Test Drive: Off-Road
{{Short description|1997 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Test Drive Off-Road
| image = Test Drive Off-Road.jpg
| caption = PAL cover art featuring a 1997 Hummer H1
| developer = Elite Systems
| publisher = {{Video game release|NA|Accolade|EU|Eidos Interactive}}
| series = Test Drive
| platforms = Microsoft Windows, PlayStation
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|27 March 1997{{cite web |url=http://www.accolade.com/press/news032697_02.htm |title=For Immediate Release |website=www.accolade.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980201103145/http://www.accolade.com/press/news032697_02.htm |archive-date=1 February 1998 |url-status=dead}}|EU|July 1997 (PS)}}
| genre = Racing
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Test Drive Off-Road is a racing video game developed by Elite Systems and published by Accolade for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation.
Gameplay
There are two different play modes: Class Racing, in which only vehicles of one type race, and Unlimited, in which all types of vehicles compete.{{cite magazine |title=Test Drive: Off-Road (Preview) |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=91 |date=February 1997 |page=148}}
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Reception
{{Video game reviews
| PC = true
| PS = true
| na = true
| Allgame_PS = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web |last=Marriott |first=Scott Alan |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2319&tab=review |title=Test Drive Off-Road (PS) - Review |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115093537/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=2319&tab=review |archivedate=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead |accessdate=31 January 2019}}
| CGSP_PC = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite web |last=Bauman |first=Steve |year=1997 |url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/001/167/test_drive_off_road_review.html |title=Test Drive: Off-Road |website=Computer Games Strategy Plus |publisher=Strategy Plus, Inc. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20030522162844/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/001/167/test_drive_off_road_review.html |archivedate=22 May 2003 |url-status=dead |accessdate=31 January 2019}}
| CGW_PC = {{Rating|2|5}}{{cite magazine |last=Goble |first=Gord |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_156.pdf |title=Monster Truck Mayhem (Test Drive: Off-Road Review) |magazine=Computer Gaming World |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=156 |date=July 1997 |page=206 |accessdate=31 January 2019}}
| Fam_PS = 23/40{{cite magazine |url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2724&redirect=no |title=激突！四駆バトル [PS] |language=Japanese |magazine=Famitsu |publisher=Enterbrain |accessdate=31 January 2019}}
| GI_PS = 5.25/10{{cite magazine |last1=Storm |first1=Jon |last2=Reiner |first2=Andrew |last3=McNamara |first3=Andy |url=http://www.gameinformer.com/may97/offroad.html |title=Test Drive Off Road - PlayStation |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=FuncoLand |issue=59 |date=May 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19971021143422/http://www.gameinformer.com/may97/offroad.html |archive-date=21 October 1997 |url-status=dead |access-date=31 January 2019}}
| GSpot_PC = 6.3/10{{cite web |last=Kasavin |first=Greg |date=22 April 1997 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/test-drive-off-road-review/1900-2533387/ |title=Test Drive: Off-Road Review (PC) [date mislabeled as "May 2, 2000"] |website=GameSpot |publisher=CBS Interactive |accessdate=1 December 2018}}
| PCGUS_PC = 64%{{cite magazine |last=Williamson |first=Colin |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/1045.html |title=Test Drive Off Road |magazine=PC Gamer |publisher=Future US |volume=4 |issue=6 |date=June 1997 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20000305033549/http://www.pcgamer.com/reviews/1045.html |archivedate=5 March 2000 |url-status=dead |accessdate=31 January 2019}}
}}
Test Drive: Off-Road received mixed reviews on both platforms. Next Generation reviewed the PC version of the game, stating that "all in all, TDOR doesn't muster up to the competition. Not by a long shot".{{cite magazine|title=Finals|magazine=Next Generation|issue=31 |publisher=Imagine Media|date=July 1997|page=170}}
Reviewing the PlayStation version, Kraig Kujawa of Electronic Gaming Monthly praised the use of real vehicles and complexity of the tracks, while criticizing the small selection of vehicles. His co-reviewer Dean Hager said the game has a sufficient mixture of intensity and realism, but many of the tracks become repetitive and the competitors are not challenging enough. Both concluded it to be the most acceptable of the "hordes of mediocre off-road racing titles [that] have been coming out recently". While GamePro complimented the realistic engine sounds and soundtrack, it had a more negative overall assessment, summarizing that "Test Drive: Off-Road{{'}}s loose controls, aggravating pop-up problems, and uninspired gameplay stall its overall appeal".{{cite magazine |author=The Rookie |title=PlayStation ProReview: Test Drive: Off-Road |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=105 |date=June 1997 |page=69}} Greg Kasavin of GameSpot said of the PC version, "Test Drive: Off Road is pure arcade action". Jeff Kitts, also from GameSpot, said of the PlayStation version, "Test Drive: Off Road is an acceptable entry in the suddenly crowded field of off-road racing games". In Japan, where the PS version was ported for release under the title {{nihongo|Gekitotsu! Yonku Battle|激突！四駆バトル|Gekitotsu! Yonku Batoru}} and published by Coconuts Japan on 31 July 1997, Famitsu gave it a score of 23 out of 40.
{{As of|March 1998}} the game sold over 500,000 copies.{{cite web |url=http://www.accolade.com/press/032498E3.htm |title=Accolade plans to further its highly successful Test Drive series, with Test Drive 5 and Test Drive Off-Road 2 |website=www.accolade.com |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981206045039/http://www.accolade.com/press/032498E3.htm |archive-date=6 December 1998 |url-status=dead}}
Sequel
Accolade stated in a press release that the commercial successes of the game and Test Drive 4 caused Test Drive to become the top-selling racing series at the time.{{cite press release|url=http://www.accolade.com/press/032498E3.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981206045039/http://www.accolade.com/press/032498E3.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 December 1998|title=Accolade Kicks Off 1998 With Record Selling Franchise, 12 New Titles And An Increased Focus On Sony PlayStation Market|publisher=Accolade, Inc.|location=San Jose, CA|date=24 March 1998|access-date=26 July 2019}} Accolade published Test Drive Off-Road 2 in 1998, which uses the Test Drive 4 engine and includes licensed off-road vehicles.{{cite web |last=Wigmore |first=Glenn |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19517&tab=review |title=Test Drive Off-Road 2 (PC) - Review |website=AllGame |publisher=All Media Network |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141115093545/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19517&tab=review |archivedate=15 November 2014 |url-status=dead |accessdate=4 February 2019}}
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/test-drive-off-road}}
{{Test Drive}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Off-road racing video games
Category:PlayStation (console) games