It’s been more than a dozen years since release of Test Drive Unlimited 2 – but now, finally, it’s time to claim the Solar Crown, with the latest installment in the Test Drive Unlimited franchise.
Hugely anticipated by many, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is now available to purchase, download and play, thanks to the power of early access and the Gold Edition of the game. It’s that which provides access a week ahead of time (street release, 12th Sept), with petrolheads revving their engines in sheer delight for the return of a icon.
Compete for the Solar Crown
After a botched launch of Test Drive Unlimited 2, we cross fingers and hope that Solar Crown’s release is up to scratch. With the power of Nacon and KT Racing behind it, things should run smoothly, as the massively open online racing game whisks players off to a 1:1 scale recreation of Hong Kong Island.
It’s here where they’ll get behind the wheel of various cars from many different marques, partaking in the most prestigious of competitions – Solar Crown. Only those with the finest driving skills will come out on top.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown has everything you would expect of a racer. The cars come from some of the biggest manufacturers in the world, including Lamborghini, Bugatti, Dodge and more, whilst upgrades can be earned and placed, depending on your success across a variety of events. There are races, there are time trials, there are hidden secrets and there is the opportunity to impress – not just fans, but those from the Street and Sharp clans.
Consider that the teams behind Solar Crown are doing everything to preserve the DNA of the series, offering luxury, exceptional cars and competition, all wrapped up in a multiplayer racer, and there’s no doubt that Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown will appeal.
Key game features
- EXPLORE HONG KONG ISLAND Drive around a map that has never featured in a racing game before: Hong Kong Island. Fully recreated at 1:1 scale, it is brimming with unique locations to explore. From old narrow streets and major highways to mountain roads and beaches: every cruise will be different from the last. Alone or with friends, set off and search for hundreds of collectible items that offer a variety of rewards.
- COMPLETE YOUR COLLECTION Acquire iconic models from all the famous manufacturers: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Bugatti, Koenigsegg, Aston Martin and many more. In total, over 30 car manufacturers are represented with a variety of car types, from 1960s daily drivers to ultra-modern hypercars to off-road vehicles.
- MEET OTHER ENTHUSIASTS Create an avatar to represent you and meet other car enthusiasts in the streets of Hong Kong or in one of the many social hubs: the Solar Hotel, car dealerships, workshops, clan HQsā¦ These places are ideal for meeting people and sharing your passion for cars together.
- CHOOSE YOUR CLAN Take part in the clan wars by joining one of the two families fighting for supremacy: the Streets, the flamboyant provocateurs; or the Sharps, who prefer understated sophistication. Go head-to-head with the challengers of each clan in thrilling races to climb the ranks and earn unique rewards.
- BECOME ONE OF THE ELITE Dominate your opponents in a ranked mode designed for competitive racing. From Bronze rank to Solar King/Queen, your progress will be equal parts challenging and satisfying with a range of exclusive rewards available for those looking for PvP battles.
More content to come!
It’s a game that will look to the future too, with seasons and post launch content aplenty. In fact, KT Racing have already confirmed the first 4 seasons will run as follows…
- Season 1 – Launch content from September 12, 2024 – The Solar Crown competition opens its doors! Once the game is released, the most competitive players will be able to embark on a series of races and frantic challenges to climb the ranks, collect Solar Points and climb to the top of the leaderboard in the hope of becoming the next Solar King/Queen. This first season also includes 60 player levels, 50 Sharps/Streets clan progression levels and a free 25-level Solar Pass featuring various rewards, including cosmetics and an exclusive car.
- Season 2 ā Ibiza city makes its comeback – This second season marks the return of a familiar location that TDU2 fans have known for 13 years: Ibiza (Eivissa in Catalan) is back in TDUSC, more splendid than ever. Players will be able to discover the city and its outskirts, recreated at 1:1 scale in the KT Engine, offering players a different and complementary experience to Hong Kong Island, 3 months after the game’s release. The season will be accompanied by an island-exclusive clan progression with 20 new levels, a Solar Pass, new rewards and exclusive cars, including 5 car models revisited for the occasion.
- Season 3 – Clan War, a constantly evolving game mode – This third season revolves around a clash between the Sharps (whose members consider themselves the elite of sophistication and luxury) and the Streets (provocative and sometimes extreme, seeking to make their mark) across Hong Kong Island and Ibiza/Eivissa, with the arrival of the clan war. This season will also feature 30 new clan progression levels and seasonal content additions.
- Season 4 ā The Casino, an iconic location in the Unlimited series – The fourth and final season of Year 1 marks the grand return of the Casino, a favorite of Test Drive Unlimited 2 fans. This new Solar Crown version of the Casino will offer players the chance to wager their virtual currency through a variety of activities, including poker and slot machines. In addition to bringing 50 player levels, the Casino will allow players to win exclusive new cars, cosmetics and rewards.
Get access now!
Our full review of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is on the way – we’ll let you know how this multiplayer racer takes to the road soon.
For now though, you can get access for yourself. You’ll do it by purchasing the Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Gold Edition from the Xbox Store, playing it on Xbox Series X|S, priced at Ā£89.99. That will give you the chance to get behind the wheel early. It also gives all of this…
- The Gold Edition of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown grants access to all content from the Sharps Silver Edition and Streets Silver Edition as well as the following bonus content: – Maserati MC20** – Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE** – Board Committee Member outfit for your avatar – Solar Crown sticker pack for customizing your cars, compatible with all cars in your garage – Free VIP Solar Pass including access to the season’s premium rewards with 20 levels already unlocked
Alternatively, there’s the Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Silver Sharps Edition for Ā£69.99, or the similarly priced Silver Streets Edition. They both give 48 hours early access, as well as the following…
- The Sharps Silver Edition of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown grants access to the following bonus content: – Jaguar F-Type SVR Coupe* – Audi R8 Spyder V10 RWS** – Baron of the Sharps outfit for your avatar – Sharps sticker pack for customizing your cars, compatible with all cars in your garage – Free Solar Pass including access to the season’s premium rewards * The Jaguar F-Type SVR Coupe automatically unlocks in your garage once you reach level 12. ** The Ford GT 2006 and Audi R8 Spyder V10 RWS automatically unlock in your garage once you reach level 20.
- The Silver Streets Edition of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown grants access to the following bonus content: – Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR* – Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG** – Lord of the Streets outfit for your avatar – Streets sticker pack for customizing your cars, compatible with all cars in your garage. – Free Solar Pass including access to the season’s premium rewards. * The Land Rover Range Rover Sport SVR automatically unlocks in your garage when you reach level 12. ** The Ford GT 2006 and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG automatically unlock in your garage when you reach level 20.
Your last option is to hold until 12th September and buy the Standard Edition of the game for Ā£49.99.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is not playable on Xbox One. It is however on PS5 and PC.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Description
13 years after the release of Test Drive Unlimited 2, TDUSC reinvents the open-world massively multiplayer racing game genre. Express your passion for cars via innovative gameplay and meticulous attention to detail. Test drive then purchase cars directly from dealerships, customize them in workshops, and display them in the garage of your Solar Hotel suite. Each car offers a unique driving experience and complete immersion (windows, sunroofs, engines, etc.) and it’s this exclusive experience that dictates which car you want to choose on any given day.
