Drive Girls for PlayStation Vita: A Comprehensive Review
Introduction
Drive Girls is a car-themed action game developed by Tamsoft and published by Rising Star Games for the PlayStation Vita in Japan in 2016 and worldwide in 2017. The game features an all-female cast of characters with the ability to transform into cars and fight enemies in both melee and ranged combat.
Graphics and Sound
Drive Girls’ graphics are a mix of cel-shaded 3D models and 2D art. The backgrounds are colorful and detailed, while the character designs are unique and appealing. The car designs are also creative, with each character’s car form matching their personality and abilities.
The sound effects and music are well done, with the weapons’ sounds providing an extra level of satisfaction to the gameplay. However, the voice acting can be a hit or miss, with some characters sounding great and others sounding forced.
Story and Characters
The game’s story revolves around the Drive Girls, a group of heroines who defend the world from an alien invasion. However, the story is not the game’s strongest point, and the plot may seem uninspired and predictable to some players.
The characters, on the other hand, are a highlight of the game. Each Drive Girl has a distinct personality, backstory, and motivation, making them stand out from each other. Despite the occasional cliché, the characters have good chemistry with each other, making their interactions enjoyable to watch.
Gameplay
Drive Girls’ gameplay is divided into two sections: car mode and human mode. In car mode, the Drive Girls transform into cars and race through various tracks, performing stunts and collecting coins. This mode provides a welcome change of pace from the fighting mechanics and is especially fun with multiplayer mode.
In human mode, the Drive Girls fight enemies using melee and ranged attacks. The fighting mechanics are simple but satisfying, and the game’s difficulty curve is fair. Each character has a unique set of skills that can be upgraded through experience points, adding to the game’s replay value.
Multiplayer
Drive Girls’ multiplayer mode allows up to four players to race, battle, and explore together in a unique multiplayer experience. The multiplayer mode’s highlight is the ability to share health, allowing players to help each other during battles. However, the game suffers from a lack of online multiplayer, making it only enjoyable for local play.
Conclusion
Drive Girls is an enjoyable game for fans of the genre. Despite its flaws, the game’s unique concept, fun gameplay, and likable characters make it worth playing. However, its lack of online multiplayer and repetitive story may turn off some players.