Nearly 10 years ago, former Need for Speed developer Ghost Games copped a kicking for making its 2015 series reboot online-only, even in single player.
In response, its 2019 follow-up Need for Speed Heat did not require a persistent online connection. Earlier this year, Ubisoft decommissioned The Crew, making it impossible for owners to play from now on – even by themselves. The move wasn’t received well. This very week Ubisoft has confirmed The Crew 2 and The Crew Motorfest will now get offline modes.
In contrast to these course corrections, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown arrives in 2024 as another online-only racing game that seems to have little interest in being something that’s satisfying to play solo. It’s a baffling start and, despite a nice handling model and a lot of effort on display in its unique open world, it unfortunately doesn’t get any better.
Season 4 of the open-world driving game will arrive next in a couple of months, with the long-awaited casino system and some new cars.
KT Racing assures that “despite the past, the future road ahead for Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown is bright.”
Solar Crown is finally starting to feel like a Test Drive Unlimited game – but it still has a long road to redemption.
