Test Drive 6
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Game Information
Release Date: October 31, 1999
Developers: Pitbull Syndicate
Publishers: Infogrames, Cryo Interactive
Platforms: Playstation, Microsoft Windows, Gameboy Color, Dreamcast
Genre: Racing
Players: 1-2

Synopsis
At the start of Test Drive 6, game players are allotted a set amount of money with which to purchase a car from the dozens that are available. Once in the race menu, there are two choices: Single Race and Tournament Race. A single race is just that, one race that is run on a track of your choosing. Tournament races are where you race in an attempt to become the top driver and earn money to improve your car with. A Practice mode is included that does not require players to purchase a car but not all of the cars are available for selection nor are all of the tracks.

Gameplay
The gameplay in Test Drive 6 is a more enhanced version from the previous Test drive 5. Players will start out with a set amount of money that is a new feature to Test Drive 6 since the previous installments of the Test Drive series didn't include any sort of monetary system. Players can start out playing either quick race which gives the player instant access to race on any track with the exclusion of being able to use the top tier vehicle class. If players decide to do tournament mode, the player will start out on "class 1" which is the lowest vehicle class. Each vehicle class has a set amount of races, the higher the vehicle class, the more races there are in the tournament.Players will be able to race in 40+ different vehicles in 4 different class tiers. When starting each race, the player is set to bid any amount of money they wish to bid. The amount the player can bid will vary on the vehicle class and tournament they choose. During a race, the player will be pitted against 5 other racers of the same vehicle class. The player will be able to race in the streets of London, Paris, Hong Kong, Ney York, and other locations from the previous Test Drive series games. Players will be able to tune their vehicles like other previous Test Drives as well as purchase upgrades for their vehicle.

Graphics
Compared to its predecessor Test Drive 5, the graphics in Test Drive 6 are much better in clarity and enhanced. On the tracks, especially on significant landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Big Ben, the details and textures on those landmarks are well executed and defined. The details on the tracks themselves are pretty much clearer when it comes to the textures of the roads and buildings. The light fixtures themselves, unlike in Test Drive 5 where the light fixtures didn't lighten up the road and just were for looks, in Test Drive 6, the lights give out a decent amount of light on the road and can be seen in the distance when coming upon them. The vehicles themselves are much better looking when comes to the details as the vehicles look a lot smoother and sleek in design and shape.

Controls
The controls in Test Drive 6 are no different from any of the other Test Drive series games. In Test Drive 6, the buttons to switch camera views and to look behind you have been switched around with each other. The game also features a button to use your horn on the vehicle but really shows no other purpose. Returning Test Drive players should nail the controls and as for players new to the series, practice the controls since they aren't too difficult to learn. And by purchasing tire upgrades, the control for steering will be more sensitive since the player's vehicle will be able to turn greater without slowing the vehicle on tight or sharp turns.

Ratings
Gameplay: 9.2/10
Graphics: 9/10
Controls: 9.5.10
Overall: 9.3.10

Extra Information
In Test Drive 6, the police also go after AI racers as well instead of only the actual player.

On some parts during a race, the AI's appear to slow down since the rear lights of their vehicles glows red, what actually happens is that they gain some sort of nitrous boost and just zip right pass the player. The actual player doesn't obtain this power for some reason, and can only be done with modifying the game's coding.