Forza Motorsport 4 Review for Xbox 360

System: Xbox 360
Dev: Turn 10 Studios
Pub: Microsoft
Release: October 11, 2011
Players: 1-2 Local, (2+ Online)
Screen Resolution: 480p-720p

Matchmaking is better than ever too. The infamous Hoppers are back from Forza 3, which worked similar to matchmaking systems of shooters. Public custom lobbies have also made a return so gamers can fine-tune any aspect of their online interaction.

Rivals Mode allows players to compete asynchronously, besting each other's times, which allows for some great back-and-forth gameplay while you're jostling for top spot. It's a great way to challenge your friends or take pointers from the players at the top of the leaderboard.

The sound has also been upgraded significantly over Forza 3. The cars in Forza 4 sound rawer, more alive. Upgrades will also result in a change in engine note, as well. While that may be a small thing for the average gamer, it's a nice inclusion for car lovers.

Forza Motorsport 4 Screenshot

So Forza 4 has great graphics, sounds great, and plays extremely well. That's not to say it's without its drawbacks, though. While there are a lot of cars to choose from, there are some tracks that were staple tracks in the Forza series that have been removed: namely Rally di Positano and Sidewinder. Rally di Positano is in Forza 4, but it isn't actually Rally di Positano; it's Amalfi from Forza 3 with a different name. It's a shame, really, as now there's only one tarmac rally-type track, with Fujimi Kaido picking up the slack. Sidewinder, too, was a fun set of courses to hoon around on, though they weren't immensely popular.

Apparently Positano was extremely labor-intensive for the developers, and there simply wasn't enough time to bring the track up to snuff. But there are a few other omissions that don't make any sense. The Bugatti circuit at Le Mans comes to mind. It was already built, as there don't appear to be any changes to the main layout, so there's no reason it shouldn't have been included. Unless, of course, they're holding it back to be released later as DLC.

Some of the tuning options have also been trimmed back, which probably has to do with the complaints over the Performance Index (cars in Forza are rated according to their performance, with upgrades impacting the PI) and the way all-wheel-drive cars were rated. While some of the changes are probably for the better, it's difficult to understand why the makes that share parent manufacturers wouldn't be able to interchange parts, as in the last version.

There are other things that were left out that impact the experience as a whole a bit less. There's no night racing, and no weather effects like snow, rain, etc. There aren't any rally-type point-to-point stages on anything other than tarmac, the controls, while good, still aren't fully customizable after five years, and the in-game music is best left off.

All things considered, though, this is still a solid game. It's also an able simulator. The frame rate is locked at 60 frames per second at 1080p, no matter what's happening on-screen. I personally didn't experience any screen tearing or outrageous graphical hiccups outside of the occasional highly detailed car model pop-in here or there. Still, all of the cars have hi-res interiors, they're all fully customizable, and they're all immaculately modeled.

Forza Motorsport 4 allows for the most consistently great experience, both on track and off, and any racing fan would be remiss not to pick this up.

By Patriel Manning
CCC Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.9

Graphics
The frame rate is always locked at 60 fps, Autovista cars are unbelievably good, and the tracks don't disappoint.

4.3

Control
Controls are good, but not at all customizable. Wheel users are in for a treat.

4.4

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
I personally hate the in-game race music. The menu music is fine, but the real showstoppers are the cars themselves. They're beautifully captured.

4.7

Play Value
If you ever get bored playing Forza 4, it's because of your medical condition. Seek help immediately.

4.8

Overall Rating - Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

Platform-defining graphics. "Forza Motorsport 4" sets a new graphical standard for the racing genre. Featuring dramatic Hollywood-style camera effects and an all new lighting engine, "Forza Motorsport 4" creates an unparalleled, dramatically realistic graphical experience—all running at a silky-smooth 60 frames per second.

Xbox LIVE showpiece. "Forza Motorsport 4" is making racing more social than ever. Create a Car Club and build the ultimate dream team of drivers, tuners, and painters from the "Forza" community. Share your custom cars and dominate the other clubs. With the all-new Rivals Mode, play against your friends whether they are online or not by challenging them for bragging rights and rewards in a variety of different game types.

Industry-leading innovation with Kinect. Autovista Mode brings the automotive experience comes to life. Walk around the car in a virtual showroom, crouch down to look at the details, or open the doors and hood using the power of Kinect. Immerse yourself with Kinect Head Tracking, which pans the camera view based on how you naturally look into the corners when you're hard charging. Take the virtual wheel with Kinect as you sit on the couch with your friends and family—no controller required. You can even take advantage of Kinect voice control to easily navigate the game's menu.

More of what you love. With more than 80 manufacturers, the most in any racing game available today, "Forza Motorsport 4" features unrivaled diversity and more of the cars you love. The all new World Tour Mode boasts new tracks, unending choice and hundreds of hours of gameplay as you travel the globe with your favorite car. With the most accurate physics engine, cockpits and damage on every car, and assists that allow even the most casual player to race, "Forza Motorsport 4" redefines the genre.