'Forza Motorsport 2' gets your motor running
Sunday, 17 June 2007
Racing fans, listen up. If you think you've got what it takes to drivecompetitively, you can put your clutch where your mouth is with MicrosoftGame Studios' "Forza Motorsport 2," a high-definition sequel to the hit 2005racing simulator.
Microsoft Xbox 360 gamers can collect and customize more than 300 of theworld's hottest cars -- from Ferraris to Porsches to Lamborghinis -- andclimb behind the wheel to take on tough opponents on dozens in real-world tracks.
At first, you only have access to a few training courses and a small stableof vehicles, but place in the top three and you'll unlock new and moreexciting tracks and tournaments, as well as new race cars, which are divided into six production classes.
For example, U-class cars are ultrarare concept cars (such as the ChryslerME Four-Twelve); A-class cars are high-performance production cars (e.g.,the Ferrari 360 Modena); while C-class cars are sport production cars such as the Audi S4, and so on.
Like the way your car looks? Snap photos throughout a race -- or save avideo replay and upload it online for all your friends to see.
After you get a feel for the authentic physics and handling for each car,all of which can incur damage that can affect performance, you won't be surprised to learn Microsoft tapped automotive engineers and professional race car drivers to re-create a realistic racing experience.
That is, if you choose for it to be realistic. You could, however, have "Forza 2" play more like an arcade game than a hard-core simulation by letting the computer aid in gear-shifting, braking and other automated options.
One of the most fun things to do in "Forza Motorsport 2" is customize your
vehicles. You can unlock licensed rims and other aftermarket body parts, dabble with a custom paint and decal job and tune your cars in one of four performance upgrades.
After you've created the ultimate showpiece, you will likely be eager to go online for head-to-head races via the Microsoft Xbox Live service ($49.99 a year). You can choose from one of three options: a Quick Match mode, which drops you into a multiplayer lobby without selecting any game criteria; a Custom Match lets you search for specific events you'd like to join (such as a certain track, tournament or car class); or Create a Match, which lets you create an event you'd like to find or host.
If you want to know what you're getting into before you put the pedal to the metal online, you can watch others compete from around the globe with the Forza Motorsport TV spectator mode. What's more, a virtual Auction mode lets you find and bid on rare or custom-made cars (in exchange for game credits) or you can create an auction of your own.
Whether you use the Xbox 360 wireless controller or the preferred Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel ($129), "Forza Motorsport 2" feels as good as it looks -- and it's quite the looker with its near-photorealistic cars, tracks and scenery. Add a truckload of cars to collect, virtually limitless customization and deep online options and you've got one of the finest Xbox 360 games to date.
..............
Internet
Microsoft Xbox 360 gamers can collect and customize more than 300 of theworld's hottest cars -- from Ferraris to Porsches to Lamborghinis -- andclimb behind the wheel to take on tough opponents on dozens in real-world tracks.
At first, you only have access to a few training courses and a small stableof vehicles, but place in the top three and you'll unlock new and moreexciting tracks and tournaments, as well as new race cars, which are divided into six production classes.
For example, U-class cars are ultrarare concept cars (such as the ChryslerME Four-Twelve); A-class cars are high-performance production cars (e.g.,the Ferrari 360 Modena); while C-class cars are sport production cars such as the Audi S4, and so on.
Like the way your car looks? Snap photos throughout a race -- or save avideo replay and upload it online for all your friends to see.
After you get a feel for the authentic physics and handling for each car,all of which can incur damage that can affect performance, you won't be surprised to learn Microsoft tapped automotive engineers and professional race car drivers to re-create a realistic racing experience.
That is, if you choose for it to be realistic. You could, however, have "Forza 2" play more like an arcade game than a hard-core simulation by letting the computer aid in gear-shifting, braking and other automated options.
One of the most fun things to do in "Forza Motorsport 2" is customize your
vehicles. You can unlock licensed rims and other aftermarket body parts, dabble with a custom paint and decal job and tune your cars in one of four performance upgrades.
After you've created the ultimate showpiece, you will likely be eager to go online for head-to-head races via the Microsoft Xbox Live service ($49.99 a year). You can choose from one of three options: a Quick Match mode, which drops you into a multiplayer lobby without selecting any game criteria; a Custom Match lets you search for specific events you'd like to join (such as a certain track, tournament or car class); or Create a Match, which lets you create an event you'd like to find or host.
If you want to know what you're getting into before you put the pedal to the metal online, you can watch others compete from around the globe with the Forza Motorsport TV spectator mode. What's more, a virtual Auction mode lets you find and bid on rare or custom-made cars (in exchange for game credits) or you can create an auction of your own.
Whether you use the Xbox 360 wireless controller or the preferred Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel ($129), "Forza Motorsport 2" feels as good as it looks -- and it's quite the looker with its near-photorealistic cars, tracks and scenery. Add a truckload of cars to collect, virtually limitless customization and deep online options and you've got one of the finest Xbox 360 games to date.
..............
Internet