Home | News | Reviews | Previews | Hardware
Test Drive: Off-Road 2
Score: 96%
ESRB: Everyone
Publisher: Accolade
Developer: Pitbull Syndicate
Media: CD/1
Players: 1
Genre: Racing

Graphics & Sound:
The graphics in Off-Road 2 are very good, although it’s tough to notice your surroundings as you’re barreling your way through the vicious terrain (and other drivers). The levels you’ll encounter span across the globe and are nicely rendered. The bass-driven soundtrack includes bands like Gravity Kills and Fear Factory, but blends so perfectly with the sound effects that you hardly notice it.

Gameplay:
So you wanna trek around the globe, driving across some of the toughest terrain around in some of the coolest ATVs? Well, you’ve come to the right place. I had so much fun with Test Drive: Off-Road 2 that I know I’ll come back to it time and time again. There are two modes of play: Single Race and World Tour. In Single Race, you get to choose a track and a vehicle. Some tracks are locked and you can open them by progressing in the World Tour. In World Tour, you battle other drivers as you make your way across grueling tracks. You start off with only enough money to buy a small ATV, but as you win, you earn more. The levels in this game are so long they are almost ridiculous. But that gives you plenty of time to show your stuff and beat out the other guys.

Difficulty:
The difficulty isn’t bad for Off-Road 2. The standard difficulty levels are present, but only affect the Single Race. In World Tour, it’s you against them and you either make it or you don’t.

Game Mechanics:
Sadly enough, Test Drive: Off-Road 2 doesn’t support Steering Wheel controllers, but it does work very well with Dual Shock and Analog. You feel every bump and rumble, and it’s quite an experience. But as I said before, the levels are VERY long and some people might experience “lawnmower” effect from the Dual Shock. If that’s you, just turn it Off in the Options screen (although it’s much better On). There was some pop-out as you drive all over the screen at crazy angles, but when compared to the amount of fun in this game, it’s hardly worth mentioning.

-Psibabe, GameVortex Communications
AKA Ashley Perkins

This site best viewed in Internet Explorer 6 or higher or Firefox.