Game Review: Forza Motorsport
Rated by 2 members
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that the game may be too complex for
younger players. It also has a thick materialistic atmosphere;
players not only are inundated with car-related advertising,
but are also encouraged to shop for upgrades.Also, one
introductory video briefly features a scantily-clad woman
suggestively caressing a car.Families who buy this game may use
it as a tool to discuss materialism: Why do some people spend
so much energy and money on cars? Parents may also wish to
point out the ads in the game. Ask your kids: Do you notice ads
in games more or less than commercials on TV? Why would a
company decide to advertise in a video game instead?
Common Sense Media Review
Racing fans who wonder how a Ford Mustang with an upgraded
turbocharger and intercooler would compete against an Acura
Integra with a top-of-the-line supercharger and a clubsport
differential need wonder no longer.
And those who didn't think they'd care might want to prepare to be converted. That's because FORZA MOTORSPORT, a new racing simulator from Microsoft, delivers an all-consuming experience. Players should expect top-notch racing physics and true-to-life vehicles.
The game has the requisite single-event, multiplayer, time-trial, and practice modes, but the meat is in the career mode. A Forza racing career entails a wealth of cars and upgrades, and scores of races across the globe, from real-life tracks like the dusty Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in California, to city streets in New York and Rio de Janeiro, to fictional climbs up Japanese mountain roads.
Reckless driving will certainly result in crashes (although they are never so violent as to flip the car). One spin-out can move you from first to last, and damage can affect handling for the rest of the race. Fortunately the game provides plenty of helpful options, the most innovative being a suggested line on the track that shows cornering routes, and changes colors to guide braking and acceleration.
Advancing through different race modes unlocks new cars, and winning results in cash awards. Money can be used to purchase a range of upgrades from the critical (better tuned engines) to the frivolous (rims and tinted windows). And if you don't feel like racing? Gamers can train a computer-controlled stand-in that will mimic their driving style, and use money to enter this "drivatar" in races. Players are likely to feel a real sense of ownership with their customized cars, especially after decorating them with all the available paint-jobs and decals. Nothing says love like a tricked out, lime green Audi TT Coupe 3.2 quattro with a hot-pink skull emblazoned on the hood.
Racers who want to show-off their customized rides or who long for the sheer unpredictability and dirty tricks of real human rivals can take advantage of abundant Xbox Live features: Players can race against seven other cars online and even buy and sell customized vehicles with other Forza fanatics.
In terms of presentation, Forza is good but somewhat below what the Xbox is capable of. Cars sound impressive, but look a little plain and some lighting effects are choppy. The environments and backgrounds likewise get the job done, though they do present a ton of racing related (Toyo tires, Bosch spark plugs) and some non-racing related (Levi's, Toys R Us) advertising in the form of billboards and stores. The game music is generic rock, and although passable, players may want to use the Xbox's ability to rip CDs to compile their own speedster soundtracks.
Overall, any racing fan or gamer even curious about racing will probably find themselves sucked into Forza Motorsport's nearly bottomless racing depths. Combined with spot-on but sometimes unforgiving physics, these depths will reward patient and committed racers, but may leave younger players or arcade fans frustrated.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
