Gamescom 2016: DriveClub VR Looks Really Bloody Good on PS4

Start your engines

by Sammy Barker Fri 19th Aug 2016

DriveClub was intended as a showpiece for the PlayStation 4, so it stands to reason that DriveClub VR will occupy the same role for PlayStation VR. Officially announced this week – after several sizeable leaks – the platform holder's showing the racer on the Gamescom 2016 show floor, and PlayStation Access has managed to go hands on with the demo.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, it looks bloody brilliant. You can examine your car in virtual reality before beginning a race, enabling you to get up and close with every lovingly modelled component. And while you won't be able to smell the leather upholstery – Ubisoft's got a solution for that – the presenter in this video points out just how natural it feels to play a racing game with PlayStation VR.

But perhaps most impressive is how good it all looks. DriveClub is obviously well known for its incredible presentation, and it doesn't look like too much detail has been lost in the transition to virtual reality. The proof will, of course, be in the pudding later this year – and we really can't wait to take this for a test drive.

[source youtube.com]

As the Editor of Push Square, Sammy has over 15 years of experience analysing the world of PlayStation, from PS3 through PS5 and everything in between. He’s an expert on PS Studios and industry matters, as well as sports games and simulators. He also enjoys RPGs when he has the time to dedicate to them, and is a bit of a gacha whale.

1
Timewarp87
Fri 19th Aug 2016

This is published by ubisoft?

2
AhabSpampurse
Fri 19th Aug 2016

I can talk or leave a lot of realistic racers. I've got driveclub for instance but have barely it's surface... that however, looked INCREDIBLE.

So is this a completely standalone release, or can existing DC owners upgrade or something?

3
Drawfull
Fri 19th Aug 2016

I cancelled my psvr preorder a while back, but my poor poor wallet

That looks incredible.

4
carlos82
Fri 19th Aug 2016

Wow, if I could afford VR and a steering wheel this would be a definite purchase. I have been considering cancelling my PSVR preorder in favor of Neo but videos like these are convincing me to stick with it

5
get2sammyb
Fri 19th Aug 2016

@Timewarp87 No, Sony. Why?

6
wiiware
Fri 19th Aug 2016

Gah, my reason to buy ps vr has increased. I don't think I can buy ps vr and ps neo both..

7
blakey78
Fri 19th Aug 2016

Both PSVR and this game were always day 1 purchases for me. This video however has now got me contemplating getting a steering wheel too. Now I know my set up won't come close to that in the video, but the added immersion seems definitely worth investing in one. My wallet has just packed it's bags and moved out though due to the abuse it's endured lol

8
Drawfull
Fri 19th Aug 2016

@blakey78 And mine; I've reinstated my pre-order...

There were some great deals on wheels on Amazon a couple of months ago, but the exchange rate (£-€) has gimped that now for me.

9
blakey78
Fri 19th Aug 2016

@Drawfull Bloomin Brexit lol

10
Drawfull
Fri 19th Aug 2016

@blakey78 Yup, I live in Spain (expat) and miss the days of 1.40 to the £, it's bloody battered me!

11
themcnoisy
Fri 19th Aug 2016

This is initially had me really interested.

But that field of view is all wrong internally. I dont know how many of the readers can drive, but your immediate view is your drivers side mirror, rear view mirror and all of the dials. The straight on view of dcvr just shows the area between the mirrors and the top of the wheel.

12
MinerWilly
Fri 19th Aug 2016

301

13
brendon987
Sat 20th Aug 2016

Do you play with a vr set. Camera. And controller (not moved)?

14
Drawfull
Sat 20th Aug 2016

@themcnoisy near the start he mentions you can choose your preferred FOV - and looking at the display on the centre console he has the choice for up/down/forward/back I think, so you could get it pretty close.

15
AdamNovice
Sat 20th Aug 2016

I'm glad Sony are finishing Evo's last work, would have been a shame for it to go to waste. Would love it if they go on to make a spiritual successor to Motorstorm now.

16
JaxonH
Sat 20th Aug 2016

Not into racing SIM's, but, I may check it out for VR given the lack of notable new games at launch.

Who knows, maybe I'll love it in the VR space.

17
Boerewors
Sat 20th Aug 2016

@themcnoisy @Drawfull
Like Draw said, FOV is adjustable. But having the goggles on - which keep on amazing me because of their design - the view is way more natural than one might expect looking at the screen. Even leaning towards the dashboard made exactly the difference you'd expect. As a carthusaist with quite some miles on the track I can honestly say this demo was just incredible. If they manage to get an experience this smooth out of the actual game instead of just 1 lap on 1 track, I will recommend every single person I come across to buy a PSVR and a steering wheel.

The visuals aren't as good as in the actual game ofcourse, Dave (?) in the video is exaggerating a bit, but that has more to do with the quality of the headset than with the game itself. I was quite surprised actually because I was sure they had to make huge comprises to get it running at a steady 60fps (which the extra module converts to a remarkably smooth 120p). Obviously when you put the original next to the VR game you'll see the changes they've made immediately, but 'driving' it yourself will leave even the most hardcore anti- VR gamer impressed; this is exactly what VR is made for! So if you don't focus too much on one specific 'pixel', you will actually believe you're in a car.

But I must stress that a good steering wheel is 50% of the experience, and that shouldn't be forgotten! I've heard talks about inventive use of the Move controllers in the game, but the pedals and force feedback are even more important in VR than when you play in 2D; I honestly believe that if I played this with the DS4, I would've gotten motion sick before the first corner. I would've actually liked for them to have add the option to sit in the driver's seat for an entirety of the race, just to see how I would feel.