Driveclub (2014)

Many small tweaks, amazing weather and phenomenal photo mode have turned Driveclub into PS4's best racer. At times breathtaking and always involving, it'll keep you coming back for more.

Driveclub deserves a second chance, but will it get it? We hope so. It might not be a crowd-pleaser like Forza Horizon 2, but it's a frequently fantastic racer that's only getting better with time.

Hidden somewhere within DriveClub is a very good racing game. A game with online hooks that dig in to every element of the experience, whether you're taking on friends and rivals directly or through the challenges dotted around the game. Sadly, the most crucial part of the game simply doesn't work right now, and in spite of its extra 11 months, feels horribly unfinished in places. Things like dynamic weather should be in the game at launch, particularly as that's what was showcased so much at the likes of E3 and EGX. Whilst everyone should appreciate that things happen that will derail some plans a little bit, the fact that DriveClub is still as broken as it is this far down the line, in spite of the additional year that was given to it is inexcusable. Hopefully, in 6 months time, when everything is fixed and all of the content patches are out, it will be a game worth picking up. Until that day arrives, it's very, very difficult to recommend DriveClub as anything more than an astonishingly pretty, but ultimately nothing more than competent single-player racing game.

It speaks to the strength of the challenge and club systems that DriveClub remains wholly enjoyable despite such an omission. A few less serious forms of racing would do a lot to improve to the experience and catapult it into the same realm as the greatest of arcade racers, but what's on offer represents a commendable attempt at changing the way we think about how competition is served in a racing game.

The lack of customization, contradictory driving elements and tiny car list make Driveclub a pass for all but the most die-hard racing fans.