Test Drive Unlimited isn't just about driving; it is about crafting a fantasy lifestyle around a huge set of amazing vehicles. Our time with the game began in a swanky mansion, complete with an outdoor pool, a huge garage, and a character designed to our specifications. The game was displayed in wide screen in 720p, and the resolution was noticeably sharper than what we are used to. Everything from the foliage, to the water, and the textures on the house contained a level of realism that screamed next-gen. The create-a-character includes a huge assortment of accessories like sun glasses, jackets, and shoes, which can be purchased with winnings and can be updated over Xbox Live. The character posed in front of a large walk-in closet that stored the items. We then moved to another menu that had our avatar lounging on a couch in front of a wide screen television. Besides having a panoramic view of the ocean, he also had a host of gadgets at his fingertips.
From the living room players are able to travel to check their rankings, news about upcoming racer or tournaments, mail, go to a club, check their collection of cars and items, and travel to the garage. Mail includes all of the latest challenges and info sent from other Xbox Live players living in the Test Drive world. The club is a social setting where player avatars can hang out, meet other racers, and set up competitions. There is also an e-trade function for swapping items and cars with other players.
From the living room we entered the garage which contained some incredibly detailed car models. The developers weren't shy about taking the camera extremely close to the vehicles to show off just how much work had gone into each car. The interiors are fully realized and from the driver's seat players can observe everything from the speedometer down to a fine wood finish around the radio. After ogling the car model we took it outside for a joy ride. After leaving the garage, the developers zoomed out from the house to give us an idea of our location. They continued to zoom out, until the camera was elevated far above the earth and the entire island was in view. To give you an idea of just how impressive it was to see this take place in-engine, Oahu contains approximately 596 square miles with 112 miles of shoreline and a peak elevation of about 4000 feet.
So we know the game looks like a winner, but how does it handle? Driving around the island was distracting to say the least. The sites and sounds of the island were nearly as impressive as those of the cars we tested. The engine noise changed when we rolled down the windows, and there was an impressive hum when we hit a straight-away in a slightly more populated area. We know that every Xbox 360 game will have custom soundtracks, but Test Drive takes things a step further. The car radio actually streams MP3 web radio stations when playing over Xbox Live.
