A hidden gem in the deep abyss of Playstation 2 and original Xbox racing games, Driven to Destruction or Test Drive: Eve of Destruction as it was known in the USA is one of those titles ahead of its time regarding features and gameplay. On its 20th anniversary, here is a look back at Driven to Destruction.
Driven to Destruction was a PlayStation 2 title based on the concept of American derby culture. Developed by Monster Games and published by Atari Interactive, this title hit the Xbox and the PlayStation 2 with a healthy debut and plenty of positive reviews.
Driven to Destruction's chaotic demolition derbies. Image: Monster Games
There was much more to Driven to Destruction than just the racing, the career mode had an open-world aspect to it as well as second-hand car dealerships and a basic spray painting booth for you to spray your cars in the classic American derby style.
The title was released three separate times in the span of the second half of 2004. For the American market, the game was released on August 24th, to the Australian shelves on September 24th and in Europe, it was delayed by two days and released on November 26th.
A personal favourite game mode, the gauntlet. Image: Monster Games
Outside of the racing events, there are the famous Demolition Derbies and Push-Off events. These are designed with only one goal - to destroy all the other cars. However, in the push-off events, in which the event takes place on a raised platform, the player may make twice as many points by pushing cars off the end of the area as opposed to just wrecking them.
Events such as the Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and Car Soccer can only be played with a second controller active. There are also novelty races such as the gauntlet, where a lone hearse must complete a race without being destroyed by a horde of other cars; Detention, where an invincible bus must stop all cars from finishing; and Survival, in which the player must complete a point-to-point race in 60 seconds while the other cars try to destroy them.
Car Soccer within Driven to Destrcution's local multiplayer. Image: Monster Games
Cheat codes, like most racing games in the early 2000s, are great fun within Driven to Destruction. Completing and winning certain events in the career mode with a school bus would unlock these codes. The cheats ranged from speeding up time to turning the whole game into a black-and-white movie to firing chickens out of your car like heat-seeking missiles. It's very 2004!
Comparisons between Driven to Destruction and the original Destruction Derby title are often drawn. Even Playstation Magazine wrote that "we haven't seen a demolition-derby game this feature packed and fun since the original Destruction Derby by Psygnosis".
Buy new cars, modify them at the Garage, challenge other drivers for money and respect, and once you're ready, head to the Eve of your choice in a quest for cash prizes and the reputation you need to buy better vehicles. Rinse and repeat this process with a multitude of different events, head-to-head races at TJ's diner on the free roam map against rivals.
The higher your reputation, the better vehicles are available at Sweeny's. Just remember that
you aren't his only customer - other drivers also use his yard so expect to see cars you recognise from events on offer frequently.
You can pay for a new ride in cash, or you can trade in the car you drove to knock money off of the purchase price. The salvage value of your car is determined by how much permanent durability is left on it, its original purchase price, and how many upgrades have been added to it, so don't expect to get what you paid if you try to trade in a car that is on its deathbed.
Do you have good memories of Driven to Destruction on Xbox or PlayStation 2? Let us know down in the comments below!
Driven to Destruction was a PlayStation 2 title based on the concept of American derby culture. Developed by Monster Games and published by Atari Interactive, this title hit the Xbox and the PlayStation 2 with a healthy debut and plenty of positive reviews.
Driven to Destruction's chaotic demolition derbies. Image: Monster Games
There was much more to Driven to Destruction than just the racing, the career mode had an open-world aspect to it as well as second-hand car dealerships and a basic spray painting booth for you to spray your cars in the classic American derby style.
The title was released three separate times in the span of the second half of 2004. For the American market, the game was released on August 24th, to the Australian shelves on September 24th and in Europe, it was delayed by two days and released on November 26th.
Gamemodes
25 events are available in career mode, including Figure-8 races, Standard races, Suicide Races (the field of racers is divided in half and runs the track in opposite direction), Trailer Races, and School Bus Races. the variety of racing and nature of the events keeps the player interested and most importantly, keeps the racing unpredictable and fun to play.A personal favourite game mode, the gauntlet. Image: Monster Games
Outside of the racing events, there are the famous Demolition Derbies and Push-Off events. These are designed with only one goal - to destroy all the other cars. However, in the push-off events, in which the event takes place on a raised platform, the player may make twice as many points by pushing cars off the end of the area as opposed to just wrecking them.
Events such as the Deathmatch, Capture the Flag and Car Soccer can only be played with a second controller active. There are also novelty races such as the gauntlet, where a lone hearse must complete a race without being destroyed by a horde of other cars; Detention, where an invincible bus must stop all cars from finishing; and Survival, in which the player must complete a point-to-point race in 60 seconds while the other cars try to destroy them.
Car Soccer within Driven to Destrcution's local multiplayer. Image: Monster Games
Cheat codes, like most racing games in the early 2000s, are great fun within Driven to Destruction. Completing and winning certain events in the career mode with a school bus would unlock these codes. The cheats ranged from speeding up time to turning the whole game into a black-and-white movie to firing chickens out of your car like heat-seeking missiles. It's very 2004!
Comparisons between Driven to Destruction and the original Destruction Derby title are often drawn. Even Playstation Magazine wrote that "we haven't seen a demolition-derby game this feature packed and fun since the original Destruction Derby by Psygnosis".
Vehicles
The wide variety of vehicles in Driven to Destruction includes, but is not limited to; hearses, buses, ambulances, police cars and taxis. The game does not include any licensed vehicles, however, each car in the game has elements resembling real-life car models for petrolheads to draw their own conclusions.Career Mode
The career mode was always the stand-out feature within Driven to Destruction. Whilst fairly short, the re-playability of it meant that players kept coming back for more. You start with your grandma's hand-me-down car, a beat-up 'Top' or Chevrolet Chevette as it is known in the real world.Buy new cars, modify them at the Garage, challenge other drivers for money and respect, and once you're ready, head to the Eve of your choice in a quest for cash prizes and the reputation you need to buy better vehicles. Rinse and repeat this process with a multitude of different events, head-to-head races at TJ's diner on the free roam map against rivals.
Sweeny's Salvage Yard
The closest thing to a car dealership in this game is Sweeny's Salvage Yard. Sweeny embodies the motto "One man's trash is another man's treasure." When your current ride's a little too banged up to be competitive or you simply want a faster car, Sweeny's is the place to go. Get to Rank 80 to start seeing the more competitive vehicles in the yard.The higher your reputation, the better vehicles are available at Sweeny's. Just remember that
you aren't his only customer - other drivers also use his yard so expect to see cars you recognise from events on offer frequently.
You can pay for a new ride in cash, or you can trade in the car you drove to knock money off of the purchase price. The salvage value of your car is determined by how much permanent durability is left on it, its original purchase price, and how many upgrades have been added to it, so don't expect to get what you paid if you try to trade in a car that is on its deathbed.
Summary
Overall, Driven to Destruction is a classic full-contact racing game that is responsible for a lot of people's interest in this niche of motorsport. Coupled with other classic destruction racing games such as the FlatOut series, it made many of my rainy after-school evenings a lot more fun.Do you have good memories of Driven to Destruction on Xbox or PlayStation 2? Let us know down in the comments below!
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