Test Drive Unlimited Oahu vs Real Life Oahu

The accuracy of the topographical features in test drive unlimited is second to none. It’s far better and more detailed than it’s closest equivalent-Google earth. When you compare a real map of Oahu to that of test drive unlimited, you will see straight away. Then when you compare it to it’s real counterpart you will be very impressed at how close it is.

If you’ve ever watched Lost you will recognize a lot of the land features and areas of the mountain ranges. Lost was filmed on the north coast of Oahu. In Test Drive Unlimited you can see these mountain ranges all along the massive straight road going down the north side of the island. A lot of the beaches look very familiar and similar to the Lost ones as well. The biggest difference being the long straight road in Test Drive is a dust gravel road in real life.

All the buildings in Oahu city are apparently spot on to how they are in real life. Every building in Honolulu City centre is in Test Drive Unlimited. The biggest difference being a lot of them in TDU are lacking proper advertisements and company logos, which is understandable and not really an issue. Imagine trying to get the rights and permissions of every business and company based in Honolulu city. It would take ages, maybe years and it’s just not worth the effort.

While close up and cruising round Oahu, you never really get a chance to appreciate the accuracy. There’s photos around the internet comparing TDU scenery to real Oahu, It really is identical. The biggest difference being, you can tell it’s a game, but one with beautiful rendered graphics at that.

The most accurate piece of rendering though defiantly goes to Honolulu international airport. You can see the runways, terminals and aircraft hangars all there just as they should be. Just outside the airport Is the race track, and from videos I’ve seen, that’s probably one of the most true to life renditions of any racetrack. And going by everything else, maybe the most accurate race track ever in a racing game?… I’d defiantly say it’s a strong contender.