Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown - Hands-on GAMEPLAY Preview

WATCH some fresh gameplay footage of an Alfa Romeo 8C Spider in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown and hear about our recent hands-on impressions!
Gameplay footage, TDU Connect and trailers supplied by Nacon for editorial use.
At the 2023 Gamescom event in Germany, Traxion.GG was shown Solar Crown and able to take part in a literal test drive, going hands-on with an alpha build in the early stages of development, although we were told that it was more up-to-date than the recent TDU Connect version.
Here you will see footage of the Alfa driving through Hong Kong, open-world, streets, at day, at night, in the dry and through rain. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, and more information is on the Traxion.GG website.
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, evolving car list: traxion.gg/test-drive-unlimit...
Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown news: traxion.gg/category/games/tes...
00:00 - 00:27 - We've played it!
00:27 - 02:05 Cars are earnt
02:05 - 03:00 The environment is diverse
03:00 - 03:05 Nintendo Switch
03:05 - 03:49 The handling is... strange
03:49 - 04:45 It's an MMO
04:45 - 06:28 There's a lot of work still to do
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#Traxion #TestDriveUnlimitedSolarCrown #TDUSolarCrown

[@kriskater]

Saying it has simulation based physics, and time to appreciate each car we earn is a HUGE selling point!

[@TraxionGG]

Agreed!

[@Pivitrix]

I'd give a 100 thumbs up if i could. I really hope this game turns out good.

[@SimQuips]

This did way more to sell me on it than the big gameplay presentation they did themselves. Graphics and framerate in your footage actually look fine, and yeah comparing it to one of those AC free roam maps and mentioning the slow grind and sim like handling etc makes it much more appealing than the NFS clone that it looked like in the main presentation

[@pedinhuh16]

Nacon needs a better marketing team, seriously.

[@critik1ll]

They dropped alpha footage but I heard they have a bata ready so idk why they'd show alpha if there is a bata

[@Kbutt]

Dude told exactly what everyone is thinking😊

[@janosd4nuke]

​@@critik1llBeta mayhaps has extra features in experimental phase, that's subject to change and they don't want runaway speculation and disappointment when they steer those to different direction some fans might expect. Not knowing about an extra feature is more likely a pleasant surprise when arrives, then knowing the rough outlines, then speculating for months in the hype cycle with your own personal bias only to find out the creators' vision was somewhat different to yours. Also they have to have extra breadcrumbs in the basket to drip feed us once the marketing really amps up. May be a bit lackluster now, but a cautiously wise decision in the long run as far as I'm concerned.

[@tatu782]

It’s shaping up better them I’ve expected. The key TDU features are there, realist physics is a great sign (remember TDU2, with its Terrible physics), graphics are not the most beautiful, but are looking great. If they gave the game a proper time to be worked on, maybe we will have the real TDU experience back again, after all these years.

[@diablow1411]

Remember, that they showed the alpha version. I'm pretty sure the final product is gonna look much better, aesthetically.

[@SianaGearz]

TDU2 had some odd and badly behaved vehicles but i don't really mind its physics model as a whole. It had you paying attention for sure.

[@calumniate]

Yeah I take the 'strange' handling as a great thing. In the original TDU you had to be very precise as to when you started breaking, which was awesome to be honest

[@simonoregan4744]

The fact that is using the same engine as the WRC games has really perked me up. Hopefully we get decent wheel support and great ffb

[@mathewbentley3580]

It's the open world racing game I have been waiting for, for years, an open world racer with a focus on more realistic physics, with a dense map, with great driving roads and more focus on how special each and every car is. Not just get a car every 5 minutes like in Horizon and flicking through a menu to choose or buy a car, it should be an experience every time. Can't wait to check this out with the wheel and learn how to zip through the traffic on those narrow roads. I really hope they knock this out of the park, fingers crossed, guess we will find out in early 2024.

[@Chill_Please]

Oh man I hope it will have assetto corsa like physics. Also I hope it'll be compatible with simagic direct drive wheels

[@cruitirerex]

I'm sold. One of my big gripes were the wide highways. Great to see there's realistic narrow roads too.

[@BurkyHC]

Didn't expect much of this game, until you mentioned advanced physics. Been waiting all my life for open world racing game with advanced physics. I'm definitely gonna try the game now.

[@MikoOhneHose]

I mean that's just a buzzword and in the clips, it doesn't look all that advanced / more advanced than FH

What do you mean? Clearly just saying advanced physics makes it more advanced than other games!@@MikoOhneHose

[@kak8895]

Doesn't look special. Looks just as arcade as Forza Horizon

[@youngboksim2021]

This game has very advanced physics. the people that say the physics look worse than fh5 needs to get educated and actually try the game for themselves after release

[@zombie821]

for an alpha version this already looks extremely good

[@hoodieblue9305]

Honestly I think a game of that scale not having forza horizon graphics is perfectly fine. Going back in time, tdu1/2 also were not the most graphically advanced of their time. I much rather have them focus on gameplay and features. Looking like itll be a decent game.

[@RCmies]

In my opinion TDU2 had great graphics for the type of game it is and the graphics still hold up to this day at least on PC. But maybe I'm just biased because I used to play the game on PS3 at bad resolutions and now I have it on PC on max settings, so it looks better than I even remembered. Either way I feel like the art style of this game is going to be something that will help these graphics age well even if they're not the most flashy. I think that's what I like with the look of the game so far, everything looks quite consistent.

[@laineracing]

@@RCmies and if you go first person and racing youll be focusing and dont really even notice the graphics

[@rosaria8384]

The physics will surely be the major selling point of this game. I just wish it won't disappoint

[@PatLadsChan99]

Really like the attention to detail. Its the small things that make the difference

[@andrewpoints11]

Theres alot to pull off here- I'm cautiously optimistic. Thanks for the preview!

[@devakadex9588]

The original Test Drive Unlimited was my favourite game on the PS2 man I played that for so many hours its crazy. The sheer size of the map and huge selection of vehicles and honestly the graphics, for a PS2 game, was amazing. Honestly it was probably a bad influence on little 10 year old me as I'm now addicted to cars from it. Never played the 2nd one, no clue why but man am I excited about Solar Crown! I remember being at school and the days passed sooo slowly cause I was always so hyped to sit on the end of my bed in front of that old CRT TV and drive around in my Ford GT mannn, its gonna be so damn nostalgic, as an adult now I'll be so excited for my shift to end so I can get back home and hop back onto the sequel to my entire childhood. This game has a special place in my heart and I cant say enough how hyped I am for this! aww man I cant wait!

[@Shreddinjamay]

Honestly, this has so much going for it. I loved TDU1, still one of my favourite nostalgic games, not so much TDU2 but TDUSC looks epic. I'm just really hoping this game has a lot of solo play and cruising like the TDU1 game rather than being largely dependant on multiplayer like TDU2

[@lilugoart]

Kinda same here! Played THOUSANDS of hours on TDU1 on Pc as a little kid, never played TDU2 but i'm absolutely looking forward to this one! I hope it's going to be a blast and i hope to have as much fun as i had then. The slow progress to acquire cars is really good news, graphics looks ok if it can compensate with big maps and lots of cars for me :)

[@therues7071]

@@Shreddinjamay I never played TDU1 but I loved TDU2. I do agree with you, I never understood how they shut the servers down and you were not allowed to play the game offline. I hated that.

[@aidenleung5862]

Can't wait to see my home in game! Real excited for the map. Have been waiting for over a year now.

[@drchtct]

To me this looks better than expected. The open world looks more serious than in newer The Crew and Forza Horizon games, reminds me of the original The Crew. Comparing it with an open world Assetto Corsa mod looks spot on, and if it delivers at that, I see myself cruising around Hong Kong quite a bit. Wanted a Tokyo-based Horizon for a long time, now this isn't Tokyo, but it's also Asia and a pretty interesting town/state, I'm hooked.

[@TG-ct2uw]

Thanks for this video. Some of the things you talk about make it even more exciting and harder to wait on it. But it really looks like the wait is going to be worth it. One of the best things is they say each car (or at least type) have different physics. Its probably why the driving feels different from other games. I am happily here for the grind because I will want to build the best dream garage I can build for me.

[@NightWolfsHAMMER]

Reminds me of the OG test drive unlimited and that makes me excited! No over hype like the current NFS games.

[@xWhiteFalcoNx]

I really hope you can buy some awesome Mansions again. That was one of the features that got me hooked in TDU2. Buying a nice Mansion with a sea-view and chilling there with 2-3 friends. I really hope they don't throw out that feature.

[@Godzgaming1999]

I can't believe this game is coming back I used to play this as a kid every time coming home from school

[@will-todman]

The simple fact it’s on switch differentiates it enough for me

[@Claydood]

It's nice to see everything isn't wet and unrealistic puddles everywhere when it's not raining.

[@TraxionGG]

Especially considering its in Hawaii, puddles don't stick around long I imagine

[@graeme111]

@@TraxionGG Hawaii? you mean Hong Kong? 😆

[@fl6873]

TDU was never about the visuals. I still enjoy modded TDU 2. It is the feeling of swimming through traffic and building a world you immerse yourself in. Remember driving nights and nights virtually in TDU 2 back in the days.

[@shredd5705]

Good visuals would help. I wish Forza Horizon wasn't such a shallow kids game. I don't think TDU2 looked bad for it's time

[@kaminobatto]

I'm all in for a new Test Drive MMO. I fell in love with TDU and I still play it today! that's 17 years later! The grind was vey fun and finishing the game on 4 different platforms was one of the most rewarding things I have done. It's never been about the visual showcase, I have Forza for that, but the fun factor is insane if it's anything like the previous two entries, which I sincerely hope. The wait has been too long for this one and I am more than ready to put my hands on it!

[@jamesbelcher9374]

Your car list has a few models that are not yet confirmed for TDUSC, where did you find this info?

[@bryo4321]

This sounds absolutely awsome, omg.

[@johng3292]

I have been a TDU player since the first game. I was very skeptical at first because of the gameplay I saw during the presentation, however, I was not aware that it was an Alpha version, I thought the game would come out this year, luckily it is still a year away and they can still improve the game. I will most likely buy and play the game.

[@Grasshoppa65]

I am looking forward to this very much.

[@tonyleonard1471]

Test drive unlimited 2 impressed me. Absolutely loved it. Racing, casinos, buying jouse, side missions etc. Gutted you can't buy houses in this one though.

[@mattcannon8467]

If the handling is anywhere near the WRC and TT games, then I'm happy.

[@jameswhitaker4357]

My childhood game coming back 🔥🔥🔥

[@FelixVyra]

I hope they lean into the realistic physics design direction completely. The truth is that with these racing games there are only 2 good options when it comes to physics. Realistic (sim) and Forza Horizon. I played many racing games but I was never able to enjoy any that didn't fall into either one of these categories. If they try to go for something in between it's going to flop. It will just feel wrong. I also really hope that they implement good controller support and the option to turn off all assists completely. Like what we have in AC and ACC. I want the wheel to be pointing where my controller stick is no matter the speed of the car or grip available. (Obviously an input filtering option is necessary.) This is something that very few games have but it makes driving an amazing and skillful experience. (I only know of BeamNG, AC, and ACC that has this) (And of course seat adjustment and ability to disable camera jitter, lock the camera to the car, adjustable steering wheel rotation like in AC... and a few other quality of life features)

[@TeamVVV]

Disagree, there are many great games that don't fall into those camps. Whatever the style, intuitive handling is what works, it makes games fun.

[@FelixVyra]

@@TeamVVV I would like to see the list of all those "many great games". Because I never heard of them. I played a lot of racing games and I fallow a lot of content creators as well and it's really simple. There are 2 types of racing games that have huge communities around them. Simulators and forza horizon. And my personal experience backs this up as well. You are right when you say a good driving game needs to have intuitive physics. Sims and FH has that. And that's it. Just as some examples: NFS is crap, the crew 2 is crap, Burnout is crap, Wreckfest was not great but alright till it got f*cked by the devs a few years ago. AC is good, ACC is really good, iRacing is expensive but amazing, BeamNG is not bad, FH5 is amazing... (talking purely physics here, there are a lot more to these games of course and if I was looking at those as well my opinion would be very different.)

[@masoncoleman6462]

Wreckfest has great physics for the type of racing, horizon is trash not sure you have played a lot of racing 😂

[@kak8895]

​@@masoncoleman6462By your logic Wreckfest is also trash. The physics in this video don't even look anything better than Horizon. Looks about the same (or worse)

[@guguigugu]

im getting this just to roam around in hong kong

[@justinpharand8454]

Test Drive Unlimited 2 was kind of an early 'car enthusiast simulator', I hope this game brings it back and better!

[@pktrsho6055]

This game was announced to early in my opinion. I think it needs at least another year.

[@markthegamedriver]

Yup

[@mintgoldheart6126]

So you want the game in 2025?

[@ZulfichMK]

True, especially when they said that houses aren't coming until some time after launch.

[@BigBossM1911]

@@mintgoldheart6126 well yes.. if he says another year atleast that would be 2024/25. Give yourself a gold star.

[@Lewuaptedama]

keep the handling on the hardcore side, keep the grind it will be amazing

[@MrCellus27]

This 2011 game looks so good!

[@scottsummers4154]

I’m a sucker for open world racers. Plus, I like these developers. Day one for me.

[@RCmies]

The car interiors look really good but somehow the exterior not that much but it's still good. Also the Alfa Romeo looks like it has a matte colour finish on it, or else it's missing some reflection detail. Either way, the world looks great and since TDU2 still holds up graphically today I hope they are able to go the extra mile and make it look even better than it already does before release.

[@jonasfermefors]

I hope there isn't too much focus on social aspects - I am there for the racing - but this video made that seem more likely than before, so I'm ready to try it.

[@HifeMan]

TDU always had an decent focus on social gameplay and I honestly enjoy as it had more than just racing and made it an blast to play with friends. If you just wanna race or drive you could easy ignore all of the social stuff. So I’m glad they seem to be keeping it just like that.

[@benn8793]

@@HifeMan It looks like the social aspect can't be ignored so easily this time, as the game will apparently always be online, the developers are putting a huge focus on interaction between players and there will be no single player. A huge red flag for me personally.

[@SalTheSlime.]

I gotta know. Is there or is there plans for classic cars like 81 Camaro, 69 charger, 71 trans am, etc etc..?

[@filipgimell9579]

Populate the traffic more on certain hours! Would allow for No Hesi esque gameplay dodging traffic weaving in and out of lanes. This would help with player retention because it adds another way to play and have fun.

[@Boston2Boca]

Screw no hesi. Whoever started that is a POS who regularly puts others at risk while raising everyone's insurance premiums. This game was always about cruising, not driving like an idiot.

[@marcusipcw]

Can't wait to race in my home country

[@janky477]

It look to me like they still have quite a lot of work still to do before they are finished with this, but it's looking like it's in very good shape so far.

[@nickxcore74]

I like this franchise because it’s a driving game in which you can chill and relax, it’s not all about racing.

[@austinzizzi1142]

I’m so excited for this

[@josechavez3997]

10 hours per stations is wild.

[@stikupartist3698]

Can't wait 😊

[@CarlRaven91]

I'll wait for more footage. At least I still have TDU Platinum and 2 with Project Paradise 2 to scratch that TDU itch!

[@theSHEBItube]

Yep, still playing TDU1 online via Platinum. TDU2 is less fun for driving

[@rentertainment2769]

just the map itself being in Hong Kong is a reason to play it rather than the NFS UB, FH5, and TCM that were based on American lands

[@Simply_King]

oh god i miss driving the McLaren P1 in TDU2. to this day i still wonder how the xbox 360 managed to handle TDU2 very very well.

[@therues7071]

Honestly TDU 2 was probably the best game I ever played when it launched in 2011. I am so excited for this game. I just hope it is not another highly anticipated game and lets everyone down at launch.

[@BoltBandicoot]

I want to play this SO BAD!

[@raphi92i19]

2:04 Don’t you know the game take place in Hong kong Island, not Honk Kong ? It’s difficult to imagine that there is 600km of roads, in a map of 78,59 km²

[@irvanray1898]

I just hope it won't get cyberpunked.

[@adamlink-sq4vr]

i cant waite to get this game soon

[@jamaineperry3555]

Test drive 2 was one of the Best open world driving simulation racing games out there.

[@pinchopaxtonsgreatestminds9591]

Solar Crown is the only game I have plans to buy at the moment.

[@Garrus.Vakarian]

The indicators sold it for me.

[@pedinhuh16]

I'm sold, even if the graphics are a bit iffy. But I hope they fix that stiff third person camera, it's too off-putting.

[@TylerCancel]

Wheel support?

[@TheRacerG]

This just in: the map has gotten even smaller. It's now down to 15 sq. mi.

[@brandonsimoncini]

"I asked about the Nintendo Switch version and it's fate hasn't been decided." I've been digging for anything Switch related after the cancellation of the PS1/X1 and the publisher's other game, Robocop Rogue City's port. The platform is listed on their website; like either work on it in the background privately or outright cancel it. Would love that Test Drive Unlimited PSP itch as the Steam Deck is a beef cake, unlike the PSP (Vita for that matter) and Switch

[@mrobesemode]

idc what people are saying im still pre ordering the extra ultimate edition when it's available lol

[@janosd4nuke]

As someone who entirely skipped the 2010's in gaming (in terms of new releases, my potato laptop pulled heavy duty on classics) and only came back to racers with NFS Unbound on new PC, the general state of games really saddened me. Newer NFS titles and Grid Legends were great but not without their issues. As far as Forza is concerned, they have no good game on PC, be it Horizon or Motorsport. Horizon 4 had the honor of achieving my first 'ragequit' A McLaren F1 for THAT CHEAP!? *Alt+F1*!!! So the high luxury fantasy endgame, but you really have to earn it with an immersive long grind really speaks to me in the pitch for TDUSC. As an old gamer, anything since the first Grid is still gorgeous, don't care about polygons and fancy effects as long as the art direction and basic care is on point. So a more 2015 AAA-ish visual quality for scale and depth from a AA de team with passion is a tradeoff I gladly take. Looking forward to this.

[@daviding78]

Be great to have this in Psvr2

[@superstuntman1904]

After seeing the trailers and the races and everything I could say this definitely could be a good rival and a good variety from the games that we've been getting this decade I always had a huge problem with games being way. Way too easy for me. If it sounds like this thing going to have a goal in mind that is making you feeling every upgrade to a better vehicle worth it. I'm all in even though I'm not that type of person to like long games. I hope this does expand its lifespan and hopefully more updates come to the game that allow the game to spiral into a new era of racing games

[@jacksevers3177]

This sounds like the type of car game I've been wanting for ages. Horizon spams you with cars and the driving is very arcade. I love the idea of it being built about the sense of ownership, deliberating over your next car and getting to spec it like you would from factory to have your own dream car in the garage. Houses! Love that as well. Buzzing for it, hope it's not sh@te 😅

[@Firewertyhn6817]

i hope 4 TDU set on Madagascar island

[@Dsmooth974]

How many cars are in the game.

[@b0rg1010]

Rule number one - never fall for the hype. You will always be disappointed. For me, I want to see gameplay.

[@nickk4979]

I hope to swim through traffic in this game. Forza npc cars are so few and scattered.

[@SmokysRides]

Hopefully the "former glories" don't include persistent server outages and game crashes throughout the lifecycle of the game.

[@RyanB571]

4 maybe 5 years of development with push backs, this is what 'built from the ground up' is Turn 10. Take notes

[@ozi5269]

Handling is main reason I'm looking foward this. I prefer simish phyisics but I hate that every racing sim is the same, sandbox for leagues and nothing else.

[@JonathanLukeAvery]

This game needs VR support

[@user-bp5py6bh3g]

So it's an online-only MMO?

[@jamiemb17]

I need it to run well on Steam Deck... if it does then I will be balls in

[@MattyH1992]

Us who played the old TDU games are stoked for this. Especially with how meh Crew Motorfest turned out to be.

[@lagna1506]

The map is on Hong Kong Island. Not the whole of Hong Kong.

[@observantmonkey4055]

Im just tired of playing daycare open world car games. Tdu1 2 have spoiled me. Glad to see it back

[@fordgtguy]

It sets itself apart by maintaining what TDU is and not imitating Forza. That's why this looks unique and Crew motorfest looks like a horizon clone.

[@Emperos]

I don't like that the cars feel ''Arcade'' like. The cars are static on the roads. I would have liked something similar as in GTA IV where the cars had some weight to them.

[@DThurman]

Will this game have Crossplay?

[@Oplix]

Amazin'

[@steppinonastoop677]

im salivating.

[@TweakyGoblin]

I Will Be THERE!!!!😁

[@syarifht5929]

200 collectibles??? they better give me 10 cars for finding all of them and those cars better be unique like TDU2 did

[@dragonhold4]

Handling or traction looks like a nightmare even at slow speeds.

[@Kortex_Racing]

If you see the video, he explains the handling is more simulation than forza horizon

[@YehezkielRio]

want to see the switch version

[@Andybarney555]

Dont expect this untill 2026 min.. and even then it will be rough. There aim is high!! And needs to be to bring anything new that nfs fh5 and tcm arnt already doing/done

[@loneokami6560]

Finally earning the fecking car, and I don't like the fact that being Hong Kong i have to drive on the wrong side of the road but the city looks good soo nice 👍

[@tomasburian6550]

When I saw only 2 Ferrari cars on the list I lol'd. This is supposed to be about luxury lifestyle revolving around cars. If you can't have any of the latest luxury cars like Roma, Portofino or F8 Tributo, you're doing it wrong. Having two old track-aimed models isn't helping at all. I hope they will still add more before release.

[@chewthegum]

that's not the entire car list, its just a list of the cars that have been shown in trailers and gameplay footage so far.

[@luciang9547]

ngl, graphics are questionable (cars) but the performance....that's bad, that low fps, hopefully they do something about it

[@intercede007]

Please don’t suck please don’t suck please don’t suck 🙏

[@TheGoreforce]

so a classic caRPG

[@tilburg8683]

Just hope it's not always online, then I'll only buy at 80-90% discount if at all. If it has offline mode I may be willing to pay full price if its good.

[@benn8793]

Yeah, about that...

[@dadhats]

I've always wished for a forza horizon like game but with realistic physics I can actually enjoy with my sim setup. hopefully they can pull it off, I would play the hell out of a game like that!!

[@PhantomX786]

They spent more money and time on the trailer then on the actual game

[@paulmcgeever5343]

With Granturismo having set the benchmark for insane attention to detail with car models, kt simply can't compete. I have been spoilt as the GT games have always been my go to driving games but testdrive needs to take on forza horizon visually but i doubt it will. I haven't bought in to the whole next gen thing as i don't believe at this point there are or will be any games in the near future to fully utalise the ps5 hardware.

[@Scrapjunk]

I'm in love.. ❤