Forza Motorsport 3 Review

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.

This one's mine. All mine. Mine, I say!

It took me a while to ear this baby.

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.

Classy.

I've seen this car in my neighborhood too often.

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.