The Test Drive series has always had an aura about it that was difficult to shake. The series has seen its ups and downs over the years across various platforms. In recent years many would argue that things are becoming shallow when compared to other franchises available in the marketplace. As a result, Infogrames turned to the highly reliable Angel Studios to develop Test Drive Off Road Wide Open for the Playstation 2. Upon first booting up the game things look good and play equally well. It is after a couple of races are finished that you realize that you have been here before. Your mind is not playing tricks on you. Angel Studios developed Smuggler's Run for Rockstar. In a nutshell, what we have here is a racing version of Smuggler's Run dressed up in the Test Drive franchise.

Graphics
The areas are massive and you can go quite far when you engage in the free roaming mode. The problem is the areas in most cases are kind of bland and boring. Virtually the same design and graphic engine as Smuggler's Run was used here. The difference is in SR you did not really notice the graphical flaws because you were too busy engaged in chasing someone. In Wide Open these flaws become quite evident. Draw-in is very poor in early stages and pop-up occurs too often in the first person view. The game also suffers from slowdown when a lot of vehicles are clumped together or on the screen at the same time. More time in the QA department would have remedied these glitches. Despite these nuances, Angel Studios has done a very nice job in re-creating all of the real-life vehicles in the game. The models are extremely detailed and in later stages modifications can be made to beef them up even further. The big names in off roading are here including: Shelby Durango, Humvee, Dodge T-Rex, The Monster Truck and more. Damage to the vehicles is absent and could have enhanced the experience. Driving a Hummer off a 100 foot cliff without a dent isn't exciting.

Sound
Infogrames went the extra mile to get the likes of Metallica, Fear Factory and more onto the soundtrack. While the bands assembled here have credibility, at times they do nothing for the gaming experience except provide a lot of annoying noise. Their repetitive nature tires quickly. These days developers and publishers have been too quick to sign on famous bands or continue assuming people want to hear alternative thrashing music. Music directors need to take a step back and really think about what tunes will enhance the gaming experience. GT3 is a perfect example of this. In terms of sound effects, the standard racing fare tricks are present.

Gameplay
Wide Open is an arcade racer throughout. Simulation fans will find little here except the ability to tweak a number of options on the vehicle. After tweaking a number of vehicles, we found the overall effect of the adjustments did little to the usual outcome of the race. Controlling the vehicles is quite simple and elementary. This is good as all you need to do is pick up the controller and get right into the game. The tracks are nicely laid out, simple to follow and the AI vehicles behave as they should. In early races, competition is kept pretty tight and anyone can win the race. Further into the game, things start to get downright silly. Suddenly every AI vehicle wants to run you off the course and make you spin out. On first offence I thought "O.k. two can play at that game". But when it started happening two or three times per race I thought "This is downright ridiculous you *&#!" Come on, how does a little Jeep keep running a Humvee off the road. In real life, my Hummer would crush that puny Jeep. Therefore, what starts off as fair and slightly fun turns to frustration and disappointment. To offset this, there are a number of shortcuts that when found can be very rewarding. The problem is, the AI is looking for them too. The two-player game has some good moments, but inconsistent frame rates deter the experience.

Value
Although there are many course variations, the fact of the matter is that they all come from 3 measly environments: Moab Utah, Yosemite National Park and Hawaii. At least 2 or 3 more courses would have varied the landscape. Wide Open has a good replay value as there is a lot to do if you want to clear the entire game. Three main game modes make up the menu: Single Race, Career Race and Free Roam. Within the Single Races and Career Races, you have 3 types of races to choose from: Circuit Race, Blitz Race and Scramble Race. Circuit Race is your standard race where you navigate through a number of checkpoints in a predetermined order. Blitz races are a series of checkpoints in a pre-determined order that become activated as you pass through each one. In order to win you must react instantly in order to head to the next direction. Scramble races are bar far the most strategic races. All checkpoints must be activated in any order and in any route you choose. The Career Mode is where you will spend most of your time. You will engage in 35 races spread out over five seasons. Each season contains between 2 to 4 races. Winning a season allows you to continue to climb the season ladder, earning more money. Use you new found wealth to purchase new vehicles and modifications.

Final Word
Test Drive Offroad Wide Open is a good effort but never really delivers that edge of your seat excitement. If you had wished Smuggler's Run as a racer, then you will be right at home with Wide Open. For others, a rental will be more than enough to pass judgement.