Total Drivin

Total Drivin is a racing game that features six courses set in different locations across the world, each with different weather variations.[2] The game supports the Dual Analog Controller.[2] Multiplayer is available via both split screen and the PlayStation Link Cable.[3]

Total Drivin was developed by the UK-based company Eutechnyx.[4] The developers created a zoom-capable, 360 degree camera for use as a programming tool, but later decided to leave it in so that players could look over the track landscapes while the game is paused.[3]

The game's North American publisher, Activision, acquired a Car and Driver sponsorship for the game, leading to "Car and Driver Presents" being added to the game's title in that region.[5]

Reception
Review scores Publication Score AllGame [6] Edge 8/10[1] EGM 7/10[7] GameSpot 7/10[2] IGN 6/10[8] Next Generation [9] OPM (US) [4]

While Edge praised the game for successfully combining the realism of a racing simulator with the style of an arcade racing game,[1] most reviews assessed that by taking on every single racing style in one game, Total Drivin failed to excel at any one style and came out highly inconsistent.[7][8][9][10] Next Generation, for example, stated that "It's a nice idea, but for the most part, it's neither well-executed nor well-integrated into gameplay, and comes across like more of a gimmick than anything else."[9] Both Next Generation and IGN remarked that most of the tracks are too easy, while the buggy tracks feature extremely difficult handling, making the challenge too uneven.[8][9]

Some critics complimented the sound effects as realistic,[4][2] while others found the engine sounds grating, likening them to motorcycles or blenders.[7][10] The graphics also met with mixed reactions, with critics noting grainy bitmaps[8][9][10] but a pleasing lack of pop-up.[2][9] A few reviewers praised how the aggressive A.I. leads other cars to cut opponents off or push them into walls when going around curves.[9][10] Kraig Kujawa of Electronic Gaming Monthly summarized that "With so much depth, GTR has something for all, despite its rough edges", and his co-reviewer Dean Hager similarly concluded, "In the end, the good elements outweigh the bad."[7]

Gary Mollohan of Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine highlighted the game's selection of vehicles and large environments, noting that a single lap can take up to four minutes to complete. However, he criticized the game's questionable car physics and unconventional controls.[4] IGN likewise found that the controls make the steering oversensitive.[8] GameSpot reviewer Jeff Gerstmann felt the controls were decent, but admitted that they can take a lot of getting used to due to the game's unique steering system.[2] GamePro summed up that "You'll either love using the D-pad in conjunction with the L and R triggers, or you'll hate it."[10]

• Total Drivin at MobyGames