14 DAY TRIAL // Sony is preparing quite a few different games for the release of its upcoming PlayStation 4 next-gen console, and among them is Driveclub, a new racing experience from developer Evolution Studios, the same team responsible for the Motorstorm series on the PlayStation 3.
While the game claims that it will hit a mix of arcade and simulator mechanics, it mostly emphasizes the fact that players can create their own racing clubs, alongside friends, and compete against other groups in different events for virtual fame and glory.
Sony set up quite a few demo stations with Driveclub at Gamescom 2013, splitting players into two clubs and letting them loose on a track with different areas that required different goals to be met.
While one portion gauged and rewarded the top speed reached by players, other areas emphasized drifting or cornering using the racing line.
Depending on the player's performance, he is compared to others who came before him on that demo station and, at the end, with the other club.
This whole live event fuels competitiveness and, when you consider that the PS4 Eye Camera was used to put faces onto rivals, it makes the rivalry feel even more real than before.
In terms of actual mechanics, however, Driveclub isn't really that impressive, as the few cars that were in the demo didn't handle that well, despite being powerful supercars (Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Maserati GranSport).
The graphics, on the other hand, look quite impressive, and there are plenty of particle effects that make the whole racing experience come alive. Environment quality, sadly, isn't that great, as when you get your car into the bushes, you're greeted with some low-quality textures.
There were also a few moments when the game slowed down for a tiny bit, particularly when the car reached high speeds.
Driveclub is out for the PlayStation 4 in November alongside the actual console.