The Crew 2‘s Massive 5,000 km2 Map Sets New Standard for Open World Racers
The Crew 2 features one of the biggest open world environments ever seen in an arcade racing game, with a scaled recreation of the contiguous United States spanning approximately 5,000-7,000 km2. For context, that‘s over 3,000 miles of virtual road trip packed with diverse locales and terrain.
Let‘s dig deeper into why The Crew 2‘s map size matters and how the developers achieved such an ambitious vision.
Map Size and Content Overview
Here‘s a quick rundown of The Crew 2‘s unmatched scope and scale as an open world racing experience:
| Total Map Size | 5,000-7,000 km2 (1,900-2,700 square miles) |
| Drivable Roads | Over 10,000 kilometers |
| Download Size | 25GB (PC), 30GB (PS4), 24GB (Xbox One) |
| Terrain/Location Variety | Dense cities, coastal roads, canyons, forests, deserts, and more |
| Playable Vehicle Types | Cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, hovercraft, planes, helicopters etc. |
As you can see, The Crew 2 isn‘t just delivering a huge map, but filling it with diverse locations connected by thousands of miles of traversable roads and waterways.
Boasting one of the largest open worlds in modern racing games, The Crew 2 handily outsizes renowned series like Forza Horizon. For example, Forza Horizon 5‘s map spans just over 100 km2 – almost 100 times smaller!
Advanced Scaling Technology Brings USA to Life
Game Director Julian Gerighty has discussed the advanced "scaling tech" the team developed specifically for realizing their ambitious vision. While distances and spaces are compressed, these techniques allow for a surprising level of detail and environmental diversity across the entire map.
The Crew 2 condenses the 48 contiguous United States into a playable area over 3,000 miles wide. Remarkably, the sense of scale isn‘t compromised – it still captures the essence and Variety of the USA through careful recreation of real-world locations.
Solo Exploration Meets Online Multiplayer
Beyond impressive tech specs, The Crew 2 delivers engaging open world gameplay catered to solo gamers and online racers alike. The map isn‘t just a visual showcase – it‘s brimming with races, challenges, collectibles, sightseeing spots and more.
In single player, you‘re encouraged to self-direct road trips across the entire map, uncovering new events and vistas. The vibrant world persists online too, with other real players constantly coming and going. You can tackle events together or engage in competitive races and PvP.
Years after launch, a thriving multiplayer community is still active – a testament to the lasting appeal of Ubisoft‘s online platform.
Take Your Pick of Vehicles
Cars are just the start when it comes to transportation options. The Crew 2 stands out by incorporating planes and boats into the open world experience too.
Over 160 vehicles across categories like street racing, off-road, pro racing, freestyle motocross, powerboats, aerobatics and more give you ample choice in how to traverse and compete.
Plan out diverse road trips to progress through racing disciplines by transitioning from car to boat to plane. The map‘s huge scope and variety makes a perfect canvas.
Drivable America in All Its Natural Glory
Through clever technical wizardry, the vast map condenses the sprawling beauty of America into a playable racing sandbox. Along your virtual road trip you‘ll experience the essence of driving across the USA‘s most iconic natural landscapes too.
Key locales brought to life include:
- Everglades (Florida) – Navigate wetland waterways and swampy trails
- Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming) – Drift across mountain switchbacks with stunning views
- Death Valley (California) – Race at breakneck speeds through rocky desert canyons and salt flats
- Great Plains – Cruise for miles and miles along straight rural highways through flat grassland
- Pacific Coast Highway – Hug cliffside roads overlooking the crashing Pacific Ocean
Exploring these incredible environments helps immerse you in that cross-country freedom. It taps straight into the fantasy at the heart of American car culture.
The Verdict? This Map Sets a New Bar
In summary, The Crew 2 doesn‘t just offer the biggest open world in the racing genre right now – it actually pushes the envelope in terms of effective scale, density of content, and technical achievement.
The team leveraged innovative technology to condense a detailed America into a fun sandbox focused on diverse modes of exploration. Getting behind the wheel here means embarking on a virtual road trip packed with variety.
It‘ll be exciting to see how future racing games evolve to catch up with the ground The Crew 2 has broken. For now, nothing quite matches its sense of freedom and environmental spectacle.
