Welcome to The Crew 2, one of the most expansive open-world racing experiences available. Whether you’re exploring by land, sea, or air, the game offers an overwhelming range of activities—and for newcomers, it can be tough to know where to start. This guide will walk you through the best early-game strategies for earning money, collecting rare parts, leveling up quickly, and even unlocking hovercrafts. Let’s get you on the road to success.
The Map: Understanding the Four Families
Upon opening the map, you’ll see an array of colored icons. These represent the game’s four “racing families,” each of which branches into several disciplines:
- Yellow – Street Racing: Urban racing, drifting, hypercars, drag, etc.
- Orange – Off-Road: Rallycross, motocross, hovercraft.
- Blue – Pro Racing: Grand Prix, powerboats, air races.
- Pink – Freestyle: Aerobatics, monster trucks, jet sprint.
The beauty of The Crew 2 is that money and progression (followers) are shared across all families, so you’re free to choose what suits you without penalty. That said, some methods are far better than others when it comes to early-game progression.
Photo Ops: The Unsung Money-Making Hero
One of the easiest and fastest ways to earn money and followers early on is through Photo Ops. These side tasks involve capturing photos of specific scenarios, stunts, landmarks, or wildlife. Despite lacking map icons, they pop up on screen as you explore.
Examples include:
- Flying upside down beneath the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas.
- Photographing a bear—or was that a beaver?—in California.
- Capturing a rare sighting of a condor.
Each successful photo op rewards you with 15,000 Crew Bucks and 2,000 followers, making it one of the best low-effort activities for new players. To access your camera, tap D-Pad Left and start snapping. Look near landmarks for your best chance of triggering these organically.
The Las Vegas Strip Race: Repeatable and Rewarding
If you’re more into traditional races, try the Las Vegas Strip Race. This sprint takes less than two minutes to complete and rewards you with money and parts—even if you finish in second or third. Plus, when racing with friends, only one person needs to podium for all players to earn rewards.
Grind this race a few times and you’ll quickly see your bank account grow. It’s also a great way to start accumulating parts.
Loot System and Parts Explained
The Crew 2 uses a randomized loot system for performance upgrades. Upon completing races and activities, you’ll earn parts that improve stats such as top speed, braking, and nitro. Parts come in four rarities:
- Common
- Uncommon
- Rare
- Epic
An additional Legendary tier is planned, but for now, Epic is the top. Each part can also come with affixes, which are modifiers or perks that enhance your vehicle further:
- More Nitro Boost
- Increased Bucks or Followers earned
- Faster Part Drops
You can repeat races to farm for specific affixes and tailor your vehicle’s playstyle. For example, stacking Nitro-related affixes turns your car into a boost-heavy machine. Grind smart and you’ll shape your build to your liking.
Driving Tips for Every Terrain
Boat Racing
Avoid the white wake left behind by other boats—it slows you down. If you’re ahead, use this to your advantage by crossing others’ paths to disrupt them.
Flying
Hold X to enter “Extreme Mode” during stunts. This lets you spin faster for advanced aerobatics. Also, clicking Left Stick releases a trail of smoke—a fun touch when buzzing through crowded city skies.
Car Racing
Use Drafting behind other vehicles to reduce air resistance and gain speed. Stay in the slipstream and then slingshot around them for an overtake. The deeper you go into vehicle control, the more rewarding the handling becomes.
GPS, Crashes, and Recovery
The world is massive, and it’s easy to get lost—especially during off-road events. Pay close attention to the blue GPS line on your mini-map. A single missed turn can land you in a swamp.
Quick tips:
- Tap D-Pad Down for a zoomed-out GPS view.
- Hold LB + RB to instantly reset your vehicle to the road.
- Hold Y to restart the race if needed.
Followers and Status Levels
Every event, photo op, and challenge grants Followers, which are the game’s version of XP. As you gain followers, you climb through five status levels:
- Rookie
- Popular
- Famous
- Star
- Icon
These unlock new vehicle types and event categories. For example:
- Famous = Access to Monster Trucks
- Icon = Access to Grand Prix
You can buy any car early if you’ve got the funds, but event access still depends on your status. Some reward cars are tied strictly to these milestones.
Try Before You Buy: Test Drive Feature
Want to avoid buyer’s remorse? Use the built-in Test Drive feature:
- Press Start > Catalog
- Browse and select a vehicle
- Press A to visit its HQ
- Press X to Test Drive
You’ll have 40 seconds with the car, boat, or plane—just enough to feel it out. This works for everything from Grand Prix cars to hovercrafts like the Proto XT3. No refunds in The Crew 2, so test drive wisely.
Final Thoughts
The Crew 2 opens up quickly once you understand the basics. Focus early on photo ops, fast races like Las Vegas Strip, and collecting good parts. Watch the GPS, learn the terrain-specific mechanics, and don’t forget to test drive before spending your Crew Bucks.
This game is about style, freedom, and high-octane fun—so whether you’re drafting through city streets or flipping upside-down above Vegas, there’s always a new thrill waiting just around the corner.
Good luck out there!
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