Forza Motorsport

Reviewed by Angel Herrera
February 26, 2006

Developer: Microsoft Game Studios Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Platform(s): XBOX Players: 1-8 (XBOX Live Enabled) ESRB Rating: Everyone

Lancer Evolution. Image courtesy of XBOX. Click image to enlarge.

If you only have an Xbox and you are looking for a true driving game like Grand Turismo 4, Forza Motorsport is the answer for you. It offers more when you start the game as you are able to customize your car with layers upon layers of designs. Although this game has about one third of the amount of cars from GT 4, it makes up as a car fanatic's dream game. Gamers can do nearly everything on a car from changing gear ratios and tire pressure to more complicated things like changing the engine in the car. This might seem overwhelming to some, but the game does offer assistance by explaining what the modifications will do to your car.

This game also offers players the option of changing the look of the car to their liking by putting vinyl and decals. You can also manipulate the way the decals and vinyl look by adjusting their dimensions and orientation then placing them anywhere on the car. The cars are the stars of the game, but the environments look phenomenal from the time you start the race till the end. Drivers will travel from the mountains with the majestic skies to New York City and race in Time Square. All the environments exude the realism of the 25 + tracks that the game offers.

A lot of features were added to make this game as realistic as possible. Such features as the HUD from basics (like the speedometer, fuel gauge, and the tachometer or RPM gauge). The developers added something new in the racing genre that had been thought of as taboo: a damage indicator which tells the assistance indicator how much damage your car received during the race. The assistance indicator notifies you of the help that you are receiving during different applications such as anti-lock break system (ABS), stability management (STM) and traction control system (TCS). If you have never really played any type of racing simulator, the game offers beginners a guide to make you a better driver. On each track, there is a line for the player to follow that will indicate when to maintain speed, slow down, and when coming to a turn, how to maneuver the car.

Although these features are great for beginners, expert gamers who want a challenge can change any of these options at any time. One thing that I find to be very useful is the Drivator; (this is so you can teach the A.I. your racing habits and techniques so it may emulate you).

The game offers a lot from variety of cars and tracks to the different ways you are able to change the car into your own work of art. This game will challenge your racing skill to the limit, and you also challenge your friends. From top to bottom, this game is gold.