Let’s be honest—racing games are everywhere. Every few months, there’s a new title promising high-speed thrills, breathtaking cars, and groundbreaking graphics. But not every game lives up to that promise. Some offer tight, competitive driving, but give you nothing beyond the track. Others are visually stunning but fall short when it comes to gameplay. And then there are games like The Crew 2—a title that doesn’t just tick the usual boxes but rewrites what a racing game can be.
When Ubisoft and Ivory Tower first released The Crew in 2014, it turned heads with its ambitious coast-to-coast open-world map. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave us a glimpse of what was possible—a living, breathing version of America where players could race, cruise, and explore. It planted the seed of something bigger. Four years later, The Crew 2 launched and took that original vision and cranked it up to eleven.
The Crew 2 is not your typical racing game. It’s a massive, open-world motorsports sandbox that hands you the keys to hundreds of vehicles—cars, boats, planes, motorcycles, monster trucks—and tells you to go make your own fun. You’re not confined to lanes or locked into progression paths. You can fly over the Rockies, barrel through dirt trails in a buggy, drift down neon-soaked city streets, or cruise along the bayou. And you can do it all without stopping to load, switch menus, or hit pause.
Even years after its original release on June 29, 2018, the game is still getting updates, still growing, and still surprising players. That’s why millions of people continue to log in, race together, and chase down their next big thrill. Whether you’re a newcomer looking for a game that lets you drive and fly across America or a veteran racer hungry for more freedom and fun, The Crew 2 is one of those rare titles that keeps on giving.
In this article, we’ll break down what makes The Crew 2 stand out, how it evolved from its predecessor, and why it’s still one of the most exciting open-world racing games you can play right now. From its diverse vehicle roster to its stunning environments and constantly updated content, this is the kind of game that makes you fall in love with racing all over again.
Ready to find out why The Crew 2 deserves a permanent spot in your game library? Let’s dive in.
A Brief Look at The Crew 2 and Its Expansive Racing Legacy
To truly appreciate The Crew 2, it’s important to understand where it came from. The foundation of this series began with the original The Crew, which debuted in 2014. Developed by Ivory Tower—a studio composed of several developers from Eden Games who previously worked on the Test Drive Unlimited series—the first game was ambitious in its own right. It offered players a scaled-down, driveable version of the United States, something few racing games had even attempted. While it wasn’t perfect, its vision of combining open-world exploration with structured racing laid the groundwork for something bigger.
The reception to The Crew was generally positive. It introduced players to an interconnected online world where competition and collaboration were equally emphasized. Over time, it received two major expansions—Wild Run and Calling All Units—that broadened the gameplay and extended its lifecycle. But even with these improvements, it felt like the series was on the verge of a breakthrough, something that could elevate it beyond a good idea into a truly great game.
That breakthrough came in 2018. On June 29th of that year, Ubisoft released The Crew 2 for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. This wasn’t just a sequel—it was a bold reinvention. Instead of sticking to the cops-vs-criminals theme from the first game, The Crew 2 reimagined the entire structure, focusing instead on an all-encompassing motorsport fantasy. It let players join a nationwide competition, build their brand, and climb the ranks of fame across multiple racing disciplines.
With its expanded roster of vehicles, seamless transition between land, sea, and air, and a commitment to player freedom, The Crew 2 set itself apart from traditional racing titles. It wasn’t just about getting from Point A to Point B—it was about how creatively and stylishly you got there.
Over the years, the game has only grown stronger. Ubisoft’s commitment to live service updates, seasonal events, and ongoing support has helped it maintain a dedicated player base. Today, with over 30 million players worldwide, The Crew 2 stands as one of the most enduring and distinctive racing games in the genre’s history.
Why The Crew 2 Is the Most Ambitious Open-World Racing Game
Imagine dropping into a massive version of the United States, then deciding whether to rip through city streets in a street racer, carve up dirt trails with an off-road buggy, or take to the skies in a stunt plane. Sounds wild? That’s The Crew 2 in a nutshell.
You’re not boxed into one style or mode. Instead, you’re part of an open, living motorsport world. Want to drift your way up the fame ladder in street races? Go for it. Feel like doing insane tricks with a monster truck on a skate-park-style ramp? It’s in there.
This isn’t your typical racing sim—it’s an arcade-style, do-it-your-way playground. And it’s addictive.
Four Distinct Motorsports Families Deliver Diverse Racing Disciplines
To keep things fresh and exciting, the game introduces four main motorsport families, each offering a unique experience. The Street Racing family focuses on fast-paced urban races that demand precision and timing. Pro Racing includes a more polished experience with boats, airplanes, and track-based competitions. The Freestyle family is all about creativity and flair, from monster truck stunts to aerobatics in the sky. Lastly, the Off-Road family lets you go wild with dirt bikes, buggies, and rugged 4x4s over unpredictable terrain.
Each family has its own headquarters where you can collect, upgrade, and customize vehicles. These are more than just garages—they are personalized hubs that grow as you progress through each style of racing.
Freedom to Roam: How the Open World Empowers Player Choice
The moment you boot up The Crew 2, you’re free to explore the entire map. There’s no need to grind or unlock sections of the country through tedious progression. Everything is available right away—from the bustling streets of New York to the lush landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.
You can fly a plane across the country, land in the desert, instantly switch to a dune buggy, and race through sand dunes. Not feeling it? A quick tap and you’re in a speedboat skimming across the Mississippi River. This seamless vehicle-switching mechanic is one of the game’s biggest innovations, and it turns exploration into an adventure all its own.
There are no invisible walls or forced narratives. You make the rules, set your own path, and define your racing journey however you like.
Explore the Variety: From Cars to Boats and Airplanes in The Crew 2
Most racing games stick to four wheels. The Crew 2 says forget that and hands you boats and planes too. The shift from one vehicle type to another adds a level of gameplay depth and variety that very few racing titles offer.
Boats handle uniquely depending on the water conditions, with realistic wake physics and control dynamics that make water racing surprisingly fun. Airplanes take things to another level—literally—letting you twist, roll, and perform daring stunts in wide-open skies or narrow city gaps. The controls are intuitive but still require a bit of finesse to master.
Of course, cars remain the central pillar of the game. There are hundreds of licensed models ranging from classic muscle to exotic supercars. Each can be upgraded and customized to match your style. Want to create a neon-lit street racer or a rugged desert monster? The customization options give you the tools to build your dream machine.
Best of all, switching between car, boat, and plane happens instantly. It’s this constant interplay of different vehicle types that keeps the game feeling fresh hour after hour.
Technical Enhancements That Make a Visual and Performance Difference
The original game was solid visually, but The Crew 2 steps things up significantly. Vehicles are intricately detailed, from interiors to exteriors, with reflections, lighting, and weather effects all contributing to the immersion. When you’re driving through rain-slicked city streets at night, the reflections shimmer just like real life.
Cities are more intricate, some even allowing you to drive across rooftops and discover hidden alleys. Natural environments are equally impressive, from deep forests with light shafts piercing through tree canopies to snow-covered mountains that feel genuinely cold and remote.
The game also features a dynamic day and night cycle, along with evolving weather that changes how races feel and play. It’s not just eye candy—these elements impact your driving, forcing you to adapt on the fly. It’s this attention to both aesthetics and gameplay that gives The Crew 2 its lasting appeal.
Release Information, Supported Platforms, and Gameplay Accessibility
The Crew 2 was officially released on June 29, 2018. It launched on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Even today, the game remains easily accessible through online platforms and digital stores.
For new players, there’s a great way to get started. You can download the full version of the game and try it for free for four hours. This trial period is more than enough to explore the map, test a few vehicles, and get a real sense of what the game offers before making a purchase decision.
Another major plus is the online multiplayer functionality. You can team up with up to seven friends to complete challenges, race across the country, or just mess around exploring. The game emphasizes social engagement without making it mandatory, which makes it appealing to both solo players and competitive online racers.
The control system leans heavily toward arcade-style driving. That means it’s accessible to newcomers but still has depth for more seasoned players. Whether you play with a controller or a keyboard and mouse, it’s easy to jump in and start having fun.
The Crew 2 Continues to Evolve with Seasons, Events, and Community Support
One reason The Crew 2 continues to stay relevant is because of its live service model. Ubisoft frequently updates the game with new content through seasonal events. These can include limited-time race modes, fresh vehicles, themed rewards, and even map tweaks.
Over time, this constant injection of new content has kept the game from going stale. Every few months, there’s something new to check out, whether it’s a snow festival challenge in the Rockies or a futuristic neon street racing series in Miami.
Beyond the content, The Crew 2 also fosters a strong player community. The game includes features that let you record, edit, and share your gameplay highlights directly from the game. Whether you’re nailing a perfect aerial trick or pulling off a last-second win, it’s easy to showcase your skills.
With over 30 million players and counting, the game’s social aspect is alive and well. Whether you’re here for the competition or the camaraderie, there’s something for everyone.
Conclusion: If You Love Racing Games, The Crew 2 Is a No-Brainer
At its core, The Crew 2 isn’t just a game—it’s a celebration of freedom, speed, and exploration. It throws out the rulebook that most racing games follow and replaces it with a wide-open playground where your journey is entirely up to you. Whether you’re flying through the skies in a stunt plane, racing through bustling city streets in a supercar, or cruising up the Mississippi in a powerboat, the game invites you to constantly reinvent the way you play.
What makes The Crew 2 especially rare in today’s gaming world is its staying power. While many titles fade away months after launch, this one continues to grow. Thanks to Ubisoft’s ongoing seasonal updates, the introduction of new vehicles and challenges, and a passionate community of players, the game feels more alive now than ever before. It’s one of those few games that not only entertains but evolves alongside its players.
And let’s not forget how accessible it is. The fact that you can dive into a four-hour free trial is a gift to anyone unsure if the game is right for them. It’s not often you get to experience the full breadth of a game’s world, gameplay, and mechanics without opening your wallet—and The Crew 2 delivers that opportunity generously.
If you’ve ever dreamed of a racing game that feels like a road trip, a flight simulator, a freestyle stunt show, and a competition—all wrapped into one—this is it. It’s more than just high-speed thrills; it’s an adventure. A journey across a beautifully stylized America, powered by roaring engines and the desire to go wherever the road (or sky or river) takes you.
So, if you’re looking for a game that gives you variety, challenge, creativity, and pure fun in equal measure, it’s time to jump into The Crew 2. Fire it up, pick your ride, and make your mark on the world. Because this isn’t just a game about racing—it’s a game about freedom, momentum, and living out your wildest motorsports fantasies.
FAQs about The Crew 2
- Is The Crew 2 still worth playing in 2025?
Absolutely. With frequent updates and a rich open world, it still offers one of the best racing experiences today. - Can I play The Crew 2 with friends online?
Yes, the game supports online multiplayer with up to seven friends for cooperative and competitive play. - Do I need to complete missions to explore the full map?
No. The entire United States map is open from the start, so you can explore freely. - What vehicles can you drive or fly in The Crew 2?
The game includes cars, motorcycles, boats, airplanes, monster trucks, and more—each with its own gameplay mechanics. - How long is the free trial of The Crew 2?
The free trial lets you play the full game for four hours, giving you a solid taste before committing.