The Crew series, developed by Ubisoft, has taken a significant pivot with its latest installment—Motorfest. Known for its compressed, open-world maps, The Crew’s new direction clearly draws inspiration from the highly successful Forza Horizon series. However, does Motorfest manage to establish its own identity while borrowing elements from its competitor? This article offers an in-depth examination of various aspects of the game to answer this question.

Core Gameplay: Echoes of Forza Horizon

Image: Ubisoft

Motorfest employs a gameplay concept that may feel familiar to fans of the racing genre—a large-scale motoring festival set in a vibrant host location. The resemblance to the Forza Horizon series is uncanny, right down to the introductory sequences that showcase different racing disciplines. Set on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu, Motorfest utilizes the island’s natural beauty to offer a variety of terrains, not dissimilar to Forza Horizon 5’s Mexican setting.

Avatar and Race Customization

Image: Ubusoft

Upon starting the game, players are prompted to choose an avatar from a list of new arrivals to the festival. Customization options are available to modify the avatar’s appearance. Once the customization is complete, players dive into their first race, initiating their Motorfest journey.

Playlist Feature: A Unique Spin on Racing Disciplines

Image: Ubisoft

The game categorizes its single-player races under ‘Playlists,’ akin to racing disciplines but with a more relaxed approach. Collaborations with external platforms like the YouTube channel Donut offer unique experiences like racing odd pairs of cars and exploring custom builds. Other playlists like ‘Made in Japan’ feature Japanese mods and neon-lit races, enriching the gameplay by frequently altering the racing context and style.

Vehicle Variety: An Array of Choices

One area where Motorfest attempts to surpass its competitors is in the sheer number of vehicles available at launch—over 600. From planes and boats to quad bikes and a wide range of cars, the game offers an impressive roster. It also frequently assigns loaner vehicles for races, making the game less focused on collecting vehicles as an end goal.

Handling and Gameplay Mechanics

Motorfest boasts a broad spectrum of vehicle handling mechanics. For instance, the maneuverability of a supercar contrasts sharply with the weighty feel of a 4×4. The free-roam feature allows players to venture off the designated racing line, providing further depth and freedom to the gameplay.

O’ahu Setting: Small but Detailed

Though the map of O’ahu is not as expansive as The Crew 2’s U.S. map or even Forza Horizon 5’s, it offers a balanced set of options, from city streets to volcanic heights. This compactness makes Motorfest more digestible, without overwhelming players with an endless expanse of geography.

Visuals and Performance

The game’s visual elements range from realistic representations to exaggerated, eye-catching features like neon-lit dragons in races. While the 30FPS quality mode delivers rich visuals, the 60FPS performance option compromises resolution to some extent. Loading times and transitions are also less seamless compared to the Forza Horizon series.

Limitations and Criticisms

Despite its strengths, Motorfest is not without its flaws. The AI assistant can become grating over time, and the abundance of ghost racers in free-roam can disrupt the gaming experience. Additionally, the game’s tone, characterized by a constant upbeat energy, may not appeal to all players.

Conclusion

The Crew Motorfest indeed borrows heavily from the Forza Horizon series but tries earnestly to carve out its own identity. With a large array of vehicles, unique playlists, and a well-designed map, it offers a compelling alternative for racing game enthusiasts. Its unique features and variations make it a solid package for players looking for something slightly different from the Forza Horizon series.

By offering detailed analyses of these key features, we hope to provide readers with a thorough understanding of what to expect from The Crew Motorfest. This review aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for gamers considering investing time and money into this latest installment of The Crew series.

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