If we exclude Ubisoft’s canceled games like Ghost Recon: Frontline and Splinter Cell VR, as well as the postponed Skull and Bones, it’s clear that the French publisher still has some exciting surprises in store for the second half of the year! Of course, everyone is eagerly anticipating Assassin’s Creed Mirage, set to release on October 12. But there’s also The Crew: Motorfest, coming our way on September 14. Although Ivory Tower announced this title back in January and it has been relatively quiet since then, they recently hosted an online event ahead of Ubisoft Forward where players got a sneak peek at the game for about an hour. This look inside revealed just how packed with exciting content The Crew: Motorfest is going to be!
Under the Tropical Sunlight
This first glimpse at Motorfest introduced us to Malu, the publicist tasked with promoting the game (similar to her role in Forza Horizon 2). The developers chose an exciting moment to reveal Playlists—a feature designed to celebrate automotive culture through diverse themes and events. In “Made in Japan,” players can dive into thrilling illegal races on major highways like Wangan or conquer narrow mountain roads during Touge challenges. On the other hand, “Off-Roading Addict” offers a liberating experience, allowing you to cut across fields between checkpoints. Meanwhile, “Motorsports” focuses more on realistic driving simulation. Car enthusiasts can also dive into the “Vintage Garage,” where they’ll find a treasure trove of classic car bodies. Since the cover car is expected to be Lamborghini’s Revuelto, we’re excited for a special Playlist dedicated to some of Lamborghini’s most iconic models. While this preview certainly brings to mind the style Playground Games introduced in Forza Horizon 4, it promises its own unique twist and energy.
Developers chose the perfect moment to unveil Playlists, which are themed collections designed to celebrate and honor automotive culture in all its glory!
But the main takeaway from Ivory Tower is that each Playlist will offer unique vehicle behavior! While we couldn’t dive into too much detail due to time constraints, we did manage to pick up some exciting tidbits. For instance, when you’re behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, you’ll need to keep an eye on your tire wear gauge and make those pit stops when necessary. Although the demo had some pre-scripted scenarios, developers assured us that players will have more control over their races in the final game. It’s not as deep-strategized as Codemasters’ simulations, but each Playlist offers its own charm.In the “Vintage Garage,” where classic cars take center stage, you’ll find vehicles with a bit more stiffness and a need for finesse. And let’s not forget about the boost bar returning in three of the Playlists: “Made in Japan,” “Off-Roading Addict,” and “Lamborghini.” This feature can be a lifesaver when you’re cruising down straightaways or zipping out of corners. Plus, if you do make a mistake along the way, don’t worry—there’s always the handy rewind feature to set things right!
Love Tells Its Story in Music
When it comes to weather conditions, developers have taken a familiar approach from The Crew 2, featuring fixed weather during races but dynamic climate changes when exploring the open world — though this hasn’t been officially confirmed yet. As for visual quality, early impressions based on a streamed trial version in 1080p revealed some pesky bugs, leaving room for improvement. Ubisoft did share a cleaner capture with us, and we hope that the final product will exceed these initial standards. That being said, Ivory Tower has clearly put an emphasis on stunning visuals, particularly during nighttime events when the effects really shine. However, there are still areas to polish, such as some coarse textures that have been lingering for five years now, and character faces that could use a bit more personality. On the bright side, the protagonists deliver engaging dialogue throughout races, sharing humorous anecdotes about their vehicles or playful banter with each other. For example, Toji shared an interesting fact during one of his chats: the Toyota Supra A80 was designed to rival iconic cars like the Mazda RX-7, Nissan Skyline, and Honda NSX. It’s clear that The Crew: Motorfest is packed with stories like these that will delight automotive enthusiasts and purists alike!
During the exciting online showcase, Ivory Tower also revealed some fun details about “The Crew: Motorfest.” One highlight is the radio feature, which not only includes a vast selection of licensed tracks but also offers royalty-free music to keep players jamming all day long! Plus, there’s a handy ‘streamer’ mode that lets you broadcast your racing adventures on platforms like Twitch or YouTube without worrying about copyright issues. So grab your headset, crank up the tunes, and get ready to share the thrill of “The Crew: Motorfest” with the world!
During this exciting online presentation, we learned that The Crew: Motorfest’s radio will feature a mix of licensed tracks and royalty-free music, ensuring a diverse soundtrack for players to enjoy. Moreover, the game includes a ‘streamer’ mode that lets you broadcast your gameplay on platforms like Twitch or YouTube without worrying about copyright infringement penalties—talk about giving streamers freedom to share their adventures! As an added bonus, The Crew 2 players can import their customized vehicles into Motorfest for free from day one. “This is our way of rewarding player loyalty,” explained Stéphane Beley. That’s a fantastic gesture that makes long-time fans like me feel appreciated! Lastly, while we didn’t get to see them in action during the presentation, powerboats and airplanes are confirmed to be part of the game, adding even more excitement and variety for racing enthusiasts.
Despite some challenges, The Crew: Motorfest is still packing plenty of exciting features that have fans buzzing! Just like its predecessor, which saw significant improvements thanks to Ivory Tower’s tireless efforts after the initial installment, Motorfest takes inspiration from Forza Horizon with its festive atmosphere and engaging gameplay. By choosing a smaller map, developers aim to pack more content into every inch of the game world, making it denser and richer for players.The eagerly anticipated release is set for September 14, available on Xbox One, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC. Plus, there are two special editions—Gold and Ultimate—that come with an extra treat: three days of early access before the game hits stores! So whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, there’s never been a better time to dive into The Crew: Motorfest!
