2023-07-12 19:42:17
That’s it. The return of Test Drive Unlimited is getting more and more definite with the first official gameplay presentation since the game was announced in 2020. KT Racing and Nacon have just released 30 minutes of quite varied gameplay with several team members and several gender-specific influencers. We therefore offer you a small zoom on the elements to remember, the strong points, but also the weak points of this first presentation of gameplay.
A unique presentation with distinguished guests
On the occasion of this first presentation of gameplay, we can listen to Alain Jarniou, creative director of the project, but also veteran of the franchise since the first opus. He comes back to the surface in particular on the two main clans that we can choose at the start of the game: the Sharps and the Streets.
We also advise you to read our interview with Alain Jarniou in which he talks about the Test Drive license, the development of this latest game, but also the competition that has arisen over the last 10 years.
To present these first gameplay sequences, Nacon decided to pit three members of the Sharps against three members of the Streets. Among the guests, we find in particular the journalist and specialist in sim racing Alan Boiston, BlackPanthaa, British YouTuber well known within the Forza community or even Alex VII, content creator specialist in the Test Drive Unlimited license since the first opuses.
Test Drive Unlimited DNA seems to be there
During the first sequences of gameplay, we discover one of the rooms of the Solar Crown Hotel as well as the basic interface gathering the essential information concerning us (money on the account, calendar of races, time, reputation, level…) . This game sequence on foot in first person view plunges us directly into what Test Drive Unlimited offered 15 years ago and it is clearly appreciable. Alain Jarniou also specifies that it will be possible to unlock larger rooms over the course of the adventure.
As for the vehicles, we note the return of various very appreciable details, such as the possibility of lowering the windows, activating the indicators, the hazard warning lights, the windscreen wipers and even the sunroof. So many features that make the salt of Test Drive Unlimited. There is also the presence of the odometer.
These early gameplay snippets also show us open road racing that feels relatively long, and that’s another good point that’s part of the game’s DNA. raised. Also, the damage physics and management look pretty good for a game of this type.
The game’s map seems quite varied and Hong Kong will, in any case, be an exotic destination that perfectly matches the spirit of a game like Test Drive Unlimited. We can also see the presence of gas stations scattered on the map, but these will only be used to repair the damage and not to refuel (this has the merit of adding a little life and RP).
Darker points hard to dodge in 2023
Despite the expectation raised by Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown, this first gameplay presentation includes some negative points that are difficult to omit and it starts with the rendering of the game.
Graphically, the title is not particularly beautiful at first glance, especially in terms of interiors, faces and the game world during daylight driving phases. The night phases are catching up a little, but the game clearly seems to lag behind its main competitors, the latter relying heavily on their graphic qualities. This observation does not detract from the potential of this Test Drive Unlimited which can bet on a singular and advanced gameplay.
Another aspect that is particularly obvious is the lack of life in Hong Kong. We see absolutely no passers-by and the traffic is almost non-existent. Note also that the rare cars crossed are very often similar (that’s a lot of yellow GT Mustangs after a while). It is hoped that KT Racing will address this very important aspect for an open-world car game coming out in 2023 or 2024.
Difficult to judge the conduct of a car game without having touched it, but the physics do not seem to have evolved much compared to previous TDUs. It must also be said that the gameplay offered by our six companions is not particularly interesting given that it is more like a session on Wreckfest than a real presentation of rides and races on an open world racing game. .
Some people will surely find this first opinion quite difficult about Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown, but the game may still evolve between now and its release. In addition, we must not forget the unique characteristics of this license, its RP side, the presence of houses (not when the game is released), garages, places to live or even the link that we weave with its vehicle that makes Test Drive salt. We hope that this new opus will mark the return of this legendary license which is at the origin of a good part of the racing games that we know today.
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