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The Crew franchise, developed by Ubisoft Ivory Tower, has taken an interesting evolutionary path. While the first installment focused on illegal street racing culture, reminiscent of Need for Speed, the second game shifted towards a global motorsport festival format akin to Forza Horizon. The Crew Motorfest continues this festival theme, transporting players to the stunning island of Oahu, Hawaii.

Racing Refined

The Crew Motorfest utilizes a “Playlist” system to deliver a diverse range of themed racing events. The “Made in Japan” Playlist, for instance, lets players get behind the wheel of iconic Japanese cars like the Acura NSX and Nissan Skyline GT-R R34. Meanwhile, the “911 Legacy” Playlist celebrates the history of Porsche. Beyond street racing, Motorfest also offers more professional motorsport disciplines, including Formula 1 and WRC rally racing.

Racing in The Crew Motorfest

For those who prefer a less competitive experience, the game features “themed” Playlists hosted by automotive personalities and YouTube channels like Donut Media and Supercar Blondie. Similar to other racing games, Motorfest provides customizable driving assists like traction control, ABS, and drift assist, allowing players to fine-tune the handling from simcade to full arcade.

Boats and motorcycles in The Crew Motorfest

Motorfest isn’t just about cars. Players can also race boats, motorcycles, and even planes. Skimming across the waves in a powerboat or leaning into corners on a motorcycle adds exciting variety to the gameplay. Flying offers breathtaking aerial views of Oahu and a quick way to travel between events. Whether racing on four wheels, two wheels, water, or in the air, Motorfest effectively conveys the speed and power of each vehicle through motion blur, subtle screen shake, and realistic engine sounds.

With over 600 vehicles to choose from, Motorfest offers a vast and diverse racing experience. Customization options allow for extensive visual modifications, letting players personalize their rides. Performance tuning, while based on a somewhat random RPG-like stat system, isn’t overly intrusive.

Car customization in The Crew Motorfest

Hawaiian Paradise

Oahu is arguably one of the most visually stunning locations ever featured in a racing game. The volcanic landscape provides a picturesque backdrop for every race. Exploring the lush forests, pristine beaches, and imposing volcanoes creates a relaxing and immersive experience. Ivory Tower has expertly implemented lighting effects, delivering high-quality reflections and shadows that bring the sun-drenched scenery to life.

Oahu scenery in The Crew Motorfest

Even at night, Oahu retains its beauty, illuminated by vibrant neon lights. It’s easy to see why players might spend a significant amount of time simply cruising around the island, admiring the scenery and taking photos.

Frustrating Design Choices

Despite the impressive gameplay and visuals, Motorfest suffers from some questionable design decisions. The Playlist system, while offering variety, also introduces some frustration. After the initial tutorial, players choose their first car. However, when starting the first Playlist, the game forces players to use a vehicle provided by the event organizers. This issue persists in subsequent Playlists, leaving the player’s chosen car feeling somewhat pointless.

Choosing a car in The Crew Motorfest

To race with a personal vehicle, players must complete a Playlist, then revisit the races and select “Custom,” which allows for changes to weather, track challenges, and finally, the car used. This process isn’t explained in-game, leaving many players to search for answers online.

Custom race settings in The Crew Motorfest

Another annoyance is the excessive and often poorly timed dialogue. During races, opponents frequently chat, providing information about their cars or the surrounding environment. While this can be interesting, it’s highly distracting, especially during high-speed maneuvers.

Racing in The Crew Motorfest

Conclusion

The Crew Motorfest delivers a stunning open-world racing experience in beautiful Oahu, with a diverse selection of vehicles and racing disciplines. However, frustrating design choices related to the Playlist system and distracting in-race dialogue detract from the overall experience. Despite these flaws, Motorfest’s engaging gameplay and breathtaking visuals make it a worthwhile experience for racing fans.