The Crew 2
- May 31, 2018
- Ivory Tower
- 23h median play time
The Crew 2 is an ambitious game, yet an inconsistent one. It has many flaws that can't be ignored, but at the end of the day, it still manages to provide an undeniably enjoyable experience.
"The Crew 2 Special Edition offers the Digital Special Pack, including the Dodge Challenger SRT Demon Interception Unit and Porsche 911 Speedster. Explore a vast open-world USA with access to Free Content updates, new vehicles, events, and game modes every two months. Compete in various motorsports disciplines with up to seven friends online."
Reviews
- graphics2,191 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics in "The Crew 2" receive mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals and detailed vehicle models, particularly in dynamic weather conditions. However, numerous criticisms highlight issues such as outdated textures, inconsistent quality across different environments, and a general lack of polish compared to competitors like Forza Horizon. While some players find the graphics enjoyable, others feel they fall short of modern standards, especially given the game's 2018 release.
“The graphics are stunning, with beautifully rendered environments.”
“The massive open-world map of the USA, packed with stunning visuals and diverse terrains, added a unique touch to every race.”
“The graphics are amazing, the gameplay is very fun with balanced progression.”
“The graphics look like something from the PS2 era.”
“There are literally 2010 racing games with better graphics and better performance.”
“The graphics are downright horrible, when a character talks it's like their mouth is closed and the outside is being pulled around.”
- story1,329 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story in "The Crew 2" is widely criticized for its lack of depth and coherence, with many players noting that it feels almost non-existent compared to its predecessor. While the game attempts to provide a narrative centered around gaining social media followers and racing for fame, this is often seen as shallow and unengaging, leading to a focus on gameplay rather than storytelling. Overall, players express disappointment in the minimalistic and repetitive nature of the story, which detracts from the overall experience of the game.
“While its grind-heavy progression and simple storyline may not appeal to everyone, the sheer scope of exploration and vehicle options make it a must-try for fans of open-world racing games.”
“The crew 2 is a very entertaining racing game that will certainly give hours of enjoyment (as long as you don’t care about story line and such).”
“The story is typical of Ubisoft, with a focus on being 'follower famous' which is a good portrayal of 2018.”
“The absence of a proper story-driven campaign might leave some players wanting more narrative depth.”
“The story is non-existent; it's the same festival-like game as Forza, just much worse.”
“The storyline is so shallow, as expected.”
- gameplay1,268 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "The Crew 2" is characterized by a mix of racing styles across various vehicles, including cars, boats, and planes, which adds diversity and excitement to the experience. However, many players find the driving mechanics to be simplistic and lacking depth, leading to repetitive gameplay that can become tedious over time. While the game offers a vast open world and visually appealing graphics, the overall execution of gameplay mechanics, including handling and AI behavior, has received significant criticism, making it a polarizing experience for players.
“The gameplay is really good, has a vast variety of vehicles and great mechanics and good races.”
“Whether you're exploring urban landscapes, scenic rural roads, or navigating waterways, the game offers an exciting blend of casual fun and strategic gameplay.”
“The mechanics in the game are amazing, every turn is smooth and satisfying.”
“The gameplay can feel repetitive and uninspiring if you don’t enjoy playing solo.”
“With repetitive gameplay, technical issues, and a lack of depth, it’s hard to recommend this title, especially when there are better options available in the racing genre.”
“This game feels like sh*t, I hate the driving mechanics.”
- grinding583 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 16 % neutral mentions
- 84 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of "The Crew 2" is frequently described as excessive and tedious, with many players noting that it requires significant time investment to earn money and unlock vehicles or parts. While some find enjoyment in the grind, especially when playing with friends, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, leading to repetitive gameplay and frustration. Overall, the game is characterized as fun but heavily reliant on grinding, which may not appeal to everyone.
“It's a casual game that's not very grindy but enough to feel rewarding.”
“Not too grindy and a surprisingly active community for a game that was released in 2018.”
“Grind is fun and not very tedious.”
“The grind is repetitive and tedious, and because of the way parts are awarded to upgrade your car, you are forced to go through the tedious grind for a long time.”
“Now to get a single set for a singular discipline you'll have to spend 3-8 hours farming the same type of races on the highest difficulty over and over, you're not guaranteed gold pieces, and you could be stuck for hours farming for the last piece you need.”
“The grinding is truly too scummy, and the grind isn't even fun.”
- optimization397 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting frequent stuttering, crashes, and poor performance even on high-end systems. Despite some users experiencing smooth gameplay at lower settings, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, often capped at 60fps, and struggles with graphical fidelity compared to other titles in the genre. Many reviews highlight the frustrating performance issues as a significant detractor from the overall gaming experience.
“The development system is based on earning in-game currency for races, events, and challenges, which is then used to purchase and upgrade vehicles, a structure that encourages players to carefully plan their development path, balancing the purchase of new vehicles with the optimization of existing ones to achieve maximum performance.”
“Game is really well optimized and looks good!”
“Great game, but bad performance.”
“I cannot begin to explain how unbelievably infuriating it is to try to play this game. It used to run fine on my PC, and now I can't drive 5 feet without it stuttering, freezing, and making my car crash.”
“Very, very poorly optimized.”
“The game has no coherent story; the performance (at least that of the Steam version) is abysmal.”
- music347 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in "The Crew 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players criticizing the soundtrack for its lack of variety and overall quality, often describing it as forgettable or annoying. While some appreciate the inclusion of certain tracks and genres, the consensus leans towards disappointment, with many suggesting players would be better off listening to their own music instead. Overall, the soundtrack fails to enhance the racing experience, making it a weak point in the game.
“The soundtrack features a diverse mix of genres, enhancing the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of the races.”
“The music is absolutely terrific, it's so hype that you can't stop playing the game.”
“Driving around and listening to music is fun.”
“The soundtrack is unfortunately a weak point.”
“Music lacks variety, especially compared to competitors that feature more suitable tracks for driving.”
“The music is terrible.”
- stability211 mentions
- 4 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 96 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and stability issues, including frequent crashes, graphical glitches, and unresponsive controls, particularly when using steering wheels. Many players report that the game freezes during gameplay or when switching between windows, leading to a frustrating experience. Despite some enjoyment of the gameplay itself, the overall consensus is that the game's stability is severely lacking, making it difficult to recommend.
“It's been a bug-free experience for me with a 3070 and an i5.”
“The game runs great, tons of events, normal grind, doesn't need a supercomputer to run this game on max settings and has the largest map ever in any racing game.”
“The Crew 2 runs great on my machine at a solid 60fps.”
“Actually, the client or game itself, I don't know, it's so buggy and the response in the steering wheel is terrible. I just alt-tab and it crashes. This is maybe the worst racing game I've played.”
“Additionally, I experienced several bugs and glitches that detracted from the overall enjoyment, including crashes and performance drops.”
“The game freezes every 2 seconds for no reason, steering wheel compatibility sucks, and constantly causes the wheel to get stuck jiggling due to the poor force feedback implementation.”
- monetization141 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 72 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The monetization model in this game has been widely criticized for being overly aggressive and predatory, with many players feeling that it prioritizes microtransactions over gameplay enjoyment. The in-game economy is described as grind-heavy, pushing players towards purchasing premium currency and season passes to unlock content more quickly, which detracts from the overall experience. While some players acknowledge that certain items can be earned through gameplay, the pervasive presence of microtransactions and the feeling of being constantly solicited for additional purchases have left a negative impression on the community.
“The in-game economy is grind-heavy, pushing some players towards microtransactions to unlock certain upgrades or vehicles faster.”
“Despite in-game purchases being a thing, the progression and currency system is fair and I haven't yet felt the need to spend real dollars (nor do I foresee ever doing).”
“There are microtransactions, but most of the stuff can be earned in-game.”
“The worst part is, this game pushes microtransactions like they’re doing you a favor.”
“But the worst thing about this game, as always, is the monetization—predatory and at the expense of the game’s enjoyability.”
“Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this game because more than a game it feels like a cash grab.”
- humor128 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is often described as unintentional and derived from its quirky physics, absurd vehicle handling, and amusing glitches, leading to a mix of laughter and frustration among players. Many find the game enjoyable when played with friends, as the chaotic nature of the gameplay creates funny moments, despite some critiques about the overall polish and design. While some players appreciate the humor, others feel it falls flat, indicating a varied reception of the comedic elements.
“Not sure that was part of the plan, but hey, it was hilarious.”
“The way the cars handle like they're skidding on black ice all the time is hilarious.”
“Funny car game, my friend drove off of a building and it was funny.”
“The driving experience is marginal, graphics are way too basic, and it's not funny.”
“Please add quality of life improvements; this game needs it so badly it's not funny.”
“Here, the characters are bland as hell, the jokes are not funny, and in the end, you just want to start the damn race.”
- replayability70 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally praised, with many players highlighting its extensive variety of events, vehicle customization, and multiplayer options that enhance social interaction. While some reviews note a lack of replay value after completing the main campaign or express concerns about certain gameplay mechanics, the overall consensus is that the game offers high replayability, especially when played with friends. Regular updates and a diverse range of activities contribute to its enduring appeal.
“The game’s high replayability is ensured by the variety of events, vehicle customization, and ongoing challenges.”
“With numerous events, races, and challenges, the game offers high replayability, keeping players engaged for extended periods.”
“Whether you're teaming up with friends for co-op challenges or competing against players from around the world in intense races, the seamless integration of multiplayer into the open world adds endless replayability.”
“A game with 0 replayability because your save file is tied to your account with no options of resetting the progress.”
“The game has little replayability once you finish the king of the streets 'campaign'.”
“The replay value is somewhat dull, also.”
- atmosphere33 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the lively environments and diverse soundtracks that enhance the racing experience, while others criticize the graphics and art style as unfinished and lacking depth. Many feel that the game fails to capture the unique atmospheres of its predecessor, resulting in a sterile and impersonal feel. Overall, while there are moments of beauty and dynamic weather effects, the game's atmosphere is often described as inconsistent and underwhelming compared to other titles in the genre.
“The stunning graphics, dynamic weather changes, and beautiful day-night cycles create a lifelike atmosphere.”
“The soundtrack features a diverse mix of genres, enhancing the adrenaline-fueled atmosphere of the races.”
“Very fun game with a beautiful atmosphere!”
“The art style and graphics felt so unfinished and soulless; the lighting is sometimes beautiful but most of the time it looks terrible, especially at night and dawn. The Crew 2 has a festival theme while the original has a gritty atmosphere, but that being said, The Crew 2 felt so depressing because of the art style. Even The Crew 1: Wild Run was better. The textures are just awful.”
“Game atmosphere feels sterile, like it's aimed at dudebros by people who never met one.”
“The game seems to lack atmosphere, which reduces it to a model of an environment rather than the real thing.”
- emotional23 mentions
- 87 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The emotional responses to the game are mixed; while some players feel a strong attachment to their vehicles and enjoy the immersive moments created by the music, others find the storyline and quests lacking, leading to disappointment and frustration. Many express a sense of nostalgia and personal connection, particularly as the game holds sentimental value for some, but overall, the lack of narrative depth and engaging gameplay leaves a negative impression for others.
“At times, you find yourself emotionally attached, stuck in a moment with your favorite car and heart-touching music, feeling as if you're truly there.”
“No other game has made me feel I was becoming the king of the street like that game did.”
“This game is very special to me because this is the first game I bought after joining Steam and I also played it at my many bad times and it made me feel good.”
“You have a boring story and boring quests (aka races and challenges). You unlock vehicles after grinding, and that's it.”
“Everything is garnished with a boring storyline, about which there is not much to write, because this is a racing game and it is not very important.”
“In conclusion, The Crew 2 is much more enjoyable to play with friends despite the boring storylines and racing activities.”
- character development4 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is largely criticized, with many reviewers noting its minimal presence and lack of depth. Players express disappointment in the absence of engaging storylines and character design, suggesting that the focus on open-world elements detracts from character growth. Additionally, the game's character customization options seem limited, leaving some players feeling unfulfilled.
“Lastly, the story and character development are almost nonexistent.”
“Really bad gameplay, no character development. I can understand they wanted a big open world environment, but I don't know how the foliage can be the same in NJ and in CA. Really bad driving mechanics and vehicle specifications and sound!”
“Tc2 isn't that heavy on character design, so just keep that in mind when you choose your default character.”
Critic Reviews
The Crew 2 Review
While it certainly improves upon the original in many ways, The Crew 2 is a step backwards overall. Its rubberband AI is some of the worst in recent memory and its version of America feels empty, not at all like Forza Horizon, the game it really wants to be.
50%The Crew 2 Review – Unrealized Ambition
The Crew 2 is an ambitious game, yet an inconsistent one. It has many flaws that can't be ignored, but at the end of the day, it still manages to provide an undeniably enjoyable experience.
70%The Crew 2 Review
The Crew 2 is big, confident, and stuffed with arcade racing action but it's an uneven and unfinished package.
70%