Having only really just come to terms with the harsh reality that Atari really aren’t that great at making games consoles anymore (anyone remember the Atari Jaguar?), they have now decided to team up with Pitbull Syndicate and now doing a Sega by releasing games only (although respectively, at least Sega quit while they were ahead), and ‘TD Overdrive’ is one of them. The game in essence is really a cross between ‘GT3’ and ‘The Need for Speed’; you race on the streets in Monte Carlo, London, Tokyo and San Francisco in your stylish bad-boy-racer sports cars (e.g. At immediate choice, the Lotus Supra and Chevrolet Camaro being on option isn’t a bad a bad start) and er, race ‘em while trying not to get arrested in the process. Pretty simple, really.

There are various modes of play, however which follow these loose lines – some to be expected such as quick race, time trials, laps and multiplayer, although boasting some extra features such as Navagation Challenge, Cop Chase and a Underground story-based game – which involves a hilarious linear-based game about a driver called Dennis Black who is asked to race for someone called Clark which simply incorporates most of the game features in linear style which fulfilling any other silly little task possible.

Gameplay:
Although ‘TD Overdrive’ does meet the description of “‘GT3’ meets ‘The Need for Speed’” that doesn’t mean that it’s entirely a better game to play – if you compare the game to either one of those mentioned, then you’re going to be questioning which you’d rather be spending your money on between those initial games and this. But then when you look at the game in the perspective as a game in one, it does actually start coming clear that this game could actually be a lot of fun… and a lot of fun it is: trying not to hit civilian cars (not that you really care about the other people on the street, but for the sake of your own place in the race); running away from the police, speeding up ramps, trying to run over civilians (which so far I haven’t succeeded in doing so) and getting to first place (duh!).

If you’re unfamiliar, or (to put it bluntly) crap at these types of games, then you’re not going to get on with this one bit, getting good at this game requires you to have a certain knowledge of sports-cars (as with a lot of these types of games) in order to customise your car to meet your requirements for playing – which simply means, admit to your handicaps and sort it out rather than pretend and find yourself crashing into every corner. Now, I’m very female when it comes to cars, and one of those that would choose a car because it “looks pretty” over how quick the breaks are and their 0-60MPH speeds etc. (notice the use of the word “etc.”) In fact, I’m really, more of a ‘Rage Racer’ / ‘Wipeout’ fan myself, but being subjected to hours of ‘GT’ over the years by certain “friends” of mine means that at least I have the experience with this and I still thought getting the hang of the game was still an unnecessary chore; I did get the hang of controlling my stick of joy after 30 minutes or so but the most important point to make is that you should make sure you know your cars. I guess I should be thankful really.

Graphics:
Definitely one of ‘TD Overdrive’s’ better features, the graphics are really pleasant to look at. Where as a lot of games currently on Xbox really aren’t making use of the console’s potentials, as they should (mainly due to games developers being lazy when it comes to upgrading from the ‘original’ PS2 versions) the attention to detail on the tracks is hefty, and although not 100% accurate to the locations themselves, they’ve definitely been well-researched and you’d probably guess where the locations are without being told based on the visuals (unless you have very little geographical knowledge, obviously). The car designs are also excellent, although the downside with this aspect is also be best one – and that’s the use of car licensing; for those of you who don’t know, when a game like this or ‘GT’ which to use a Jaguar, or a Ford or something for their races, the developers are often under special contract to maintain the manufacture’s “good reputation” i.e. no matter how hard you try, it is quite simply impossible to destroy or deface any of the cars – so you little sadists out there will be disappointed to find this out. However reflection effects and the constructed drivers from within the cars, who are visible though translucent glass, makes up for this. But it’s officially the lighting effects that really show off this game and makes it stand out from many other Xbox titles.

Sound:
The sound effects themselves are actually very good, some lovely engine sounds that will give sports-car enthusiasts masturbation material for the next decade, whereas the music is quite the opposite – there’s a couple of good metal tracks on, but the rest of it seems like wannabe gansta rappin’ and hip-hop whiggas. If this music is within your aesthetic then I apologise, but I can’t identify why anyone would want to put up such ‘musical filth’ on any game. In a bid to get round the problem, I promptly changed the soundtrack to my pre-loaded collection of tunes, in this case, consisting of Squarepusher, Nine Inch Nails and Queens of the Stone Age – now that’s more like it!!

Longevity:
It really comes down to how much you love drag-racing games to determine how long this game would last you. Assuming you get the hang of the game and / or you love these types of games, then you’ll probably find yourself playing ‘TD Overdrive’ in many months to come. If you’re the opposite then you may find yourself returning it back to the store before the return date is over and exchange it for a more appropriate game to fit your tastes. Personally I’m more of the latter kind, but then the Cop-Chase featurette in the game did supply me an endless amount of drunken fun ‘till 6am one night and for that, I will give it the extra credit.

Round Up:
‘TD Overdrive’ is very much a specialist’s game, where not as in depth as the likes of ‘GT’ or quite as fun as ‘Need for Speed’ or ‘Ridge Racer’, it’s the concept and the thought of the game that does make this stand out that little more than other games on the Xbox – when compared to ‘Project Gotham Racing’ you may find yourself in a little bit of a decision bind but based on the personal opinion that ‘PGR’ wasn’t quite as good as it’s predecessor ‘MSR’. ‘TD Overdrive’ is looking like the best game you’re likey to come across of this kind on the Xbox so-far.