Creating a truly open-world racing game that appeals to everyone is a big ask for any developer. Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown tackles the challenge by offering a blend of high-speed competition and the freedom to live the luxury lifestyle – a hallmark of the Test Drive series. But as with any game that tries to do it all, it’s tough to please everyone. Whether players genuinely want that sense of pure freedom is debatable, but there’s no doubt that Solar Crown pulls out all the stops to deliver a world where both car lovers and exploration fans can feel at home. Now that the initial connection issues have eased off and climbing into a game is reliably straightforward, we’ll take a look and see what’s what.
So, what’s new? Solar Crown focuses strongly on its open-world setup, with the entire island (or an artistic version) of Hong Kong as your playground. Unlike previous Test Drive titles, the game emphasises social interactions and lifestyle choices almost as much as the racing itself. Fancy a luxury penthouse or a garage full of rare exotics? It’s all here. But if you’re only in it for the driving, then the rest might feel like just window dressing.
The most noticeable shift from older Test Drive games comes in how races and challenges are set up. You’ve got two main factions – the Streets and the Sharps – that each offer different challenges and cars, and even a few exclusive perks. There’s a real focus on faction loyalty here, and as you climb the ranks you’ll open up more high-stakes events, races, and even get access to unique customization options. It’s a nice twist that gives you a reason to come back for more, especially if you’re into collecting and tweaking your rides.
That said, the handling model might divide players. Some might feel it’s a bit too arcade-like for a game that leans into high-end car culture, while others will appreciate how forgiving it feels when you’re cutting through traffic at top speed. You’ve still got options to tweak things and turn assists on or off, but don’t expect the same level of realism you’d find in a pure sim racer – this is far more Burnout Paradise than Gran Turismo. Personally, I found the controls just right for casual driving, and there’s enough nuance with traction and braking to keep things interesting without needing a pro-level setup to have fun, but it takes a while to get to grips with the handling and could frustrate for a while initially.
The online experience is ambitious, but it’s not perfect. There’s a persistent online world, so you’re always surrounded by other players, whether you’re cruising along the city streets or taking on faction-based challenges. Racing against real people in an open-world setting is fun, but it also means you’re at the mercy of randoms blocking the road, lag issues, or just straight-up chaos on the highway. There’s also a slightly clunky route to playing online which isn’t immediately obvious at first… but if you’re patient you’ll get the full experience, but it’s not for everyone.
So, is Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown a must-buy? Well, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re here for the flashy lifestyle, the sense of freedom, and a massive open world to explore, then yes, it’s worth the ticket. There’s loads of cars to collect and test, and loads of visual niceties like clothing, apartments and vehicle customisation. But if you’re after a precise racing sim, or you’re just looking for quick thrills without the extra lifestyle content, you might find it hard to justify the time needed to fully appreciate it.
Reviewed on PS5
