Are improved graphics and new gameplay modes enough to reinvigorate the Forza franchise? Find out inour review!
The game alternates features real time day and night cycles.
The gameplay in Forza Horizon is a departure for the series. The game mixes elements of Burnout and Need For Speed with its emphasis on speed and destruction. During the Horizon festival in Colorado, players must gain street cred to unlock races, challenges, and vehicles. Players can compete in drift, rally, and point-to-point races. For the first time in a Forza game, players will encounter traffic, which creates a need for technique when reaching break neck speeds in a race to the finish. Don’t be afraid to damage your car as property damage adds to your street cred. Drifting and vaulting over objects is encouraged as you gain wristbands to advance your ranking during the Horizon festival. Players can even challenge other Horizon Festival drivers to a random point on the map. If that wasn’t enough, players can also compete in various challenges that test your skills against helicopters and bi-planes. Throw in speed traps, photography mode, accurate handling of different cars, and the hidden classics you will find in barns around the map and you have a game that continues to reward the player through exploration and gameplay.
The game awards you for exploration and destruction.
Forza Horizon is amazing. It takes the amazing presentation and gameplay from the Forza Motorsport franchise and improves it. The different game modes, race types, and vehicles make for a truly fun racing experience. Also, with all the DLC that Playground Games has promised players, this game will be around for a while. For a game that is considered a “spin-off “, it is a welcomed inclusion to the franchise. For those fans that were nervous to jump in the driver’s seat, afraid that there would be to many changes to the award winning formula, you are missing out on the best racing game of the year. When it comes to Forza Horizon, as the song says, “Shut-up and drive!”.
Score: 9 / 10
