As a long-time fan of the TDU franchise, I must admit that I was quite excited when I heard about Solar Crown. However, my initial enthusiasm has waned as I delved deeper into the game. The racing aspect is decent, but the lackluster lifestyle features leave much to be desired.
Over 10 years later, Test Drive Unlimited got a fresh start with the aim of reviving one of the longest-running racing series. Solar Crown returns to the open-world, arcade-style car racing genre while focusing on the beloved building-lifestyle aspect, but how well does it really fare?
Graphics
Kylotonn Studio has created a game that appears enticing based on official trailers and images; however, my personal experience with the game has been quite different. As a fan of contemporary racing games, I anticipate high-quality visuals for both the game environment and vehicle models. Unfortunately, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown did not persuade me that it surpasses its competitors in this aspect.
As a gamer, let me put it this way: The visuals of this 2024 racing game are impressive when it comes to the car models – they’re spot-on representations of their real-life counterparts. However, the reflections and shadows could use some polishing. While certain cars boast a nice reflection effect under ideal lighting situations, others either lack depth or don’t reflect at all, making them look dull in comparison.
Another point that left me unsatisfied was the environment. Having recently played Forza Horizon 5 and Grid Legends, both released some time ago, I found TDU Solar Crown to be somewhat less impressive in terms of comparison. Please understand, this doesn’t mean it’s an ugly game; the visual quality simply appears not as refined compared to these older releases, and its performance issues only add to my disappointment.
Score: 3/5
Performance
As a gamer, I’ve got to say, I thought we were getting our hands on this game in ’22, but it seems the developers have been pushing back the release date until now. And here’s the kicker – despite multiple beta tests and years of delay, the game’s performance is still subpar. It’s a bit disappointing, especially given the anticipation we all had for this title.
The game, unfortunately, was barely playable upon its release. Players who paid extra for early access expected to enjoy the new TDU edition ahead of others, but instead encountered persistent server problems that have yet to be fixed. For a while, I myself couldn’t even start the game due to recurring login errors and connection timeouts, a problem shared by many players worldwide. The issue still surfaces occasionally; I hope the developers rectify it before the official launch, as more players will be joining in. It seems intriguing to ponder what measures studios would need to implement an offline mode in games today.
On a high-performance setup, which included an AMD RX 6800 XT graphics card and an i7-12700K processor, I played the game, yet I couldn’t achieve consistent performance, despite adjusting the settings and ensuring my drivers were up-to-date.
Essentially, the FPS (frames per second) is present in the game, but it can be unpredictable at times. I usually get around 70 frames per second while driving on open roads, but this drops to about 50-55 frames in urban areas using Medium quality settings. It’s worth mentioning that switching the camera view to first-person perspective noticeably impacts the frame rate and causes the game to stutter. Additionally, I often encounter visual glitches like traffic vanishing suddenly, and there are instances where the environment loads slowly, which can disrupt the overall gaming experience.
Score: 1/5
Gameplay
You cannot ignore the graphics and performance in a racing game, but when you move further and start looking at the core aspects of gameplay, you’ll enjoy your time in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown. It shares similarities with the Forza and NFS franchises and will pull you in if you’re an arcade-style racing game fan.
Across Hong Kong Island, a variety of races and events await participation. You’ll have opportunities to zip along at top speed, dodging speed traps to amass cash. Along your journey, you’ll find roads, checkpoints, dealerships, and gas stations that grant experience points (XP), helping you level up your in-game character and unlock new automobiles. Scattered throughout the landscape are hidden treasure hunt car wrecks, which can unlock free vehicles for you. For customizing your ride, visit workshops located throughout the game map, where you can modify both cosmetics and performance.
Prior to every race, you have the freedom to pick a car that suits your preferences and then customize it according to your liking. You can select from various tire options and driving modes based on the type of race, track conditions, and weather. Most notably, you can adjust Driving Assists such as guided track lines, gear shift assistance, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), and traction control settings. To make the game more challenging and earn extra money, you can increase the difficulty level, but be cautious not to overdo it. For example, it’s essential to have some traction control enabled when the road surface is wet for smooth driving.
As you advance through the game, fresh challenges will pop up on the map for you to tackle. Finish these tasks and you’ll gain the opportunity to join a guild. You can opt for either the Exclusive or the Rebellious guild, depending on your preference. There’s no significant narrative impact (as there isn’t any storyline), so pick whichever one appeals more to your style.
Being part of a club isn’t just about sporting their exclusive apparel. It offers you the opportunity to participate in inter-clan races, engage in one-on-one competitions against online adversaries, race alongside your fellow clan members, and earn fresh rewards as you elevate your status within the group. However, let me also share some potential downsides.
The rate of advancement is satisfactory, but the repetitiveness sets in as you ascend the levels. To illustrate, many additional tasks following extended playtime were essentially completing numerous races in first place with a specific vehicle. I find myself yearning for the immersive ‘lifestyle’ aspect that True Driver’s Universe (TDU) offered, which I will elaborate on below.
In Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, the process of initiating or resuming races is overly prolonged. The tedium sets in swiftly when, after a 10-second wait, a cutscene plays before the race commences. Unfortunately, there’s no option to pause during these online races either, which can be frustrating.
One thing that I and several other players have experienced is that the AI or NPC cars you compete against are too powerful at times, and there is no difficulty setting so you can’t tune them down. You’ll notice this, especially during off-road races. For some reason, the AI vehicles are impeccable in these scenarios and your best bet is to use off-road tires on your vehicle if you want to win the off-road competitions. Collision physics feels off whether to talk about hitting other cars or environmental objects. Once I even ran into an invisible barrier during a race (thankfully, I didn’t lose).
Score: 4/5
Story
If you’re seeking an engaging storyline, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown may not deliver significantly in this aspect. Although the game does have a continuing narrative and background lore, it’s primarily focused on racing. Most players, including myself, tend to be more interested in the racing experience than the story.
possible paraphrasing:
Score: N/A
Lifestyle and Vehicles
Moving on from discussing the racing part of the game, let’s explore another key feature – lifestyle, a characteristic that sets the TDU franchise apart for its fans. Previous games were recognized for their expansive open-world environments and the player’s freedom to construct their own territory. While Solar Crown shares some similarities, it doesn’t delve as deeply into these aspects.
In the new version, you’ll have an apartment for personal use, where you can switch outfits and check the schedule for upcoming activities. However, unlike in TDU 2, you won’t be able to interact with a real estate agent to buy or sell property. These minor features added a layer of depth to the previous game that players found immersive.
As a gamer, I was quite excited about the sequel, but I must admit, I felt let down when I noticed that the developers didn’t further develop the aspects that made the previous games great. At first, the concept of car shopping at designated dealerships seemed intriguing. However, the repetitive nature of visiting the dealership, inspecting various vehicles, scrutinizing their stats, and then making a purchase decision grew tiresome rather quickly.
A menu showcasing various car models would simplify the purchasing process by making it less tedious and also facilitate easier comparisons among different cars. Currently, the game primarily focuses on racing, but additional features like transport missions, business meetings, nightlife venues, and gambling are planned for future updates, transforming it into a more lifestyle-oriented game.
In the world of TDU Solar Crown, your passion for cars will likely lead you to focus more on purchasing vehicles to excel in races for financial gain, making it challenging to be both a car enthusiast and collector. However, let me clarify that these automobiles not only sound fantastic but also look visually appealing, despite minor issues with reflection effects. The game boasts an extensive collection of vehicles, ranging from ordinary commuter cars to high-performance hypercars. To complete your collection, you’ll need to invest considerable time playing the game.
Score: 2/5
Verdict – A disappointing entry with potential
As an enthusiast, I highly recommend Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, but only after ensuring that all server-related issues have been thoroughly addressed. It’s disheartening when game development studios release incomplete products. To enhance my gaming experience, it’s crucial for them to not only rectify any technical glitches but also optimize the game’s performance, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable ride.
For long-time TDU fans eagerly awaiting a sequel, Solar Crown might not quite meet your expectations initially. Nevertheless, it maintains fundamental elements from its predecessor, and future seasonal updates promise improvement with the inclusion of the new map Ibiza, Clan Wars, and Casino. Car enthusiasts and racers will find enjoyment in this game, but some may find the lifestyle aspect a bit underwhelming due to its lackluster presentation.
[Disclosure: A free copy of the game was provided to PGG for review purposes.]
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2024-09-10 17:22