Hola, racing fam! After 12 long years, Test Drive is back with Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, and boy, I’ve been hyped since day one! Who didn’t love cruising around Oahu and Ibiza back in the day? Fast forward to now, and we’re zooming into the streets of Hong Kong Island. But does Solar Crown live up to the hype? Or is it a total bust? Buckle up, and let’s get a Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown review.
Getting Started: First Impressions
Okay, I was really impressed by the game. I created my character—though the customization options were cool, the character models still looked a bit off. Then, boom, I was thrown into the fancy world of exotic cars and flashy locations.
Vivian, one of the game’s main characters, gives you a quick tour of a slice of the island while letting you floor it in the Lambo. Right off the bat, I was impressed with the way the game handles cars. After that intro, it was time to check the Solar Crown Tournament. But before you get into that, you gotta pick your starting ride. The choices? A Nissan 370Z, Ford Mustang GT, or Alpine A110 Légende. I went with the Mustang (muscle cars for life), but honestly, no matter which one you pick, you’re in for a good time.
World and Progression: A Sense of Reward
One of the things that got me hooked was how rewarding it feels to progress in the game. Unlike some racers where you’re handed a new car after every race, Solar Crown makes you work for it. You’re encouraged to tune your ride, not hoard a massive garage of cars. Personally, I’m down with that. It felt so much more satisfying saving up for a new beast of a car and rolling up to the dealership like a baller to drop cash. Don’t stress though, they give you enough in-game currency so you won’t be grinding for ages, even for the basic cars.
The Cars: Best of the Bunch
The cars in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown are seriously lit! We’re talking everything from sleek Lambos to powerhouse Mustangs, and the level of detail is insane. Each ride feels super authentic, whether you’re flexing in an Aston Martin or tearing up the streets in a McLaren. The interiors are so realistic that I legit spent half my time cruising in first-person just to vibe with the cockpit view. And the way they sound? Absolute chef’s kiss. The guttural roar of muscle cars to the smooth purr of a hypercar—it’s like driving perfection.
Graphics: A Mixed Bag
So, let’s talk visuals. Is it as jaw-dropping as Forza Horizon? Nah, not really. But it’s not a complete eyesore either. The cars are honestly the standout here—every little detail, especially the interiors, is chef’s kiss. I’m not usually one to switch to cockpit view, but in Solar Crown, cruising around in first-person just felt right. With brands like Aston Martin, McLaren, and more, there’s plenty of car candy for you to drool over.
Now, the downside? The environments. Sure, Hong Kong Island is massive and there’s a lot of variety, from neon-lit streets to winding hills, but the textures feel kinda… meh. Some areas are dope, but others just scream “last-gen graphics,” and that’s a bummer. It doesn’t quite have that “lived-in” vibe that makes open-world games pop. I get that recreating a 1:1 version of Hong Kong Island is a flex, but I’d have preferred a smaller, more polished world instead.
Audio: Sounding So Good
Yo, Solar Crown nailed it in the audio department. The cars sound on point—from the deep growl of muscle cars to the sleek purr of hypercars, the sound design is legit. If you’re the kind of gamer who appreciates the small stuff, you’ll love that the engine noise changes when you roll up the windows in first-person mode. It’s clear the devs paid attention to every little detail when it came to making the cars feel authentic.
Now, about the radio… it’s a mixed bag. You’ve got your usual hip hop, rock, retro, and classical stations, but don’t expect bangers from big-name artists. The tracklist is alright but nothing to write home about. Also, shoutout to the Indie Rock station DJ for being insanely annoying. Like, turn it down a notch, my dude.
Gameplay: Racing, Reputation, and Clans
Let’s get into the meat of the game—racing. It’s what you came for, right? Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown doesn’t mess around when it comes to competition. You’ll be racing A.I. or real players in all kinds of events—circuits, sprints, time trials, and even random challenges scattered across the island. It’s all about building up your reputation. More rep means more races, more customization options, and more stuff to flex with. Gotta love that grind!
Upgrading your car is crucial if you want to keep up in races. It’s a pretty simple system—buy new engine parts, and your car’s Performance Rating goes up. Easy enough, right? For all you gearheads out there, there’s also a detailed tuning option where you can tweak every little aspect of your ride, but you gotta earn that by building up your rep.
Handling: A Few Speed Bumps
How do the cars actually handle? Honestly, it’s decent. Every car has a unique feel, so it’s not just a “one size fits all” situation. That said, drifting around corners? Yeah, that’s still a bit tricky. I found myself fishtailing more than I’d like, and it wasn’t always smooth. But here’s the thing: Solar Crown doesn’t aim to be a pure arcade racer. It’s got some realism baked in, thanks to the devs’ experience with the WRC franchise. Still, it’s nowhere near full-on sim territory, so if you like a more arcade-y vibe, just tweak the assist options.
Exploration: Beyond the Races
Even when you’re not racing, there’s plenty to keep you busy. You can hunt down wrecked cars to unlock exclusive rides, find hidden cash stashes, and break speed limits in ambient speed trap events. The FRIM (Free Ride Instant Money) mechanic is back too—score quick cash by driving like a maniac, just make sure you bank it before crashing. There are daily challenges, online events, and seasonal content coming, but I couldn’t fully explore all of that in the review copy.
You can also join clans—Sharps or Streets—and represent your squad in races outside the Solar Crown tournament. Earning influence for your clan unlocks exclusive car parts and clothing. It’s cool, but I wish the clan system had more depth. It’s more of a side activity than a core part of the game.
Always Online: A Double-Edged Sword
Now, here’s the kicker. The game is always online, which sucks if you’re just trying to cruise. Server issues, connection drops—it’s all a hassle. And with online-only games, there’s always the fear of the servers shutting down. I mean, look at The Crew, right? Hopefully, Solar Crown has a long life ahead, but who knows?
Final Verdict: Worth It?
So, is Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown a game-changer? Not quite, but it’s a solid return to form. It’s got some room for improvement, especially with its environment graphics and handling mechanics, but the car detail, sound design, and rewarding progression make it worth the ride. Plus, with more content on the horizon, this game’s got the potential to go from good to great. It’s not in pole position just yet, but it’s definitely fighting for a spot on the podium.
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