Driving Theory Training (Nintendo DS) - Review by Andrew

Introduction

Ever since developers worked out that the DS could not only be used for games, but also a whole host of training or information applications, the section in your local gaming outlet for titles which in some way allow you to better yourself has grown and grown. In the past few months alone we've had aids to stop you smoking, make you a better cook and even speak another language. Now that the UK driving test includes a practical exam on the Highway Code it seems a perfect use of the DS to enable users to test their road knowledge without pestering a friend or family member. I say a perfect use but I haven't actually played it yet and, given that it's been some years since I passed my test, how well will I do?

Gameplay

Unusually, for a DS title, you get a reasonable number of save slots and there's even a guest spot. This is important, as throughout your time with the Training Cart you'll want to plot your progress and, more importantly, your weaknesses. The tests refer to both motorcycles and cars but, as both need to recognize the same signs, there's little difference. The tests themselves are reasonably varied although not all of them will actually help you pass your written test. Probably the best of the bunch is the Practice Exam, which challenges you to answer 50 multiple-choice questions in 57 minutes, and then awards you with an overall score. You can also practice the Practice Exam (if that makes any sense). This is probably of more benefit initially as it points out your incorrect answers. There's even a Challenge section that pits you against a timer and poses twelve head scratchers, all of which must be answered correctly. To aid you the developers have also included rules and signs and their meaning.

Some sections are a little lighter, for instance, games like the Memory game, where you must recall the position of a collection of signs and pair them up or the Sign Game, which challenges you to construct a sign following various rules. There's even a 'why on earth did they include that' section' section which is meant to sharpen up your driving and parking skills. Instead this is just mindless filler where you'll have more fun simply crashing your car into the various parked ones in order to set off their alarms. Juvenile, I know, but still very entertaining.

Controls

It's all dual screen and while we're generally fine with this, the driving sections would have been much easier had a more traditional approach been employed. The biggest problem here is the stylus controlled steering wheel and while this may be closer to the real thing, countless driving and racing games have demonstrated that giving gamers the option to select their control method is always the best solution.

Graphics

Visually the game is far more practical rather than the type of thing you show off to friends. This is clearly because it is more important that the graphics clearly represent those both in the actual test and on the roadsides so spinning CGI logos, for instance, are out of the question.

Sound

The soundtrack, mysteriously, jumps from 1970's blaxploitation to a collection of tunes that are best described as sedate. Maybe this is so you don't get too worked up behind the wheel. Elsewhere there are the usual beeps and buzzes to indicate that something has happened.

Dual screen

Given that this is an electronic test most of the game is simply given over to selecting answers and icons with your stylus. Unfortunately, the developers have employed the same system for the various driving games so attempting to reverse park using a combination of the stylus (to control the steering wheel) and the p-dat (to reverse) is far more difficult than it should be. Do yourself a favor and, if you really wish to have a go at DS driving have a go at the recently released Race Driver; GRID. It's much more fun.

Final comments

There's certainly a lot to recommend in Driving Theory Training and the basics such as recognizing road signs and recalling rules are covered with a suitable level of detail. Other aspects don't come off as well unfortunately and the various driving and parking exercises are actually more difficult than controlling a real car. Overall though, if you do happen to be sitting your test in the next few weeks this is well worth a purchase and definitely better than trawling through the book itself.

Pro: Great Way to Actually Test Your Highway Code Knowledge.
Con: Some Sloppy Text, Awkward Driving and Parking Sections.
Final score: 6.1

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