Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

Lore & Background

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown was initially teased on 3 July 2020 via Twitter and officially unveiled during the Nacon Connect event on 7 July 2020. The game features a 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong Island, with 550 km of drivable roads and left-hand traffic, a first for the series since The Brotherhood of Speed's depictions of Tokyo and London. Creative director Alain Jarniou, who worked on the first two Test Drive Unlimited games, stated in the Nacon Connect 2020 showcase that the game had only been in development for 'several months' by that time, while game director Guillaume Guinet stated that the project began in 2016, with production starting in 2018.

The game's title refers to the Solar Crown in-universe racing competition series featured in Test Drive Unlimited 2. A Nintendo Switch version was previously announced but never released, and versions for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One were initially announced but canceled during development in favor of their more powerful successors. The game received mixed reviews, citing lackluster gameplay, poor driving physics, poor optimization for the PC version, and the required use of a constant internet connection to play, which was not a requirement for its two predecessors.

Reader's Guide

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown represents the return of the Test Drive franchise after a twelve-year hiatus, and the third entry in the Unlimited sub-series. Its significance lies in its ambition to compete with major open-world racing franchises such as Forza, The Crew, and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI, as stated by game director Guillaume Guinet. The game's setting on a 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong Island marks a departure from the Oʻahu and Ibiza locations of its predecessors, and the inclusion of left-hand traffic adds a new driving dynamic.

However, the game's legacy is tempered by its mixed critical reception. Reviewers pointed to lackluster gameplay, poor driving physics, and technical issues, particularly on PC. The requirement for a constant internet connection was also criticized, as it was not a feature of the earlier Unlimited games. Despite these criticisms, the game has ongoing post-launch support, with a second season announced for 24 December 2024 that will add the Spanish town of Ibiza, previously featured in Test Drive Unlimited 2. The game's development history includes multiple delays and platform cancellations, reflecting the challenges of reviving a long-dormant franchise in a competitive genre.

Did You Know?

• The game was initially teased on 3 July 2020 via a twelve-second video clip on the official Test Drive Twitter account.
• A Nintendo Switch version was announced but never released; PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were canceled during development.
• The second season, adding the Spanish town of Ibiza, was announced for release on 24 December 2024.