Forza Motorsport 5 Xbox One Review
Summary: Forza Motorsport 5 is a very satisfying racer on the Xbox One that successfully ticks all the right boxes and delivers both gameplay and graphics!
4.45
Racin'
Title: Forza Motorsport 5
Developer: Turn 10
Genre: Racing
Rating: G
Review Date: December 2013
Forza Motorsport 5 commences with the voice of Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear as you are taken around the world to witness some of the world’s most amazing cars and tracks in the latest incarnation of this racer. While the game loads, the player is given a chance to drive the prestigious 2013 McLaren P1 which will just blow you out of the water due to the graphics.
Once the game loads which almost takes forever, you can jump straight into the C-Class cars in order to further learn the ropes of this racing simulation as you slowly progress through the game which opens up new cars, upgrades and tracks. It may follow the traditional racing formula but there are a few tricks in this next-gen game. In terms of cars, Forza 5 has quite a few from companies that include Toyota, Lamborghini and Mercedes-Benz.
There is definitely a car for everyone!
Apart from the lush graphics of the game, the handling of cars is quite extraordinary as it just feels right. Thankfully the game does not throw you in the deep end as the difficultly slowly increases and the game knows exactly when and where to let go of your hand.
However for seasoned professionals, you can remove the assists (e.g. driving line) and the game does become a very realistic car simulator once this occurs. If you do mess up, you can push Y on the controller to reverse time and then start again. Even though this is cheating, it does help with the overall enjoyment factor.
As you win more races and challenges, you are awarded points which can upgrade your current cars and of course, allow you to buy other cars to access different car circuits. It’s interesting that Forza is split into car types opposed to circuits. The multiplayer component of the game is sturdy and it really takes the game to a new level with human players, although the AI is quite decent in the game.
I was not a fan of the micro transactions in the game but these allow for additional purchases for your cars. These can be quite expensive.
The game even contains some new tracks such as Prague, Spa-Francorchamps, Yas Marina Circuit and my favourite Bathurst, which is a treat to race on. In terms of tracks, Forza 5 feels a little light weight, especially that Nürburgring Nordschleife and Suzuka have been removed. It would have been great if these tracks were also included but I’m guessing these will be translated into DLC at some future time.
Installation
Of course, all this next-gen luxury does come at a slight cost. Even though we tested the retail version of the game, the installation is a very long process, especially on a ADSL 2 connection when it then needs to install further patches and updates. One interesting aspect about the installation process is that while it is installing, sometimes you can jump straight into the game and start playing.
Unfortunately this was not the case for Forza 5 and I’m hoping that Microsoft can streamline this process in the future as it is a little frustrating, especially when you get a new game and want to play it straight away. The other option is to go totally digital with your game collection and download them instead buying physical copies. At least you know the game will be ready once the installation is completed like the STEAM system on the PC.
The career mode is quite in-depth in the game, however for me, the highlight was the multiplayer which allows up to 16 players to race online. You can also create custom decals for your cars, including new textures and colours. Drivatars is another interesting element in the game which basically monitors your driving style and then sends it into the cloud and as you improve, so does your Drivatar. These are then used to power some of the AI in the game and are great for offline gaming.
Graphics/Audio
Graphically, Forza Motorsport 5 is like walking into a showroom as the cars are that detailed. I love the reflection and when you first race these cars, the attention to detail is amazing. It’s easily the best car game at the moment and I love the small things in the game such as hot air balloons in the distance and the realistic lighting effects. Forza Vista (Autovista) returns from the previous game and allows players to explore all the cars from the current game.
Another great aspect of the graphics are the damage models which is extremely realistic, especially the scratches. Also while you are driving, sometimes you just want to stop and “get out” of the car just to look around at the scenery such as the majestic Bernese Alps or the cobblestone streets of England in a Top Gear inspired track.
In terms of performance on the XBox One, it’s fantastic and runs at a rock steady 60 frames per second at 1080p. With that said, there are a few issues with the graphics that include cardboard spectactors and at times, some pop-up. The sunlight effects which are very realistic does cause some controls issues as it makes it almost impossible to see where you are going.
You need in-game sunglasses here.
Final Thoughts?
Forza Motorsport 5 is a very satisfying racer on the Xbox One that successfully ticks all the right boxes and delivers both gameplay and graphics! It’s a great start for the XBox One!
Key Features
• Never Race Alone – By learning how you and your friends drive, the power of the cloud delivers real human behavior. Drivatar technology creates an ever-evolving network of opponents who are always ready to race. Real tendencies, real mistakes, real victories.
• Unprecedented Visual Realism – A new graphics engine recreates thousands of physically-based materials at a level of precision never before possible; the play of light on a perfect coat of paint, the texture of hand-stitched leather and brushed metal, the history written onto scratched rotors and worn concrete. A world of speed, beauty and danger real enough to touch.
• Your Ultimate Car Fantasy – Own and race the cars of your dreams. From purpose-built race cars to classic sports cars to modern tuners, every car features a customized career true to its heritage.
• Fast and Fair Multiplayer – With Smart Match™ matchmaking and Xbox Live dedicated servers, experience epic, fast and competitive multiplayer perfectly suited to your skill and style.
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