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Driveclub Review Roundup

After multiple delays, PlayStation 4 racer finally hit shelves today; how did it fare with critics?

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Once scheduled as a PlayStation 4 launch title, socially inspired racing game Driveclub is now available at retailers and through the PlayStation Network.

Critics have weighed in on the new racing game from Evolution Studios, the creators of the Motorstorm series, and you can see a sampling of review scores and quotes below. For more on Driveclub's critical reception, be sure to read extended coverage on GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

  • Game: Driveclub
  • Developer: Evolution Studios
  • Platforms: PlayStation 4
  • Release date: October 7
  • Price: $60

GameSpot -- 5/10

"It exists, it's pretty, and you race cars in it. Such an analysis might be terribly reductive, but it's difficult to work up excitement over Driveclub, a simple racing game in which frustration is common and thrills are in short supply. This is racing in its most straightforward and driest form, free of frills, free of celebration, and free of pressing reasons to invest your time in it for the long term." - Kevin VanOrd [Full review]

Destructoid -- 7.5/10

"Driveclub is fast and easy to get into, nice to look at, and it has a lot going on in the background to keep you connected and competitive with your club members and other individuals. But that doesn't change the issues in the foreground. Its approachable and enjoyable racing is marred by AI cars that love to unfairly bash and crash on the single-player side. And bugs with the interface and the networking kept me from fully enjoying the multiplayer side. Beyond all of this, it feels like Driveclub needs more race and event types. What it offers has kept me going for a couple of weeks, but how much longer will it continue to do so?" - Dale North [Full review]

Polygon -- 7.5/10

"Driveclub doesn't have any one element that makes it an incredible game or a huge leap forward for the racing genre, but it makes some smart choices underneath top-of-the-line presentation. And in embracing a social media-influenced setup to build enjoyable asynchronous multiplayer, it teaches a few important lessons other developers should learn from." - Philip Kollar [Full review]

Joystiq -- 3/5

"Driveclub is a well-made, sometimes irritating juxtaposition of the old and new. The career mode is old-fashioned and its AI is hopelessly ignorant, but the graphics and competitive jabs online feel perfectly fit for 2014. Embracing your fellow human is key to overcoming Driveclub's faults, which ultimately make it a better staging ground for car-loving friends than an expression of automotive admiration itself." - Ludwig Kietzmann [Full review]

PlayStation Universe -- 9.5/10

"Driveclub blends the complexity of realistic simulation with inviting mechanics and gives just enough leeway to evoke heart-pumping power and intensity in every kind of racing fan. A graphical darling with fresh multiplayer ideas to match, Driveclub is irresistible and pushes the genre forward." - Kyle Prahl [Full review]

Eurogamer -- 6/10

"Driveclub is patently intended to attract a global, interconnected audience of fiercely competitive racers but, to quote the increasingly obscure 1989 Kevin Costner film Field of Dreams: if you build it, they will come. And, unfortunately, Evolution hasn't quite built it." - Mike Channell [Full review]

IGN -- 7.9/10

"Driveclub is the best-looking racing game I've ever seen on a console, but down deep it's a more modest, conventional arcade racer than the sprawling, open-world types we commonly see today. While it successfully creates fast and fun races with a great sense of speed, the overly aggressive AI grates, the difficult drifting seems at odds with the accessible handling, and the single-player loses zest once the solo content runs dry. I'm also surprised at how partisan the day-one car list is. That said, the tentacles of Driveclub can grip tight if you get invested in the game's asynchronous challenges, and it's very much geared around encouraging us to hop online and compete by making it so easy." - Luke Reilly [Full review]

A list of additional scores from other publications can be found below:

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Dustydude98

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Lmao Playstation universe rating

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PayneKiller

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Lol PlayStation universe score

Looks like a thirsty rating

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ChemX32

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I don't think a critic based on either console(Like Playstation Universe) or PC should be allowed to submit their scores on Metacritic on any exclusive title. There is a fair chance of biased review and scores

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itchyflop

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again before this arrives on pre order tomorrow can someone tell me if you can race as a club against other clubs real time, ie two or more drivers from other clubs racing you or you and your club? thanks

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ooblah

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I love how every reviewer is giving it like 7/10, 3/5, 6/10 -- all slightly above mediocre scores, and then Playstation Universe throws out a 9.5.

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nurnberg

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I bought the game. What score I would give it? 0 our of 10. The game is not even working properly. I can't give a higher score as long as the servers do not work. The launch is a huge disaster so far.

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daikkenaurora12

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People knew this was going to happen. Forza Horizon 2 was going to get an 8 or 9 and Driveclub was going to get a low score no matter what. This is how gamespot... no no, this is how Microspot works.

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Dustydude98

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Man you gotta be honest now, horizon is wayyyyyy more enjoyable than driveclub

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plaintomato

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<< LINK REMOVED >> lol. you should be reading an honest website like PlayStation Universe.

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itchyflop

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@daikkenaurora12 i own both, forza is a long standing, well branded, money behind the developers microsoft, been around for years series, like gturismo. Driveclub has arrived from a new developer, with its arcade feel and vibrant detailed visuals. I adore my ps4 but with average games like this with no substance, of course the rival, better game will fair better. I hope they release some good dlc for it and redeem their respect, its a shame, driveclub could have been really good, how good was forza on the xbox original, everyone has to start somewhere, for the money were paying for software now, as consumers, we should and deserve more than just 1080p at 30 frames, gamers i feel want more depth now and more value for their hard earned dollar. wouldn't you agree?

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AuntyT

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Nothing to do with the fact that the general consensus is that FH2 is excellent, whereas the general consensus is that Driveclub looks great but is flawed? Paranoid much are we?

5 • 
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daikkenaurora12

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> This isnt the only instance were this has happened. MS pays well.

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AuntyT

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> They must do if they have lined the pockets of every single person who has reviewed the game just to make Driveclub look bad. It's a conspiracy of JFK proportions.


Do you get out much?


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kahnseal

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So Playstation Universe is the only ones who thinks the game is over a 8? Typical. lol

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k9kal85

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Ok, finally got some time to sit down and play this game. I will make this quick. It is not a 5. I would give it a 7 -7.5. It has its flaws and I worry about how long this game will stay fun. DLC will help a ton. It has a lot of work to do if it wants to compete with the Forza series. Even though I feel it is a completely different type of racer then FH2 or F5. It's has a serious arcade feel to it. With really no other options for PS4 owners to play right now DriveClub will suffice, until a new GT game comes out or until Project Cars.

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calducce

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<< LINK REMOVED >>
This. I actually quite like the game, and it has kept me plenty busy despite the inability to connect to servers. That bit is totally irritating but I've made it to level 21 and have 95 stars which has definitely distracted me from the fact that I can't connect to play with my friends. a 5/10 is a pretty harsh score and having played the single player game into the ground, I find a lot of Kevin's points invalid. It's his choice to say whatever he wants in a review, as it is an opinion. I just don't agree with it.

I have Forza 5 and Horizon 2 which are VERY good games. Are they better than DriveClub? Yes. I think so. However, we're on the 5th installment of the Forza series and the first Forza wasn't all that when it came out. Don't think of it as a defense of Evolution specifically but more of a defense in general that the first installment of an IP in an already well established genre that has incredible examples of quality is almost inevitably not going to measure up. And you're kinda screwed as a newcomer because either you'll try something new which will won't have stood the test of time yet so it will get dinged for not magically being feature rich, or the company will try to do all the stuff the competition did and then get dinged for not being innovative. It's a very slippery slope and I wish people would take that into consideration and understand that this is what they are getting in to when they buy into a brand new franchise. That doesn't mean you should feel great about spending $60 on a game that doesn't bring that value to the table. It means that if you are going to early adopt something completely new, please understand that you are rolling the dice and that the odds against you increase directly proportional to the number of high quality, long running examples of competition in the genre.

I'm going to continue giving DriveClub a chance at least through this year. I still think conceptually it is a lot of fun and I'd like to see where they take this idea.

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itchyflop

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<< LINK REMOVED >> good attitude :)

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daikkenaurora12

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<< LINK REMOVED >> and is FH2 different from F5?

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ooblah

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It's a lot different actually ...

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walterg74

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Uh... Yes...

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Kyelo

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74 on Metacritic which is about correct in my view, not gonna blow minds but a good effort.

Also 20% of game content is free on PS+ which is a boost.


My favourite racing games were Gran Turismo 3: A Spec, Need For Speed: Underground 2 and Mario Kart 64(it counts right?!)...hoping Gran Turismo 7 raises it's game and reclaims it's correct place as top dog.

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klonoa53

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So, aside from the problems with the + version not being up yet, is the game actually any good?

  • Yes, its a freaking blast to drive in this game, around 120-130mph the sense of speed is nuts, and the AI is a challenge and not a burden at all (I have no idea where reviewers come up with this crap). No rubberbanding yet either. Lighting is unmatched by anything. Its a very very good RACING game.

Does it look like the footage that was released pre-launch?

  • I think so. I do concede that as you watch things on smaller screens they look a little better than a big screen, but its the nicest looking console game I've played.

How annoying is the crash penalty?

  • Its not, in single played I've never been given anything but slight deductions from my 'points', never have I been slowed down. I've deserved every penalty I've gotten so far :)

Can you change the colour of your car?

  • I think so, but I think the servers need to be up to do that.

Its a shame its pissing people off, cause its really really fun, and intense.

The reviewers who gave it a 5 and 6...well I just dont know. Even the digital foundry wing of Eurogamer stated that they enjoyed the game a lot more than their reviewer (6) did...so what does that say about reviews??

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rabbitcancer

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gamespot's reviews...just pure LOL

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M3o5nster

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Reminds me of the original NFS games. I've been waiting for a return to a stripped down canyon racer for a long time... I'm a fan of GT, but sometimes it's just nice to cruise the open road. The driving physics seem to be more on point than its competitors as well. And that's what I really care about... The racing.

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slainta

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I review the GameSpot reviewing capability a round 2/10.

I left this site long ago, I just come back once in a while to check what number has been picked from the hat in the latest reviews, laugh and then to state how much I despise this site.

2 • 
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walterg74

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So in a way you're pretty much the same kind of idiot as the reviewers...

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woodyfr

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<< LINK REMOVED >> You should read the review instead of just "check the number".

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daviz88

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its was a rant not a review

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dani_i89

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<< LINK REMOVED >> We all envy you, and Gamespot has missed you dearly.

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downloadthefile

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9.5 from playstation universe? seriously? I've not played but it's just ridiculous that there are one-console dedicated reviewers and that anyone would trust anything they say about an exclusive.

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gajbutler

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Oh look the Sony defence force are out!

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HumdingerMarkie

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<< LINK REMOVED >>

Must uphold the integrity of our Sony overlords!!!!!

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rabbitcancer

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<< LINK REMOVED >> why say that - because people are calling out a b.s. review? Gamespot has been proved an outlier twice in one week.

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Master_Turismo

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In my book its a solid 8. Reminds me of the good ole days of Project Gotham Racing. May not be as expansive as Forza Horizon 2 but it does deliver something we haven't seen in a long time.


And for those who are like "FORZA HORIZON 2 IS BETTER DUHH!" or "DAFUQ DRIVECLUB IS BETTER BRO!": Why not love both games and shut up about your "brand loyalty" BS.

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calducce

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<< LINK REMOVED >>
Brand loyalty always gives me a chuckle. If only people stopped to reflect on how idiotic they sound. I view fanboyism as a sign of a weak mind. A fanboy is underdeveloped mentally and the lack of an evolved intellectual process causes them to engage in herd conformist behaviour. They feel more comfortable in a flock and they feel as if their life has more meaning living in a delusion that a company somehow gives any craps that they are loyal to them. "I bought system X because I'm a gamer" - fanboy Y. No fanboy Y, you bought system X hoping that it was the one that everyone else would love because you have very little sense of self and need others to validate you for something you spent money on.

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mrfriki

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I'm agree. I'm a little tired of all that open world and GTA wannabe games. I just want old plain Need for speed games. Pick a car, a track and go for it.

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keithlemon

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<< LINK REMOVED >>Sorry, are you suggesting FH2 is a GTA wannabe game ?

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Morphine_OD

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I've been playing it the whole morning and it sure as hell not 5/10 or 4/10. I'd say 7.5 or 8 is more like it, might be 8.5 when social stuff kicks in. But hey, professional reviewers are long past their time. These days anyone can read fellow gamers impression and decide for themselves, while "professionals" often fall into moralistic discussions, white knight syndromes, boredom and other unprofessional states while writing a review.


GTA5 and TLoU scores on Gamespot are perfect examples of what I am talking about. Gaming journalism is dead, these people now are just rudiments of big publishers hype machines and social vigilantes on personal vendettas.

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keithlemon

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Care to give us your review ?

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Morphine_OD

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Driveclub features amazing graphics, pure skill-based racing, accessible, but not arcade driving mechanics and really makes use of it's weather/lighting conditions and mini-events to liven up the core experience. It sets itself separate both from the modern RPG/open world racing games and hardcore driving simulators and offers easy to pickup but hard to master gameplay, which will scratch the itch some have after Dirt/Dirt 2 and PGR.

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NyaDC

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Sounds like you're citing a paragraph from the games website, it's essentially the opposite of what you're saying. It's a hollow experience from beginning to end that looks pretty, it's the equivalent of a brain dead supermodel in the hospital on life support.

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001011000101101

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Well said/typed.

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