Format: PlayStation.
Publisher: Various.
Developer: Eutechnyx
First Release: 1997
Availability: PAL, NTSC J and U/C.
Version tested: PAL and NTSC J.
Released for PlayStation in 1997, Total Drivin’ an early example of a multi genre 3D Racer and an example of how to get many things right, and also wrong. Developed by Newcastle based racing specialist Eutechnyx, Total Drivin’ features six location around the world, with multiple track variations and five different vehicle types.
Graphics:
Visually Total Drivin’ is one of the most mixed examples of a 32bit game. On one hand it boasts a fairly large draw distance in an era of graphical popup, but on the other hand, it is perhaps the most wibbly wobbly PlayStation game of them all! The PlayStation was known for having issues with texture warping bit this game pretty much never stops moving! Object detail at close range is quite hilarious at a slow speed, taking on an almost jelly like appearance!
That aside, Total Drivin’ boasts good level of detail, with varied tracks, well done car models and a generally solid frame rate. Sparks fly when cars collide, dust sprays on the dirty surfaces and the desert based tracks manage to look like they are actually set in the boiling locations they are based on.
So overall it’s very mixed and generally has a scruffy look. As stated, the frame rate is relatively stable throughout, which is a nice bonus. Just make sure you keep moving and it’s a reasonable looking game!
Sound:
The sound is perhaps where Total Drivin’ is best known, at least in Europe. The game boasts a banging dance soundtrack from then label, Quad Communications. The 6 tracks are all outstanding if you are into that kind of music. Sadly, the NTSC games do not feature this OST and has one created for the game which is acceptable but nothing special. The music really makes the game in the PAL version.
The general game audio is of decent quality. Engines sound exciting enough and collisions and other effects sound perfectly adequate.
Gameplay:
Gameplay is where any game is fully judged and with such a scruffy exterior, Total Drivin’ absolutely needs to nail this down. A variety of control options are available, including manual or automatic gears, steering levels for digital controls with the shoulder buttons and full analogue controls.
There are five racing disciplines, Sports, Racing, Rally, Buggy and Dakar.
Sports features your typical fast and responsive cars such as the Ferrari F355 and F40. This mode is surprisingly flat to play though, but it controls well and is easy to master. The cars aren’t actually that fast in this mode, a surprise when you consider the models in action. The courses are decent, based in Moscow and Hong Kong, they offer a variety of conditions and weather.
Race cars are F1 cars. They are the fastest cars and can feel very unweildy at first. However, good use of the brakes and careful cornering can tame these easily. They share the same tracks as the sports cars, and are generally ok to drive but in the wet can be a real swine to handle!
Rally, our favourite mode, is very good. The cars look great, again based on real models and all sport great liveries. The tracks here, based in Scotland and Switzerland are the best the game has to offer with a mixture of dirt, mud, rain and snow to spice the action up. To add flavour, barriers are removed from later races which means you absolutely must be focused to navigate the trickier sections.
Dakar and Buggy are the remaining disciplines and it’s where the game gets frustrating.
The buggies are fairly slow and a real handful to keep going. However they are a lot of fun and you find yourself almost tiptoeing around corners. This so very satisfying despite not sounding especially good, trust us here! They do have a tendency to mount the sides of the track so you have to be so careful.
The Dakar though, oh dear. They are fairly quick vehicles, sharing the same Egyptian and Easter Island based tracks. However they are so top heavy and seem to topple at the lightest touch. Races can be snatched away at any moment either with a mistake around a bend or the AI just ramming you off the track! NOT FUN!
Interestingly, the physics were adjusted for the Japanese release and the Dakar vehicles in particular are much less liable of falling over. The makes for a much better racing experience, though if you have mastered the PAL game, it becomes almost too easy!
Overall the physics are fun, if a little light. AI is challenging and races are competitive. AI will often have wild crashes which is a great laugh and it feels completely random too! One race you can be constantly fighting for placing, another the entire field can get wiped out by a crazy AI driver and you can stream into the lead, if you manage of avoid the carnage!
Content:
Total Drivin’ is packed with content. It features six locations, each with six track varients and eight teams each with their own entry into each race type. The Japanese version also features a tournament mode too, which is a nice extra. Sadly, to beat the game you have to finish each race with one team, you can’t switch teams and use them with tracks you have unlocked. Tis is a strange decision but it certainly addds to the life of the game. But you won’t want to beat all 36 races , eight times, would you?
Overall:
Total Drivin’ is a fun, frustrating and exciting racer that is definitely a dated experience. It doesn’t really excell in any are, with rally being the best and sports the most disappointing. There is fun to be had here and the music in the PAL version is worth a purchase alone, well if you like dance music!
Verdict: Dated, fun, flawed. Worth a look for hardcore race fans.
Gameplay here: https://youtu.be/qLLHDrKLeTQ
Digital Drift/Racer 