Someone will buy it.
All in all, Test Drive Le Mans isn't a bad game. It has a pretty cool setup, allowing you to bid out a job as a driver on a GT team and work your way through a season on your way to the coveted Le Mans 24 Hours. Yeah, 24 hours of racing on the same track. Day, night, rain or shine. Get out the Depends Undergarments and a box of Slimfast cans, cause you ain’t goin’ nowhere, buddy! The racing is fast and furious, through miles of winding courses. There's an announcer, and crowds with those soccer-game bullhorns and the works. It's good, but no Gran Turismo. And, there are a few serious glitches...
For instance, who remembers in Ridge Racer IV, when cars in front of you crested the hills and you could magically still see their taillights though the road? Didn't that bug you? Well in Test Drive Le Mans, guess what happens? Cars in front of you suddenly disappear! No kidding! They vanish into thin air. The track is still there, the stands are still there, even the crowd stays in their seats, but the cars just disappear...POOF! I've even jammed on the gas to catch up to one who should have had to slow down for a tight curve, but he isn't there... Weird, eh? And I’m not talking about normal draw in/out issues, this stuff really sucks.
Other than that, it's a pretty average-to-above average racing title compared to either Gran Turismo installments. With pretty average modes (save for the 24 hour mode) and pretty average graphics (and even a few magically disappearing cars), I can't say it's great. I'll play it every now and then, but it won't be one of my well-worn titles.
UPDATE:
After writing this review, I decided to force myself to keep playing this game just to play it out, and guess what? It's a lot better than I made it sound, gameplay-wise that is. I must admit, I got hooked on opening the levels in the Arcade mode. Give this one a rent at RedOctane (www.RedOctane.com) and play it for a while, and you'll grow to like it.
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| | Manav Gandhi from INDIA says (3/Nov/2001): | "Test Drive Le Mans 24 Hours" is so far definitely the best game that i have ever played in my life. The animation of the game is really good, the graphics are cool, and especially the colors in this game are the ultimate. The various cars like BMW, AUDI, TOYOTA, etc., are beautifully designed and the best part is that in the arcade mode, u actually feel as if u r sitting behind the steering wheel and even the collisions are also very realistic. Six various competitions to compete from and every time u get thru' , more cars are available which makes u crave 4 more. This particular game has even the option of playing a game 4 24 hours straight and that might sound frustrating, but I believe that it is what real gaming is all about. How far can u push ur own limits just to see whether u have what it takes to be the best of the best??
It is actually better than all the other Test Drive series so far[Apart 4rom the 1st one, Obviously]. Ever since the actual Le Mans Circuit was designed[1923] 2 the best of my knowledge. It is definitely one of the most challenging, tougest & most famous circuit so far and the designers/developers have done an incredible job as they make the whole track very realistic. It is not just another game but it is an experience that u will 4 sure never forget. So sit back tight, fasten ur seatbelt and get ready 2 take on one of the most beautiful experiences of all time. Play it 2 believe it. My rating overall 4 this game goes 10++..thanx 2 Stationplay also 4 giving 2 me a chance 2 Xpress myself to the whole world. All u Test Drive loverz can contact me at:-Manav< remove me > at Gandhi.to
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| | Manav Gandhi.. from INDIA.. says (2/Nov/2001): | Test Drive Le Mans 24 Hours is definitely the best and my favourite game. It is a pure classic man. It brought the kid back in me as my lots of memories are attached to it. The 1st Test Drive was on PC to the best of my knowledge. I used to play it for hours and even used to bunk my classes, believe me guys. I'll never forget as the 1st impression is the last impression. I still am searching 4 the original version and if anybody has it, Please contact me and i am ready 2 pay any price 4 the rarest masterpiece. Any way, this game i think happens to b the best in all the series of Test Drive so far[Apart 4rom the 1st one, Obviously]. This game has everything starting from the real feeling of actually driving on the real track, Beautifully designed tracks, Good graphics, perfect sound which actually makes u feel as if u r behind the steering wheel. It is a Kick-ass game and it also has an option of playing the game for 24 hours. Sounds cool and challenging, isn't it. Any body can use the cheats but playing without cheats is the real challenge. Do u have what it takes 2 b the best, How far can u push ur own limits?? Personally, i love this game as it offers u a variety of cars like Bmw, Audi, Toyota,etc., It is u vs AI literally. The car collisions are very realistic and the championship mode mekes u crave 4 more and more as new cars get unlocked. I know that these days games like GT, N4S, etc., are the demand of the new generation. I might be sounding very "OUTDATED", but as long as i live, i will love this game. How many games make u feel actually frustrated?? Well, this one surely does and the animation and especially the colors are really, really COOOOOOOOL!!!!!!!! I rate this game 10++ anyday. The Arcade mode alone makes the game worth every single penny that u will spend on and U will surely won't regret buying this classic masterpiece. Play it 2 believe it guys!! No matter how clones or copycat versions are released, the fact is that the original is a totally different concept and that is what real creation is all about. If u ever happen 2 get a chance 2 watch Le Mans in real life, only then u will realise that all that glitters, ain't GOLD. Sit back tight guys and get ready 4 some real hot action 'cause the fun has just begun. I have so much 2 write about this game but i do not know where to start and end from 'cause this game has created "HIStory". All i know is that I will love this game and cherish it until "IT" sleeps. My "oo'Luv 2 all the Test Drive loverz across the world and "00" Thanx 2 Stationplay 4 giving to me a chance 2 Xpress myself..
All U Test Drive fans can contact me at:-
Manav< remove me > at Gandhi.to or
ManavGandhi< remove me > at ironmaiden.com or
ManavGandhi< remove me > at yngwie.com or
Manav< remove me > at martyfriedman.net or
ManavGandhi< remove me > at 37.com or
ManavGandhi< remove me > at rediffmail.com or
ManavGandhi1< remove me > at yahoo.com or
ManavGandhi< remove me > at hotmail.com
URS ALIENLY,
Manav Gandhi..
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