Over 13 years for the reason that final recreation was launched, the Take a look at Drive sequence lastly returns on September twelfth with Take a look at Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown. Out there for Xbox Sequence X/S, PS5, and PC at launch, the open-world racer provides a model new setting, a extra live-service-focused method, and conflicts between two factions. How does it examine to Take a look at Drive Limitless 2, launched in February 2011? Take a look at a few of their largest variations right here.
Hong Kong Island vs. Ibiza and O’ahu
The most important distinction between Photo voltaic Crown and Take a look at Drive Limitless 2 is their settings. Whereas the latter noticed the return of Oahu and added Ibiza into the combination, the previous options Hong Kong Island as a setting for the primary time. As considered one of Hong Kong’s three areas, it options a number of districts and monuments to discover with quite a few seashores and mountains.
Left-Hand vs. Proper-Hand Visitors
All through the sequence’ historical past, gamers have normally abided by right-hand visitors, i.e. driving on the best aspect of the highway. The one exception was 2002’s TD Overdrive: The Brotherhood of Velocity, which spanned the world and thus featured left-hand visitors in locations like Tokyo and London. After over twenty years and a few change, left-hand visitors lastly returns in Take a look at Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown, and technically, for the primary time, it’s the one possibility for driving all through the title.
Drivable Roads
Maybe extra notable than the settings is how a lot highway is out there to drive on. Take a look at Drive Limitless 2 sported 3,000 kilometers or roughly 1864 miles between its two islands. By comparability, Photo voltaic Crown solely provides 550 kilometers or 340 miles of drivable roads. There’s one thing about consideration to element vs. scope and the way rather more intricate Hong Kong Island shall be in-game (particularly because it’s a 1:1 scale), however we’ll solely know as soon as we go hands-on with the title.
Premise
Photo voltaic Crown additionally incorporates a customizable participant avatar with numerous garments and equipment. The primary distinction is within the set-up. Take a look at Drive Limitless 2 noticed the participant working their manner up from lowly, down-on-their-luck valet driver to coming into the Photo voltaic Crown championship and making a reputation for themselves. By comparability, the most recent title is extra in regards to the battle between two factions – the Sharps and the Streets – with the participant selecting one and advancing by their ranks to unlock unique rewards. Something past that is still to be seen, however you even have the choice of not allying with both.
Clan HQs vs. Properties
The lodge returns in Photo voltaic Crown, however there are additionally HQs unique to clans, permitting gamers to take a look at leaderboards, and take part in reside occasions and whatnot. Apparently, this seemingly means no properties to buy, like in Take a look at Drive Limitless 2, the place you possibly can purchase a number of homes and residences throughout numerous areas.
Lack of Racing College Assessments
It additionally appears that Racing College occasions have been phased out within the newest title. Take a look at Drive Limitless 2 featured numerous single-player challenges and occasions, together with Racing College, the place you needed to move exams to earn a license. You could possibly then use this to take part on the corresponding license stage. In the meantime, in Photo voltaic Crown, gamers seemingly leap in and begin racing. It made sense in Limitless 2 because you had been working your manner up, however maybe there are different necessities gamers should fulfil in Photo voltaic Crown to advance.
Visitors Density
Possibly it’s a consequence of fewer drivable roads or that Take a look at Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown’s districts are denser, however there’s a stark distinction in visitors density. Limitless 2 featured a good quantity of vehicles on the highway. Comparatively, Photo voltaic Crown has extra visitors, with developer KT Racing showcasing enhancements within the lead-up to launch.
Cockpit Particulars
First-person view is a key think about any racing title, which implies nailing the feel and appear of a cockpit. In comparison with its closed betas, Take a look at Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown considerably improves its cockpit element, from the digicam motion and seat belts to how your character is perceived. There’s nonetheless extra to be showcased, however it’s a step up from Take a look at Drive Limitless 2.
Sense of Velocity
There’s additionally the sense of pace – one other vital issue when contemplating high-speed races and common runs by town. For its time, Take a look at Drive Limitless 2 was good, however Photo voltaic Crown is trying to go even additional past. As showcased in its pre-launch growth progress video, the sense of pace appears to be like good and may make overtaking and close to collisions rather more harrowing.
Chase Mode
Nevertheless, Take a look at Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown seemingly avoids Chase mode mechanics or occasions. Limitless 2 would ship the police after you upon violating visitors legal guidelines or straight-up ramming right into a cop’s car. It provided 4 ranks with completely different rewards, like Outlaw garments and the Mercedes-Benz CLK 63 AMG Black Sequence “Outlaw.” As synonymous because the function is, it received’t be in Photo voltaic Crown.
Driving Modes vs. Driving Aids
At launch, Limitless 2 provided Driving Aids, which may customise the driving expertise from Full Help and Sport to the extra practical Hardcore mode. In Photo voltaic Crown, you may have Driving Modes – presets fitted to completely different racing circumstances. For instance, Sport is supposed for high-speed races and focuses on dealing with, Relaxed is finest for easy exploration and Rain is fitted to racing on moist roads. Don’t fear, although – there’s nonetheless a Inventory preset, which you’ll tune and customise to your liking.
Dwell Service vs. Conventional Multiplayer
Take a look at Drive Limitless 2 provided a number of multiplayer options, like free-roam driving with as much as eight gamers. You could possibly additionally study one another’s vehicles, stroll round properties and lobbies, sit in different gamers’ autos, take part with chases or take part because the police. Take a look at Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown appears like extra of a shared world racer, with On the spot Challenges to race in opposition to different gamers with no restrictions, Dwell Occasions out there weekly, and whatnot. The social side extends to driving collectively, workshopping vehicles as a bunch, and even shopping for autos on the dealership. There’s additionally an intensive Ranked expertise, with a number of tiers providing rewards and the Photo voltaic Courtroom representing the very best of the very best.
On-line vs. Offline
Take a look at Drive Limitless Photo voltaic Crown is on-line solely – it could actually’t be performed offline, like Take a look at Drive Limitless 2. It’s unlucky, particularly contemplating how titles like The Crew find yourself delisted and utterly unplayable for long-time gamers. When chatting with Traxion and explaining the sport’s on-line options, recreation director Guillaume Guinet revealed that all the expertise is “designed to be on-line” and going offline would change that.
Nevertheless, the staff is contemplating what to do when help ends and discovering an answer when servers go offline. “We don’t need individuals to purchase the sport, and [then we] stop, and it’s over for them. We don’t count on to close down the service for now. However we’re already engaged on it. We’ve our answer for now, however perhaps individuals may have an thought about it, and we’ll take a look at these. I believe it’s one thing [we can] create with the neighborhood.”
Seasons vs. DLC
Take a look at Drive Limitless 2 launched at a time when reside service wasn’t actually a factor and, as such, provided one paid DLC (which turned unavailable after servers went offline, satirically sufficient). By comparability, Photo voltaic Crown will take a seasonal method. Rankings are seemingly reset every season, with gamers grinding to succeed in the Photo voltaic Courtroom once more.
