Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

If this game came out in 2012 I'd probably have nicer things to say. It could potentially have been ahead of the pack back then. But now, in this day and age where developers have taken the formula and ran with it, having created racers in the same vein that are more impressive in almost every way, KT Racing have sadly finished in last place.

One of the most generic open-world racers ever made. Add in server issues, uneven AI difficulty, level grinding, and visual woes and there’s very little to love.[Issue#46, p.84]

The new Test Drive game is, unfortunately, marred by several issues, giving the impression of a title in (very) early access. Its always online restriction is especially problematic, causing many of the game's major frustratios. Additionally, the car list is quite limited compared to the competition, and the handling model is derivative.

An open world massively multiplayer online racer with a decent handling model and an okay car list, that’s hampered by dated graphics, some baffling design choices, and a clutch of technical issues.

Visiting Hong Kong is a pleasure in Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown, especially with the game's cars, which handle well. The game also certainly has potential and fun elements, but everything is grandly negated by persistent connection problems. Even a month after the release it's a challenge to be able to race online... In addition, the performance is lousy and visually it does not impress. With more time, this certainly could have been a good game, but its current state is not the best.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is a disappointing mess, unworthy of a once great and unique racing franchise. It has great potential to become a fun driving game, but with its nonfunctional online-only campaign, lack of content and cars, and completely outdated visuals, it is really hard to recommend to anyone.

The long-awaited sequel to the beloved Test Drive Unlimited feels like it still hasn’t arrived. What Kylotonn has done with the franchise can't even be considered a bad attempt. Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown may have a fun driving model, but that’s where the short list of positives ends. It's a poor game lacking content, optimization, and visuals that would at least match last-gen standards.