Test Drive: Off-Road (PC)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 3.0 stars Good
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Greg Kasavin
• Reviewed on: 04/22/1997
• Updated on: 05/02/2000
• Originally published on GameSpot: Test Drive: Off-Road (PC) Review

The ancient conflict of man vs. nature rears its proverbial head once again in Off-Road, Accolade's latest entry into the venerable Test Drive series. The human-made racetracks and highways of common racing games give way to dirt, snow, and mud paths in Off-Road, and you can heed their calling in a military Hummer, a classy Land Rover, a rugged Jeep Wrangler, or a rock-solid Chevy truck in a mud-soaked race to the finish line.

Buckle up in one of said road hogs and take to nature's trails in a dozen different tracks, ranging from temperate to snow-covered to desert. You'll race against three other opponents at any one time, and split-screen and network options are available if your friends think they can take you on. And if you're fast enough to dust the competent computer-controlled competition, you'll unlock several hidden vehicles, including a monster truck and a dune buggy.

Test Drive: Off-Road is pure arcade action: Speed, cornering, and the handbrake for those extra-sharp turns are all you need to worry about. You'll take some big spills in Off-Road, but your ride's performance will never falter. Even if you tumble over, you'll magically reappear rightside-up to continue the race. But beneath the simple gameplay, Off-Road boasts a cleverly realistic physics model, as your truck will convincingly bounce over rocks and ditches and topple if you hit a bump during a sharp turn. The assorted vehicles handle differently, while various road conditions add still more variety to the race. Each track is pleasantly spacious and unrestricted, and (as the title suggests) you needn't stick to the road at all. Indeed, if you're hoping to bust some records, you should count on having to take a shortcut or two. Just make sure to pass every checkpoint along the way.

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