Hybrid
06-23-2007, 10:36 PM
Please somewhat ignore the ratings. I will give a more in depth review belowForza 2 (Xbox 360)
Game play: Forza 2 is a driving simulator, not an arcade game such as PGR3. You can't just go 100mph on a turn and expect to nail it, you need to slow down. If you go to fast without the right tuning, expect your car to go out of control. The cars need very good handling statistics, otherwise no matter how much horsepower you put into the car; it'll go skidding like crazy. Different upgrades change how the car performs, for example, adding a rear spoiler will increase the car's ability to turn but it adds weight making the overall speed decrease. If you are a real driver, you may be able to recover faster than a newbie since the turns feel so real. Overall, this game is pretty similar to driving in reality. If you want your kid to ace his driving test, give him a wheel and this game. :). The online play is similar to single player but with the addition of human intelligence and voice. This makes the game more entertaining.
Graphics: From crashes to broken parts, Forza 2's graphics are amazing. I'll start off with the cars. The texture, designs, and every aspect of detail make the cars in this game look very real. If you take a look at certain race cars and compare them to Forza cars, they have been replicated to look identical. This includes paint jobs, car design, spoilers, tires and everything else. However, if you look very carefully, you'll see some jagged lines on the edges of the car which is not realistic.
Next go to lighting and shadows. Now, to be honest, I don't really pay attention to these details that much but lighting and shadows make this game pretty realistic. Let's say for example you're in one of the tracks that are sunny and bright, the sun’s rays will reflect off the car. The background also is relative to the sun, shady areas such as the pitting area with a little shield on top are dark, the grass and the trees are bright. I am not a big fan of lighting effects that are WAY overdone. I personally think the "DiRT" demo for example was exploding with lighting effects. Forza 2 has the perfect amount, it relates to if you were out on the track watching the race. Lighting effects and shadowing are not really important factors to this game but anything like this will be better.
Finally, let's talk about car damage. Once you crash into a wall or another car, you immediately lose parts or your car gets destroyed. If you change the settings, the damage you have taken reflects towards the actual game. For example, if you slam the hell out on your brakes on the dirt, later on it might not function properly. I really enjoy when my car loses its mirrors, bumpers and real spoiler. The damage makes it look like your car has been in many accidents. I also love when your tire is very damaged, you'll see smoke.
Sound: Don't you just love the sound of acceleration? The faster your car goes, the louder and faster the sound effects are. The sound of a race car going 200mph might make you want to slow down. If you slam on the brakes, it'll make a screeching sound on the road and leave tire marks everywhere. This isn't some random screeching sound; it's the real sound of friction. Once you're out of control, you might end up crashing into a wall or another car. If you bump a car, it'll simply make a little "bump" noise and nothing major happens. However, once you crash into another car at 200mph (*Thinks about my race with F34R :lol:*) you'll hear a very loud crashing sound with glass breaking, parts falling off...etc. Overall, the sound effects are very realistic. To enjoy the full sound, turn your speakers up to -25dBs.
Replay Value: I love this game, it is very addicting. The main reason why I love it so much is because of the customizing and auction house where you can bid on other cars. You will find that you need to upgrade your cars A LOT because on higher difficulties, the AI gets better. Earning money is another reason why I play it so much. I can bid on cars, upgrade my cars, buy new cars. I don't think i'll get bored of this game for a while like I do other racing games. This is a must buy!
Value: For $60, this game is worth every single penny. For another $130, you can upgrade your driving experience with the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel like I have (See my Wireless Wheel review). The game play is excellent, online play is great, and the replay value is very good. I don't think I'll be buying another game for a while.
Graphics: 7/10
Sound: 10/10
Game play: 10/10
Value/Replay Value: 10/10
Overall: 9/10This is a must buy game for any racing fan! You won’t be disappointed.
Game play: Forza 2 is a driving simulator, not an arcade game such as PGR3. You can't just go 100mph on a turn and expect to nail it, you need to slow down. If you go to fast without the right tuning, expect your car to go out of control. The cars need very good handling statistics, otherwise no matter how much horsepower you put into the car; it'll go skidding like crazy. Different upgrades change how the car performs, for example, adding a rear spoiler will increase the car's ability to turn but it adds weight making the overall speed decrease. If you are a real driver, you may be able to recover faster than a newbie since the turns feel so real. Overall, this game is pretty similar to driving in reality. If you want your kid to ace his driving test, give him a wheel and this game. :). The online play is similar to single player but with the addition of human intelligence and voice. This makes the game more entertaining.
Graphics: From crashes to broken parts, Forza 2's graphics are amazing. I'll start off with the cars. The texture, designs, and every aspect of detail make the cars in this game look very real. If you take a look at certain race cars and compare them to Forza cars, they have been replicated to look identical. This includes paint jobs, car design, spoilers, tires and everything else. However, if you look very carefully, you'll see some jagged lines on the edges of the car which is not realistic.
Next go to lighting and shadows. Now, to be honest, I don't really pay attention to these details that much but lighting and shadows make this game pretty realistic. Let's say for example you're in one of the tracks that are sunny and bright, the sun’s rays will reflect off the car. The background also is relative to the sun, shady areas such as the pitting area with a little shield on top are dark, the grass and the trees are bright. I am not a big fan of lighting effects that are WAY overdone. I personally think the "DiRT" demo for example was exploding with lighting effects. Forza 2 has the perfect amount, it relates to if you were out on the track watching the race. Lighting effects and shadowing are not really important factors to this game but anything like this will be better.
Finally, let's talk about car damage. Once you crash into a wall or another car, you immediately lose parts or your car gets destroyed. If you change the settings, the damage you have taken reflects towards the actual game. For example, if you slam the hell out on your brakes on the dirt, later on it might not function properly. I really enjoy when my car loses its mirrors, bumpers and real spoiler. The damage makes it look like your car has been in many accidents. I also love when your tire is very damaged, you'll see smoke.
Sound: Don't you just love the sound of acceleration? The faster your car goes, the louder and faster the sound effects are. The sound of a race car going 200mph might make you want to slow down. If you slam on the brakes, it'll make a screeching sound on the road and leave tire marks everywhere. This isn't some random screeching sound; it's the real sound of friction. Once you're out of control, you might end up crashing into a wall or another car. If you bump a car, it'll simply make a little "bump" noise and nothing major happens. However, once you crash into another car at 200mph (*Thinks about my race with F34R :lol:*) you'll hear a very loud crashing sound with glass breaking, parts falling off...etc. Overall, the sound effects are very realistic. To enjoy the full sound, turn your speakers up to -25dBs.
Replay Value: I love this game, it is very addicting. The main reason why I love it so much is because of the customizing and auction house where you can bid on other cars. You will find that you need to upgrade your cars A LOT because on higher difficulties, the AI gets better. Earning money is another reason why I play it so much. I can bid on cars, upgrade my cars, buy new cars. I don't think i'll get bored of this game for a while like I do other racing games. This is a must buy!
Value: For $60, this game is worth every single penny. For another $130, you can upgrade your driving experience with the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel like I have (See my Wireless Wheel review). The game play is excellent, online play is great, and the replay value is very good. I don't think I'll be buying another game for a while.
Graphics: 7/10
Sound: 10/10
Game play: 10/10
Value/Replay Value: 10/10
Overall: 9/10This is a must buy game for any racing fan! You won’t be disappointed.