May 18, 2007 - When Microsoft debuted Forza Motorsport, many gamers were quick to judge the title for being either a Project Gotham Racing or a Gran Turismo clone. While some fans still argue that Forza was nothing more than a clone, even they cannot deny that Forza brought that something extra that Gran Turismo never would - customization. However, Forza wouldn't just stop there. The driving experiences were sharper and more in tune with the actual handling of the vehicle. While some say that Gran Turismo still had the more authentic cars, Forza took the appeal of drive accurately to a whole new level, and they are about to do it again. I recently had the opportunity to spend some quality time with this Über realistic racer.

The brief video shows exactly what we have been waiting for - sleeker cars, better graphics, and all of the engine revving that we could handle with accurate precision. I was able to play with cars from the C, A, and R2 class. A few favorites make an appearance, albeit in new smooth graphics. The lighting effects that shimmer off the car are immaculate. The way the sunlight flows along the outline of the cars is something not yet seen in a racer. While the amount of detail shown in swirling clouds and the passing trees is spectacular, the lackluster plain details on the pavement are not as impressive. Now you might be saying, "Hey, its just pavement how much detail could they do?" Even though I would normally agree, here the tracks look too much like they have just been paved and you are the first drivers on the road. Then again, I might be petty about this, but when you have the amount of details racing past you that are present everywhere else, and then you look down to the road before you, you might think it yourself.

I have to give credit to the sound designers on this game. They have mesmerizingly captured the melodic sounds of an engine about to explode with horsepower. Even the scraps along the walls and other cars sound authentic. With games like Burnout and Motosport taking the sounds of games to the extreme in order to pique the interest of the gamers' neurological senses for destruction, it is still a good feeling to see that some racers focus on the realism aspect of the game. Forza does this with not only the sounds, but the destruction of your car as well. Bits and pieces fly off your vehicle with each crash until all you have is the basic body of the car. So, do not get too attached to you side view mirrors or your spoilers. Not as detailed as glass shattering or bumpers falling off, but just enough to say "hey, my car is messed up." These attentions to detail are not the only things to surely capture the hearts of racing fans, thankfully.

The handling of the cars appears to slightly differ for each car. These are only slight in the demo, but there will hopefully be more depth to the individual cars once the final release is available. One thing is for certain though: the overall performance of the vehicles is more realistic. None of the cars, much like the first Forza, have the insane speed faction that has become staple in racers over the last few years. Instead of chasing after sports racing cars in your little Volkswagen unrealistically, you will have to grab a hold of the gearshift and step it up on the sports racing vehicles. As for how tight the vehicles grip the road, you should not have a problem as long as you stay on the road. However, that seems to be where the problem could be. If you are brand new to the series, the precise handling of the vehicles could turn you away quickly. After several games that miraculously capture the speed of vehicles on a hyperactive level, Forza 2 could cause you to go into withdrawal. That said, once you dive further into understanding the mechanics of how to take turns without sliding, you will be in love with the realism.

Forza is being hyped as the most realistic racing simulator. So realistic, that you can even better enhance your driving skills while playing. While realism is an important factor, do gamers really want a repeat of the Turismo phenomenon of games so close to reality that we forget why we play games. I will hold judgment until the actual release is out. Until then, I will be practicing my turns and soaking up the realistic lighting and environments. Be sure to check back for our full review on the evolution of the racing simulator.

By Matthew Walker
CCC Project Coordinator

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