When you think of racing games for the Play Station 2, the only one that comes to mind as being the top dog is Gran Turismo 3. Then as you go further down the line, you run into games such as Ridge Racer V and this original release of Driving Emotion Type-S. While not the most original of racing games, or even the most fun, it does offer an aspect into the racing genre that gives gamers a run for their money. The one aspect that this game brings, is the pure challenge of learning how to control your car and work with the physics that the game is given from start to finish!
As with most racing games, you won’t find a storyline and hell, you won’t even find a plot. For most racing games, all you do is pick up a controller, hit the power button and get to playing and with this title, that is exactly what you have to work with. Although the cars are pretty limited, you may find that the game is just a shy too challenging for beginners and even veterans to this type of game will find it to be something of a challenge, right off the starting line! Real world physics along with some pretty intense game play mixed in with a trace soundtrack and exceptional visuals makes for a game that is well worth playing, if you haven’t stepped into the world of Gran Turismo 3.
The game play as I said is not like you would find in some arcade racing games. This is because of the actual physics that the game provides is that of actually getting out on the road and working with a factory style car. Speed, turning, and even the wind resistance that you have with your vehicles is all represented here, which gives you a leap in challenge to be able to handle the different cars in the game. Racing really isn’t much of a problem once you’ve understood the different ways that the cars handle, so veterans and beginners alike should be able to start and race!
The control is where the game needs some patience and practice. With the way that the cars move on the tracks, you’ll have to get used to the different physics. Yes, I bring this up several times throughout the review, but you’ll find that the control is tied in with the game play and the realism that is portrayed here is also in the control itself. As usual, you have your gas and your brake and then you have a slight sliding option that allows you to handbrake and drift around the tight corners. As before, anyone with racing game experience should be able to pick up on the control and not have to take more than a few minutes to familiarize themselves with the overall layout.
Visually, Square did a phenomenal job with presenting this game, giving you several different cars, locations and even some lighting effects throughout the game. For the most part, all of the cars that you see are real to life in most cases, and they all move the way that you would expect. As for the different locations, while they really aren’t anything that you’ll recognize, the amount of detail that is placed into them is beautiful and you may find yourself mesmerized. Probably one of the better points to the game is the training section in which you have tracks with racing sports on the track to help you, which gives the gamer a better feel of how and where to do the different actions the game has to offer!
Audio wise, you have a trace soundtrack that follows you throughout the game and although it may not be for all gamers, it sets the pace and keeps the theme of the game to a steady clip. For me, I personally like listening to trance while I drive in real life, so to have it here is a blessing that keeps me interested in the game. However, if you don’t want it, you can shut it off in the options and have the rather well done ambient sound effects come through your stereo instead. Racing engines and squealing tires helps to immerse you in the overall feeling that the game attempts to provide at every turn.
Driving Emotion Type-S is something of a first generation Play Station 2 racing game that does a fair job in preparing anyone for Gran Turismo 3. Although most PS2 owners have already been to the track with GT3, you’ll find that this particular title is worthy of renting, if not picking up for a small fee. With the real to life physics that the game has to offer as well as some pretty impressive visuals and excellent music, there is enough here to keep any racing fan rolling while letting GT3 cools off!
7/10
