Season 3 of Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown has some great updates, but if you're after a real offline experience, it's not all good news.
The new Solo Mode lets you race against AI without waiting around in multiplayer lobbies, but you still need an internet connection, so it's still online-dependent.
When Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown was initially announced, most people expected it to carry on the legacy of its predecessors, featuring both multiplayer and offline single-player modes.
However, it quickly became obvious that the game is built for constant online play, meaning even the solo modes need to connect to Nacon's servers.
The community has been divided on this issue, particularly following the shutdown of other online-only racing games like The Crew, which left them unplayable.
Players worried about the long-term accessibility of Solar Crown have been vocal about their frustrations, as they don't want another game to be lost when the servers eventually go offline. Now, in Season 3: Solo Mode, where you race solo and face off against AI instead of waiting for matchmaking.
There's also an option to choose how hard you want it, so you can make it as challenging as you like. Players can also pause and restart events now, something a lot of players have been asking for.
However, even though it's supposed to be a "solo" experience, you still need to be online for this mode. As long as the game requires an internet connection, if the servers go down or Nacon shuts them down, you're stuck without a way to play.
The creators of the game KT Racing have defended their decision to make Solar Crown an online-only title in the past. According to them, the game is built as an MMO, and they want to maintain an interconnected world where players can seamlessly interact, even if they're primarily playing alone. They've also highlighted the game's reliance on cloud-based save verification, which ties progression to Nacon accounts.
This might be what they envisioned for a shared online experience, but it's not going over well with players who wanted more options. The ability to play a racing game without constantly being connected to the internet is something fans of classic Test Drive Unlimited titles have long valued. Even with the backlash over Solo Mode's online requirement, Season 3 still delivers some exciting additions, such as:
- Navigation Races – A new mode where players set a destination and race against the clock.
- Delivery Missions – The return of classic TDU-style car delivery challenges.
- New Cars – The Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, Aston Martin Valour, and DeLorean DMC-12 join the roster.
- Solar Pass Expansion – The seasonal reward system now features 50 levels instead of 25.
- Customizable License Plates – Players can now add personal touches to their vehicles.
The updates aim to make the game more enjoyable, especially if you prefer playing solo in a more organized way. But they don't really solve the issue of depending on online play.
We're not sure if KT Racing will change its mind about offline play, but for now, anyone hoping for that classic Test Drive Unlimited experience without being online will need to look elsewhere.