
What players like:
Common complaints:
Gameplay feedback:
Performance notes:
Recommendations:
Other player notes:
Review evidence
Stunning graphics, improved physics, immersive: The game boasts impressive graphics, a vibrant open world, and improved physics, offering a visually stunning and immersive experience. It features a vast selection of vehicles with extensive customization options, enhanced handling, and realistic sound design, making it a strong competitor to Forza Horizon.
Extensive vehicle and visual customization: The game provides a wide array of vehicles, from cars to boats and planes, with extensive performance and visual customization options. Players can fine-tune their vehicles and express their personal style, enhancing the overall experience.
Realistic and detailed engine sounds: The game features realistic and detailed engine sounds, enhancing the driving experience and immersing players in the automotive world. The sound design is considered a high point, with dynamic audio that responds to the environment and vehicle performance.
Balanced, fun, and responsive handling: The game offers a balanced driving experience, blending arcade-style fun with realistic physics, making it accessible to both casual and hardcore racing fans. The handling is responsive and satisfying, with improved controls and a sense of weight that enhances the overall feel.
Import car collection from TC2: The game allows players to import their car collection from The Crew 2, providing a sense of continuity and rewarding long-term players. This feature eliminates the need to repurchase vehicles and allows players to start with a variety of cars.
Overpriced with excessive monetization: The game is considered overpriced for the content it offers, especially considering the presence of microtransactions and the grind required to earn in-game currency. Cars and upgrades are expensive, potentially pushing players towards spending real money. This point is important due to its impact on value and player perception.
Frequent crashes and instability: The game suffers from frequent crashes, freezes, and stability issues, often related to Ubisoft's servers or the game's optimization. These technical problems can make the game unplayable and disrupt the overall experience. This point is highly important due to its impact on basic functionality.
Ubisoft Connect integration problematic: Ubisoft Connect integration causes numerous issues, including the overlay freezing, notifications getting stuck, and general unreliability. These problems disrupt gameplay and require workarounds or game restarts. This point is important due to the frequency and severity of the issues.
Fails to meet expectations: Many reviewers feel the game doesn't live up to previous entries in the series or other racing games like Forza Horizon. They cite issues like a smaller map, fewer activities, and a lack of innovation. This point is important because it reflects a decline in quality compared to established benchmarks.
Forced loaner cars limit progression: The game forces players to use loaner cars in many events, limiting the use of owned or upgraded vehicles. This diminishes the value of car progression and customization, making the game feel grindy and unrewarding. This point is important due to its impact on player agency and progression.
Thematic playlists offer varied content: The game utilizes a 'playlist' system, grouping races and activities around themes like car culture, brands, or vehicle types. These playlists offer diverse experiences, from themed races to unique challenges, and often feature borrowed cars, impacting car progression. This system is a core element of the game's structure and content delivery.
Diverse vehicle selection and switching: The game features a wide array of vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, boats, and planes, offering diverse driving and racing styles. Players can seamlessly switch between them in certain modes. However, some reviewers feel that boats and planes are underutilized.
Customization with limited impact: The game offers extensive car customization, but its impact on performance is debated. Some find the customization robust, while others feel it's limited or that the constant switching of vehicles diminishes its value. The game also lacks a strong storyline.
Varied online multiplayer modes: The game features online multiplayer modes, including Grand Race and Demolition Royale. While some reviewers enjoy the variety and skill-testing aspects, others find the online experience challenging due to skilled players and a lack of matchmaking.
Easy to learn, hard to master: The game is generally considered easy to learn but difficult to master, with adjustable difficulty settings. The arcade-style gameplay is intentional and allows for enjoyable, casual play. The game's duration is estimated to be between 20 and 50 hours.
60 FPS cap, performance varies: The game is locked at 60 FPS, which some reviewers find disappointing, especially on PC. Some players report the game runs smoothly at this frame rate, while others experience frame drops and stuttering. Some reviewers also note that the game has higher performance requirements than Forza Horizon.
Ubisoft overlay issues: The Ubisoft Connect overlay can cause issues, such as getting stuck or displaying incorrect frame rates. Additionally, achievements and notifications from the overlay can persist on screen.
Generally good, but inconsistent graphics: Many reviewers praise the game's graphics, highlighting the improved visuals compared to previous installments and the beautiful depiction of Hawaii. However, some find the graphics to be only average or note that they are not as realistic as other racing games.
Lacks DLSS/FSR support: The game does not support DLSS or FSR, which are upscaling technologies that can improve performance and image quality. There is also no option to disable TAA or use VSR for upscaling to improve anti-aliasing.
Convoy and network issues: The game only supports up to 4 players per convoy, with a maximum of 8 players total (2 convoys). Additionally, there are occasional warping issues and problems with joining friends' convoys due to network issues.
Good open-world arcade racer: The game is a solid open-world arcade racer with a beautiful Hawaiian setting, diverse events, and a massive vehicle selection. Many reviewers compare it favorably to Forza Horizon, citing its unique elements and enjoyable exploration, while others find it a decent alternative.
Buy on sale for best value: Many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale before purchasing the game, as the full price is considered too high. The game is still considered worthwhile at a discounted price, especially for those interested in the genre.
Good Forza Horizon alternative: Some reviewers find the game more enjoyable than Forza Horizon, while others consider it a good alternative. The choice depends on whether you prefer realistic handling (Forza) or a more casual experience (The Crew).
Great for racing/car enthusiasts: The game is recommended for fans of racing, motorsports, and cars, especially those who enjoy arcade-style gameplay and open-world exploration. It's considered a must-buy for racing fans due to its variety of racing types and engaging experience.
Overall positive and recommended: Many reviewers express overall satisfaction with the game, with some giving it high scores and recommending it to others. They find the game engaging and enjoyable, making it a worthwhile experience.
Game size is workable: Reviewers have differing opinions on the game's size, with some finding it manageable and others considering it short. The game's file size is generally smaller than Forza Horizon 5, around 50-60 GB. The demo size is around 46GB.
Receives regular content updates: The game receives regular updates, including a free map expansion and offline mode planned for future release. The game is described as a service-oriented title with substantial seasonal updates. However, some reviewers question the desirability of all new content.
Lighting can cause eye strain: The game's lighting and colors are visually appealing but can cause eye strain during extended play sessions. Players may need to adjust settings to optimize their experience. The reviewer played the game at 1440p resolution with maximum settings.
Negative sentiment towards Ubisoft: Some reviewers express negativity towards Ubisoft as the developer. This sentiment appears to stem from concerns about microtransactions and player retention strategies. This point shows signs of review bombing.
Requires constant online connection: The game requires a constant online connection, and online play is rated as just 'okay'. This could be a drawback for players who prefer offline gaming or have unreliable internet access.