Turn 10's latest installment of simulation racer, Forza Motorsport 3
By Ross Waters
Since the initial title release on May 2005, the Forza Motorsport series has established itself as the champion of the Racing genre on the Xbox and Xbox 360 consoles, even challenging the Gran Turismo, Mario Kart and TOCA series for the title of the best race driving game around.
The latest installment, Forza Motorsport 3, brings the series to high-definition as well as next generation. Many times the series has been criticised for being too ‘hardcore’, and a game for only the best of the aspiring Jenson Button’s to play. However, this installment has features so that even the newest player to driving games can leap into a Bugatti Veyron and win races, with extras such as traction control, anti-lock brakes and even auto-brake for the absolute beginner.
These features take nothing from the game and the experience. The graphics (especially on a HDMI-enabled television) are truly stunning, with the finest details on the car and track reflected perfectly. In particular, the damage is devastating, especially on the harder difficulties, with every touch of the barrier and other cars making anything from a scratch to an ‘un-driveable’ car.
The opposition AI is also much more intelligent. The cars do not stick to the racing line, they duck, dive and defend, and even try to ram you off the track. However, some of this can be excessive on the harder modes if you’re good enough to catch them. Fortunately, there is a ‘rewind’ system, so you can go ‘back in time’ and correct any mistakes. This does take some of the true simulation out of the game (unless you have a Fluxcapacitor obviously), but lets you take the last corner again, instead of restarting a 50 lap endurance race you simply must win.
The Legendary Bugatti Veyron Tackling The Equally Legendary Corkscrew At Laguna Seca
Career mode this time is very thorough, although it does resemble a checklist. You do get a calendar and you have to work through the years, but there is no real feel of a passage of time, and that other teams are moving, unlike on Race Driver:Grid. You initially start with lower class cars, I chose a Ford Fiesta Zetec, and you work up the ranks, winning, buying and tuning cars. This is where, I feel, that Forza really excels. The range of cars is brilliant, from super-common Mazda MX-5’s and Ford Focus’s you see and maybe own, to race-designed cars and even the hyper-cars you will probably never own, such as the Zonda F. A nice feature would have been the addition of single-seater racers, like Formula 3 models and even Karts, and might have added a new dimension and competition to the game.All cars can be tuned, with your basic changes (e.g. Engine, Weight Reduction and Brakes), to the changes even Ross Brawn will challenge to fully master such as Gear ratio’s and full engine conversions. If you also like to make your cars personal and not look like they’ve just arrived from the dealership, you can edit the looks of a car. This is traditionally Forza’s advantage over the Gran Turismo’s and Grid’s, and Forza 3 does not disappoint. The available options are practically unlimited, and no two individually designed cars will ever be the same. This is also a great way to play and waste a few hours waiting for your friends to come online, and just to take a break from the racing experience.
Online the game is very similar in drive, however there is not generally much deviation in the format of a racing game. The online experience is smooth, graphics do not lose quality, but the usual ’smash you off the track’ racers will be there. However, Turn 10 have incorporated a Forza 3 ‘ebay’, called the storefront. This is a brilliant little feature where you can buy and sell cars, car designs, pictures and also pre-tuned setups, and well as the seller maybe making some money. Another plus is the bargains you can pick up. Enough searching will save you thousands of pounds, I recently purchased a classic, pacy Lamborghini for just 30 grand, worth nearly 150.
In conclusion, the latest Forza installment does not disappoint. It’s awesome graphics, limitless options and the time-consuming level of detail will keep you wanting for days. However, small issues like another rejection of single-seater racers and cars stangley being allowed to race above their class, this is still not the perfect racer. Whether the latest Gran Turismo edition and the highly delayed and anticipated offical F1 series can deliver is yet to be seen, but Turn 10 have definitely set the standard with Forza Motorsport 3 and Microsoft must be delighted to see an exclusive Xbox 360 title release such a great level of gameplay.
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