Ubisoft has explained why review copies of The Crew won’t be coming out until the game releases for everyone. Mainly, the game needs to be experienced with its online component.
While the game has an offline component, it was really made around online multiplayer. Much like Driveclub or Destiny, a review of the game will not be able to do it justice if it is not reviewed as it was intended to be played – with thousands of other players online.
With this rationale, review copies are coming at the same date as the official release on December 2. In this way, reviewers won’t just be able to test the content Ubisoft has laid out, but the servers’ real world performance as well. Ubisoft also insists any reviews made based on their upcoming betas won’t reflect the actual game’s final quality. In short, they are arguing that for this game, it can only be reviewed in the form that gamers get to play it.
Ubisoft also tries to push the narrative that the game is not getting review embargoes, but of course, based on what they claim about the game's online nature, embargoes would be a moot point to begin with.
The Crew will be released on December 2 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. An open beta will be coming up for the game this November 25.