As a long-time enthusiast of the racing genre, I must admit that I was initially taken aback when I heard about the changes in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown. Being a die-hard fan of the series since its inception, the absence of Chase mode, a feature synonymous with the franchise, left me feeling somewhat nostalgic.
After a 13-year hiatus, the much-anticipated “Test Drive” series is back on September 12th with “Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown”. Debuting on Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC, this open-world racing game brings a fresh setting, a more service-oriented style, and rivalry between two factions. Let’s explore how it compares to the last installment, “Test Drive Unlimited 2”, which hit shelves in February 2011. Here are some of their key distinctions.
Hong Kong Island vs. Ibiza and O’ahu
In my gaming world, there’s a stark contrast between Solar Crown and Test Drive Unlimited 2. Unlike TDU2, which brings back Oahu and introduces Ibiza, Solar Crown makes its debut by setting the stage on Hong Kong Island. As a resident of this vibrant city, I can vouch for the variety it offers – from exploring various districts and iconic landmarks to unwinding at numerous beaches or scaling mountains.
Left-Hand vs. Right-Hand Traffic
Over the course of its long run, players generally follow right-followed the rule of driving on the rulebooked to drive on the rule of driving on the right side of the road, with a few exceptions. For instance, in 2002’s TD Overdrive: The Brotherhood of Speed, they went against the norm by featuring left-hand traffic in cities like Tokyo and London due to its global span. Now, after more than twenty years, left-hand traffic is back in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, marking a first for this series where it’s the only choice for driving throughout the game.
Drivable Roads
In Test Drive Unlimited 2, the scenic beauty of the road network might outshines the specific settings. Spanning approximately 3,000 kilometers or around 1864 miles, this expansive network offers ample opportunity for exploration. By comparison, Solar Crown’s illumination covers about 550 kilometers or 340 miles of drivable roads. However, the intricacies and scale of Hong Kong Island remain to be seen; we can only appreciate its details once we delve into the gameplay.
Premise
Solar Crown also features a customizable player avatar with various clothes and accessories. The main difference is in the set-up. Test Drive Unlimited 2 saw the player working their way up from lowly, down-on-their-luck valet driver to entering the Solar Crown championship and making a name for themselves. By comparison, the latest title is more about the conflict between two factions – the Sharps and the Streets – with the player choosing one and advancing through their ranks to unlock exclusive rewards. Anything beyond that remains to be seen, but you also have the option of not allying with either.
Clan HQs vs. Properties
In Solar Crown, the hotel makes a comeback, but it’s not just that – there are also exclusive HQs for clans! These HQs let us keep tabs on leaderboards, join involunteer_participate in live events happening events in——check-out live events. Quite a change from Test Drive Unlimited 2, where we could buy multiple properties like houses and apartments across different spots.
Lack of Racing School Tests
It appears that the Racing School events, which was a part of the previous gameplayer’9—player character development of Test Drive Unlimited 2 included challenges and events like Racing School, where you needed to pass tests to obtain a license to race at the corresponding level. However, in Solar Crown, players seem to be able to get right into racing without any prerectly start racing without having access to compete directly dive straight away without such as they start competing from the beginning. It made sense since Unlimited progress in Unlimited 2, but it was working your way up through challenges, but maybe Solar Crown has other requirements for players to fulfill to advance.
Traffic Density
Maybe it’s a consequence of fewer drivable roads or that Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown’s districts are denser, but there is a stark difference in traffic density. Unlimited 2 featured a decent amount of cars on the road. Comparatively, Solar Crown has more traffic, with developer KT Racing showcasing improvements in the lead-up to launch.
Cockpit Details
In any racing game, a first-person perspective is crucial, and that’s where Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown excels in terms of replicating the authentic cockpit experience. From refining camera movement and seat belts to enhancing how your character appears, it has made considerable strides compared to its predecessor, Test Drive Unlimited 2, during its closed beta phases. There’s still more to unveil, but rest assured, it’s a noticeable improvement.
Sense of Speed
Additionally, a key aspect to note is the feeling of rapidity – a crucial element when pondering high-speed races or urban journeys. For its era, Test Drive Unlimited 2 was commendable, but Solar Crown aspires to surpass even those standards. The pre-release development video hints at an impressive sense of speed, which should make overtaking and near accidents feel more thrilling and intense.
Chase Mode
Instead of Chase mode mechanics or events, it appears that Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown does not include them. In contrast, Unlimited 2 would prompt the police to chase you if you broke traffic laws or intentionally hit a police car. The ranks in Unlimited 2, which offered exclusive rewards such as Outlaw clothing and the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series “Outlaw,” will not be found in Solar Crown.
Driving Modes vs. Driving Aids
Initially, Unlimited 2 provided Driving Settings, allowing players to personalize their driving experience ranging from Full Assistance to the intense Hardcore setting. In Solar Crown, you’ll find Driving Modes, each designed for specific racing scenarios. For instance, Sport is optimal for high-speed races focusing on maneuverability, while Relaxed is ideal for leisurely exploration and Rain is tailored for wet track conditions. Fret not, as there’s still a Stock setting still remains available, which you can be adjusted according to adjustable to your preferences.
Live Service vs. Traditional Multiplayer
Test Drive Unlimited 2 offered several multiplayer features, like free-roam driving with up to eight players. You could also examine each other’s cars, walk around homes and lobbies, sit in other players’ vehicles, join in with chases or participate as the police. Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown feels like more of a shared world racer, with Instant Challenges to race against other players with no restrictions, Live Events available weekly, and whatnot. The social aspect extends to driving together, workshopping cars as a group, and even buying vehicles at the dealership. There’s also an extensive Ranked experience, with multiple tiers offering rewards and the Solar Court representing the best of the best.
Online vs. Offline
As a devoted enthusiast, I must share that the thrilling new adventure, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, is exclusively accessible online, unlike its predecessor, Test Drive Unlimited 2. Regrettably, this restriction means it can’t be enjoyed offline. The fate of games like The Crew, which have been delisted and become unplayable for long-term fans, serves as a cautionary reminder of the transient nature of digital entertainment. During my conversation with Guillaume Guinet, game director at Traxion, he elucidated that the entire experience of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is meticulously crafted to thrive in an online environment. Stepping out of this realm would fundamentally alter the gameplay experience.
The team is currently brainstorming options for when support ends and servers go offline, to ensure that players won’t feel stranded after purchasing the game. Though there’s no immediate plan to shut down the service, we are actively working on a solution. We’re open to suggestions from our community as well, as we believe in collaborating with them to create something lasting.
Seasons vs. DLC
In contrast to Test Drive Unlimited 2, which was initially released before live services were commonly used and had one paid DLC that became unavailable after servers shut down ironically, Solar Crown adopts a seasonal strategy. The rankings appear to be reset with each new season, prompting players to work their way back up to the Solar Court once more.
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2024-09-03 23:43