There are five status levels – Rookie, Popular, Famous, Star and Icon – and whenever you hit a new one, loads of new events open up. Structurally, it’s simple enough: you must amass social media followers (and earn in-game cash} by winning events in order to increase your amount of fame and level up. At the start, you’re introduced to the four families who, according to the game’s alternate reality, are in charge of organising the US’s grassroots motor-based events, split into Pro Racing, Off-road, Freestyle and Street Racing. It’s all about turning the whole of the USA into a giant automotive playground, in which you seek fame and fortune via your vehicular exploits. The game does have a general premise, however. The first game’s faults have been addressed pretty uncompromisingly, too, with The Crew 2 doing away with storyline altogether, and boasting a neat, tidy and intuitive interface. This time around, it not only has plenty of personality but even boasts a unique selling point, going beyond cars to bring boats and planes into the mix. Bravely, Ubisoft persisted with the franchise, and The Crew 2 suggests it was right to do so.

The crew 2 gameplay