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Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

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Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown
Standard Edition cover art featuring the Mercedes-AMG G 65 and the Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo
Developer(s)KT Racing
Publisher(s)Nacon
Director(s)Guillaume Guinet[1]
Alain Jarniou[2]
SeriesTest Drive
Platform(s)
Release
  • PS5, Win, Xbox Series X/S
  • 12 September 2024
Genre(s)Racing
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is a 2024 online racing video game developed by KT Racing and published by Nacon. It is the twenty-first installment in the Test Drive series, the first title in the series since 2012's Ferrari Racing Legends, and the third game in the franchise's Unlimited reboot, following 2011's Test Drive Unlimited 2. The game was initially teased on 3 July 2020 via Twitter[3] and was officially unveiled during the Nacon Connect event on 7 July.[4][5]

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on 12 September 2024, while the release date for the Nintendo Switch version has yet to be announced.[6][7][8] The game received mixed reviews. Unlike its two predecessors, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown requires a constant internet connection to play.

Development

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In December 2016, it was reported that French publisher Bigben Interactive (now called Nacon) had acquired the Test Drive intellectual property from Atari, with plans to reboot the franchise.[9] In 2018, Bigben announced the acquisition of French game developer Kylotonn, with Roman Vincent, president of Kylotonn, suggesting they were working on the next installment of Test Drive.[10]

In April 2020, Nacon filed a trademark with the Intellectual Property Office for Test Drive Solar Crown,[11][12] with the last two words referring to the Solar Crown in-universe racing competition series featured in 2011's Test Drive Unlimited 2.[13]

The game features a 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong Island, as revealed in a trailer released on 6 July 2021 during Nacon Connect 2021. Unlike its two predecessors, set on Oahu and Ibiza, the roads include left-hand traffic, a first for the series since The Brotherhood of Speed's depictions of Tokyo and London. The game offers 550 kilometres (340 miles) of drivable roads, as stated on the Steam news hub for the game. Creative director Alain Jarniou, who worked on the first two Test Drive Unlimited games, stated in the Nacon Connect 2020 showcase that Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown had only been in development for "several months" by that time.[14][15] Game director Guillaume Guinet stated that the project began in 2016, with production starting in 2018.[16]

According to game director Guillaume Guinet, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is intended to compete with the Forza series, the The Crew series, and the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI.[1]

Release

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On 3 July 2020, the official Test Drive Twitter account tweeted a twelve-second video clip featuring a crown-shaped logo with the letters "SC," announcing a full reveal during the Nacon Connect video event on 7 July.[3][12] The game was officially announced on that date during the event with a 25-second teaser trailer,[17] with Kylotonn (under their KT Racing brand) serving as the developer.[5][2]

On 18 May 2022, Nacon and Kylotonn announced on the game's Steam news hub that the release would be delayed to 2023, and the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were canceled to focus on the more powerful hardware of their respective ninth-generation successors—the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S—aiming to improve the overall game quality.[6][7] In July 2023, it was announced that the game would be postponed again to 2024.[8]

On 30 May 2024, the official Nacon YouTube account announced the game's release date as 12 September 2024.[18] On 29 August 2024, Nacon and KT Racing announced that the second season of the game will include the Spanish town of Ibiza, which previously appeared along with the rest of the island of Ibiza in Test Drive Unlimited 2, and is set to be available on 24 December 2024.[19]

Reception

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Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown received "mixed or average" reviews from critics, according to review aggregator Metacritic,[21][22] and only 5% of critics recommended the game according to OpenCritic.[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b Chowdhury, Amaar (4 June 2024). ""We are the competitors of GTA 6, Forza, The Crew," says TDU: Solar Crown's game director". VideoGamer.com. Archived from the original on 10 June 2024. Retrieved 10 June 2024.
  2. ^ a b Prescott, Shaun (7 July 2020). "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is an open world racer where 'social status is everything'". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  3. ^ a b Test Drive [@testdrive] (3 July 2020). "We're back! ☀👑 #NaconConnect 7th July" (Tweet). Retrieved 4 July 2020 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Stefan L (7 July 2020). "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown officially announced". TheSixthAxis. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  5. ^ a b Robinson, Martin (7 July 2020). "Kylotonn's new Test Drive Unlimited officially unveiled". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  6. ^ a b Middler, Jordan (18 May 2022). "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown delayed to 2023 and last-gen versions cancelled". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  7. ^ a b Romano, Sal (18 May 2022). "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown delayed to 2023, PS4 and Xbox One versions canceled". Gematsu. Archived from the original on 29 September 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  8. ^ a b Justin Melillo (12 July 2023). "Closed Beta for Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown starts 24th July". Traxion. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  9. ^ Parfitt, Ben (15 December 2016). "Bigben has acquired the Test Drive brand". MCVUK.com. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 15 December 2016.
  10. ^ Leonard, Michael (18 October 2018). "Kylotonn Games Working on the Next Test Drive Unlimited?". GT Planet. Archived from the original on 17 September 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  11. ^ "Trade mark number EU018224192: TEST DRIVE SOLAR CROWN". Intellectual Property Office. Archived from the original on 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  12. ^ a b Bodnarescu, Florin (3 July 2020). "Test Drive Solar Crown teased, reveal happening on July 7 during Nacon Connect". Neowin. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  13. ^ Evans, Andrew (21 April 2021). "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown First Trailer Released". GTPlanet. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  14. ^ Nacon Connect | 7 July (7PM CEST / 1PM EDT) (Trailer). Nacon. 7 July 2020. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  15. ^ Robinson, Andy (8 July 2020). "Test Drive Unlimited 3 will 'modernise' the series, says director". Video Games Chronicle. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  16. ^ Harrison-Lord, Thomas (15 June 2024). "Behind the Scenes of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown's Creation - Developer Interview". Traxion.
  17. ^ Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown (Trailer). Nacon. 7 July 2020. Archived from the original on 9 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  18. ^ Nacon (30 May 2024). Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown | Release Date Trailer. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Year 1 Roadmap Reveal". 29 August 2024. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  20. ^ "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown (PC Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  21. ^ a b "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown (PlayStation 5 Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  22. ^ a b "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown (Xbox Series X Critic Reviews)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 9 September 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Reviews". OpenCritic. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  24. ^ Jakobs, Benjamin (16 September 2024). "Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown im Test - Forza Horizon muss sich noch nicht fürchten". Eurogamer.de (in German). Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  25. ^ Channell, Mike (14 September 2024). "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown review - tech issues mar the return of the original name in open-world racers". Eurogamer.net. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  26. ^ Galvão, Bruno (4 September 2024). "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown prejudica a sua diversão com o lado técnico". Eurogamer.pt (in Portuguese). Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  27. ^ Peeples, Jeremy (9 September 2024). "Review: Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 13 September 2024.
  28. ^ Alonso, Álvaro (10 September 2024). "Análisis de Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, un esperado regreso que no logra coronarse entre los arcades de conducción en mundo abierto". HobbyConsolas (in Spanish). Axel Springer. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  29. ^ Jovanović, Nikola (11 September 2024). "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown recenzija". IGN Adria (in Serbian (Latin script)). Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  30. ^ Reilly, Luke (14 September 2024). "Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  31. ^ Van der Velde, Issy (7 September 2024). "Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown Review (PS5)". Push Square. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  32. ^ Scullion, Chris (4 September 2024). "Review: Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown handles well but fails to reclaim the open-world racer throne". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
  33. ^ James, Ford (15 September 2024). "After a 13-year wait, this hugely ambitious new open-world racing MMO is a total flop". PCGamesN. Network N. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  34. ^ Andersson, Conny (4 September 2024). "Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown - Review". Gamereactor. Gamez Publishing A/S. Archived from the original on 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
  35. ^ Kerry, Ben (8 September 2024). "Review: Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown (Xbox) - An Open World Racer That Needed More Time To Shine". Pure Xbox. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 8 October 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
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