Forza Motorsport 2

[crazy 989]

Hey guys has anyone played the fm2 demo yet?

I think it is amazing, but the car reflections could have been better everything else like AI and handling is much better than the first one, can't wait till it comes out

[Masakari987]

Yeah, I downloaded the demo yesterday and I absolutely love it. I was really surprised at how good the sound effects are, like the gravel hitting the car when you go offroad or the ca-click when you change gears in a car with a standard manual transmission. And the engine sounds are amazing, they sound so much like the real thing (at least from videos that I've seen of those cars on youtube).

The physics definately have a nice feel to them. It's really fun selecting a Mustang GT or Corvette Z06, turn off traction control, and powerslide around the corners. And the wheel only enhances the feeling with some very nice force feedback.

@ crazy 989 - I definately agree with you about the reflections. It seems like they are too strong.

[Dr. Feelgood]

I downloaded it, and I know alot of people will disagree on this, but apart from the graphics, I don't think there is much of an improvement. The original Forza had amazing car handling and graphics for it's time, and after I played Froza 2, it felt like is was just nothing new to the market. It's got a few nice touches, yet it still doesn't stand out from the crowd for me. Cars still look out of place from the environments, smoke effects are bland if that, some pretty bad Normal issues on the cars, and there's no in-car view (which me and a few others on this forum were suprised at).

On the plus side, like a I said, there's alot of nice touches like the disc brakes and 1:1 reflections are purdy (a tad too sharp maybe, almost mirror paint).

All-in-all, I don't think it's a huge step forward for racing games, but it will deffinately appeal to the hardcore car nut.

[Catlin]

Originally Posted by Dr. Feelgood

but it will deffinately appeal to the hardcore car nut.

I THINK I FALL INTO THIS CATAGORY!

[NAVALHAWKEYE]

For all the hype, I'm not that impressed by it.

[Silent][Moebius]

well i read quite some interesting stuff about it so i think i will post a review by a critical member of another forum i regulalry visit

Originally Posted by RC45

Well - now that it's out and we can sample it in all its 720p (I think) glory, awith the Micro$haft FFB wheel.. here's a little review of the "demo"..

The bad news

First - the replay cameras SUCK.

What a let down, all that eye candy, and youcan't even watch a decent "TV style" replay of the action.

Second - the XBox360 hardware either sucks, or the Turn10 progammers are amayeurs

If you want a rear view mirror, then you can't have "hood view" (includes a littl eof the hood) - you get 2001 GT3 view instead

Third - what a silly view point - youare int he center of the car, not to the left or right - so you have no way to realisticly place your self on the track - this is 2007, racing simd shoul dplace you left or right orientated in the car.

Fourth - if the ForceFeedBack is any indicaiton of what the M$ Wheel and F2 are capable of - ***puke***

It has to be the WORTS FFB of a so-called mainstream title/controller combo EVER.

Really weak forces and even then, not at all intuative.

And if you turn off ABS, the wheels lockup as soon as you touch the brake pedal. Instant lockup and you understeer in the dirt.

Really poor - and this is supposed to showcase the title.

Isn't this the build that has "Wowed" the press and reviewers everywhere? If so then the idiots reviewing the game who are impressed by these controls have NEVER tried a 4 year old FFB wheel on a 5 year old PC game.

And lack of a stick to shift is very annoying - I will need to rig up the M$ Wheel in an old Logitech chassis

Fifth - Some of the 3D assets must have been either borrowed from PGR3 or the same folks made them. The SLR Macca still has no air brake deploying on decel... and the graphics has the same glossy "cartoon" look of PGR3 and Forza1.

Not photorealistic at all. Great detail renders, but the lighting is "fake" looking.

The good news

First - Sounds are nice, not fantastic, but good. The Viper as always sounds the best - for some reason 10 cylinders digitize well

Tyre screeches are not that great, reminds me of GT3/GT4/GTHD screeches - all games seem to get them wrong.

Second - Visuals are pretty nice, track environment is nice and adds to the atmosphere.

Third - AI seems to behave and not just ram into your or randomly stop - they only pose a challenge because they follw the same perfect line lap after lap.

This is where a PC driving sims beat the consoles hands down - AI is unpredictable but realistic and variable.

Verdict

This is of course a demo, and has rough edges - but the things that had better be fixed by the time it goes on sale (in 3 weeks ) are the Replay Cameras, stronger FFB and adjustable control thresh-holds/dead-zones etc.

Its a pity yousit in the center of the car like a Formual 1 driver - these are supposed to be "street cars" tuned.

All in all - a huge let down after all the hype.

Will I buy it..?? Probably, because I am addicted to trying semi-realistic driving games

[crazy 989]

hey guys what do you think of the game so far - i think its awesome

heres some screens of me driving hehe

[mpfive]

i have it, i just got to level 23 or was it level 25, i dont remember, so i havent bought any of those expensive cars yet, gotta love 4wd cars in that game, they rule

[Masakari987]

Been playing the game for the past week, and I've been having a blast. So far at level 32 (or 33).
It looks like they took out some of the crazy-difficult races from the last game, like the Classic-car endurance race.

Originally Posted by mpfive

i have it, i just got to level 23 or was it level 25, i dont remember, so i havent bought any of those expensive cars yet, gotta love 4wd cars in that game, they rule

I haven't bought any of the really fast cars either. It looks like most of them are locked until later in the game
Yeah, those 4wd cars are great. They have so much grip you almost get the feeling that you can do about anything in them.

[Catlin]

Been playing straight for about 5 days up to level 33 Now gettign some semi decent cars and got aboiyt 300k in the bank just baught a 66' gt 40 fastest car in the game fully tuned tops out at 262 yeah im cool and i know it.