Driving Emotion Type-S
Square's first PlayStation 2 racing game with licensed cars.
Driving Emotion Type-S is a racing game developed by Escape and published by Square. It was Square's first release for the PlayStation 2, launching in Japan on March 30, 2000. International versions, released in January 2001 by Square Electronic Arts in North America and Electronic Arts in Europe, feature revised controls and additional content.
Quick Facts
- Platforms
- PlayStation 2
- Developer
- Escape
- Director
- Toru Ikebuchi
- Producer
- Shinji Hashimoto
- Composer
- Shinji Hosoe
- Publisher
- Square (JP)
- Square Electronic Arts (NA)
- Electronic Arts (EU)
- Released
- March 30, 2000 (JP)
- January 19, 2001 (EU)
- January 30, 2001 (NA)
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rush About | 2:11 | |
| 2 | Stray | 1:12 | |
| 3 | A Light Turn | 4:35 | |
| 4 | Best Tone | Ayako Saso | 5:17 |
| 5 | F-Beat | Takayuki Aihara | 5:13 |
| 6 | Shake Off | Ayako Saso | 2:46 |
| 7 | Heavy Way | 4:46 | |
| 8 | Wild Feeling | Ayako Saso | 4:24 |
| 9 | Pass Through | 5:24 | |
| 10 | Back Swing | Takayuki Aihara | 4:35 |
| 11 | Power | 4:16 | |
| 12 | Insomnia Operation | 4:24 | |
| 13 | Challenge to a Limit | Ayako Saso | 4:51 |
| 14 | Recollections of Sepia | 2:16 | |
| 15 | To the Whirlpool of Light | 2:25 | |
| 16 | Internal-Organs | 0:32 | |
| 17 | Complication | 0:45 |
Track listing from the source article.
Gameplay
The gameplay follows general racing game conventions, with physics and controls aiming for realism based on vehicular weight. Players compete against computer-controlled cars to unlock new vehicles and tracks. Car settings and colors can be customized before each course. The game includes 43 officially licensed cars from eight Japanese and five European manufacturers, among them BMW, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mazda, Porsche, Subaru, Mitsubishi, TVR, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, and Lexus (the latter exclusive to Western versions). Fourteen courses are available, including two fictional circuits, three real circuits such as Suzuka Circuit and Tsukuba Circuit, and one Western-exclusive track called West Coast. Four game modes are offered: Arcade Type-S, the main mode where winning races unlocks content; Line Training, which lets players practice tracks without opponents and shows an ideal racing line with braking points; Time Attack; and a split-screen two-player Vs Mode. Line Training also features four autocross tracks not found in other modes.
Development
Square's first PlayStation 2 game was initially called Type-S when it was revealed in January 2000. The developer was Escape, a Square subsidiary whose staff had previously worked on Ehrgeiz and the Tobal series for PlayStation with DreamFactory. A four-page ad in Weekly Famitsu confirmed it as Square's debut on the new console. A playable demo appeared at Square's Millennium Event in Yokohama Arena that same month. Teaser commercials for the system in Japan featured a Porsche 911 GT3 and Ferrari 360 Modena. The game was shown at E3 in Los Angeles from May 11-13, 2000, but attendees could not play it because focus groups were still making improvements. GameSpot noted that body detail and shading were upgraded for the international release, which arrived ten months after the Japanese version.
Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Driving Emotion Type-S was largely the work of Shinji Hosoe, with additional tracks by Ayako Saso and Takayuki Aihara. Released in Japan on December 29, 2001, through Hosoe’s label Super Sweep Records, it came packaged with the Bushido Blade soundtrack. The overall style leans heavily on techno, but also incorporates rock and jazz. According to Chudah’s Corner, the opening track “Rush About” stands out for its variety, blending electronic beats with a saxophone and electric guitar duet plus piano. Saso’s best contribution is said to be the synth-heavy “Best Tone,” featuring a bass solo, while Aihara’s is the catchy 80s rock piece “F-Beat.” The most mellow track is the piano-driven “Recollections of Sepia.”
Reception
The game received mixed or average reviews according to Metacritic. In Japan, Weekly Famitsu gave it 28 out of 40, praising graphics, real cars, and the driver's view perspective. Game Informer and GameZone lauded realistic car interiors and detailed environments, comparing them to Ridge Racer V and Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec. AllGame noted a subtle shimmering effect typical of early PlayStation 2 titles, while GameRevolution found the graphics severely jagged; GameSpot and IGN noted these issues but did not find them irritating. Regarding playability, GameSpot and IGN judged the Japanese release impossible to play, and found the international release improved but still overly sensitive. GameRevolution criticized unbalanced default settings and inconsistent AI, echoed by AllGame and IGN. Famitsu reported long load times and high difficulty, noting the game targeted sim racing fans over arcade players. Game Informer and GameZone called load times a game-ending nightmare and described handling as touchy, intense, and revolutionary, but acknowledged most players would find it too challenging. Game Informer suggested a masterpiece for driving simulator buffs lay within, while AllGame stated cars seem overly light on their tires and feel like driving on ice.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Driving Emotion Type-S released?
Driving Emotion Type-S was released on March 30, 2000 in Japan, on January 19, 2001 in Europe and on January 30, 2001 in North America.
Who directed Driving Emotion Type-S?
Driving Emotion Type-S was directed by Toru Ikebuchi.
Is Driving Emotion Type-S single-player or multiplayer?
Driving Emotion Type-S offers single-player and multiplayer play.
More in Square Enix Games of the 2000s
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