Forza Motorsport 2
Added June 15th, 2007 by Serenity Now
Forza Motorsport on the original Xbox showcased what a simulation racer could be. It shined akin to a glaring headlight in every aspect, with ridiculously realistic physics, lifelike visuals, and addictive multiplayer. For its sequel, Turn 10 returned to the drawing board. This time around, they wanted to incorporate an even better physics engine and allow the player more customization options than they’d know what to do with. Without beating around the bush, they succeeded.
Before beginning your career, you will choose your home region (North America, Europe, or Asia). The location you select will vastly influence the layout of your career. While it won’t affect course selection, it does determine which manufacturers will be apt to give you complimentary cars and discounts, among other awards and bonuses.
In a nutshell, Forza Motorsport 2’s single-player will have you competing in tournaments, earning credits and pimping out your rides, both cosmetically and internally. This formula may seem a tad on the simplistic side, but gamers needn’t worry because Forza 2 goes leaps and bounds above other racers in the detail department. Not only are there a plethora of upgrades to perform on your cars, but there’s also an exceedingly nifty tuning feature. Here you can adjust your tire pressure, alignment, suspension, differential, and tons more. For novices and pros alike, there’s a benchmark screen that displays exactly what your fine-tuning has done.
Career tournaments consist of three individual races. Every time you place first, second or third, you will rake in credits. Credits are obviously used to purchase upgrades and new vehicles, but they’re also your ticket to leveling up. Some events will require you to have reached a certain level before you can enter. An easy way to obtain additional credits is to re-race tournaments that you’ve already won.
If you’re a customization guru, you’ve come to the right place. As you probably recall, the original Forza allowed the player to apply one-hundred layers of manufacturer decals and prearranged vinyl shapes on each specified location of their car. Forza 2 takes things a step further, allowing the user to apply up to one-thousand layers on each position of their vehicle. Additionally, the paint aspect has been given a boost as well. In lieu of being able to simply color the standard four sides (roof, hood, and right/left side), you’re able to custom-paint brake calipers, windows, mirrors and even the rear wing. The colors available aren’t your fundamental fare, either. There are four options pertaining to paint type: normal, metallic, special and manufacturer. Each collection of colors possesses a distinct and unique look.
As for multiplayer, Forza 2 sports system link for up to eight players, split-screen for you and a friend, and eight-player online multiplayer. Simply put, the online features are phenomenal. Aside from Project Gotham Racing 3, I don’t think I’ve had a better time with an Xbox Live title. Lag is minimal, the community is inviting, and the competition is brutal. What truly sets Forza’s online multiplayer apart from its rivalries is the often hilarious custom designs displayed on opponents’ cars. Everything from the downright remarkable to the offensive is featured, making for an exceptionally entertaining experience. Plus, if you’re not keen on fashioning the designs yourself, or simply don’t have the skill, there’s an auction feature where you can both sell and purchase tricked out rides.
Looking back to early 2005, Forza Motorsport was, without a hint of doubt, the most impressive looking racing title ever. Technology has advanced since then and the Forza franchise no longer holds that prestigious honor. However, the visuals are still jaw-dropping. Forza 2 runs at a crisp sixty frames per second. The reflections, particle effects, and environment/car detail is breathtaking on all fronts. If you hit a turn poorly and slide off the road, whatever terrain you go into will be evident in the air, such as flying sand, as you make your way back onto the track. On the downside, there are absolutely no weather effects. Even more obscure is there are no time cycles (that’s right, no night or dusk driving). The developers really need to realize this is 2007, not 1997.
The audio in Forza 2 is a colossal step forward from its predecessor, which was home to an utterly abysmal soundtrack that not only lacked depth, but was literally painful to the ears. While the one present here isn’t stellar, it’s at least endurable. Sound effects could be a smidgen more electrifying. As is stands, they’re average at best.
Summary:
Boasting over three-hundred vehicles to modify, upgrade and eventually auction off, Forza Motorsport 2 is the most customizable racer ever released. There are some imperfections, mainly visual-related, but if you can forgive the presentation shortcomings, you’re going to find one of the finest titles to hit the Xbox 360 this year.
Before beginning your career, you will choose your home region (North America, Europe, or Asia). The location you select will vastly influence the layout of your career. While it won’t affect course selection, it does determine which manufacturers will be apt to give you complimentary cars and discounts, among other awards and bonuses.
In a nutshell, Forza Motorsport 2’s single-player will have you competing in tournaments, earning credits and pimping out your rides, both cosmetically and internally. This formula may seem a tad on the simplistic side, but gamers needn’t worry because Forza 2 goes leaps and bounds above other racers in the detail department. Not only are there a plethora of upgrades to perform on your cars, but there’s also an exceedingly nifty tuning feature. Here you can adjust your tire pressure, alignment, suspension, differential, and tons more. For novices and pros alike, there’s a benchmark screen that displays exactly what your fine-tuning has done.
Career tournaments consist of three individual races. Every time you place first, second or third, you will rake in credits. Credits are obviously used to purchase upgrades and new vehicles, but they’re also your ticket to leveling up. Some events will require you to have reached a certain level before you can enter. An easy way to obtain additional credits is to re-race tournaments that you’ve already won.
If you’re a customization guru, you’ve come to the right place. As you probably recall, the original Forza allowed the player to apply one-hundred layers of manufacturer decals and prearranged vinyl shapes on each specified location of their car. Forza 2 takes things a step further, allowing the user to apply up to one-thousand layers on each position of their vehicle. Additionally, the paint aspect has been given a boost as well. In lieu of being able to simply color the standard four sides (roof, hood, and right/left side), you’re able to custom-paint brake calipers, windows, mirrors and even the rear wing. The colors available aren’t your fundamental fare, either. There are four options pertaining to paint type: normal, metallic, special and manufacturer. Each collection of colors possesses a distinct and unique look.
As for multiplayer, Forza 2 sports system link for up to eight players, split-screen for you and a friend, and eight-player online multiplayer. Simply put, the online features are phenomenal. Aside from Project Gotham Racing 3, I don’t think I’ve had a better time with an Xbox Live title. Lag is minimal, the community is inviting, and the competition is brutal. What truly sets Forza’s online multiplayer apart from its rivalries is the often hilarious custom designs displayed on opponents’ cars. Everything from the downright remarkable to the offensive is featured, making for an exceptionally entertaining experience. Plus, if you’re not keen on fashioning the designs yourself, or simply don’t have the skill, there’s an auction feature where you can both sell and purchase tricked out rides.
Looking back to early 2005, Forza Motorsport was, without a hint of doubt, the most impressive looking racing title ever. Technology has advanced since then and the Forza franchise no longer holds that prestigious honor. However, the visuals are still jaw-dropping. Forza 2 runs at a crisp sixty frames per second. The reflections, particle effects, and environment/car detail is breathtaking on all fronts. If you hit a turn poorly and slide off the road, whatever terrain you go into will be evident in the air, such as flying sand, as you make your way back onto the track. On the downside, there are absolutely no weather effects. Even more obscure is there are no time cycles (that’s right, no night or dusk driving). The developers really need to realize this is 2007, not 1997.
The audio in Forza 2 is a colossal step forward from its predecessor, which was home to an utterly abysmal soundtrack that not only lacked depth, but was literally painful to the ears. While the one present here isn’t stellar, it’s at least endurable. Sound effects could be a smidgen more electrifying. As is stands, they’re average at best.
Summary:
Boasting over three-hundred vehicles to modify, upgrade and eventually auction off, Forza Motorsport 2 is the most customizable racer ever released. There are some imperfections, mainly visual-related, but if you can forgive the presentation shortcomings, you’re going to find one of the finest titles to hit the Xbox 360 this year.
