Forza 3 is a big step forward, but it’s not perfect
Since 2005 the Forza franchise has been whetting the appetites of Xbox 360 owners the world over, giving them the chance to point the finger back at Sony fans and feel proud that their console of choice featured a driving simulator that was arguably every bit as good as Gran Turismo.
This year things changed a little. The release of Need for Speed: Shift ushered in a new generation of racers which left little to the imagination with regards to video reproduction, sound, environments and driving quality. The unexpected critical success which Shift met lifted the bar even higher for racers still to come, Forza 3 included.
That being said, the team at development studio Turn 10 has managed to keep things competitive by altering the tried and tested Forza formula somewhat.
Career mode begins, like many other racers, with a driving test to determine which skill level will best suit the player. Subsequently the user is jettisoned into a number of D and E class races in entry level vehicles. Each grouping culminates in a weekend challenge which is longer and more testing than the one that came before it.
As the player completes these challenges they will earn credits (which can be used for upgrades and to purchase new cars), experience points (which will serve to increase the player’s driver level) and will be awarded manufacturer discounts for upgrades as well as new cars.
The upgrade system also allows players of differing experience levels to remain competitive without hassle. Included for the beginners is a ‘quick upgrade’ option which will automatically locate and adjust whatever is needed to make your vehicle faster. More advanced players can navigate numerous upgrade options, which are divided according to function, in order to get the kind of specific performance upgrades they are looking for.
Forza 3’s improved driving dynamics also serve to set it apart from other current racing simulators. The game features five levels of difficulty, each of which feature fewer assists than the last. The dynamics begin to really shine through when playing at the advanced level and above. The lack of assists and the newly implemented real time tire degradation begin to give the player a better feel of how the car is actually driving. In this case gear ratios and well placed breaking patterns are basic essentials which will ensure that the player positions well, or at the very least manages to stay on the track.
In the advent that a player manages to spin off or gets sandwiched in between two wayward competitors and forced into a wall Turn 10 has decided to include a ‘rewind function’ which allows the game to be reversed to a point at which the player is happy to continue. Although some may argue that this might detract from the overall simulation package it does succeed in eliminating lengthy load times when the player is forced to restart a race.
What really stands out in Forza 3 is the sheer number of cars it features. Upon loading the game for the first time the player is asked to insert a second disk (which comes standard with the game package) that installs additional vehicles and tracks onto the console drive. These span across fifty manufacturers and are all fully customisable. This is also the first Forza title to include SUV’s, refered to locally as ‘bakkies’, as part of the overall package, which is a welcome addition.
Better still all of these vehicles can be purchased early in the game and do not necessarily need to be unlocked. The only obstacle that stands in the player’s way is a lack of credits (a Bugatti Veyron retails for one million). This generally keeps the game moving along a conventional, yet enjoyable career path while giving the player the option to splurge on something fancy if they are prepared to save.
In terms of longevity Forza 3 fairs better than average when compared to other racing titles. The large volume of cars, tracks and racing options and the addition of a healthy multiplayer mode results in a racing title which you may still be playing in a few months.
Unfortunately Forza 3 is not without its faults. Although some critics have complained that Turn 10 once again chose not to include night driving and dynamic weather options, it is the game interface that is the biggest let down.
Forza 3’s menu system is slow, tedious and frankly annoying. In the early stages of the game an announcer explains each menu option to the player; unfortunately these announcements are not ‘one time’ events and continue whenever the player navigates the page. These cannot be bypassed and must be ‘turned off’ by pressing the X button at the end of the announcement.
Load times for races are also excessive. After a lengthy wait the player then proceeds to a ‘race menu’ in which ‘start race’ must be selected. After another lengthy wait time and an early race cut sequence which cannot be bypassed the player is then put behind the wheel of the car. Despite the quality of the racing, this is likely to irritate less patient gamers.
Another shortfall is overall sound quality and the lack of a competitive and realistic cockpit view. In both instances Forza 3 fails to compete with its closest current competitor, Need for Speed Shift.
Conclusion
Although Forza 3 is a big step forward for the franchise, the Xbox 360 and racing simulation as a whole, there are various elements of the game which could have been improved on before release. Despite a huge variety of vehicles, excellent handling and impressive visuals, load times and a poor user interface tarnish what is otherwise a very well polished racing simulator.
Information supplied by MyGaming
