The Crew 2 Hands-On: By Land, Sea Or Air
A while back, Ubisoft’s Ivory Tower brought us The Crew, a unique multiplayer-oriented racing [...]
Cruis'n For A Bruis'n
Some cars perform better than others – the Formula One car takes a little getting used to – but Ivory Tower has done a bang-up job with the game's controls thus far, as each vehicle handles very well, through both speedy straightaways and with excellent cornering. In fact, drifting is particularly easy, as you tap a button for the emergency brake, or hold it down if you want a complete spin-around.
There are a variety of activities available, which you can either do on your own or play with others in co-op. Racing with a friend is definitely more fun, as you can compete against one another and even take part in chase missions, if you feel like reliving some stuff from the first game (though not as serious, I assure you).
But the cool thing is that it's not limited to the ground. At most points during the game (depending on where you are and what kind of space you have), you can actually switch between different types of vehicles. Along with cars, you also have access to bikes, trucks, and even airplanes and boats.
Now, boats are the best when it comes to being near a water surface. We switched to a boat while we were on the road and hilariously watched as it scraped along the road. But in the water, it's a peak performer, as you can splash around and cruise through checkpoints, Wave Race style, to complete an event.
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Flying is a whole different matter, but I'm happy to report that Ivory Tower nailed this thus far as well, as you can fly through different events and even buzz through the city if you're feeling daring enough. There are collisions, mind you, but, fortunately, you can bounce right back into the action.
You earn credits over the course of each event, and you can unlock more cool stuff for your rider, including access to new cars and other goodies. Plus, a variety of challenges open up nationwide, so you can always find something new to partake in. There may even be an option to create your own challenges within the game, should you find a would-be racing circuit that you can truly call your own.
The Crew 2 looks pretty fantastic thus far. The car models are quite impressive, even though they don't take nearly as much damage as you'd see in other games. But, yeah, I definitely see the appeal of an orange sports car. Who wouldn't?! The city landscapes look terrific as well, whether you're racing through the hustle and bustle of New York City, or cruising around on a bike in the mountains on a custom-made course. The frame rate is stable, the online connectivity looks to be smooth (the final version may vary), and the stunt aspect really plays out quite well visually. I didn't get to hear much of the game's audio, but it should be jam-packed with racing tunes and revving engines.
We've still got a ways to go before we're able to race around with The Crew 2, as it isn't set to release until March 2018 for Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. But it's shaping up to be leaps and bounds over the first game in terms of accessibility, events and just plain fun. I'm excited to see where this particular road takes me.
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