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Hi, is there such a thing as just a pure driving simulator? I mean I a interested in something that isn't even really a game - and that is more like a flight simulator. I know there are racing games and games that involve driving (such as GTA etc), but that's not what I'm looking for. All I really want is a pure driving simulator.

There are two reasons why I would like this - first it might help my sister learn how to drive and second, I don't think the idea of being able to drive practically any car on practically any road in the world in whatever way I want is really all that bad. (Sort of like Google Earth on Steroids).

I know it might not qualify as 'gameplay', but hey if flight sims can be interesting for some people, driving sims should be interesting to a lot of driving enthusiasts too.

So does anything like this exist? If not I sure wish someone would make one. It's something I have wanted to be able to do for years. (Maybe I'm just a really dull person - but I do like driving and cars and lets face it, how many of us are ever going to get to drive some of the world's best cars, or indeed supercars at potentially suicidal speed's over the Alps to Italy? Or even just to drive on some roads we might not otherwise get the chance to drive on?).

This post has been edited by jebus197: Jun 15 2008, 20:16

I think the reason why flight sim is such a big success is because of the complexity of flying an aircraft. I do not know of any car simulation game that doesnt involve racing. TBH, i wouldn't play such a game considering I would just go drive a real car. I can't do the same with an airplane or even a train.

I do realize where you are getting at though. To be more constructive...the best game I feel that gives the best simulation of a car is definitely the Gran Turismo series. The latest one the GT5 prologue is the best (realism-wise). If you don't have a PS3, the GT4 for the PS2 is pretty damn good as well. The driver license tests can give you some pretty awesome realism; for example, how a FF/FR/4WD car would handle through corners or how to handle a S-Turn. Obviously, some of those tests you do, you won't see in real-live or at that kinds of speed, but it is closest thing to reality you can get from a game.

Gran Turismo series in terms of physics, mechanics and all the little subtle things.

Otherwise just grab a drivers license and drive a real car.

There is only one real choice for you and that is the Gran Turismo series by Polyphony Digital for Playstation. If you have a PS2 I would recommend picking up GT3 or GT4. But if you want the real experience of sitting inside a car GT5: Prologue on the PS3 is your best option. GT5:P comes with in-car camera view that captures detail like no other game has ever.



This post has been edited by giga: Oct 20 2009, 02:23

Live for speed ! Although it's for PC

Those are racing games though. I'm sure some people wouldn't play a pure driving simulator. But hey, surely there is some attraction in being able to drive almost any car on almost any road in the world and to perhaps learn something about it's handling and characteristics?

Besides that I wish I just had a pure driving simulator that would help my sister learn how to drive (she is only 15, but she is bugging me to help her learn) it wouldn't be such a bad thing if I could park her down in front of the PC for a few hours now and then and let her practice and learn the rules of the road.

I guess it's inevitable that if you come to a gaming forum you are going to get a lot of gaming type answers - even though I'm still pretty sure that this is not what I'm looking for.

[quote name='Game' post='589485259' date='Jun 15 2008, 20:20']There is only one real choice for you and that is the Gran Turismo series by Polyphony Digital for Playstation. If you have a PS2 I would recommend picking up GT3 or GT4. But if you want the real experience of sitting inside a car GT5: Prologue on the PS3 is your best option. GT5:P comes with in-car camera view that captures detail like no other game has ever.


Well there's also Forza 1and 2 for Xbox/360.

This post has been edited by giga: Oct 20 2009, 02:23

I'd love a pure driving simulator as long as it was real time and real world.

Sort of Google earth with the flight sim changed to a driving sim. As was stated in the 1st post (which I have only just read properly)

This post has been edited by metallithrax: Jun 15 2008, 20:32

Agreed, but in any case, live for speed Has everything to "teach" some to drive, specially if you have a PC steering wheel and pedals, without it being have to be a race.

Forza 2? not sure what console you have....

Live For Speed. End or Forza 2

It really depends what kind of Gaming platform you most prefer, for instance I have an Xbox 360 and have fallen in love with Driving games on it because of the Graphics/Game play/Realism and the Controller having Triggers for Accelerating & Braking brought a whole new level of gaming to my TV.

For Xbox 360 I have got PGR3/4, Forza 2, DiRT, GRID, Burnout Paradise, Test Drive Unlimited (Test Drive gives the most freedom, but is slightly outdated on looks now). All I would have to say amazing Games, Forza I found to be a lot more involved for example what Tyres/Suspension settings etc it brought forward the more realistic details to any Race car driver.

PS3 - GT:5 Prologue, I haven't played it but it looks fantastic. Everyone complained about the "No Damage" aspect in previous GT's (I think it's still the same in GT:5) but it shouldn't matter as Game play in previous GT's are fantastic.

PC - Honestly, can't say I know of any apart from Midtown Madness.

Edit: Wasn't there a game a long time ago which taught people how to drive with like general rules of the Road and you could drive a Motobike on the Highway? Might have to look around Google for it!

Test Drive Unlimited is pretty good - its set on normal roads, with traffic, and its up to you whether you drive around like a maniac or just dawdle around doing the speed limit. 1000 miles of open road to enjoy as well - it's an excellent game!

http://geoquake.jp/en/webgame/DrivingSimulatorGM/

Test Drive Unlimited + Logitech G25 Steering Wheel is what you want.

Hundreds of miles of REAL road on an island in Hawaii.