We finally got our first look of the upcoming Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown game, and not only that but there will also be a beta before it releases early 2024.
The developers of the new instalment of Test Drive Unlimited KT Racing treated us on 12 July with a first look at some gameplay. The presentation featured many prominent racing game content creators.
BlackPanthaa, Alex VII and Team VVV’s Alan Boiston were all on the TDU Connect stream driving with KT Racing developers including creative director Alain Jarniou. Also involved was someone familiar to us at OverTake, Melek ‘m3lly’ Balgün is playing the part of the Solar Crown competition’s lead organiser Vivian Hughes, indicating she will play a prominent role in the game.
So what have we learned from the TDU Connect stream?
TDUSC Gameplay
For fans of the Test Drive Unlimited series, a feature from TDU2 makes a return. Free Ride Instant Money or F.R.I.M. was a system where the player can fill a bar at the top of the screen for completing overtakes, drifts and jumps. You could take the money or try to get more but risk breaking the streak by having collisions or losing control.
On the stream, the players started off the Solar Hotel where all TDUSC will gather rather than having their own properties. They then drove to the bases of the two factions, the loud Streets and the sophisticated Sharps. Between these locations, they drove on highways, the tight city streets, mountain roads and even some dirt tracks.
Of course, the racing is the centre point of the entire game. There’s the typical fixed route racing but also point to point that doesn’t require the player stick to the same exact roads at all times. But there are more than just races, there will also be transport missions and convoys.
Speaking of the roads, we got a peak at the map and it’s vast! The players on the stream merely drove in the city for the most part, but it would seem they barely scratched the surface. There will be plenty to explore when the game releases.
Whether that can be with a racing wheel though, we can’t say yet. All the players used controllers, although BlackPanthaa reported that the game felt less arcade-esque than Forza Horizon which we could use a wheel for.
Cars and Beta Release Date
The first cars that can be seen in the Solar Hotel are the Alpine A110 and Nissan 370z. But when the players leave, they’re driving a Corvette C7 ZR1, Nissan GT-R, Ford F-150, Lamborghini Huracán and the Porsche Taycan and 911 Carrera.
Additionally, we’ve seen the Aston Martin DB11 and Range Rover Sport in previous advertising material. There’s also screenshots with the original Ford GT40, a classic and modern Ford Mustang, Audi R8, BMW i8, Mercedes SLK, the Porsche 918 and the Apollo Intense Emozione just to name a few.
On the website for the game, there are other brands mentioned such as BMW, Dodge, Ferrari, Koenigsegg and Bugatti. Many others will also feature.
But now for the big one. Starting on 24 July, select players who sign up for the TDUSC newsletter on the official website can gain access to the closed beta. The game is set for launch early 2024 and it will be available on PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.
Additionally, according to Nacon’s internal schedule, potentially (but not officially) Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
What are you most excited for in Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
