Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown review

Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown review

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of racing games under my belt, Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown has certainly left an indelible mark. Having traversed the virtual highways and byways of countless gaming landscapes, I can confidently say that Hong Kong Island is one of the most captivating and expansive locales I’ve ever had the pleasure to explore.


As a racing enthusiast, I can confidently say that Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown immerses you beautifully into an expansive world. It’s like a guide leading me on an exhilarating journey across the vibrant streets of Hong Kong Island. The main objective, as in any racing game, is to ascend to the top as the ultimate racer. This ambition is made achievable through a variety of engaging races, numerous car upgrades, and the thrill of discovering hidden collectibles or unexplored locations.

One aspect I found captivating about Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown is the liberating experience of driving around in Hong Kong Island. The island is vast, brimming with hidden gems, challenges, and intriguing spots to discover. There’s no shortage of activities if you’re open to taking your time and delving into each locale. Your objective is to build your reputation through diverse methods, compete in races to amass funds for car upgrades or new acquisitions, and garner respect on the path to the summit. Initially, there’s a degree of repetition, but once you gain access to joining a clan, that’s when the pace accelerates considerably.

Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown review

Boosting your reputation can be achieved through various activities such as amassing a specific amount of wealth in certain locations, accumulating stars from speed traps, or excelling in races to secure the top spot. Discovering reputation symbol icons on the map and venturing into new territories are additional methods of increasing visibility. With each passing day, fresh races will become available, and more opportunities will present themselves. You’ll always find something engaging to participate in, and once you’re part of a clan like the Sharps or Streets, you’ll encounter even tougher competitions that offer substantial rewards for first place finishes.

In Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown, an online game, there’s a strong social aspect. You can signal other players to race by flashing your lights, connect with fellow gamers at workshops that function as clan headquarters, and generally make connections or show off. Unfortunately, my experience was not very lively since it was early access, but the potential for interaction looks promising. When you start a race, the game will fill it with AI if needed, ensuring you can still participate in races even without a full lobby of real players.

As a gamer, I can cruise through this meticulously crafted open-world landscape, stopping at gas stations to clean and fix up my ride, or browse showrooms packed with real-life automobile brands for an upgrade. Workshops are also on the itinerary for additional tweaks. A convenient map is just a button press away, offering instant fast travel once I’ve driven past a gas station or workshop. The scenery varies from towering cityscrapers and bustling metropolises to sun-kissed beaches and lush forests, but the lack of people roaming around gives it an eerie, lifeless vibe. It’s not a deal-breaker, but wouldn’t it be awesome if I could witness massive crowds cheering and reacting as I race for the ultimate victory?

Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown review

Varied race types add excitement to the experience, whether you’re up against a single rival or a larger group. The driving feels reactive, though it may be slightly unbalanced upon exiting corners, but it’s not just about seizing advantageous moments from opponents; it’s equally about understanding and managing each vehicle’s unique handling characteristics. The DualSense controller offers an exceptional experience as you grapple with speed and control, sensing the strain of acceleration and braking, pushing you to compete for dominance rather than simply being given it. There’s a vast array of settings to customize your car’s performance, drawing you deeper into the driving experience.

In this game, you have various options to customize your driving experience. You can open the sunroof or turn on the headlights, switch radio stations, roll down your windows, and even let your engine automatically shut off when you’re stationary before pressing a trigger to start it again. These small details make it stand out from other racing games. While these additional features are cool, it’s the racing that truly makes it enjoyable. It may not be flawless, but it has an arcade-style feel that makes it easy for everyone to play. For those who prefer more control and customization, there are options available. No matter your skill level, you can play as you wish.

Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown review

Additionally, you have the chance to express yourself uniquely in various manners. Customizing a car is quite popular, where you can switch paint schemes and interior designs. Similarly, altering your wardrobe, hairstyle, physical attributes, and complexion are possible. Displaying your automobile collection in the Solar Lounge is another option. There’s an array of items to unlock, with incentives hidden all over the city. Plus, you’ll earn rewards by outperforming opponents or members within your own group, so seize every opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind appearance for yourself.

As Time unfolds, we’ll see how well Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown fares, and the latest roadmap hints at some elements being added later on. Since it’s an online multiplayer game, it relies on players to inhabit its world, so let’s hope that when it launches, the hotspots, lobbies, and the streets of Hong Kong Island are teeming with gamers eager to establish their presence. The racing feels quite responsive, albeit slightly burdened by a few car weight issues, but I found the experience exhilarating as I navigated the cityscape, discovering activities, and building my reputation in any way possible. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a wider range of races and challenges in the future, but I trust that enjoyment will increase as more players join in.

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2024-09-06 11:46