Over 13 years since the last game was released, the Test Drive series finally returns on September 12th with Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown. Available for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC at launch, the open-world racer offers a brand new setting, a more live-service-focused approach, and conflicts between two factions. How does it compare to Test Drive Unlimited 2, launched in February 2011? Check out some of their biggest differences here.
Hong Kong Island vs. Ibiza and O’ahu
The biggest difference between Solar Crown and Test Drive Unlimited 2 is their settings. While the latter saw the return of Oahu and added Ibiza into the mix, the former features Hong Kong Island as a setting for the first time. As one of Hong Kong’s three regions, it features multiple districts and monuments to explore with numerous beaches and mountains.
Left-Hand vs. Right-Hand Traffic
Throughout the series’ history, players have usually abided by right-hand traffic, i.e. driving on the right side of the road. The one exception was 2002’s TD Overdrive: The Brotherhood of Speed, which spanned the world and thus featured left-hand traffic in places like Tokyo and London. After over two decades and some change, left-hand traffic finally returns in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, and technically, for the first time, it’s the only option for driving throughout the title.
Drivable Roads
Perhaps more notable than the settings is how much road is available to drive on. Test Drive Unlimited 2 sported 3,000 kilometers or roughly 1864 miles between its two islands. By comparison, Solar Crown only offers 550 kilometers or 340 miles of drivable roads. There’s something about attention to detail vs. scope and how much more intricate Hong Kong Island will be in-game (especially since it’s a 1:1 scale), but we’ll only know once we go hands-on with the title.
Premise
Solar Crown also features a customizable player avatar with various clothes and accessories. The main difference is in the set-up. Test Drive Unlimited 2 saw the player working their way up from lowly, down-on-their-luck valet driver to entering the Solar Crown championship and making a name for themselves. By comparison, the latest title is more about the conflict between two factions – the Sharps and the Streets – with the player choosing one and advancing through their ranks to unlock exclusive rewards. Anything beyond that remains to be seen, but you also have the option of not allying with either.
Clan HQs vs. Properties
The hotel returns in Solar Crown, but there are also HQs exclusive to clans, allowing players to check out leaderboards, and participate in live events and whatnot. Interestingly, this seemingly means no properties to purchase, like in Test Drive Unlimited 2, where you could acquire several houses and apartments across various locations.
Lack of Racing School Tests
It also seems that Racing School events have been phased out in the latest title. Test Drive Unlimited 2 featured various single-player challenges and events, including Racing School, where you had to pass tests to earn a license. You could then use this to participate at the corresponding license level. Meanwhile, in Solar Crown, players seemingly jump in and start racing. It made sense in Unlimited 2 since you were working your way up, but perhaps there are other requirements players must fulfil in Solar Crown to advance.
Traffic Density
Maybe it’s a consequence of fewer drivable roads or that Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown’s districts are denser, but there is a stark difference in traffic density. Unlimited 2 featured a decent amount of cars on the road. Comparatively, Solar Crown has more traffic, with developer KT Racing showcasing improvements in the lead-up to launch.
Cockpit Details
First-person view is a key factor in any racing title, which means nailing the look and feel of a cockpit. Compared to its closed betas, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown significantly improves its cockpit detail, from the camera movement and seat belts to how your character is perceived. There’s still more to be showcased, but it’s a step up from Test Drive Unlimited 2.
Sense of Speed
There’s also the sense of speed – another important factor when considering high-speed races and general runs through the city. For its time, Test Drive Unlimited 2 was good, but Solar Crown is attempting to go even further beyond. As showcased in its pre-launch development progress video, the sense of speed looks good and should make overtaking and near collisions much more harrowing.
Chase Mode
However, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown seemingly avoids Chase mode mechanics or events. Unlimited 2 would send the police after you upon violating traffic laws or straight-up ramming into a cop’s vehicle. It offered four ranks with different rewards, like Outlaw clothes and the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Series “Outlaw.” As synonymous as the feature is, it won’t be in Solar Crown.
Driving Modes vs. Driving Aids
At launch, Unlimited 2 offered Driving Aids, which could customize the driving experience from Full Assistance and Sport to the more realistic Hardcore mode. In Solar Crown, you have Driving Modes – presets suited for different racing conditions. For example, Sport is meant for high-speed races and focuses on handling, Relaxed is best for simple exploration and Rain is suited for racing on wet roads. Don’t worry, though – there’s still a Stock preset, which you can tune and customize to your liking.
Live Service vs. Traditional Multiplayer
Test Drive Unlimited 2 offered several multiplayer features, like free-roam driving with up to eight players. You could also examine each other’s cars, walk around homes and lobbies, sit in other players’ vehicles, join in with chases or participate as the police. Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown feels like more of a shared world racer, with Instant Challenges to race against other players with no restrictions, Live Events available weekly, and whatnot. The social aspect extends to driving together, workshopping cars as a group, and even buying vehicles at the dealership. There’s also an extensive Ranked experience, with multiple tiers offering rewards and the Solar Court representing the best of the best.
Online vs. Offline
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is online only – it can’t be played offline, like Test Drive Unlimited 2. It’s unfortunate, especially considering how titles like The Crew end up delisted and completely unplayable for long-time players. When speaking to Traxion and explaining the game’s online features, game director Guillaume Guinet revealed that the entire experience is “designed to be online” and going offline would change that.
However, the team is considering what to do when support ends and finding a solution when servers go offline. “We don’t want people to buy the game, and [then we] quit, and it’s over for them. We don’t expect to shut down the service for now. But we are already working on it. We have our solution for now, but maybe people will have an idea about it, and we will look at these. I think it’s something [we can] create with the community.”
Seasons vs. DLC
Test Drive Unlimited 2 launched at a time when live service wasn’t really a thing and, as such, offered one paid DLC (which became unavailable after servers went offline, ironically enough). By comparison, Solar Crown will take a seasonal approach. Rankings are seemingly reset each season, with players grinding to reach the Solar Court again.
