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Even before launch, DriveClub was a divisive title, provoking a range of different opinions, but its fortunes weren't helped by the total collapse of the online component, souring what was - in our view, at least - an otherwise great arcade-style racing game. However, in the wake of the disaster, Evolution has been working hard to put things right. As things stand right now, the connectivity problems are resolved, plenty of new features are added to the mix, and the first pieces of DLC have been handed out for free. In terms of new features, photo mode arrived a few weeks back, but the real star of the show is the game's brand new dynamic weather system. It's a supremely impressive enhancement to an already beautiful title. At launch, DriveClub possessed an impressive dynamic time of day and volumetric cloud system, allowing for some stunning visuals. DriveClub features an extremely robust lighting system with realistic global illumination and a focus on physically based illumination of materials. With the addition of rain and snow conditions, we now see the full benefits of this approach: the effects are dramatic and impressive with an attention to detail that exceeds expectations. Could this be the most realistic portrayal of rain and snow in a racing game, or indeed any game, to date? On reflection, we'd say yes.
The new weather options are available straight away after installing the 1.4GB patch. As with cloud cover and time of day, weather effects are fully customisable in certain modes, allowing the user to toggle between dry racing alongside light and heavy precipitation conditions. On top of that is a dynamic option that is perhaps the most interesting of the bunch, allowing the game to transition realistically between bright sunny days and dark stormy nights. The effects are created from a variety of different elements, each worthy of focus in their own right:
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