The long-awaited Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is finally here, offering players a unique blend of open-world exploration and competitive racing. Developed by Kylotonn Studios, this latest entry in the Test Drive Unlimited series returns after over a decade, bringing new features while retaining the core elements that fans loved.
Set on a stunning 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong Island, Solar Crown offers an expansive map with over 600 kilometers of roads to explore. The game’s environment includes bustling city streets, coastal highways, and winding mountain roads, providing a variety of terrains for players to test their driving skills. The developers focused on recreating Hong Kong’s narrow alleyways and towering skyscrapers while maintaining the freedom to explore the island’s urban and natural landscapes.
One of the standout features in Solar Crown is the Clan Wars, where players align themselves with one of two clans: the luxury-driven Sharps or the rebellious, underground Streets. Each clan has its own headquarters, aesthetics, and style of racing. As you compete in races and events, your reputation with your chosen clan grows, unlocking new opportunities for exclusive vehicles, upgrades, and more.
Car enthusiasts will enjoy the vast selection of over 100 vehicles available at launch, ranging from everyday drivers to hypercars like Lamborghinis and Bugattis. Players can visit dealerships in a first-person perspective, examine cars inside and out, and even take them for a test drive before purchasing. Upgrades to performance and visuals allow for deeper customization of each vehicle, though the game maintains a focus on keeping car acquisition a rewarding, long-term achievement.
The game’s driving mechanics are more arcade-style, offering a mix of realism and fun. Dynamic weather adds an extra layer of challenge, as rainstorms can significantly affect handling. Whether you're racing through the streets of Hong Kong at breakneck speeds or drifting around tight corners, Solar Crown provides a fast-paced, exhilarating driving experience.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown seeks to carve its own niche in the competitive world of open-world racing games. Though it may not dethrone giants like Forza Horizon, it stands out with its focus on exploration, car customization, and the clan system. With ongoing updates and expansions planned post-launch, Solar Crown promises to be an evolving experience for fans of the series.