Unleashing Speed: Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Review Exposes Tech Issues in Open-World Racing Revival

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Review: A Technical Issue Stains an Otherwise Beautiful Game

Overview

As I delved into Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment wash over me. Not because the game isn’t enjoyable, but because the technical issues that plagued its launch hold it back from reaching its full potential.

Technical Issues

Before diving into the game’s merits, it’s essential to address the elephant in the room: the server issues. Even during its early access period, players were met with login screen freezes, race interruptions, and lost progress. The situation has improved somewhat since the game’s official launch, but it’s still a major concern. Moreover, the always-online requirement feels unnecessary, as the game can populate races with AI cars instead of players.

Gameplay and Features

Assuming you can overcome the technical hurdles, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown offers a richly detailed game world. The recreation of Hong Kong Island is stunning, with a mix of urban and natural environments that make for exciting races. The campaign feels slow, however, with desirable cars locked behind a reputation system. The car list is modest, and the handling model can be quirky, generating understeer when braking and oversteer when lifting off.

Accessibility Options

Fortunately, the game does offer some accessibility options, including subtitles for cutscene dialogue, separate brightness and contrast settings, and independent UI brightness and volume sliders.

Social Aspects

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown’s fate is closely tied to its social aspects. The game encourages players to hang out with friends in virtual cars, just like the original did. While there are alternatives, such as Forza Horizon and The Crew Motorfest, the game’s novel recreation of Hong Kong Island could still attract a dedicated following.

Conclusion

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is a beautiful game that’s let down by its technical issues. If KT Racing can iron out the problems and improve the server stability, it could carve out a niche for itself in the racing genre. As it stands, however, the game feels like a rough diamond waiting to be polished.

Screenshots

Here are some screenshots showcasing the game’s visuals: