If there’s one studio that has managed to make a quantum leap when it comes to sequels in franchises…well, we could name many. But one of the top picks would have to be Turn 10 Studios. The differences between Forza Motorsport 2 and Forza Motorsport 3 are quite vast, and the improvements they have made in each area of the racing genre are unspeakably superb – we were still playing it leading up to the release of Forza Motorsport 4, actually. Now that the next iteration is here, does it take a huge step forward too? Well, not entirely – but it’s still an unbeatable racing experience in itself. The first thing you’ll notice is the huge array of cars you’ll get to race with. We’re talking a variety of vehicles from Ford, Mazda and other international car makers, with hundreds to buy, customize and trade if you feel like it’s going to earn an honest buck. You’ll build yourself a dream collection in no time, consisting of the likes of an Audi R8, a Bugatti Veyron, and several others. In fact, if you’ve played Forza 3 quite extensively, you’ll even earn a modest reward for your troubles – extra cash and cars for your playing pleasure. (You can also keep liveries earned from Forza 3, though not full designs for some reason.)
Once you have your vehicle of choice, you can dive head first into World Tour mode, and here’s where Forza 4 really takes shape. In this mode, you can bounce around the world to various campaigns, choosing whatever racing events you desire and selecting different cars in the process. As dreamy as Forza 3’s tourneys are, the fact you’re not given much choice in what to race at first got a little strenuous. That pain is relieved here, as you can take part in a number of races and earn new cars in the process, developing your racing persona however you see fit. It’s a great sense of freedom, and really gives you a lay of the land better than the previous game did. The level up system also returns, but it’s mainly focused on your driver, rather than your cars. However, this experience helps you build relationships, or rather an “affinity”, with car makers, giving you options for cash prizes, valuable upgrades, and the opportunity to buy sweeter rides. You’ll be able to build your ultimate ride within a matter of hours, rather than grinding on the same campaign repeatedly until you feel like it’s been properly earned. A bit of a cheat? To the hardcore, perhaps. But racing fans and casual players won’t mind in the least. Besides, you’ll need it for the online competitions. (More on that in a second.)
Turn 10 Studios knows how vitally important the “feel” of racing is, and it’s inputted it into every vast inch of road you race on here. Each of the cars handle just like their real counterparts, whether you’re trying to corner in a Ferrari or show off your speed in a Lamborghini. Settings can be adjusted as well, should you feel the need for brake assistance or want to see what your car can do with the “limits” turned off. (If you’re a newbie, though, start on easy and gradually ease into your changes. You’ll thank us later.) The difficulty is fairly balanced, though you can still be penalized for several seconds with running off the road or bumping someone. Thankfully, the rewind feature returns, so you can clean up a mistake if you go a little too far off the tracks. The best contact-less race times go up through online leaderboards, and you can race against your friends’ ghosts – or your own, if you think you can do better – at any time in the great new Rivals Mode. A worthwhile feature if they’re not available for direct competition, we think. (On a side note, the new Microsoft steering wheel controller works magnificently with this game, even if it’s not as stable on a stand as Logitech’s. On a side note, it’s also not nearly as expensive.)
This final review for Forza Motorsport 4, from Microsoft and Turn 10 Studios, concludes on the next page, please click Page 2 below to read on.
