#DRIVE Rally is a distinctive arcade racing game that offers fun in attractive environments around the world. While boasts a unique style and fits well on handheld consoles, it also has its flaws. The controls need improvement and co-drivers can sometimes be more of a nuisance than a help. Still, the game has the potential to become a popular choice for casual racing.
Price and availability
DRIVE Rally has its flaws, which are easy to see and at a price of $20 may be hard for some gamers to accept. However, thanks to regional discounts, I purchased the game for $9, which had a positive effect on my view. I spite of its flaws, the game has managed to develop a distinctive style that can appeal to many players. It offers a unique atmosphere that will make you return to it repeatedly, even when it might just be for an easy and relaxing ride. For those who are looking for straightforward and simple racing with no complicated modifications, DRIVE Rally can be a great choice. Additionally, the game fits well on Steam Deck and other handheld consoles, which is probably based on its mobile version.
Controls and environment
The controls aren't entirely intuitive and feel a bit clunky, but they're easy to get used to and you'll get the hang of them over time. The tracks take place in four different environments: snowy landscapes in Finland, rocky deserts in the USA, forested hills in Germany and tropical beaches inspired by Thailand. Each location is associated with a particular racing stable that the player races for, and along with it has a co-driver who embodies the typical features of that country. While this concept may seem stereotypical, it works quite well within the arcade style of the game.
Design of co-drivers
One unexpected design choice is the attempt to add a distinct personality to the co-drivers. I personally find this unnecessary and even distracting at times. For example, the German co-driver alternates English with German and uses comical phrases, which can be amusing at first but quickly gets tiresome. Additionally, the co-driver's instructions often overlap or are delayed, which, while not a major problem in the context of an arcade game, is distracting. Fortunately, the tracks are simple and easy to remember, which allows players to easily achieve good results.
Rankings and competition
As far as rankings go, I managed to achieve a few placings, but more due to less competition than my racing skills. The question remains whether co-drivers could pose a greater challenge in pursuit of better placings. Even when a player has a major role, calling co-drivers can be important at crucial moments. Since I'm not too focused on competing for rankings, I can't really evaluate this aspect of the game.
Game Achievements and Time Investment
One somewhat odd aspect of the game is achieving achievements based on time spent playing. The final achievement, for example, requires players to play 125 hours, which seems excessive to me. The main championships, which consist of several repeating tracks, take approximately 10 hours. Once they are completed, all that is left are local races or attempts to better the leaderboards. Without multiplayer support, it feels like an overly long and repetitive challenge.
Conclusion
All in all, DRIVE Rally has the potential to impress in the current early access phase, but needs more content and refinement, especially in the areas of controls and co-driver communication.
Positives:
- Attractive and unique style that keeps players coming back.
- Good compatibility with handheld consoles such as Steam Deck.
- Simple and clear tracks that make the game easily accessible.
Downsides:
- The controls are skeletal in places and not entirely intuitive.
- Overlapping instructions from fellow players that can be distracting.
- Inadequate game time to achieve some achievements, leading to repetitive play without much motivation.
Photo: Pixel Perfect Dude
