Forza Motorsport 3 Review
I remember a number of years ago flicking through the pages of a magazine devoted to street racing and automotive customisation and seeing this advertisement for a new racing game. This game was of course Forza Motorsport, and I recall wanting to purchase an Xbox console just to get it. A few years later the Xbox 360 was released and with it came Forza Motorsport 2. For me, this was the first simulation racer I had owned and played – and I liked it. The graphics were great, the car selection was fantastic and overall, the game was developed and put together nicely. A few more years later still and we have Forza Motorsport 3, the latest instalment to Microsoft’s golden-boy racing franchise and one of the most highly acclaimed and respected racing simulators on the market. But does the latest incarnation from Turn10 Studios deliver upon their proven track-record, or does it remain in the pits?
First and foremost, let me declare that Forza Motorsport 3 is a brilliant game. It follows the same premise as the previous two games, a racing simulator combined with the ability to customise your vehicle with an array of performance and visual modifications, from engine upgrades to spoilers to liveries. Now initially a simulator might seem boring as most non-racing enthusiasts consider it nothing more than another track-racer where you have to take corners at a snail’s pace, but such comments couldn’t be more wrong. The first thing you notice is that, unlike any other simulation racer (apart from Race Pro), Forza Motorsport 3 is extremely accessible to even the most inexperienced gamer. With a host of driving assists to compliment your driving style, it caters for both the hardcore and the newcomers and this is fantastic for attracting new gamers into the franchise and for retaining the already dedicated fans.
One thing you notice about Forza Motorsport 3 is just how great it looks. The level of detail put into the exteriors and interiors is phenomenal. Something new to the franchise was the addition of a cockpit view, allowing you to race from inside the vehicle, and the developers have done well to ensure that not detail was skipped here. The dials and buttons on the dashboard are all clearly visible, the display behind the steering wheel for the better part is clear and even things like the safety warnings on the sun-visors have been included. Some cars will have great visibility of the track while others (like race cars) are cluttered with the view of the roll cage and sponsor decals, and this all adds to the authenticity of the racing experience. While you’ll come across the odd jagged edge, nothing in this game looks particularly bad and it was good to see that the in-game graphics looked as good as the still images we saw before its release.
The physics in this game are also top-notch. Each car handles differently, each car performs uniquely and each car has its own individual and realistic engine note. Whether you’re driving a low class Mitsubishi GTO or a race-bred McLaren F1, you notice the differences between them and this further enhances the whole racing experience. I particularly remember driving a Maserati MC12 race car and just struggling to keep it under control as the power would see it slide out of corners without throttle control, and this doesn’t just make the race interesting, it puts you in the middle of it all as you get that sense that you really are controlling the vehicle as opposed to an arcade racer where everything feels pretty much the same.
While the game as a whole is quite solid, there are a few problems I came across which show a little reason for concern. The first, and my largest gripe, is the stupidity of the A.I. on the odd occasion. For the better part, they are quite responsive and you won’t have much of an issue, but every once in a while I found myself being hit from behind either because I slowed down at a point earlier than the other cars or even when approaching the apex when I had the racing line. Yes, it is expected that the opponents can’t always react to all circumstances, but when approaching a corner and the A.I. suddenly finds it fitting to turn into me ... not impressed.
I also had a problem with the implementation of the new caution system to eliminate cheating for lap times on the Leaderboard. Gone are the time penalties as they are replaced with simple warnings which tell you that your time is no longer valid. Fair enough, I’ll understand that I shouldn’t be able to post a time if I’ve cut corners or hit other racers, but when I’m cautioned for being drafted by the A.I. behind me, it just makes no sense. Further problems include a lack of shortcuts to upgrade your car before a race to avoid navigating your way through menus and a lacklustre search feature to find suitable cars for specific events.
In the end though, with over 400 vehicles and 300 track variants, Forza Motorsport 3 really does deliver a solid racing experience. Boasting the best graphics for a racing title on the console to date, and with physics that are not only realistic but accessible, this game is as enjoyable, if not more, than most arcade racers on the market. There are the odd problems as pointed out and the online side of the game isn’t perfect (the ability to truly customise your race to your liking is a little limited), but with the developers continuing to provide support and updates for the fans, Forza Motorsport 3 has proven to be one awesome title. I might have been a little sceptical before its release, but Forza Motorsport 3 really is where dreams are driven ... at least, where automotive dreams are driven.
- Anchorman Mazda
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