5 Best Games Like The Crew to Play in 2026

More open-world exploration with high-speed street racing!

best games like the crew
best games like the crew

  • Quick Summary: The Crew franchise has made a unique impact by combining a massive open world with online multiplayer, creating an incredibly enjoyable driving experience. If you were looking for more realistic driving simulators, here are the best games like The Crew franchise that deserve a spot in your gaming garage.

The Crew is one of the best racing games out there. It allows you to unlock hundreds of licensed vehicles with the freedom to drive almost anywhere. You can simply cruise across cities or compete in street races, with the series emphasizing exploration just as much as competition.

The Crew franchise has a bunch of popular titles, such as The Crew Motorfest and the two initial 'The Crew' games, giving racing fans plenty of variety already. But there's always room for another racing game, and while there might not be an exact match of this franchise, overall, there are several other games that deliver similar open-world adventures with a realistic driving experience.

Best Games Like The Crew

All of these handpicked games capture different aspects of what makes The Crew so enjoyable, with the option to explore huge maps, collect dozens of cars, and test your skills in fierce racing competition.

Forza Horizon 6

How can we not start the list with one of the Forza titles? Forza Horizon 6 is the latest release from Playground Games, and it's arguably one of the best.

You have the option to explore a huge, Japanese-themed open world here with tons of fresh seasonal events, multiplayer challenges, hundreds of licensed cars, and most importantly, scenic roads to cruise down.

The variety of cars is immense — everyday hatchbacks to exotic hypercars; you name it. And that aforementioned exploration plays a vital role in the overall gameplay. You will constantly discover new races, hidden collectibles, stunt challenges, and fun events to keep you entertained for hours and hours after finishing The Crew franchise.

Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown

best game Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown
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Credit: Nacon

Before The Crew became popular, the Test Drive Unlimited series let people discover beautiful islands and collect luxury cars until their heart's content.

Solar Crown is its modern approach. Specifically, Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown introduces the beauty of a Hong Kong island with lots of dealerships, social hubs, online events, and more to explore.

In Solar Crown, you will be rewarded for simply driving, discovering new locations, and building your collection, which makes it both fun and one of the biggest competitors to The Crew's open-world philosophy. But forget competition; why not enjoy both?

Need for Speed Unbound

If you haven’t played a Need for Speed before, then you are missing out on the real fun of racing. Need for Speed Unbound is a top entry to the series, giving you the classic NFS experience of illegal street races and outrunning the police.

Need for Speed Unbound is actually the latest title in the NFS world, blending fast-paced arcade handling with deep vehicle customization, intense police pursuits, and an engaging progression system. Plus, it offers new playlists, vehicles, and other items that make it more interesting than perhaps some older NFS titles are or have been in the past.

F1 25 (2026 Season Update)

F1 25 2026 Season Pack Key Art
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Credit: EA Sports

F1 25 might feel odd to you, as it does not offer the vast open-world experience. But it is one of the best and most polished racing games out there, focusing on closed-circuit track racing and strict competition. You can also try the latest 2026 Season Update to make it up-to-date and relevant to the current ongoing season.

If you are a fan of Formula 1, then the F1 game simply offers you all the F1 teams, drivers, and circuits to race as/around. And it's authentic, too, backed by precision handling, realistic presentation, and an expanded career mode.

So, for players who love the competitive side of The Crew, this might be a must-try.

LEGO 2K Drive

LEGO 2K Drive is one of the most entertaining arcade racers out there today. It offers colorful visuals set in a vibrant open world based around, you guessed it, LEGO. Here you can freely explore, complete challenges, and use actual LEGO bricks to build your own car.

The lighthearted tone of LEGO 2K Drive sets it apart from The Crew, but its emphasis on exploration, freedom, and vehicle collecting gives you the same feeling. Also, the seamless transitions between road, water, and off-road vehicles keep gameplay varied. Overall, a fun game to enjoy with your friends and family.

Final Thoughts

The Crew franchise remains one of the best racing games out there. Still, if you want to try something new, then all the games mentioned in this article are some of the best and closest matches. Our final verdict would be:

  • For the closest experience - Forza Horizon 6 and Test Drive Unlimited Solar Crown
  • For thrilling street racing - Need for Speed Unbound
  • For world-class circuit competition - F1 25/26

And that's it! Stay tuned to RacingGames.gg for more like this, as it's the home of virtual motorsport.