USER     PASSWORD  
 Forgot username or password? Click here.
PLATFORM   Xbox360

Forza Motorsport 3 Review

GAME INFO
publisher: Microsoft
developer: Turn 10 Studios
genre: Racing

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
n/a
ESRB rating: E
homepage:
forzamotorsport.net/

release date: Oct 27, 09 (released)
» All About Forza Motorsport 3 on ActionTrip


October 30, 2009
Ure "Vader" Paul

People expect different things from games and it's tough to create something that pleases everyone. In gaming, genres have intertwined and they certainly aren't what they used to be. Meanwhile racing titles have sub-genres, in addition to incorporating elements from other popular genres. DiRT 2, for instance, contains RPG elements (gaining driver experience and such). It's also a racing sub-genre and is probably best suited for those who enjoy rally events, as opposed to classical racers such as the recently released Need for Speed game that received a complete overhaul, both gameplay and design wise. Forza Motorsport 3 strives to appeal to a wider gaming audience perhaps more than any other racer we've played recently.

Forza Motorsport 3 lets you jump into a race very quickly, be it a brief challenge lengthy season or multiplayer match. The game offers an impressive selection of over 400 vehicles, all of which are available right from the start. In other words, you don't have to complete specific events or challenges to unlock the cars - all of them are on offer straight away. Sure, the idea is to earn some experience points and money, although even the least skilled drivers will accomplish this in no time. The developers have basically done their best to tone down racing clichés and by the look of it, they've done more than a decent job. Simultaneously they've catered to the demands of any gamer - full vehicle customization, diverse events and challenges, a satisfying choice of tracks and, most importantly, a plenty of rewards at the end of races (store discounts, new cars, etc.). If you still haven't managed to collect enough cash for the car of your dreams, most of the influential manufacturers offer rewards such as vehicles if you prove yourself on the track (i.e. if you've finished a race in the 3rd place, at least).

There are 100 tracks in the game. World-famous tracks from earlier Forza games were incorporated - Suzuka, Nürburgring Nordschleife and the Sebring International Raceway. New events and areas, naturally, are in the game like the Montserrat region (Spain), the Amalfi Coast (Italy) and the regions in the American Southwest. Events and disciplines include Circuit, Oval, Drag, Drift and Timed Events. Basically, it rarely gets boring. At least that's how I felt.

The game was adjusted for all tastes and driving abilities. If you need help in any way during a race, the game provides a variety of options - automatic breaking assistance and similar useful facets. Players determine the degree realism, fine-tuning car damage and physics. Still, one of the best aspects of the game is being able to rewind the race and start from the spot where you feel you should've done something differently. It may seem like cheating, but when used properly it's actually a great way of improving your racing skills. You don't have to use the rewind option, of course. If you consider yourself of professional racing gamer, it's always possible to play without any assistance or time-reversing "trickery."

If it's a challenge you're looking for, you will find it here. I did see a few unanticipated moves pulled off by AI-controlled drivers, causing a number of cars drive off the track or crash. This was less frequent than I had expected. While the AI is capable of holding its own on the track, it repeatedly behaves as you are the only opponent. Sometimes it feels like the cars are in tight formation that's only broken when the player is in the vicinity. In spite of occasional AI weaknesses, the game is a challenge to all players. Some events last quite a bit and many of them involve lengthy tracks and over 8 or 9 laps, which requires a great deal of concentration and driving skill to complete.

The visuals in Forza are maybe not as realistic or detailed as in DiRT 2. Nonetheless, it brings a range of pleasant-looking tracks into play, along with an amazing variety of gorgeous and meticulously designed car models (man, I could seriously stare at that Ferrari 430 Scuderia all day). Great effort went into audio design, as well, with the engine sounds and tire sounds bringing the necessary dose of authenticity to the ride. There's a gratifying assortment of music tracks in the game, suited for most tastes I guess.

There's multiplayer portion here as well. Most players should get a kick out of the truly amazing customization options, both for vehicles and races. Yes, you can adjust nearly everything in a race, which gives you and your friends an opportunity to create just the type of game to you wish to play.

This year I was looking forward to Codemasters' DiRT 2 and Forza Motorsport 3 was second on my list of racers for this gaming season. Now that I played both of them, I have to admit that Forza delivers a far more rewarding package and an altogether thrilling racing experience. Catering to all gamers, experienced and newbies alike, this game provides ample content and looks and sounds good to boot.

If you're asking this gamer for advice - DiRT 2 is a bit aggressive and in-your-face, NFS: Shift is basically a letdown, but Forza Motorsport 3 is the racer to own in 2009.

PAGE 1

USER SCORE
7.4
YOUR SCORE
RATE IT 0.0
Editor's choice!
ACTIONTRIP SCORE
9.0   Excellent


HIGHS
A well-designed racing game, suited for all players and crammed with more than enough content, technically sound, visually pleasing, detailed customization for vehicles and races in multiplayer and single-player;

LOWS
AI acts too calmly sometimes, might still be a bit easy for gamers who had more experience with racing titles.

RATINGS GUIDE




8 post(s)
Reader Comments
Salgar [mail] Oct 30 2009, 07:52 am EDT
Just bought my steering wheel for this. It's amazing.
Vader [STAFF] [mail] Oct 30 2009, 08:58 am EDT
dammit i never have one of those things for these racers. should really get one and a helmet and full body armor and the powerful axe of deadly corrosion.
Vodoo [mail] Oct 30 2009, 09:00 am EDT
that's all that's needed, more reasons to loathe computer gaming.

fuck the PC.
Vader [STAFF] [mail] Oct 30 2009, 11:06 am EDT
Fuck gaming.
  Vodoo: now you're talking. quick, get on my back...we'll start a...
Burning [mail] Oct 30 2009, 11:33 am EDT
Playing Forza 3 daily myself as well and thinking of getting a steering wheel. I utterly love Forza because it is a racing simulator not an arcade game like most of the rest (including DiRT 2 etc). Powersliding with my M3 or just insanely overtuning my Lotus Exige so far it will cause wheelspin even when driving a straight line in 2nd gear... it's just fun! I do imagine that with a steering wheel you could train your skill in driving a car for real.

This game is a must-have. Get it.

The soundtrack blows a bit, though. Frantic technobeat and a small variety of tracks. Only the menu music is okay. Forza 2 had much better music.
  Vodoo: "you could train your skill in driving a car for real." n...
BmmB: Well, depends on one's tase. I tried that and it definitely ...
Vodoo: with a woman ?
optimus slime: Driving a car is very much like making love to a beautiful w...
BmmB: @Vodoo With a woman or more of them.
Vodoo: bush fire to be exact.
Cheddar: Yeah, I've heard about the music in Forza 3. Considering th...
PanteraFan666 [mail] Oct 30 2009, 07:12 pm EDT
a racing game is a racing game. but i do like the custom designs.
mmacarthur [mail] Oct 31 2009, 09:48 am EDT
"NFS: Shift is basically a letdown" definately not with you on that one my mates and I have had a ton of fun with Shift. Be nice to see Forza on PC (The Premier gaming platform Vader!) but it will never happen.
Cheddar [mail] Nov 01 2009, 11:48 am EST
I haven't tried Forza 3 yet, but I tried Shift, and it was pretty great, tbh.

Shift featured simulated g-force effects during driving and turning at high speed was much more realistic... both features that Forza 2 didn't have, and, for me, really made Shift a fresh and interesting racing experience. Plus, the cockpit view was quite nice.

I don't know how Forza 3 compares in these areas, but if the game is really just a graphical and car-list update to Forza 2, then I'd have to say that Shift is the better game, at least for me.
  mwmorph: Shift's physics were way off as far as handling. The base ph...
Cheddar: Well, the demo for the 360 played great, and I personally li...
  COMMENTS PAGE 1  


POST A COMMENT
Username:Password:



SEND THIS PAGE TO A FRIEND
Easily fill in your friends' emails to send them this page.
 
 
BACK TO TOP
TOP VIDEOS
VOTING POLL

Will you be buying Kinect for PC?

Absolutely.
Are you mad?
Maybe, I just don't know yet.
Only if it makes porn more interesting.
» view results
» view poll archives
TOP SCREENSHOTS
See previous images
See next images
 
 
TOP COMICS
Spiders of the Old RepublicBring Out The Big GunsThe Darksiders Brothers