Forza Motorsport 2 (Xbox 360, 2007)

Forza Motorsport 2(FM2) is the best racing simulator made to date! I’ve played many racing games including the most recent Need for Speed: Carbon, Test Drive: Unlimited, and Project Gotham Racing 3(PGR3). PGR3 comes the closest with comparison in graphics. I would say PGR3 has better graphics mainly for it’s cockpit view detail. Like Forza 1, FM2 is exclusive to Xbox 360. This game cost me roughly $64 with tax. If I were ever to lose or damage this game, I would definitely buy another. FM2 is basically a great looking Forza 1 with more cars, more parts, and new tracks. Gamers will notice however, some tracks from the original Forza are not in FM2. I mainly miss Road America and Test Track Drag. Graphics, physics, and sounds have improved in this sequel.

Sounds in FM2 are outstanding. Sound definition has improved significantly. Each car has a specific sound. Gamers can tell the difference from a four cylinder engine from that of a eight cylinder. Moreover, the difference between a Ford eight cylinder and a Chevy eight cylinder. As usual, the game has a custom soundtracks feature. This feature enables gamers to listen to personal music from their hard drive while racing. Notice that the default Forza soundtrack can’t be adjusted. Gamers can’t pick which songs they want to hear and remove others.

The graphics are awesome! Ever since the invention of high definition games, video gaming will never be the same. The graphics in FM2 can be displayed in 480p, 720p, and 1080i. The real time graphics are awesome. The real time graphics are all the reflections and shadows seen while racing. While racing, gamers will notice how sunlight bends around body lines and arches. Also, gamers will notice the reflections from track markers, light posts, signs, and other cars bouncing off the car’s hood.

The physics are incredible. Like many racing games before, when gamers hit something, their controller vibrates. In FM2, gamers can also feel vibration when they hit a cone, run over the apron, and even when they shift gears. There is a racing wheel controller available for FM2. This controller has force feedback, meaning it fights gamers like a simulator should. Gamers can adjust collision damage when racing. Gamers can choose out of the three: no damage, cosmetic only, or simulation. Depending on the one gamers choose, they can increase their potential earnings. If they choose simulation damage, every part of their car is vulnerable. Gamers can damage their engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, steering, and their gearbox.

A new feature added to FM2 is the real time telemetry. The real time telemetry is a display that allows gamers to monitor every aspect of their car. In replay mode, gamers can even display their opponent’s telemetry. The telemetry displays horsepower, torque, rpms, clutch position, boost(if turbo charged or supercharged), and also what gear their in. Gamers can also monitor g force, tire wear and temperature. Not just one temperature, but three per tire. Suspension is also monitored. The telemetry can displays the percentage of weight distribution per corner. It also displays fuel level. It even displays what tires are losing traction. I have never seen a car’s physics monitored this thoroughly.

The multiplayer capabilities are great in FM2. As usual, gamers can race their friend head to head on the same television. Thanks to Xbox Live, an online gaming service, gamers can play their friend from two different houses or continents for that matter. Let’s say a gamer wants to play on separate televisions but they want to rub defeat in their friend’s face; system link is the solution. System link enables up to eight Xbox 360s to setup a local area network(LAN) to play in the same house or building. This allows gamers to have eight people to race and everyone has their own screen.
Along with the real time telemetry, there a few new features in FM2. Features such as the Auction House. The Auction House is an online feature that enables gamers to buy and sell cars. Something gamers will notice different from Forza 1 and FM2 is the value of rewarded cars. In FM2, a rewarded car isn’t worth much. This has encouraged online gamers to put these cars up for sell in the Auction House. Or, if a gamer designs a really sweet car they can usually sell that for a nice chunk of credits. The Auction House is also a way to purchase a car that has not been unlocked. Gifting cars is yet another nice feature in FM2. Gamers can simply give a car to a fellow gamer.

Photo Mode and Forza Motorsport TV are new to FM2. Photo Mode enables gamers to take in-game pictures of their car or any part of the track. Gamers can upload pictures to the Forza website. Once uploaded, photos can be viewed online by the public. The spectator mode dubbed, Forza Motorsport TV, enables gamers to watch ongoing races within current tournaments. Gamers can also view photos and replays. This feature allows gamers to monitor potential friends or recruits for a car club. I believe both the spectator mode and Photo Mode were inspired by PGR3. In PGR3, the spectator mode is called Gotham TV, which is similar to Forza Motorsport TV. Neither features were in Forza 1, and FM2 was released after PGR3.

In FM2, online is much better than the original Forza. Even the menu layout for online has improved. Most of the online features are the same. Gamers can create or join a car club. Gamers can race against the clock on time trials. Gamers can view leaderboards to see where they and their friends stand. Tournaments are set up better. The Auction House is a new online feature.

The career mode is truly awesome. In career mode, gamers begin by choosing a home region. Most of the layout of career mode is exactly the same as Forza 1. Once a region is chosen, then gamers must buy an entry level car to get started. Winning races earns credits. By earning credits a gamer levels up, which unlocks cars and races. If a gamer increases difficulty, then they will increase their potential earned credits. Gamers can use these credits to buy cars and to upgrade their own cars. The career mode will take a long time to complete. The endurance races alone will take 13 hours.

The car customization is great! I love modifying cars. The main reason I keep racing is to unlock cars and get money to purchase upgrades. There are many new parts in FM2. Gamers can change body parts, wheels, and window tint. Gamers can upgrade performance parts like suspension, brakes, transmission, weight reduction, and engine swaps. Not only engines, but transmission swaps as well. For example, gamers can put a Honda S2000 motor and rear wheel drive transmission in a Honda Civic Hatchback. Gamers can also paint their car. Three different types of paint: gloss, metallic, and pearlescent. Gamers can also paint their wheels and brakes. Gamers can change the size and width of wheels. Gamers can get real creative using vinyl layers. Gamers can choose from stripes, tears, flames, numbers, letters, tribal, and shapes. Once a gamer completes their masterpiece, they can put it up for sale at the Auction House.

The Arcade Mode is about the same. Gamers have three choices: Free Run, Exhibition Race, and Auto Cross. In Arcade Mode, gamers can use any of the unlocked cars provided or their own personal cars in the garage. Auto Cross is a course outlined with cones, that gamers race from point a to b. Free Run allows gamers to practice without having other cars in their way. Free Run is a good chance to test and tune cars. Tuning allows gamers to adjust their car to be fast on every track.

Some gamers don't like Forza 1 and FM2 because they are simulators. Those gamers want to get in a car and mash the gas through every turn. Sorry, this isn't Need For Speed. Gamers actually have to drive in FM2. I would recommend this game to anyone who owns a Xbox 360. This game is an obvious must have. This is my favorite game for the Xbox 360, mainly because of it's ability to be replayed. Two things I hope to see on the next Forza are more cars and more tracks(at least the tracks left out from Forza 1).

Recommend this product? Yes