The Crew: Motorfest wants to be the fast answer to Forza Horizon. It succeeds at speed and falls short on depth. This open-world racer trades complexity for pure adrenaline, and mostly delivers on the promise. The result is a solid but thin package that fans of arcade racing will enjoy, but anyone looking for a deep simulation will find themselves wanting more.
Trailer, via Ubisoft.
The Road Network
The Crew: Motorfest builds its world around a sprawling road network that spans multiple regions, each with its own distinct look and feel. The map is dense with shortcuts, jumps, and hidden routes, rewarding players who dare to leave the main road. That design is the game’s strongest feature.
Driving through these regions feels alive. The car physics respond quickly, and the handling stays tight even at top speed. Corners snap into place, and the game rarely stumbles when you push the limits. It’s a smooth ride, and that consistency is the backbone of everything else in the game. The roads themselves are varied enough to keep exploration fresh throughout, whether you’re cutting across open fields or threading through narrow mountain passes.
Vehicle Variety
The Crew: Motorfest offers a wide selection of vehicles, ranging from modest family cars to high-end sports models. Each class handles differently, and the variety keeps the races interesting. The progression system lets players unlock new rides as they win events, giving the game a sense of forward momentum.
The tuning options are basic. Players can tweak suspension, brakes, and aerodynamics, but the choices are limited compared to other racers in the genre. That simplicity keeps things moving, but it also means there isn’t much room for personalization beyond cosmetic changes. Still, the base handling differences between classes are enough to give each race a distinct feel, and the unlocking system provides a steady stream of new content to chase.
Race Types
The Crew: Motorfest features a mix of events, including street races, drift challenges, and timed runs. The street races are the highlight, letting players choose their own paths and engage in aggressive driving. The game encourages aggression over precision, and that energy carries over into the final standings.
The drift events are fun but shallow. They reward style over substance, which works for the arcade crowd but might frustrate those who want a deeper focus on technique. The timed runs offer a break from the chaos, giving players a chance to settle down and focus on pace. Together, the three event types give the game a good spread of different ways to compete, even if not all of them are equally deep.
Multiplayer Mode
Online multiplayer is where The Crew: Motorfest shines brightest. The game supports large matches with dozens of players competing in real-time, creating a chaotic and exciting experience. The matchmaking system works well, and the servers stayed stable during testing.
Racing against other human drivers adds a layer of unpredictability that AI opponents can’t replicate. The online mode is the reason to keep coming back, even when the solo content starts to feel thin. The large match size is particularly impressive, since it manages to keep the action flowing smoothly even with so many players on screen at once.
Presentation
The graphics are competent but unremarkable. The environments look decent, and the car models are detailed enough to read from a distance. The sound design is strong, with engines roaring and tires squealing in a satisfying way.
The presentation doesn’t try to dazzle. It simply gets out of the way so the racing can be the star. That approach works, but it also means The Crew: Motorfest won’t stand out on a shelf full of other racers. The sound design is the standout element here, with engine noises and tire sounds that make every turn feel weighty.
Weak Points
The Crew: Motorfest is not a long game. The main campaign is brief, and the side activities don’t add much replay value. The lack of a proper career mode is a notable absence, leaving players with little reason to return once the initial excitement wears off.
The difficulty curve is uneven. Some races are brutally hard, while others feel like a stroll. This inconsistency can be frustrating, especially when a difficult race is sandwiched between two easy ones. The game doesn’t always warn players about what they’re getting into, so a punishing run can come out of nowhere.
The car lineup is also limited in terms of sheer numbers. There aren’t as many vehicles as some competitors offer, which could disappoint collectors who want a vast roster to explore. That said, the vehicles that are included handle distinctly enough to keep each race interesting.
What Works Well
- The road network is dense and rewarding to explore
- Handling is quick and consistent
- Street races encourage creative driving
- Large online matches are chaotic and fun
- Sound design is satisfying
Final Verdict
The Crew: Motorfest succeeds at what it sets out to do. It delivers fast, accessible racing with a strong online component. The handling is excellent, and the road network is a joy to explore. But the game falls short in depth, with a limited car lineup, uneven difficulty, and a brief campaign.
For casual players, this is a solid purchase. For hardcore sim racers, there are better options available. The Crew: Motorfest is best enjoyed in short bursts, either alone or with friends online.
The game scores a 7.8 out of 10.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.
