Now would be a good time for PlayStation to revisit its Need For Speed ​​rivals.

The racing game genre has ironically slowed down in recent years. Even in the case of franchises Need for Speed and Gran Turismo It's still being released regularly and is successful, and over time it's becoming increasingly niche. But the racing scene is still full of potential, and Sony's once exciting drive club You might get a shot in the arm if you need it.




Although it suffers from the same stagnation issues seen in other major racing franchises. drive club There are a few key elements that will help you stand out. This is a game that takes a more arcade-influenced approach. Need for SpeedJust like the competition, it sees players racing in various locations around the world. But the online club aspect is what makes this club truly unique. Players can form clubs with other players, and the joint efforts of each club member can affect their progress, reputation, and ranking. This made the online aspect of the game appealing to many players, and the core gameplay was backed by a powerful physics engine, engaging game modes, and industry-leading visuals that still impress today. Unfortunately, the game's servers were shut down in 2020, making online play impossible.


relevant

Why Gran Turismo 7's PS VR2 success bodes well for flight sims

The positive response to Gran Turismo 7 for PS VR2 from both casual players and hardcore simulation fans shows that Sony has a chance to release a great flight sim.

Why PlayStation Should Bring Back Driveclub

Driveclub could be a strong claim to speed rivals.

For many years now Gran Turismo PlayStation's leading racing franchise. There is a good reason for this. Gran Turismo It delivers impressive technical performance and visual features along with engaging online and offline game modes, consistently reaching and exceeding high quality standards. but Gran Turismo It leans a little more toward the simulation end of the arcade-simulation continuum that racing games are based on. It's certainly still accessible, but it slightly favors realism and depth over satisfying mechanics, controls, and physics.


In contrast, drive club It sits further on the arcade end of the continuum. Through updates after release drive club We've added more simulation-like features and options, and the game's physics and controls prioritize entertainment and accessibility over realism. In this way, drive club can be compared to Need for Speedor even forza horizonIt has a bit of wiggle room for those who want a driving simulation, but still puts fun and simple controls up front. PlayStation takes all racing eggs Gran Turismo If it's a basket case, it might be wise to diversify by bringing back exclusive arcade racers and offering something new.

A look at a modern drive club

sony closure drive club Developer Evolution Studios developed it in 2016, so any potential revival of the IP should happen without their involvement. This is clearly unfortunate, despite the launch issues. drive club Evolution Studios has proven itself to be a more than capable developer with the talent, experience, and creativity to lead a true racing competitor.


But looking to the future, Sony probably doesn't want its own studio to dominate the market. drive club patent. Perhaps the most obvious pool is Polyphony Digital, the developer of: Gran Turismo; Sony could probably split off some of that team to work on new things. drive clubIt leverages the studio's extensive experience with racing games to bring a unique twist to the genre. Considering Polyphony's years of expertise in online racing games, it's not hard to see how the developer could make a comeback. drive clubis an online multiplayer ecosystem.

In this hypothetical scenario, whichever studio acquires the IP can say: drive club You deserve a second chance. It's always sad when a game ends before its time, drive clubA life so tragically short is especially disappointing considering how promising it was. Sony needs to move in another direction, strengthening its presence in the racing genre along the way.

Leave a Comment