Driving, not racing, Games

[Luke]

Although The Duel:Test Drive II is technically a racing game, you'd have to be pretty pathetic it lose to your opponent. The game is essentially just driving around. Are there any other games that are basically a driving simulator?

[Ivo]

Although The Duel:Test Drive II is technically a racing game, you'd have to be pretty pathetic it lose to your opponent. The game is essentially just driving around. Are there any other games that are basically a driving simulator?

I think there are some borderline cases like Test Drive (the first one included).

There is Street Rod, from 1989 or so.

Microsoft's Midtown Madness also lets you drive around, I think?

Ivo.

[Breetai]

The very first Need for Speed (The Need for Speed) might fit your bill.

[Ziggy]

The Driver games all have free ride modes, which I've played for hours and hours.

[Cronson]

Yeah, Driver 1 for PS1 does have a cool "drive around mode". Burnout Paradise has it too. You just drive around until you decide when you want to race.

[Ziggy]

Driver 2 made it even better because you could get out of your car if it was busted up, or steal a faster car, or to avoid the police. Driver 3 made it more like GTA, but it was still a lot of fun. Then Driver: Parallel Lines came out, which also was a lot of fun.

I think I should also point out that each game has several modes, I've only been discussing the free ride modes (which could could spend hours playing). There's survival mode, which is a lot of fun to play with friends (who can get the longest time). There might be time trials, it's been a while since I've played each one. Then there's the main game / story mode.

If you haven't played the series, I definitely recommend trying it out. The first two are a little dated, but the second one should still be pretty solid. I don't know if I'd recommend the first for free ride mode because you can't get out of your car, thought the story and survival mode are still fun. The first 2 games eventually came packed together.

[dsheinem]

Although The Duel:Test Drive II is technically a racing game, you'd have to be pretty pathetic it lose to your opponent. The game is essentially just driving around. Are there any other games that are basically a driving simulator?

That's the tagline. Is this not what you mean?

[corn619]

Lots of games these days may be racing games, but have a free drive mode. A couple games that come to mind are Midnight Club L.A & Need For Speed Hot Pursuit. Hell, even in GTA IV you can drive around freely for hours just checking things out.

[t0yrobo]

Outrun was meant to be about driving not racing. I suppose most games pf that time/style are because the other cars on the road are obstacles more than they are competition.

[Luke]

Thanks for the suggestions.

In Gran Turismo, you can't drive around aimlessly without some type of penalty if memory serves.

I don't want a GTA type game where these is no penalty for getting into an accident. Mafia is okay for this, but the camera angles are pretty shitty if you're trying to go for 1st person (which I am). I jut really enjoy The Duel because it's like going for a Sunday drive. And this drive I can take after a few adult beverages (speaking of the police are holding a huge traffic stop on my street today. I'm pretty sure they're making sure registrations are up to date. The funniest thing is that the cop who I spoke to said that he was freezing. When I asked "Are you from the South?", he answered, "Yes. South America!").

But yeah, I'm looking for a game where you can drive around aimlessly, but are penalized for going off road, causing accidents, running from the cops, etc.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far, keep 'em coming.