Test Drive Unlimited review - ColourShed

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Test Drive Unlimited review
Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360, PC
Release Year: 2006
Developer: Eden Games
Publisher: Atari SA
Genre: Open-world Racer

► Music (in order):
"Slow Burn" by Corbyn Kites
"Rent Theme"
"Buy Car Theme"
"Map Theme"
"Race Theme"
"Clothes Theme"
"House Theme"
"Garage Theme"
"Ravines" by ELPHNT
"Beside Me" by Patrick Patrikios
"Finish Theme"

Test Drive Unlimited soundtrack composed by Gavin Parker

► Gameplay, audio, and images from:
Activision
Atari SA
Bungie
Eden Games
EA Black Box
Electronic Arts
Luxoflux
Nacon
Naughty Dog
Playground Games
Rockstar Games
Rockstar North
Rockstar San Diego
Sony Interactive Entertainment
Turn 10 Studios
Xbox Game Studios

► YouTube videos used:
"Amiga Longplay Test Drive" by World of Longplays (played by Eino)

"PC Longplay [589] Test Drive 2002 (part 1 of 2)" by World of Longplays (played by mihaibest)

"PSX Longplay [125] Test Drive 5" by World of Longplays (played by ScHIAuChi)

"PSX Longplay [579] Test Drive Off-Road" by World of Longplays (played by Mad-Matt)

"Test Drive Le Mans Gameplay Sega Dreamcast" by undertaker1078

"Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown - Head to Head" by Nacon

[TommyCrosby]

That game was really something else, just driving across Hawaii, buying cars and houses and more driving... It felt like a vacation.

[BeesonsCars]

This game absolutely blew my mind as a child back on my PS2 in 2006, still one of the best open world arcades imo.

[wthwasthat]

This was the first game I ever completed 100% on the Xbox 360. It was hell because one of trophies was to drive on every road on the island and anyone that's played the game knows how massive it is. Took me days to complete but I loved it. Had so many music cds burned to the 360 and would play this game all night during summer holidays with headphones on and occasionally when driving along the mountain routes I'd see an amazing view of the island in the distance that made me stop and take it in. It'll always hold a special place in my heart.

[Zamppa]

I just hope Solar Crown will be as good as Unlimited was...

[carusGG]

To me, this game will remain one of the top 10 racing games ever made. I especially like the scale of it. Even new Forza games don't give you the sheer scale of an open map as this does. Really, what a tremendous game.

[simla]

I remeber playing this as a kid and being absolutely blown away by its size, costumization and especially the dealerships - it was like a dream come true for little me, to just roam around all sorts of dealerships and choosing my dream cars.

[Edwardi]

Test Drive Unlimited is still one of my favorite games, I was in O‘ahu with my family a few years ago, and driving around, I was constantly thinking about how insane driving that Island in under a hour would be in real life. I really want them to remake this game in a more modern engine, It would look incredible because Oahu looks incredible.

[MiguelRPD]

This game was amazing on the psp and I was always shocked how they were able to fit all of it on it.

[nouryy]

I played this game to death on my PS2. I managed to get a copy on PC a few years later and it blew my mind. The graphics were much better, more cars, more features. It was like playing the game for the first time again. This and Midnight Club 3 DE Remix were, in my opinion, the best racing games of the 2000s.
Juiced 2 and Underground 2 were also great.

[alexanderwhite]

I have a specific memory of this game, that being when I was flying in a Ferrari I had just bought on one of the freeways. There were two dudes driving side by side at a somewhat normal speed going the same way as me. As I got closer I started to hear them chatting over the mic about their days and as I flew by one of them said "hey there goes a guy in a Ferrari"

I said "hey guys" and we chatted for a minute then I went about where I was headed. It felt so cool and natural. I loved this game.

[tommo]

I'm surprised you didn't mention anything about the PC modding community, those guys have done some INSANE work expanding this game! Looking forward to your TDU2 review :3

[mitch_sugardad]

It doesn't even looks that much worse than The Crew 2. And it's way more fleshed out, this game was ahead of its time.

[elitef]

I would be glad to see a Juiced review soon

[jeffrey-f]

my favorite game ever...felt different than other games, it felt like a lifestyle with all the cars, clothes, house shopping

[bobthebuilder]

First Kacey reviews TDU, now Colourshed? I’m glad it’s getting the respect it deserves!

EDIT: (6:28) Speaking of fan-made mods, Platinum’s a good mod if you’re interested in playing TDU on the PC!

[NashBen]

I loved this game. On PC with a wheel, fully manual 6 gear H-shifter and pedals with a clutch it was a whole new experience. Burnouts, donuts, drifting.. I was in my own world. No Forza Horizon could achieve what TDU did. Great times!

[danielt]

The thing I remember most about this game is how much I LOVE how each car has a bespoke HUD RPM tachometer.

[deaj]

The map is so fantastic, I remember a particular highway in the East I found in a club race, always loved the scenery but never found it in free roam. The map really is pretty massive. Some of the house have such fantastic roads to drive on, one house on the tallest northwestern mountain has like an 8 or 10 mile awesome swervy road that's awesome going down.

[Quandtimus]

This was my first test drive game, and as someone that lived on Oahu at that time, it was cool to see the island re-created video game format. I was so impressed and love playing this game

[theghostfacethriller]

This is one of the best games of all time. And TDU2.