As Gran Turismo and Forza Horizon are continuing to push driving games forward, it's becoming increasingly harder to stand out as many of the niches in the genre are being filled by pre-existing franchises. The aforementioned properties have covered track-focused and open-world racing experiences, and F1 2021 satisfies fans of the sport who want to post a blistering time around the likes of Silverstone, Suzuka, and Monza. The most enticing thing about The Crew, Ubisoft's most recent attempt at entering the racing genre, is that it takes place across a sprawling virtual interpretation of the United States.
One of the most beloved racing series' of the last two decades has been the storied Need for Speed games that offer nothing but high octane street racing and an attitude-filled aesthetic. Outrunning the police as players amass a garage of some of the most desirable cars in the world is so incredibly satisfying when the game is a good one, but Need for Speed hasn't hit its stride in quite some time. One thing that players can bet on is that it will return, as the last game released in 2019. On the other hand, The Crew's third entry is all but announced, and when it hits shelves in the (hopefully) near future, it will have to compete with EA's 26-year veteran franchise.
Need For Speed's Decelerating Popularity
EA continues to release Need For Speed games on a regular basis, even if it perhaps shouldn't. Its popularity has waned as Forza Horizon seems to have taken the mantle for gaming's best open-world driving experience, as it's clear each Need For Speed entry doesn't massively expand on the last. The height of EA's most popular racing series is surely 2005's Need For Speed: Most Wanted, and fans have been scratching their heads as to why the developer hasn't returned to the streets of Rockport in which the events of the game takes place. Something clearly has to change, as it has found a place on the second tier of the racing genre, snugly sitting alongside the likes of DiRT, Project Cars, and most notably, The Crew.
Need For Speed was once the tip of the genre's iceberg, though, and while in its decline, it has met a similar level of critical acclaim and commercial curiosity as The Crew, so each respective franchise is of a similar standing in the opinion of many gamers. As The Crew continues to improve and quality only goes upwards, Need For Speed will have to compete with it in an attempt to turn its fortune around and restore its lofty reputation.
The Crew is Finding its Footing
Unlike Need For Speed, which has a history dating back decades, The Crew is a far more short-lived property. Announced at E3 in 2013, The Crew promised a huge playground, plenty of fast and desirable cars, and a story and lore that easily rivaled other driving games. On many of its promises, it delivered, but ultimately it fell short of player expectations with its mediocre gameplay and uninteresting multiplayer. However, few would deny the potential it had, and five years later a sequel hit shelves that was a marked improvement. The Crew 3 has a solid foundation to build even further, and if Forza Motorsport and Burnout are anything to go by, third time is the charm.
Need For Speed: Heat released to somewhat mixed reviews in 2019, and with Gran Turismo 7 doing well to bridge the gap between hardcore sim racers and casual fans, the desire for neon-infused, police-chasing racers is dwindling. This is especially true now that the Fast and Furious films have deviated from street racing scene with recent entries, and The Crew's open road and grand tour vibe is more in line with what many players want in 2022.
The Crew has a long way to go until it has the same level of respect as Need For Speed has achieved since it began, but all signs point to it shaking off the growing pains in future installments. Ubisoft has something with a lot of potential, and as its trajectory goes up, it will undoubtedly cross paths with EA's racing series as the latter declines in popularity. Each franchise's next offerings look set to compete for the hearts of racing game fans when they both inevitably release, though that's only if Forza Horizon 6 doesn't get there first.