Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown Discussion Thread

[inCloud]

Conceptually I should very much enjoy The Crew, but the driving physics is a huge turn off for me.

Try tC2 demo, its feels much better than first.

 

[Jay84]

Using the same engine. Its V rally 4 all over again, an utter garbage game using the good memories of a long dead franchise

 

[Wolfe]

What cars would you like to see?

Nothing too unusual for a game of this scope, but fan favorites like you'd find in a NFS game, popular JDMs and homologated classics reaching back into the 20th century...as time marches on I have noticed cars like these have become rarer outside of the likes of GT/Forza/NFS where they have continually been expected, and a range of automotive history continues to be celebrated. I'm probably just getting old.

A handful of picks like the Toyobaru (popular enough) or ubiquitous oldies like the E30 M3 (prestigious enough, I think, based on their values) would help. If the Lamborghini Diablo is in, that's one good sign.

There's no "adopting" here; that has always been a focal point of the series. This game isn't being built to have a diverse car portfolio like GT or Forza, it's retaining its main attraction in racing 6-figure cars.

You're really putting words in my mouth. I own and played TDU1. I'm not expecting any diversity or quantity that didn't exist in TDU1, particularly from a smaller developer like Kylotonn.

Having played TDU, I deliberately chose the word "adopt" to mean that Kylotonn was adopting that theme from the first two TDU games. That was the point.

Are we slagging off anyone who expresses their dislike of the stilted festival atmosphere of Forza Horizon now -- regardless of its impact on their interest in the game -- because it has always been a focal point of the series?

I have a sneaking suspicion nothing ever pleases you considering what you've voiced is your 'dream game'.

That is "hilariously misguided".

...I guess when you're so desperate to have Horizon be toppled that you're prescribing false, incredibly narrow hopes onto any title that might possibly fit what you desire most, I guess you're going to be disappointed every time.

I want competition to spur Playground Games to do better so that "everyone wins", my idea of what this game could offer seems pretty grounded to me, and I can hardly be disappointed about a car list we don't know yet.

I think you mistook my at (virtual) "luxury" in general as having already written this game off.

 

[theknyte]

This game isn't being built to have a diverse car portfolio like GT or Forza, it's retaining its main attraction in racing 6-figure cars.

Yeah, TDU1's 6-figure cars such as the Lexus IS 350, VW Golf, Ford Mustang GT, and the Saturn Sky.

I think, just like the other two, there should be enough mix of lower class cars and classics, up to modern day hypercars to keep everyone happy.

 

[Overload_35]

This title will be a disaster for those who use the controller given the physics taken by WRC. What then why make it realistic that since its nature Test Drive has been a Pure Arcade?

 

[dimassa19]

I hope we can get out of the car this time.

 

[theknyte]

This title will be a disaster for those who use the controller given the physics taken by WRC. What then why make it realistic that since its nature Test Drive has been a Pure Arcade?

Actually, the first three Test Drives took a more simulation approach compared to their contemporaries. The Original TD was the first driving game to place you behind the wheel, looking through the windscreen. TD3 was the first to use an open 3D world in which to plan out and map your own routes. I wouldn't say it got into arcade territory until it started to focus on consoles with TD4 and after.

 

[2clickswest]

This is honestly great news.

It would be awesome, of course, if they'd remastered TDU1 while we cautiously wait for the third game.

 

[Overload_35]

Actually, the first three Test Drives took a more simulation approach compared to their contemporaries. The Original TD was the first driving game to place you behind the wheel, looking through the windscreen. TD3 was the first to use an open 3D world in which to plan out and map your own routes. I wouldn't say it got into arcade territory until it started to focus on consoles with TD4 and after.

It's true, you're right about the first three chapters that were simulative.

But now for people who started from 4 onwards they will find it really bad to play a TDU3 if they have physics like WRC8. I have tried WRC8 with the controller (both DS4 and XBOne controller) and I can tell you that it is really hard to avoid making absurd slips or to tip over. It was better if had the arcade soul that the first two TDUs had, also because a fast and carefree game has been missing for a long time.

It is also true that KT Racing has not been able to do anything with the arcades, see Flatout 4 & V-Rally 4 which seem to be simply ruthless marketing maneuvers that want to brush up on brands much loved by fans in the past to reduce them to remakes that do not come close to the quality that the original titles were.

 

[GTxForza]

I hope this game will be better than the 1st two TDU installments.

 

[Samus]

The first game was pretty good for its time, there wasn't anything like it in 2006. It had flaws, but it was enjoyable a lot of the time to race around the island. The second one with all the real life sims nonsense was, well, nonsense. The driving was OK, everything else was a huge turn off if you weren't 17.

Hopefully this one is more of an updated first game but given that title, it seems not.

 

[Robin]

The first one was groundbreaking, practically invented the genre. They even had to give it a name, M.O.O.R. Massively Open Online Racing. The map was ambitious and pretty accurate road wise and the fusion of lifestyle (dressing avatars, buying houses) and racing was quite unique but they kept the balance perfect.

The second one was a steaming pile imo.

 

[MSiAventador]

If the physics from WRC 9 will not be simplified to the arcade - buy for sure!

 

[Famine]

Interesting the interest garnered by this announcement vs the F1 2020 review lol

Looks at the difference in numbers of comments between the two...


Hardly a winning formula when there is just a single digit of response vs triple digits for a game that is still a couple of years away....

You're comparing all comments since March on one game, and comments in 18 hours on just the review of another (which is also an annual release).

Have a look at the entire F1 2020 sub-forum (all but one short thread posted since April 15) for a better comparison... if comment counts are what you gauge interest by.

 

[SZRT Ice]

So many people claiming TDU2 was horrible, when my experience plants it as the best arcade racer (on PS3), by a mile. The issue with the physics was there for me as well, since Eden Games understanding of "realistic" arcade physics, wasn't good out the box.

The remedy was in the options menu, adjusting sliders that said "Speed Factor", "Steering Damping", & "Steering Sensitivity", which wasn't explained and seemed to work opposite of what you'd expect (slide right to reduce sensitivity and left to increase). With the game becoming drivable, it completely ttransformed the experience. It just sucked that so many missed out. I tried informing as many people I could about it. Eventually becoming the top search result for "TDU2 Handling Settings". But yet & still, there are so many that missed out.

But the game & my memories from it were great. Having two massive islands to explore, on & off-road... The club racing experience... Or just cruising, racing, & car shopping with friends. Having car meets at race lobbies, walking around checking out each others rides at race lobbies & properties, as well as other activities. The game just has a different atmosphere than open world racers available today.

 

[MrCrynox]

It's true, you're right about the first three chapters that were simulative.

But now for people who started from 4 onwards they will find it really bad to play a TDU3 if they have physics like WRC8. I have tried WRC8 with the controller (both DS4 and XBOne controller) and I can tell you that it is really hard to avoid making absurd slips or to tip over. It was better if had the arcade soul that the first two TDUs had, also because a fast and carefree game has been missing for a long time.

It is also true that KT Racing has not been able to do anything with the arcades, see Flatout 4 & V-Rally 4 which seem to be simply ruthless marketing maneuvers that want to brush up on brands much loved by fans in the past to reduce them to remakes that do not come close to the quality that the original titles were.

I disagree with this, there's nothing difficult about WRC8's controller implementation at all, I've found it easy to play & apart from being a little twitchy, (nothing that can't be tuned out via setting adjustments), VR4 also. I also found VR4 to be a fun entertaining arcade game, I'm glad they made it & would happily buy a VR5.

I don't think anyones got anything to worry about concerning KT's controller handling for TDU3.

 

[Haitauer]

Rated age 18.. Maybe just because still unrated at this point?

 

[SPhilli911]

I remember when TDU2 came out it was not a perfect game and honestly it was a low quality sequel, but I still played the crap out of it simply because it had such large maps to drive around. If The Crew 2 worked for me (my connection is not good enough to sustain an always online connection, so I can't play it) then that would be my go to open world racing game because it reminded me a lot of TDU2 from what I managed to experience. Forza Horizon games, while great quality, have small maps and get boring quite fast despite the large car list. Granted my experience is single player only.

In less words, my bar is very low for TDU3 and it won't take much to keep me happy so long as I don't need to always be online to play it and the map is large.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Rated age 18.. Maybe just because still unrated at this point?

Could be to do with gambling content or something. Cant see any other reason why it would be an 18 unless like you say its just placeholder.

 

[INEEDNAWZZZ]

Rated age 18.. Maybe just because still unrated at this point?

Only guess is that they're incorporating a casino a la TDU2, although that didn't bolster the rating sky high. I only say this as there's been a few odd cases where games with simulated gambling get stamped with an 18+ (there was a fairly innocuous casino game for the DS that had this done for example) whereas a lot don't.

Either that, or they're just being extra edgy in this game.

 

[MagpieRacer]

Only guess is that they're incorporating a casino a la TDU2, although that didn't bolster the rating sky high. I only say this as there's been a few odd cases where games with simulated gambling get stamped with an 18+ (there was a fairly innocuous casino game for the DS that had this done for example) whereas a lot don't.

Either that, or they're just being extra edgy in this game.

I think some laws around gambling content have changed since then, could be a factor.

 

[Rouward]

Maybe it allows you to hook with someone or a nightclub themes as both TDUs hinted these, but IDK 'cause I haven't made progress past the beginners races.

Yeah, R18 is unusual in a racing game.

 

[Overload_35]

I disagree with this, there's nothing difficult about WRC8's controller implementation at all, I've found it easy to play & apart from being a little twitchy, (nothing that can't be tuned out via setting adjustments), VR4 also. I also found VR4 to be a fun entertaining arcade game, I'm glad they made it & would happily buy a VR5.

I don't think anyones got anything to worry about concerning KT's controller handling for TDU3.

I, on the other hand, WRC8 found it too heavy and complex driving with the controller, with very long braking distances, little control of the car in general, as regards the car that seemed like a bar of soap as well as it was easy to overturn. I think instead there will be people who will find some management problems with the controller.

As for V-Rally 4 I simply found it disappointing from every point of view, with a very bad physics shared for the rally and Rallycross cars, a scary penalty system where you just have to go out for a millimeter outside and take the penalty, a anonymous menu and a very limited choice of cars.

I'd rather not talk about how they reduced Flatout ...

If you feel comfortable driving in WRC8 with the controller ... good for you. These were my points of view, maybe on TDU3SC they will work well? -_(**)_- at the moment I remain with my prejudices.

 

[MagpieRacer]

WRC8 definitely felt better than V-Rally 4. I know they were aimed at slightly different crowds but even for a less realism focussed game V-Rally I found to be dreadful.

There's still something about WRC8 that just bugs me, cant put my finger on it but there's something that stops it being abke to match DR2 for me. I think its the way the cars countersteer, its really inconsistent.

 

[MrCrynox]

I, on the other hand, WRC8 found it too heavy and complex driving with the controller, with very long braking distances, little control of the car in general, as regards the car that seemed like a bar of soap as well as it was easy to overturn. I think instead there will be people who will find some management problems with the controller.

As for V-Rally 4 I simply found it disappointing from every point of view, with a very bad physics shared for the rally and Rallycross cars, a scary penalty system where you just have to go out for a millimeter outside and take the penalty, a anonymous menu and a very limited choice of cars.

If you feel comfortable driving in WRC8 with the controller ... good for you. These were my points of view, maybe on TDU3SC they will work well? -_(**)_- at the moment I remain with my prejudices.

Hey no problem, it's just your original post indicated that anyone used to playing the TDU series to date would struggle with the controller handling & physics if it's based on the WRC engine, when actually I think lots of people get on perfectly fine with WRC8, this is kind of evident in the WRC8 thread, ie a very small if any complaints of this nature. I understand that you don't get on with it but to indicate everyone will is misleading.

Edit: Dammit @MagpieRacer !!

 

[MagpieRacer]

Hey no problem, it's just your original post indicated that anyone used to playing the TDU series to date would struggle with the controller handling & physics if it's based on the WRC engine, when actually I think lots of people get on perfectly fine with WRC8, this is kind of evident in the WRC8 thread, ie a very small if any complaints of this nature. I understand that you don't get on with it but to indicate everyone will is misleading.

Edit: Dammit @MagpieRacer !!

Haha sorry. Don't get me wrong I do find WRC8 very enjoyable. And its very good with a wheel as well. Its good platform for TDU for sure with a couple tweaks here and there it has the potential to go far.

I know I'm definitely in a minority of players who found certain things annoying with WRC8, it could simply be that I've spent so much time with DR2 that I struggle to adapt back to WRC when I play it.

 

[FoRiZon]

NFS Heat is rated 16 for profanities amongst other stuff.

Not sure how the hell the new TDU can have the same age rating as GTA. Maybe they add the pedestrians that can finally be run over and kill, like Carmageddon.

 

[MrCrynox]

Haha sorry. Don't get me wrong I do find WRC8 very enjoyable. And its very good with a wheel as well. Its good platform for TDU for sure with a couple tweaks here and there it has the potential to go far.

I know I'm definitely in a minority of players who found certain things annoying with WRC8, it could simply be that I've spent so much time with DR2 that I struggle to adapt back to WRC when I play it.

I know what you mean I can't play the two of them back to back, it's either decent time with one or the other.

 

[T0MMY3688]

NFS Heat is rated 16 for profanities amongst other stuff.

Not sure how the hell the new TDU can have the same age rating as GTA. Maybe they add the pedestrians that can finally be run over and kill, like Carmageddon.

Most likely the casino like in TDU2. Car manufacturer won't allow their cars to run over people in game.

 

[mustafur]

I for one, tend to think it will be a real place based on the previous titles. I think it's fair to say the place will have some sort of colonial legacy, for better or worse. Tried really hard to glean any meaningful contextual hints regarding the location. All I got was this maybe sort of looking tower thing in the background? Kinda of looks mountainous but not tropical? Maybe?

It's gonna be a politically "safe" place (so probably not places like Cypress or Cuba or African Islands), and probably one known for extravagance/luxury, at least partially. Malta is probably too urban and too small, Hawaii has been done, Ibiza has been done. Iceland, Sardegna and Sicily I think are too big. I imagine the island probably needs to have a high density of roads, so places like Tahiti and Fiji are probably out. It won't be a super obscure place either, it's gonna be somewhere people have heard of - and lets face it, probably an "influencer" destination. Based on the title of the game, I imagine it's also somewhere in a warm, sunny climate. Some candidates I think seem reasonable, with caveats:

1. Bali (a bit big)
2. Gran Canaria (a bit small)
3. Corsica (a bit big, not really a hot spot)
4. Singapore (small and probably too urban)
5. Mallorca (about right)
6. Okinawa (probably not enough of a pop culture hot spot)

Idk, not much to go on. I do feel like a Southeast Asia location or a Mediterranean location are probably the best fit.

While the TDU games never did much for me gameplay-wise (I don't like the driving and the environments always felt a bit flat/uninteresting) the kind of experience they managed to create I don't think has found in equal in the Forza Horizon series (which has basically zero immersion and very poor effort at role playing elements, but far better driving) nor in the Crew series (sorry, but it's a trash game all around). If they can do a better job with the driving, I think TDU could be a solid competitor to FH.

Maybe Mauritius?