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Test Drive Unlimited 2 Announced – First Previews

Posted on March 4th, 2010 in Console, Other Sim Racing – 15 Comments

Atari has announced the newest title of their Test Drive franchise as Test Drive Unlimited 2 will be coming to the Xbox 360, the Playstation 3 and the PC this fall.

Developed by Eden Games, the second installment of Test Drive Unlimited will once again give players a variety of sports cars and luxury automobiles to drive on a massive, fully modelled, island.

New features in TDU 2 include vehicle damage, day & night circles and weather. While the first TDU enabled players to explore the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, the new title will feature a brand-new island for the players to drive on. Even though Atari hasn’t revealed the location yet, rumors suggest that TDU 2 will be based on the Spanish island of Ibiza in the Mediterranean Sea.

Below are first previews of the new title, showing the Gumpert Apollo, a Dodge Viper and a Mercedes Coupe at sunset. Even though Test Drive Unlimited does not qualify as a simulation, the title brings something unique to the table of racing games as none other title features such a big, freely driveable world to explore instead of relying on fixed circuits for racing.


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  • Gaiajohan

    Great stuff. But I wonder, how much will they lose because GT5 will (should) be released in autumn as well?

    I’ll get it for sure, and GT5 as well but still. I’m note sure whether it’s the right moment to bring out a game at that moment. Turn10 made the same mistake with Forza3. Released it at the same moment of MW2..

  • DeadStar

    Gaiajohan: Great stuff. But I wonder, how much will they lose because GT5 will (should) be released in autumn as well?I’ll get it for sure, and GT5 as well but still. I’m note sure whether it’s the right moment to bring out a game at that moment. Turn10 made the same mistake with Forza3. Released it at the same moment of MW2..

    You are forgetting that GT5 is only on PS3 and TDU2 is multiplatform so people with a PC or Xbox 360 will not be missing out on GT5 thanks to TDU 2 which I will get on PC definitely while I will be buying a cheap PS3 for GT5 when I will have finished with TDU2 or atleast played a lot of it. :happy:

  • mikemav

    Hrm, hate to sound snobby, but the graphics look a little “flatter” than I’d have expected. Shift and Dirt2 look way better @ 1080p on a modern PC (at least from these shots.)

    Though it’s not all about graphics. While NFS Shift (modded) may end up being my personal nirvana (I’m leaning that way so far…), this new TDU graphically looks more like my sometimes fav sim, rFactor. Which is, on a good mod, graphically very serviceable, not breath-taking, but still overall a great sim IMHO.

    PS- Why can’t someone make a sim like NFS Shift graphics (w/ Sharper Tyres Mod handling/FFB, better AI mods, etc…) but more like rFactor w/ practice, qualifying, and race weekends? Better yet, the new Codemasters F1 game on PC coming soon- could it be all of the above? Hope so.

    Anyway, sorry to wander off topic. I enjoyed the first TDU as a rental on the console. Hopefully this one will be good for a buy!

  • f0xx

    Good news!

  • Skillcoil

    :eek: :eek: :eek: AT long last ! I’ve been waiting for this since it was rumored !! One of the best racing game besides FM3/GT5/PC sims !

  • Afterbirth

    TDU isn’t really about racing. Its a driving game – moreso then GT ever was and it excels at that. The fact theres a racing component anyway is nice but even Forza 3 could’t beat the feeling of driving around the island, being able to look around the car and just chilling with the window up or down. We all know its racing element won’t be as good as anything thats out there already. But for driving around and chilling, if theres any game matches the orignal NFS/Car and Driver blueprint its actually this.
    But don’t buy it sole for racing else your likely to be dissapointed.

    That said, the other thing it did do well was setting up areas of the island to race on – much like the Midnight Club series did. Theres something cool about using a sat view to plan a race for your freinds.

    I’m not too fussed about the graphics really – you can’t expect mindblowing graphics constantly when your’ve had to draw a massive island.
    I’m it’ll have standout moments.

  • ck1caribou

    Looking at the appolo screen, it seems that once again the road will be higher than the rest of the world around. I think it gives an unrealistic/arcadish feeling while driving on it.
    I hope I am wrong.

  • Gaiajohan

    ck1caribou: Looking at the appolo screen, it seems that once again the road will be higher than the rest of the world around.

    Erm, that is oftenly the case so the roads won’t be flooded when it’s raining. So I think it’s kinda realistic.

  • spacekiller

    Altough the first TDU wasn’t “simulator” it was quite fun. But I hope they will improve quality/smoothness of roads! That was really very annoying (I stopped playing it because of that). Due to the low poly terrain it was so bumpy, that every RWD car spinned in first corner uphill/downhill… Anyway, great news :wink:

  • Howie47

    Great long awaited for News. Will the world still be here? Will anyone have any money? IF yes I want to play!
    Some other, (unconfirmed) mouth watering elements.
    Oahu, will be back with more roads. Especially off road, dirt, mud, etc.
    Fuel usage.
    Off road vehicles and races.
    Better cops.
    The models can get pregnant, forcing you to sell your sports car for a van.
    Just kidding about the last.

  • Jos

    do want list:

    1. gt5
    2. rfactor2
    3. TDU2

  • N0body Of The Goat

    I never stuck with TDU long enough to open the “pro” mode which supposedly gave sim style driving…

    Is it possible to open this mode up with a cheat code?

  • hoboracer

    mikemav: Hrm, hate to sound snobby, but the graphics look a little “flatter” than I’d have expected. Shift and Dirt2 look way better @ 1080p on a modern PC (at least from these shots.)

    Those shots have watermarks in the bottom right corner that say xbox360.

  • max1492

    Glad this is coming out, but I’ll likely pass. I have TDU but it never pulled me in. To me, it all comes down to how well the cars feel/handle. The game doesn’t have to be a sim for me to enjoy it, but the control/feel has to be there. My guess is this one will have sub-par handling like TDU (and TOCA3, and GRID, and SHIFT, and…).

  • hoboracer

    max1492: The game doesn’t have to be a sim for me to enjoy it, but the control/feel has to be there.My guess is this one will have sub-par handling like TDU (and TOCA3, and GRID, and SHIFT, and…).

    If you seriously can’t acclimate yourself to any of those games, I’d say you have bigger issues. Racing on a PC you should know you have to get your wheel settings right. It’s not like a console where you just plug in and go. Even iRacings wheel tutorial requires additional adjustments after it’s done. The only reason you said you would likely pass on TDU2 is because you already know you can’t get your wheel setup right, and the game isn’t even out yet.

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