The Crew Motorfest 2025: Active, vs Forza Horizon & Crew 2

Anyone who’s spent a weekend racing through Oahu’s volcanic roads or drifting along Waikiki’s coast already knows: The Crew Motorfest isn’t just another open-world racer — released in September 2023 by Ubisoft Ivory Tower, this Hawaii-set driving playground has carved out its own lane even as the original The Crew went offline in 2024. This guide covers what’s still active, how it stacks up against Forza Horizon 5 and The Crew 2, and whether it’s worth your money in 2025.

Release date: September 14, 2023 ·
Developer: Ubisoft Ivory Tower ·
Platforms: PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Windows ·
Price (Standard): $69.99 ·
Current status: Active with regular updates

The Crew Motorfest’s core specs position it as a direct competitor to Forza Horizon 5, with one key difference being the platform reach and vehicle variety.

Is The Crew Motorfest still active?

Yes — as of 2025, The Crew Motorfest remains fully online with server support, regular updates, and an active player base. Ubisoft has not announced any shutdown plans for this title, unlike the original The Crew which was taken offline in 2024 (GamesRadar).

Will The Crew Motorfest shut down?

Ubisoft has not indicated any intention to shut down Motorfest. The game continues to receive seasonal updates and events. Given that Ubisoft shut down the first The Crew only after nearly a decade, fans can expect a long lifespan for Motorfest. However, no official long-term support timeline has been published.

What happened to The Crew original?

In April 2024, Ubisoft decommissioned the original The Crew servers, making the game unplayable. This move sparked frustration in the community but has not affected Motorfest, which runs on a separate server architecture. Motorfest’s active status is confirmed by continued store availability and online matchmaking (Red Bull).

Is Crew Motorfest like Forza Horizon?

Both games are open-world racing sandboxes set in vibrant locales, but they take different philosophical approaches. Forza Horizon 5 simulates car culture with realism and polish, while The Crew Motorfest leans into arcade freedom and vehicle variety, including planes and boats (YouTube comparison (handling & vehicles)).

Is Forza or The Crew Motorfest better?

That depends on what you value. Forza Horizon 5 offers more grounded physics, a deeper upgrade system, and higher overall visual fidelity (YouTube breakdown (gameplay analysis)). The Crew Motorfest, on the other hand, provides greater variety in vehicle types and customization, plus a more colorful, playful atmosphere (YouTube breakdown). GamesRadar called Motorfest “better than Forza Horizon 5” in several ways (GamesRadar).

How does Motorfest compare to Forza Horizon 5?

Eight vehicles and map size are key axes. Forza Horizon 5 has over 800 cars; Motorfest claims over 600 vehicles, but its ability to switch between cars, planes, and boats sets it apart. The graphics: Forza aims for realism, Motorfest for vibrancy. The handling: Forza rewards precision, Motorfest encourages spectacular drifts (YouTube comparison).

Which is better, The Crew 2 or Motorfest?

The Crew 2 covered the entire continental United States — a huge but often sparse map. Motorfest shrinks the world to the Hawaiian islands but fills it with more detail and activities. The map is denser, with tighter roads, varied biomes, and more events per square kilometer (GamesRadar).

Is Motorfest bigger than Crew 2?

In terms of raw geographic area, no — The Crew 2’s map of the U.S. is far larger. But “bigger” isn’t better when the terrain is repetitive. Motorfest’s Hawaii setting, though smaller in square miles, offers more varied environments: urban Honolulu, volcanic slopes, rainforests, beaches, and mountain roads. The result is a world that feels more alive and curated (Red Bull). Additionally, graphics and physics received a meaningful upgrade, making Motorfest the superior game overall.

Is The Crew Motorfest free?

No — The Crew Motorfest is a premium-priced title. There is no free-to-play option, though occasional free weekends are run on platforms where a full purchase is required to continue (Ubisoft).

What is the price of The Crew Motorfest?

As of 2025, standard edition is $69.99, Deluxe $89.99, Gold $109.99. Prices occasionally drop during Ubisoft sales or seasonal promotions. The game is available on Steam and Epic Games Store as well (Steam store page).

Are there free trial versions?

Ubisoft has offered free trial weekends in the past. Checking the official store page or Steam announcement section is the best way to catch the next trial. No permanent demo exists.

What is the release date of The Crew Motorfest?

The Crew Motorfest launched on September 14, 2023 (GamesRadar). It arrived on all major platforms simultaneously.

Is The Crew Motorfest available on PS5?

Yes, fully optimized for PS5 with 60 FPS mode and fast loading. Also playable on PS4 via backward compatibility (Ubisoft).

Is The Crew Motorfest available on Xbox?

Yes, on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Series S. The Xbox version supports Smart Delivery and cross-play with other platforms (Ubisoft).

Is The Crew Motorfest available on Steam?

Yes, The Crew Motorfest has been on Steam since launch. It also sells on Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Connect. The Steam version has a “Very Positive” rating overall (Steam store page).

Will there be a Motorfest 2?

As of 2025, Ubisoft has not announced a sequel. Given the live-service model, Motorfest may receive new content for years before a follow-up is considered. The original game, The Crew (2014), didn’t get a sequel until The Crew 2 in 2018 — a four-year gap. A similar timeline would put Motorfest 2 around 2027 at the earliest.

Pros and Cons

What players are saying

“Much more content than Forza Horizon 5, particularly the custom mode which offers a lot of replay value.”

— Reddit user with 300+ hours, via Reddit community

“The Crew Motorfest allows you to drive more vehicles than ever before in the franchise.”

— Ubisoft (official game page)

Should you buy The Crew Motorfest in 2025?

The Crew Motorfest is a confident, content-rich open-world racer that holds its own against the genre king. For PC, PS5, or Xbox Series X|S owners who already have Forza Horizon 5, Motorfest offers a complementary, more arcade-focused experience. For newcomers to the genre, the choice boils down to style: realistic or playful? For players invested in the Ubisoft ecosystem, Motorfest is a no-brainer. For those concerned about longevity, the active support and lack of shutdown news make it a safe purchase today. The risk of losing access is minimal, and the reward is hundreds of hours of Hawaiian road-trip fun.

For a detailed comparison and purchase decision, check out this vertailu ja ostopäätös guide in Finnish.

Frequently asked questions