Forza Motorsport 2 (Demo)

[dc-arena]

Played it for an hour or so today, and I am surprised to say I really like it. A lot.

The handling is beautiful and feels very right and natural when powering through corners and chicanes. You can gently powerslide through a corner and kick the back end out, and it feels right. Push too hard and you spin out. Simple.

Graphically the game is lovely because of the 60fps display, it was definetly the right choice to make for the game, its very smooth and the sense of speed is fantastic. The game is simple in other areas; solid but not stunning, with decent lighting in places (the sky and tarmac), but average in others (the cars themselves).

Replays are cool, with stupid amounts of information at hand. They run at 30fps because of the post-processing. Personally I would of ditched that and stuck with 60fps, you can really tell the difference.

The cars all feel different from each other, and the speed/feel of the top class stuff is truely insane. Turn OFF everything for a proper simulation feel, it plays superbly.

Finally the wheel. Forza 2 plays nicely with it, they have done a good job and you can nicely chuck cars and catch them as you'd want to. Being able to hang on through a corner is great, although a bit more feel for the first 20 or so degrees would of been nice - there is a lot of nothingness between that rnage, and considering the triggers are mapped so tightly I would of expected the same for the steering. Just a shame the MS Xbox 360 wheel is so, so poor. After using the Logitech G25 or even GT Pro wheel, the 360 one is like a toy.

Anyway, this is most certanly on my to buy list. I am very pleased about this game.

[Rick]

Good to know

Do the Engines actually sound like they should? and is there a definate power band with the engines?

[dc-arena]

Yes and Yes. The engines sound outstanding, and with the rest of the grid around you its very impressive. My only gripe is that the other cars can drown out your own car. However, this is easily fixed by going into the options and turning down their volumes :)

Thats another thing, the amount of options in the HUD and Audio menus is impressive. You can have the HUD off completley, or select each and every one how you like. I have all on, with the horrid analogue rev/speedomoeter switched to digital - I hate how it looks as its too big and in the middle of the bottom part of the screen. Switch to digital and its in the corner and it's much nicer.

[andrewfee]

I was a bit unsure at first, but after spending some time with it, I'm really starting to enjoy this too. As DC says, the handling is fantastic.

The framerate / sense of speed is particularly good here - everything feels so fluid. I have noticed the odd stutter here and there though, but it's very minor. I suspect it's due to the supposed dynamic anti-aliasing they're using. (though I must say I've not really noticed any)

Definitely going to be picking this up now.

Some pics for those of you at work:

http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF3986.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF3986.jpg) http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF3989.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF3989.jpg)

http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF3990.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF3990.jpg) http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF3992.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF3992.jpg)

http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF3995.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF3995.jpg) http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF3996.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF3996.jpg)

http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF4001.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF4001.jpg) http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF4003.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF4003.jpg)

http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF4005.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF4005.jpg) http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF4007.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF4007.jpg)

http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF4008.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF4008.jpg) http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF4010.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF4010.jpg)

http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/tiny/DSCF4018.jpg (http://sr-388.net/images/gaming/360/forza2/DSCF4018.jpg)

[Uli]

tested the BMW M3 E36, Porsche 911GT1 and the Corvette C6R and it's pretty much what i expected: overall decent handling and pad controls, nice car models with slightly improved textures. visually the game is accomplished but still far from any wow-effect. most of all the sound is a little disappointing, especially if compared to the beefy engine noises and turbo whistle of Forza. also there's still no wind howling like in GT4.

i hope they got day and night cycles in there now - like in Les Mans 24h. or at least some night races to fully admire the bright glowing break discs of a... ehm... BMW M3? ;)

guess i wait and rent the game first before i make a buying decision. i don't see myself spending fullprice on a Forza 1.X - even though the Porsche 997 has made it in.

[elkatas]

Hmh, how's the damage modelling? Any major changes on it?

[charlesr]

Wheel Vs Pad please? I'm guessing a lot of people are interested in the wheel performance before buying. And does it give any advantage over pad in terms of lap times?

[Astra]

the damage is pretty cool although certain cars cant lose certain parts etc, i.e u cant smash off the bumpers on the ferrari f430 and z06 vette, although you can dent the cars pretty impressively, when messing with the z06 i dented the rear quarter panel so that the wheel stuck out alot further than the arch.

The sound is amazing, once you've messed with the audio sliders and cranked the volume up that is, they seem to have pretty much nailed the flat four engine note on the legacy or at least come closer to it than any other driving game ive played has done. The SLR sounds awesome, using bumper cam you can hear the supercharger whine. Most impressive for me at least is the range of sound, start an A Class race and park up just before the last corner and wait till the pack goes past then just listern to the lambo gallardo (which sounds spot on btw) you can still hear it when its at the other end of the track.

[vanpeebles]

at last a game that does the dodge viper justice, its like driving a proper wall of sound. superb!

[Yoshimax]

guess i wait and rent the game first before i make a buying decision. i don't see myself spending fullprice on a Forza 1.X - even though the Porsche 997 has made it in.

Forza1.X ? Is that 1.1 ? 1.5 ? 1.9 ? Quite a lot of range in there.

Can you clarify please what it would have required to elevate it to a bona-fide Forza 2 (in your eyes) cos I'd love to hear it ?

[dvdmike]

tested the BMW M3 E36, Porsche 911GT1 and the Corvette C6R and it's pretty much what i expected: overall decent handling and pad controls, nice car models with slightly improved textures. visually the game is accomplished but still far from any wow-effect. most of all the sound is a little disappointing, especially if compared to the beefy engine noises and turbo whistle of Forza. also there's still no wind howling like in GT4.

i hope they got day and night cycles in there now - like in Les Mans 24h. or at least some night races to fully admire the bright glowing break discs of a... ehm... BMW M3? ;)

guess i wait and rent the game first before i make a buying decision. i don't see myself spending fullprice on a Forza 1.X - even though the Porsche 997 has made it in.

That sums up my feelings for the game so far also

[1P_King]

Here is my indepth opinion - its a bit meh.

Over Live with some music playin would make it alot better mind.

[copperband]

Just went to buy a wheel on the way home from work, picked it up had a look, thought how will I attach it and then put it back!

Got home and downloaded the game (took no more than 10mins)

Had a race with each car class, have to say it feels really nice, the lower class cars (as always) are much better as I prefer driving more familiar "everyday" cars than the exotics and they are easier to handle and get used to.

The graphics don't appear to me to be as sharp as PGR3 and there is nothin like the detail around th racetrack but I'm sure that will come with the other tracks?

The game does run really smoothly, noticably faster on the bumper view but then games always do. There is a very noticable array of jaggies accross lines of spoilers,etc but then I guess there is always some trade off?

Can someone tell me how great this is with the wheel as I need to be convinced it's going to be worth paying £80 for?:confused:

[dc-arena]

Wheel Vs Pad please? I'm guessing a lot of people are interested in the wheel performance before buying. And does it give any advantage over pad in terms of lap times?


Like I said..

Finally the wheel. Forza 2 plays nicely with it, they have done a good job and you can nicely chuck cars and catch them as you'd want to. Being able to hang on through a corner is great, although a bit more feel for the first 20 or so degrees would of been nice - there is a lot of nothingness within that range, and considering the triggers are mapped so tightly I would of expected the same for the steering wheel. Just a shame the MS Xbox 360 wheel is so, so poor. After using the Logitech G25 or even GT Pro wheel, the 360 one is like a toy.

[copperband]

Like I said..

Finally the wheel. Forza 2 plays nicely with it, they have done a good job and you can nicely chuck cars and catch them as you'd want to. Being able to hang on through a corner is great, although a bit more feel for the first 20 or so degrees would of been nice - there is a lot of nothingness within that range, and considering the triggers are mapped so tightly I would of expected the same for the steering wheel. Just a shame the MS Xbox 360 wheel is so, so poor. After using the Logitech G25 or even GT Pro wheel, the 360 one is like a toy.

I'm a bit confused dc, so you're saying the M$ wheel is rubbish and better to buy the cheaper Logitech? I had read it was the other way around.
Have you played with both wheel and Pad and does the wheel + Pedals really enhance the driving experience?

[bignige]

Just went to buy a wheel on the way home from work, picked it up had a look, thought how will I attach it and then put it back!

Got home and downloaded the game (took no more than 10mins)

Had a race with each car class, have to say it feels really nice, the lower class cars (as always) are much better as I prefer driving more familiar "everyday" cars than the exotics and they are easier to handle and get used to.

The graphics don't appear to me to be as sharp as PGR3 and there is nothin like the detail around th racetrack but I'm sure that will come with the other tracks?

The game does run really smoothly, noticably faster on the bumper view but then games always do. There is a very noticable array of jaggies accross lines of spoilers,etc but then I guess there is always some trade off?

Can someone tell me how great this is with the wheel as I need to be convinced it's going to be worth paying £80 for?:confused:

It won't be worth it. Sorry.

[copperband]

It won't be worth it. Sorry.

If that's the balanced opinion then thanks for saving me £80:)

[Simmy]

Can the 1. term used against all MS IP be banned from these forums please :mellow:

The online, website integration, marketplace, tournaments, TV channel all surely justify this as a next gen version - all of which is absent from the demo, surely their to just give a taste like all demos !

[Astra]

and there is nothin like the detail around th racetrack but I'm sure that will come with the other tracks?


the new york street track maybe but non of the circuits will. In reality, race tracks (excluding street circuits like monaco) just dont have anything around them to detail as it were.

there was a post on forzamotorsport.net a while back from che regarding the possibility of future Logitech G25 support however iirc he stated it was nothing more than a future possibility at the moment, hope something pans out from it as id love to use my G25 on forza 2.

Personally i dont think you can form a definitive opinon on forza2 + the wheel until the full version arrives and you can adjust deadzones, sensitivity, etc unless im missing something and you already can adjust them.

[EvilBoris]

I'm not a racing fan but the graphics certainly didn't win me over.

[Yoshimax]

Graphics look tops to me.

Handling model seems sublime - I turned everything off straight away and the 350Z was sliding about wonderfully.

Does it just select random tracks from your HDD stored music ??

[Dezm0nd]

Sadly I don't get on with this, but i'll give it another shot when I am less hungry :)

[Jebus]

I'm not a racing fan but the graphics certainly didn't win me over.

I don't mind a good racer but the same as you the graphics didn't wow me over. Recently I played the F1 (PS3) demo and the graphics in that DID wow me.

This all felt a bit generic to me, I'm sure the demo is absolutely no indication of the full game (features etc) but the actual gameplay felt too generic, not sure what I expected but this has changed from a pre-order to a rental for me.

After the way this has been talked up recently I feel rather disappointed.

[The_G_Man]

Graphics look tops to me.

Handling model seems sublime - I turned everything off straight away and the 350Z was sliding about wonderfully.

Does it just select random tracks from your HDD stored music ??

I'll have one of what your drinking please!

[Yoshimax]

One thing I'd like to have seen is online scoreboards for each vehicle. They managed it with the THP8 demo !!!

[El Leone]

Forza 2 reminds me how much I suck at this kind of stuff.

[The_G_Man]

One thing I'd like to have seen is online scoreboards for each vehicle. They managed it with the THP8 demo !!!


Totally agree, there should have been some sort of online functionality. It's the online time trial in GTHD that keeps me going back for more. I will get a top 10 time one day :hmm:

[Rick]

I tried to like it.

But the muted car audio, the "No Ai" opponents and the blandness of it all just got too much.

Can any one tell me the last racing game you played that the Ai cars actually reacted to you ?

I'm really really disappointed with this, i was really looking forward to it.

I think i'll borrow it of someone if anyone i know gets it, but thats as far as i'll go :cry:

[watusi]

Hated it, but only coz i can't do proper racing games.

[andrewfee]

Try turning down the other cars' volume by 4/5 notches - it sounds much better that way on my setup.

The AI cars definitely do react to you though - I've noticed several times where they've tried to avoid me, rather than just sticking to the racing line.

I absolutely love the handling / physics - it just feels spot-on, and assuming lag doesn't ruin things, I think it's finally going to be another online racer worth playing. (last one was PGR2, imo)

I don't understand why racing games always have the "assists" on though - I wouldn't say I was very good at racers, and I've always been put off by sims, but I find it much easier to control with ABS, Traction Control and Stability Management off, as I can actually tell what the car is doing.

[copperband]

I can't believe how negative everyone's being. I guess that's always the problem when something is so hyped and then delayed...the expectation is massive. I still think it will be a nice game:thumb:

[Oh_Mutants]

Not for me, this one. I guess it was to be expected but i found it far too tetchy on the control front to be any fun. Graphically i wasn't overly impressed either, the sense of speed was good but the word that springs to mind for me is 'sterile'.
Pass.

[prinnysquad]

This is superb. Precise handling with every car feeling different. I drove the bmw, which handled very solidly, but the porsche skanked me bad with its slip-sliding around corners, so I had to make the adjustments to my driving style. Graphically it's fine for what the track is: a very basic course. Cars are a bit jaggy but it's a gameplay hound so that doesn't bother me.

[Astra]

Can any one tell me the last racing game you played that the Ai cars actually reacted to you ?



how exactly

if you park on the racing line they avoid you, if you cut one up u can see them braking to avoid you (nose dips and the excessive brake glow). in terms of defending postions etc granted they dont however we dont know what the default ai difficulty is set to and higher ai level doesnt nesscessily (sp) mean just quicker for all we know it could increase the agressiveness. Besides in the full game the whole career mode can be done online anyway.

Also after watching a dan greenawalt interview he said that polishing the gfx was one of the very last things they intended to do and wanted to get the physics down first, so theres a chance the final game could look much better it wouldnt be the first time a full game looked better than its demo

[Roost]

With how slow the AI is i hope there on easy...

[charlesr]

This is superb and just what I was expecting/hoping for.
The Legacy sounds exactly like my legacy on full chat.
It's just like being on a trackday - once the back end has gone past a certain point on the rwd cars, you just know that no matter how much extra gas you give it or how much opposite lock, it's never coming back.

The extra clarity over Forza is very useful because you can pick your turn in points based on where you messed up last lap.

There's so much scope for different lines while racing too.

Cars look a bit bland and shiny - in the rear view mirror it's hard to make out what's what.

And why oh why if you press restart does it have to start loading something?

I'm a timetrial freak and this fits the bill perfectly.

If you don't like sim and want arcade, stay with PGR3 (totally different games).

[stepp]

one word answer from me...."average"

[MartyG]

This is superb and just what I was expecting/hoping for.

Totally agree - the cars handle surpemely well - the Ferrari F430 is perfectly balanced, you can totally feel the difference between the different cars - if it plays this well online then Forza 2 is definitely a sim fan's winner.

Colour me impressed.

[Vince]

Well i've been playing this for a bit and overall i like it. The cars seem to handle really well and you can really 'drive' them if you know what i mean. The graphics are a little bland, not bad but bland but as has been said in reality most tracks are pretty bland looking. If its the same as the demo but with all the online stuf, tuning etc then i'm happy.

[Concept]

This thread is gaming marmite opinion, Shenmue style.

[Tobal]

Pretty much what i expected, really fun drive with all the assists turned off. The A.I. is clearly on a easy setting, as my first couple of goes with out assists i was spinning the faster cars off the track and could still catch up to last place. I'm expecting more polish with filters for the full games, the demo isn't as bad as forza1 but you can tell something been held back to get the demo out there.

[Uli]

Forza1.X ? Is that 1.1 ? 1.5 ? 1.9 ? Quite a lot of range in there.

Can you clarify please what it would have required to elevate it to a bona-fide Forza 2 (in your eyes) cos I'd love to hear it ?

well mate, i called it Forza 1.X because who can tell from this demo? i can't. guess we have to wait what the full game has to offer. i don't expect anything groundbreaking new though - let alone day & night time or weather conditions settings.

however, after spending some time with the demo i gave my Forza some attention and found that it's on par with the handling and controls of the demo. visually it's still nice enough for me and the sound is even superior!

[Kotatsu Neko]

The handling is pretty good for a console racer I think. It's not F355 level but it's miles ahead of Gran Turismo and PGR.

Visually though, 60fps makes a massive, collosal, gigantic difference, but the actual quality of the models/textures, and the art direction is uninspiring to say the least.

[The_G_Man]

The handling is pretty good for a console racer I think. It's not F355 level but it's miles ahead of Gran Turismo and PGR.

Visually though, 60fps makes a massive, collosal, gigantic difference, but the actual quality of the models/textures, and the art direction is uninspiring to say the least.


I played Forza 2 demo for an hour solid tonight and as much as I am enjoying it, it doesn't come close to GTHD in terms of visuals and handling. The sound on the other hand is great. I really don't like the penalty system, one wheel on the grass and you get penalised even though you get no advantage?

I agree with you on the 60 FPS issue, no racer should be 30fps if it can be avoided. Give me some jaggies and 60fps any day.

Still impressed with the game overall :thumb:

[babs]

The only art direction that's going to bother me is the paint jobs of the chaps from here I intend to race against :)

Racing from bonnet cam is suberb, I love seeing the discs glow on the R2 cars. It's exactly what I expected, and is going to be solely for TT and online racing for me.

[charlesr]

F355 is an arcade game with arcade handling. It's such a common falacy that F355 is a simulation. Forza is much more realistic. Go on a track day and try and drive like F355 and you'll see.

Apart from the fact that when in bonnet cam, you STILL look down on the top of the other cars' roofs. Would have thought that would be fixed in #2 :(

60fps is nice, but doesn't add much for me in terms of how well I can drive - looks nice and all, but makes no difference to my racing. The high definition is certainly a bonus in terms of planning for corners - I'm repeating myself, but it does help.

[Uli]

art direction is simply not present - at least not in this demo. and the rock music soundtrack is generic and bland. but i don't care too much - it's a racing sim after all.

a 24h race on the Nordschleife with acceleration option (like in my 24h Les Mans), day and night-time cycle and changing weather conditions would be a dream come true for me. then i would even spend the money for the wheel.

[MartyG]

Apart from the fact that when in bonnet cam, you STILL look down on the top of the other cars' roofs. Would have thought that would be fixed in #2 :(

It's needed I find, otherwise the perspective is too low to the ground and the view ahead is impeeded - bonnet cam is really driver's eye view over the bonnet cam - perhaps the final release will allow you to adjust the seat height ala Test Drive to move it to your preference.

Forza is most definitely a sim game, anyone expecting this to handle like PGR or TOCA Race Driver is going to be disappointed - though not quite as sim as GTR

I'm impressed by the responsiveness of the triggers for braking and acceleration with the 360 pad - there's a distinct point that is apparent when the wheels are about to lock - you can adjust to it with quite a degree of precision that I wasn't really expecting with the pad; I think the handling is going to make this game, even if in SDTV it's not a massive leap graphically.

[dvdmike]

The problem most peeps have is the looks, everyone says it plays well

[TheForce]

excellent stuff !! been playing it now for about 3hours straight and I love it ! this is just what I hoped it would be, I turned off all driving aids and it did what I hoped, racing was really working with the throtlle and the brakes (and steering ofcourse), this is what makes the 360 pad so excellent for racing games,
I would have liked to see in this demo that we could put the difficulty of AI cars a bit higher as it's far to easy to win now. I have started as last a few times just to check out the AI, and I have to say I'm impressed so far, they really are reacting on what I was doing and they were fighting on the track with each other (don't see that in many racing games).

and I have to give them 2 thumbs up for the sound !! those cars really sound like they do in real life !
I go to the Nurburgring several times a year and I've seen and heard most of these cars in real life,

being a massive racing fan, this demo has proved what I always new already.... Forza2 is gonna be a great racing game !!

[Hartley Hare]

excellent stuff !! been playing it now for about 3hours straight and I love it ! this is just what I hoped it would be, I turned off all driving aids and it did what I hoped, racing was really working with the throtlle and the brakes (and steering ofcourse), this is what makes the 360 pad so excellent for racing games,
I would have liked to see in this demo that we could put the difficulty of AI cars a bit higher as it's far to easy to win now. I have started as last a few times just to check out the AI, and I have to say I'm impressed so far, they really are reacting on what I was doing and they were fighting on the track with each other (don't see that in many racing games).

and I have to give them 2 thumbs up for the sound !! those cars really sound like they do in real life !
I go to the Nurburgring several times a year and I've seen and heard most of these cars in real life,


Being a massive racing fan, this demo has proved what I always new already.... Forza2 is gonna be a great racing game !!

Have to agree with all of the above, made me even worse now, I want more!!!!

GGGGrrrrrr:curse:

[Kotatsu Neko]

I like how you can completely remove the HUD. It's so much nicer to play without all the usual on screen clutter.

The handling is pretty nice, it definitely feels 'right'. Best handling I've played in a racer in a good while. I'm unimpressed with the sound though, it just sounds flat and rather samey. One thing PGR did much better I think. (and the only thing, as this is miles better than PGR in every other category)

Weird how it drops into 30fps in the replays, and looks like a spluttery, scruffy mess by comparison. 60fps is the big win for Forza 2, really makes the game.

[dc-arena]

I'm a bit confused dc, so you're saying the M$ wheel is rubbish and better to buy the cheaper Logitech? I had read it was the other way around.
Have you played with both wheel and Pad and does the wheel + Pedals really enhance the driving experience?

I was referring to the GT Force Pro Logitech wheel for PS2. A wheel that is not compatible with Xbox 360. I was comparing the qualty of the two, sorry for the confusion. The 360 is awful in comparison, and comared to the Logitech G25 (£199 wheel) its even more laughable.

Yes it enhances the experience and its really nice, but the question been bounded around was "Is the wheel worth it?" I'd say no, simply because for £100 there are better wheels out there. Sadly Microsoft do no support them for 360. I'd rather go without, but thats based on using G25 and GT Force Pro.

[charlesr]

Whilst all I really wanted was a new forza so that everyone plays it online again (a 1.X if you will ;) ), it would have been nice if they'd added some new features like the day and night stuff (no idea if that will be in the final game obviously). I'm not sure I'll ever use all this car auction stuff. Tuning yes, but spending hours playing it so that I can afford things other people have done? Where's the fun in that?

Scalextric in the garage using the triggers on the pad.... now that would be cool.

[babs]

I've been playing it more and like it more with every lap. The art and cars are good. Play in bonnect cam, with all aids off with the R2 cars and it's glorious, the decaled back ends of those cars swooping all over the place, I love it.

I love the handling too, it still feels very 'forza', but that's no bad thing. You can tell when you're riding that fine line between a perfect corner and pirouretting across the tarmac.


GT?? GTF more like ;)

[charlesr]

Also for newcomers, it would have been nice to have graded assists rather than just on or off. R:Racing had this and it worked really well, especially for traction control and ABS. I play with them all off, but I'm sure loads of people will be put off by the all or nothing approach, finding it too easy or too hard.

Haven't played one game for a whole evening for ages. Top stuff.

[Rick]

liking it a bit more now.

Im still getting sick and tired of being rammed all over the place by the AI though.

I restarted a race 3 times because i kept getting shunted all over the place when driving the F430

The crap track doesn't help, as i feel its geared more towards the slower cars.

[dlittley]

Haven't played one game for a whole evening for ages. Top stuff.

Absolutely. Big thumbs up here.

In fact i'll echo everything charlesr and TheForce have said about it. Spot on guys. I really dont know what people are moaning about graphics wise, not on here, but in general. I'm ultra picky with things like jaggies, but for a racer this good to be at a glorious 60fps it really does pale into insignificance. I have to plant my face against my HD to see them anyway, and at speed, they just aren't visible.

With the MS FFB wheel it truly is a joy.

Love it.

[TheForce]

The crap track doesn't help, as i feel its geared more towards the slower cars.
wait till you can race the normal version of Mugello (in the demo it's the short version), you'll see Mugello is an awesome track !

[dlittley]

wait till you can race the normal version of Mugello (in the demo it's the short version), you'll see Mugello is an awesome track !

Yeh the track selection for the demo wasn't exactly inspired - I felt that was the only area they held back in slightly. Other than that and maybe more laps, pretty generous for a demo.

[DavidHolliss]

Loving it myself, so nice to have a new racer to play and thoroughly enjoy :)

[Charlie]

Not really impressed it with it so far which is a huge surprise as I was looking forward to this more than any other game. It handles well enough and sounds great but the graphics are incredibly genetic and devoid of any artistic flair or creativity. From the demo I'd have to say PGR3 is a much prettier game, which considering was a launch game, is pretty hard to swallow. I appreciate Forza 2 is running at 60fps but it's no excuse for how bland everything looks. Even more worryingly though is that, to me at least, the game feels somewhat soulless.

I dunno, will probably pick up the full game in the hope the game's shortcomings are mainly restricted to the demo. We'll see.

[copperband]

I've just finished playing this for the last 2 hours or so and I must say I have gone from being impressed to very impressed. I didn't have the original Forza so I can't make a comparison but I do think this is a very realistic game compared with other racers and as a result will proably have more long term enjoyment for me.
There will always be annoyances in a game and a few let downs, for me the graphics seem good now and those few jaggies I was noticing earlier seem to have gone, perhaps because my expectation was for something unrealistically perfect earlier:rolleyes:

I do find the penalty system annoying,even if you place just a part of a tyre on the grass you seem to get as much time added as a full on shunt with another car:confused:
Everything else feels really nice, smooth and realistic and the AI seems to be at times excellent and at other times just like other driving games.
I mostly played the C class cars trying to get a lap time anywhere near worthy of posting elsewhere on here but no luck.Then went on to the middle group of cars which I just couldn't get on with at all for some reason then played with the Le mans style R2 class and the game is awesome, I don't know why but it's like playing a coompletely different game, the handling is completely different, the speed (obviously), braking and the overall racing seems more agressive:thumb:

I'm closer to getting the wheel now having played a bit more because (for the 1st time I can remember) the controller doesn't feel quite right? Can't quite put my finger on why but it just feels like I might need to at least try the wheel.

Anyone think there will be a Forxa and wheel pack available for launch, don't really want another copy of PGR3.

[Uli]

and I have to give them 2 thumbs up for the sound !! those cars really sound like they do in real life !
I go to the Nurburgring several times a year and I've seen and heard most of these cars in real life

mate, i can't tell how a Nissan R390 sounds in real life but i know that it's got a twin-turbo charged engine, which is almost not hearable for me in the demo. in contrast, the various turbo enigine noises, the whistle of the turbine and the venting, are pretty much audible in Forza 1 - at least for the Les Mans race cars.

[nonny]

Love it... really it's just Forza tweaked in the right places (60fps, handling, graphics) and though it doesnt re-write the book I am sure online this is going to be racing bliss.

Forza was no slouch online but this is now 12 players online with clans, tv channels, the works... which basically means my social life is taking a severe hit in the near future.

[ne0star]

I enjoyed playing the demo, there is a lot to like about it. But I would be lying if I said I wasn't disapointed from a visual point of view. It seems to have a very sterile look about it mainly down to the basic lighting system which I think hurts the overall atmosphere a little bit.

Still its just a demo, and I still have my Asian copy all paid up for from play-asia so I will look forward to that.

[Orgun]

O_o I thought the graphics were lovely, anyways im really enjoying the demo but its a shame they didnt include any customization, had it set to pretty much easy - arcade and only minor damage.

Heh last racing game I played was Burnout Revenge...the first corner I hit on the demo track I went flying into a wall which was a long way from the track hehe. Orgun spends more time in the sand than david hasselhoff - bu dum dum psh

[babs]

I tell you what I found very disorientating. I was driving the C class BMW from the over-the-bonnet view, and while the reflections of the clouds etc is really clever on the bonnet, it gives a really strange impression of motion. When the big white reflections move, it feels like the car is turning that way and is very odd!

[Orgun]

I tell you what I found very disorientating. I was driving the C class BMW from the over-the-bonnet view, and while the reflections of the clouds etc is really clever on the bonnet, it gives a really strange impression of motion. When the big white reflections move, it feels like the car is turning that way and is very odd!

I know EXACTLY what you mean, bloody disorientating. @_@

[Ciaran]

mate, i can't tell how a Nissan R390 sounds in real life but i know that it's got a twin-turbo charged engine, which is almost not hearable for me in the demo. in contrast, the various turbo enigine noises, the whistle of the turbine and the venting, are pretty much audible in Forza 1 - at least for the Les Mans race cars.

I remember them only being audible one you stuck the bigger turbo's on them. Theres a sound file on Xboxyde of a done up porsche and you can clearly here the turbo and the dump valve.

[Yoshimax]

Yer people are definately falling into the trap of overjudging the demo.

It's a few cars, one track, 3 laps, no tuning, no online, no scoreboards, no customising of vehicles etc etc etc.

I seem to recall everybody being up in arms at the Forza1 demo only for the finished game to arrive in a much more highly polished form - I absolutely expect the same to happen here.

My main worry - there's going to be SO much to be getting on with in this game.

People still not realising either that the models aren't GTHD levels because they're modifiable via additional body parts and the insane decal editing you can do. Once you've got a grid of vehicles with 1000 decals on them (each) I'd imagine complaints about shit car models will go out the window. I'll take what's here and the nigh-infinite personalisation options over a very well lit but sterile car model anyday.

But hey, short-sightedness FTW !!!

[Simmy]

Although initially uninspirred by it, the game grew on me pretty quickly. The handling seemed very alien at first, but that was purely because I've become so used to the arcade handling in PGR3 and TDU. Still hadn't completely adjusted to it by the time I finished, but you can really see the depth in the handling and as other have said the difference in the cars is huge, something missing from allot of games. To me this seemed to have one of the most convincing handling models in any game yet, but a model which will take allot of time and patience to master.

Graphically I was a bit underwelmed at first, but I think that was allot to do with the plain circuit setting. No doubt that the car models are not quite up to PGR3 standards, but funilly get a bit of damage on them and they really look great :w00t: Funny comment but the animation of the wheels motion also seems far above anything I've seen before. It's obviously all part of handling model, but each wheel seems to operate independly, giving you the ability to lock up different wheels at different times - impressive stuff. I spent an age in the 997 just trying out the 4 wheel drive spinning up the fronts with the rears locked etc !

My biggest disapointment, and something I'd not picked up in previews was the lack of incar view. I've become totally accustomed to using that view in PGR3 and TDU, and while maybe not the most time efficient view to use, it adds so much to the immersion of the games that I always use it. I will really miss it in this game I have to say.

I've seen enough to buy !

[Yoshimax]

Yeah special props to the physics and what I noticed here more than any other driver of late was the tiny movements in the wheels during replays - stick it down to frame skip on a corner you've slid nicely through and watch your countersteering frame-by-frame - even better if you've clipped the rumble strips !!!

Immense !

[Simmy]

It's even more impressive to look at it during the actual lap, a crash will follow but it's worth it for the smooth wheel motion :thumb:

edit : I want to play GTHD after all the positive comments in here. I found GT4 so stale, the cars the tracks and especially the handling which seemed to be going backwards from the original games rather than forwards. They must of made great leaps in HD if folks are feeling it's a better handling model than this !

[TheForce]

mate, i can't tell how a Nissan R390 sounds in real life but i know that it's got a twin-turbo charged engine, which is almost not hearable for me in the demo. in contrast, the various turbo enigine noises, the whistle of the turbine and the venting, are pretty much audible in Forza 1 - at least for the Les Mans race cars.
I heard many of cars going on the race track and I can tell you I could really hear the difference between the cars in Forza2, the Gallardo, the SLR, the 911, they all sounded in the game like I remembered them when I heard them in real life, excellent stuff

in one race I heard a car behind me and from the noice I noticed it was the SLR Mclaren, and I looked and yep there it it was right in my tail !
so in my opinion they have done an amazing job with the sounds of each car.
This is the first game I really heard clear differences between the cars.

[Commander Marklar]

It certainly pushes a few of the right buttons huh? Good game for sure and I'm certainly interested to see where they go because there is a danger it won't offer anything 'new' over most other driving games (like the Forza 1.x mentioned). Criticisms? The in-car view missing, coming from TOCA/GTR/LFS/CMR/RBR, it's something I'm used to and it feels quite static on the bonnet; it needs the head cam moving/look ahead mechanism, I feel. I'm the driver, not the car. Sounds are quiet, something the original messed up a bit too and while the graphics are utterly fantastic, I get odd colours on the reflections which I'm not sure if it's the TV or the game (or maybe the 360 :o ). Racing seems fairly straight forward but it's more of a driving game than racing, if you get me. TOCA recreates racing brilliantly, for example. But that's not necessarily a bad thing; time trails are where it's at, I quickly tire of the typical driving game 'racing' progression.

Liking the perfect balance between arcade/realistic-type handling. It's easy to recover from spins (does the game auto-correct the cars direction here? felt like it...), easy enough to drift while one is quickly punished for going mental in 0-"Oh my God that is fast" racers. Super-smooth graphics, great environments especially alll the extra little track details (reminds me of Le Mans 24hr a bit).

Good demo track too; instantly familar to racing fans without being too long to put beginners off. It ticks all the right boxes as far as track elements are concerned anyway :) Looking forward to the full game.

[Simmy]

Iin one race I heard a car behind me and from the noice I noticed it was the SLR Mclaren, and I looked and yep there it it was right in my tail !

Why can no one replicate the air break on the SLR ? It's really beginning to bug me that it is not present in any game. Well certainly not TDU or this !

[Yoshimax]

Somebody had made a dergogatory comment about the graphics saying drive up to the pit wall - so I did - Couple of low poly models going through animations - then I checked the crowd in the stands at the other end - very impressive if you check it out - the range of animation & different character models is superb !!!

Starting to think I'm playing a different demo to some others !!!

[Kotatsu Neko]

What stands out most about the graphics to me is the disparity in the lighting. The cars are lit by an incredibly strong white - notice how they completely white out with specular. The environments though are completely devoid of strong shadows and hot spots, making them look flat and drab.

There's just no art direction to Forza at all.

[The_G_Man]

Somebody had made a dergogatory comment about the graphics saying drive up to the pit wall - so I did - Couple of low poly models going through animations - then I checked the crowd in the stands at the other end - very impressive if you check it out - the range of animation & different character models is superb !!!

Starting to think I'm playing a different demo to some others !!!


I think if you read through this thread, the general thoughts are that the game is not a looker but plays well. Just be happy at that.

Or perhaps we should get a pair of those tinted spectacles you might be wearing ;)

[Simmy]

I think if you read through this thread, the general thoughts are that the game is not a looker but plays well. Just be happy at that.

Smack a 997 into a wall a couple of times and then look at the model and the damage, looks superb. Agree that ON THIS TRACK the back grounds are a bit bland though, the skies look great though !

[copperband]

Does that actually have any function m8 ? Sorry fellow Audi owner being nosey that's all :)

Actually it's a joke on one of the Audi Forums at the moment because there's a guy selling them on ebay for 25 Euro's:w00t:

Is your Audi in the game? I'm very disappointed to find that my S3 doesn't make an appearence:(

[Yoshimax]

I think if you read through this thread, the general thoughts are that the game is not a looker but plays well. Just be happy at that.

Or perhaps we should get a pair of those tinted spectacles you might be wearing ;)

No - I think if you read through it you'll find it's pretty much 50/50 on the graphics.

As I've already said it was the same with people moaning about the graphics in Forza1's demo until the game was released and people realised they'd flipped it up another notch and, again as I've already mentioned, I'll take the car customisation levels in this game over the single, sterile, static but well lit car models featured in GTHD (for example).

What's happened I think is GT was pretty much the only console racing sim option for so long people got used to nothing more than pretty graphical upgrades and forgot it should be about pushing other elements like AI, customisation (went backward with that and dropped it) and having an interesting progression option along with something new like online (which was dropped after being promised - sounds like 3D grass except that showed up !!! )

Horses for courses - I'm more than happy with the game - I'd have thought that was clear ?

[Mardigan8]

Cant wait to get home and try this out.

Didnt play 1 but from hearing mates talk in depth about it it sounds like the style of driving and level of car customisation on the go is right up my street. While I love PGRs arcade style I jsut think this more realistic and technical approach will work well for me. Put that in along with me being able to make every car in the game EXACTLY as I want it and you get one delighted, excited gamer.

[Uli]

Yer people are definately falling into the trap of overjudging the demo.

i wont because i remember the really bad demo of Forza - the bad handling of the cars and stuff - and then the actual game turned out to be pretty decent. so as i said before, just wait and see. and hear - maybe the car sounds are not complete for the demo.

[Simmy]

Actually it's a joke on one of the Audi Forums at the moment because there's a guy selling them on ebay for 25 Euro's:w00t:

Is your Audi in the game? I'm very disappointed to find that my S3 doesn't make an appearence:(

Ah OK, thought it looked like a spacer filler.

My current A4 Quattro S Line Saloon is not likely to be in there, the new on the way A4 Avant desiel Sline SE is even less likely to be in there :lol: Well atleast it has a 7" LCD in the front, need to find a way to rig the 360 into that for some in car forza 2 fun. That would be the best in car view ever :thumb:

[copperband]

Ah OK, thought it looked like a spacer filler.

My current A4 Quattro S Line Saloon is not likely to be in there, the new on the way A4 Avant desiel Sline SE is even less likely to be in there :lol: Well atleast it has a 7" LCD in the front, need to find a way to rig the 360 into that for some in car forza 2 fun. That would be the best in car view ever :thumb:

It is a space filler actually, I think someone has just taken a blank and somehow turned it into a button!

I really like playing with the C class cars, for me it makes the learning of the tracks better and gives a more realistic comaprison with what we may drive in real life,albeit not always in that top of the range guise!

Back downstairs for a few laps I think, the beauty (and danger) of working from home:)

[Simmy]

One thing I've not seen mentioned with regards to the damage in this is the glass smashing :o Not often shocked/surprised by games anymore but driving into the back of a Sagaris to see/hear the back window smash completely surprised me. Amazing stuff, really cries out again for an incar view option to look around and see your window smashing would be an amazing moment !

[Hodge]

Was playing it a fair bit last night and it didn`t disappoint. Been playing it over VGA and the graphics look very nice to my eyes and silky smooth with it running at 60fps. Handling feels nice with assists off aswell. Can`t wait for the full game now.

[Simmy]

Noticed that everyone is talking about playing with assists off. Do folks include ABS in this. I found it far to easy to lock a wheel with ABS off which results in you just diving straight on. Did not really find that with the pad atleast there is enough feeling to the braking to avoid the wheel locking, so I can see me playing the full game with ABS on TCS and ESP or whatever they call it off !

[Ciaran]

ABS was the first thing I turned off and had no trouble after the first few corners. Just be light on the breaks and listen for a lockup.

[Simmy]

Just be light on the breaks and listen for a lockup.

But if you can be harder and later on the brakes with ABS then I think I'll leave it on. Just hoping its tunable in the main game, so some lockup can be dialed in !

[Hodge]

I play with all assists off except for ABS. No reason to turn of ABS really as It improves the performance of the car, rather than hampers it like the other assists do.

[Ciaran]

But if you can be harder and later on the brakes with ABS then I think I'll leave it on. Just hoping its tunable in the main game, so some lockup can be dialed in !

I don't think you can, I'm no professional at this but I assume the ABS would be over zealous and be slower(faster:confused:) than anyone who can brake correctly.

[Astra]

if having problems with locking wheels then cadence brake (repeatidly on and off the brakes until uve slowed down enough.. which is what abs does anyway.

[Roost]

Just gave this a go with the pad, jesus it feels so boring compared to the wheel. Had all the aids off on both pad and wheel, it was really easy with the pad compared to the wheel. Seemed impossible to lose the F430 by accelerating too early on the pad, on the wheel it can be done pretty easy, have to feather throttle a lot more carefully. Plus it's a lot easier as it's quicker to rectify any OTT slides than with the wheel.

Wouldn't be able to use the pad on this game after giving it a test it just makes the game so flat.

[Rossco]

Yeh, after playing GT4 again with the wheel recently, it felt weird going back to using a pad for racing. So I will be getting the wheel with this definitely. And my flowery pink dash(ironing)board is ready for it! :D

[Leon Ahoy!]

I've been playing the demo.

Sadly, it didn't blow me away, the way I was hoping it would.

The good thing is the fact that it didn't make me sad or angry. It simply looks good, plays o.k, and is pleasant enough to make me want to buy the full game.

I went back to Forza1, to see the difference. Well, the resolution is much better in the sequel: much crisper and clear. Everything looks far less blocky. I'd say the new game is 50% better in all departments, not as next-gen as I had hoped for.

I'd say that the visuals still look a bit sterile and lacking in the next-gen ambient effects I'd want. It simply doesn't look like a major leap, just another step.

Saying that, it's only a demo, and one track. I have no doubt that I'll enjoy the full game and find it much more satisfying than this somewhat uninspiring demo.

:thumb:*60fps* :thumb:

[charlesr]

Ban request. ;) (for using the "f" word)

[merf]

thats my prob with this demo, it just doesn't look next-gen enough. especially bearing in mind it isn't a release title so should be really starting to push the hardware.

i've been playing the PS3 F1 game and it looks (and plays) pretty amazingly.

i grabbed this, had a quick bash, and just thought 'so what?'

underwhelming.

[ChrisField]

thats my prob with this demo, it just doesn't look next-gen enough. especially bearing in mind it isn't a release title so should be really starting to push the hardware.

Unfortunately I felt that also. I didn't get the wow factor that I did with GT:HD. Saying that, I still enjoyed it! Only had chance to have one quick race in an M3 but it was fun and seemed really realistic. Loving the sound though!

[Leon Ahoy!]

The demo is far from the graphical tour de force I was expecting. I can only hope the full game is much better.

When you see what Forza1 achieved with such dated hardware, I don't the demo displays the graphical leap I was expecting. It just seems like things are higher-resolution, crisper, and more easy on the eye. The cars, environments, ambient effects etc... aren't breathtaking at all. When you look at the 360s specs, I'd assume more should be possible.

The 60fps is fantastic though. The game feels good, and looks pleasant. With all the tracks and features the full game will offer, I think I'll buy it.

[Commander Marklar]

Is ABS configurable on the actual cars? I don't see it as an assist that should be configurable. I can turn traction control off on my car but not the ABS. I'm not sure I'd want to ;) Maybe the faux-assists like break assist then yeah but why have something like ABS as an option?

I'm not sure what most folk expect to see looking at a racing game modelling real life stuff. Maybe if this were Daytona or something then sure but there's hardly any issue with the graphics apart from the OTT lighting on the cars. It looks great!

The C class cars are incredibly enjoyable to drive.

[Leon Ahoy!]

Is ABS configurable on the actual cars? I don't see it as an assist that should be configurable. I can turn traction control off on my car but not the ABS. I'm not sure I'd want to ;) Maybe the faux-assists like break assist then yeah but why have something like ABS as an option?

I'm not sure what most folk expect to see looking at a racing game modelling real life stuff. Maybe if this were Daytona or something then sure but there's hardly any issue with the graphics apart from the OTT lighting on the cars. It looks great!

The C class cars are incredibly enjoyable to drive.

Trust me, real-life looks a lot more ambient and gritty. :happy:

The 360 is a powerful beast. Look at the best XB1 racers, and whilst this new Forza is better looking, the environmental effects, and overalll look aren't much different.

I'd expect some haze, grime, basically a rougher edge ( in a good way ) I want the lighting to look like a major step-up from the last gen.

It looks too clean and lacking in ambience. The cars really should look more real.

The game is made by a premier MS studio. They've achieved 60fps, which is great, but I think the game is far from the visual breakthrough many were hoping for.

Who can say the visuals blew them away, like you'd expect from a racer at this stage in the 360s life?

[Shozuki]

I must agree with the graphical complaints, but the game plays so well!

[Leon Ahoy!]

I must agree with the graphical complaints, but the game plays so well!

Yeah, it feels good. I have little doubt that the Live racing is going to be fun.

I bet some of the other tracks look much better. The demo one is pretty boring in every way.

[Kubrick]

They've achieved 60fps, which is great, but I think the game is far from the visual breakthrough many were hoping for.
I wasn't hoping for any visual breakthroughs, nor was I expecting any. It's been apparent for ages (screenshots etc) that the game wouldn't look "amazing".
I just wanted a realistic driving game with spot-on physics that felt superb to play and it looks like Forza 2 is it. I've been waiting years on a game like this appearing and can't wait to play the full game.

[charlesr]

Whilst spinning backwards across the track, I saw the Legacy's headlights and thought "zomg they've got that circular bit of the lens just right". Yeah there's a weird sheen on the basic cars, but the models are fantastic and as was mentioned earlier, once they are painted, they'll look like race cars. The R2 cars :wub:

[Malc]

I love the look and feel of Forza 2, yet seeing the new PGR4 trailer has shifted my hype slightly. i'm looking forward to the customisation options in Forza 2, which PGR series doesn't offer.

Does anyone know if there will be any rain effects in Forza 2?

[Senna]

I'm really enjoying this so far. I never played Forza 1, which I have always regretted, being a racing game nut and owning an XBox. For shame.

This demo has already sucked me in. The handling feels spot on, and you really get the feedback when the car is about to understeer or oversteer. As a consequence, it is definitely a game which rewards practice. In fact, I can safely say that this is the first racing game in a long time that has made me want 'just one more go' to find those last few tenths on the track.

As mentioned already, the graphics aren't the best on the 360 but they are more than adequate. Plus the developers have clearly done their research, as the authenticity of the detail on the cars is spot on. Besides, a racing game IMO is about challenge, controls and rewardability, which this has in abundance.

Anyone playing this should get over to the Online Gaming forum and post your times. Im getting ever so slightly competitive, and there are plenty of people posting their times up. Although the Force seems to be unbeatable at the moment.

[MarioMark]

Love this demo.

I'm in two minds wether I like it with the pad; or the FF Official Wheel. It's SO much fun with the wheel when you pull off a good corner, but my times with the pad are usualy 3 seconds faster a lap!

[Commander Marklar]

Whilst spinning backwards across the track, I saw the Legacy's headlights and thought "zomg they've got that circular bit of the lens just right". Yeah there's a weird sheen on the basic cars, but the models are fantastic and as was mentioned earlier, once they are painted, they'll look like race cars. The R2 cars :wub:

You are me and I claim my five pounds.

Now you've mentioned it 'Leon Ahoy!' I can see where you're coming from. I think the issue I have with effects like that is unless they get them perfect, they're a hindrance to the game play. I think Moto GP 3 with it's screen blurring is a fine example of not doing it quite right while the other side of that example coin would be the Xbox Sega GT. Superb racer that is :thumb:

Yeah, I'm really liking what they've done with the demo. Contemplating pre-ordering it, maybe even buying a subscription to Live :scared: I just hope they manage to sort something out regarding 'exploitable' cars although I feel that Live being as it is these days it'd be easy to avoid Honda Civic-style racers from the first game. Cor, I'm getting a little bit excited thinking about it. It's good to have a good racer come along once in a while.

[charlesr]

Playing 360 racing games makes you realise just how advanced Le Mans 24 on the DC was. Drizzle, light rain, rain, torrential downpour, glowing brake discs, THAT ABSOLUTELY AWESOME VAPOUR TRAIL EFFECT OFF THE WINGS AT HIGH SPEED, the day to night effects, the cool > > > > > turn right here flashy signs (which they don't actually have at Le Mans, but look dead cool at night), 20 cars on the grid, drafting, nice.

[in5ane]

I mildly enjoyed the Forza 2 demo, but funnily enough it's rejuvenated my interest in the DIRT rally game.

[Commander Marklar]

Playing 360 racing games makes you realise just how advanced Le Mans 24 on the DC was. Drizzle, light rain, rain, torrential downpour, glowing brake discs, THAT ABSOLUTELY AWESOME VAPOUR TRAIL EFFECT OFF THE WINGS AT HIGH SPEED, the day to night effects, the cool > > > > > turn right here flashy signs (which they don't actually have at Le Mans, but look dead cool at night), 20 cars on the grid, drafting, nice.

Really makes you wonder what most developers are trying to achieve with racers when you look back at something like Le Mans.

DIRT is looking wicked; here's hope Codies keep their demo tradition up and give us something to play soon. Someone posted some feedback on rllmuk about some time he spent on the title and it was all positive, promising indeed.

Marklar, this is a Forza thread. Self-imposed ban hammerage.

[Team Andromeda]

Well I must say I liked the demo , I thought the graphics were very good myself , and the backrounds looks stunning as do the lighting and reflection effects , and 60 fps makes all the diff

The Car models are decent enough(more so for Turn 10) , way better than the poor car models in Forza, and the 5. 1 sound is much better too, though not quite up to SEGA GT , Colin McRae standards , which made my roof rumble throught the sub woofer :) .
The handling was spot on and it was a pleasure to drive through the pad or the FF wheel , though why the FF wheel doesn't also have an Analogue stick , so you can view for the side or behind you'll I never now ( I miss that on the wheel)

Overall way impressed and can't wait for the final game My only major beef is the lack onthe rear view mirrior inthe Bonnet/bumper car view , which I hope will be fixed inthe final game .

I just hope and pray GTR 2 comes to the 360 too

[Team Andromeda]

Playing 360 racing games makes you realise just how advanced Le Mans 24 on the DC was. Drizzle, light rain, rain, torrential downpour, glowing brake discs, THAT ABSOLUTELY AWESOME VAPOUR TRAIL EFFECT OFF THE WINGS AT HIGH SPEED, the day to night effects, the cool > > > > > turn right here flashy signs (which they don't actually have at Le Mans, but look dead cool at night), 20 cars on the grid, drafting, nice.


Very true the weather effects in Le Mans were bloody awesome for the time . I was playing PGR the other day too, and that game still looks bloody awesome in terms of car models , thought the backrounds were rather poor .
People always laugh, but I though in terms of efffects and car models SEGA GT never gets the credit it should , some real big fat car models with a ton of polygons and up with GT for Modelling standards The lighting effects were great , and it still in my view features the best 5.1 sound in any X-Box or 360 racer .

Great game to boot, shame SEGA screwed up the online mode :(.

[Uli]

...
i hope they got day and night cycles in there now - like in Les Mans 24h. or at least some night races to fully admire the bright glowing break discs of a... ehm... BMW M3? ;)...

have to add that i already wonder why sims like GT4 and Forza could or would not offer the same love for details and racing enthusiasm that shines through Les Mans 24h. a truly exceptional racer, maybe much ahead of its time. and the only reason i still have kept my Mad Catz DC driving wheel ;)

[Gradius]

Got myself a MS steering wheel. I am struggling to match my pad performance but i can't even drive a real car!! I was even pressing the paddles to accelerate at first!!

Not sure i'd fancy this little set-up. :ph34r:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1iEtjs6S80

Make sure you watch it right up to the end.

[charlesr]

fierce.

[TheForce]

WOW, excellent stuff !!! LOL

now that's just what I need, that's what I call a racing set up,
so, next thing.... where to get alot of money really fast ?.....

[MarioMark]

That is mint!!!

[huxley]

Back to the Forza demo - I dont rate it that high when you compare it to the first game, I`m going to reserve judgment until the final product comes out.
Back to GTHD for me.

[Ciaran]

I dont rate it that high when you compare it to the first game,

Huh :confused:

[huxley]

Thought it was pretty easy to understand?
When you compare the first Forza running on the original xbox and the new one on the 360 does the later really jump out at you as a next gen game?
It doesnt for me - maybe I need an eye test.
Its still a good game, but I feel it could be better.

[Ciaran]

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1810/forzamotorsport20050422pz9.jpg
Rose tinted glasses?

Although I'd agree with you that the graphics are little worse than expected, but I don't care its not what I want the game for.

[MarioMark]

Yeah, if I wanted good graphics I'd watch my Disney Pixar's Cars DVD. Just as long as it is an awesome game, runs at 60 FPS and runs well online, I'm happy. :happy:

[charlesr]

GTHD is there for graphics whores. Forza is there for handling whores.

That last bit came out wrong. Chortle.

[Senna]

Ive been playing this demo now for many hours. It has got me super hyped up for the game.

It is one of those games that only throws up its handling nuances once you have played it for enough time. I could see it easily annoying someone with a short attention span or who just expects to pick up the pad and immediately be good at it. The greatest thing for me is having gone through all the cars on offer and experiencing the often wildly varying handling characteristics of each car, plus the differences in gear change time. This is no basic racer.

This will actually be the first racing game that i will play in manual gear with all the aids off right from the beginning. I am looking forward to playing this on Live so much now, the days cant come soon enough.

[dlittley]

It is one of those games that only throws up its handling nuances once you have played it for enough time.

So so true. I whacked it on again a couple nights ago for a 'quick blast' in the F430. Turned all aids off and ended up not changing car, it was THAT much fun racing the Ferrari. You can feel individual wheels lock up and the weight of the car shifting through the MS wheel. Truly superb.

[Leon Ahoy!]

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1810/forzamotorsport20050422pz9.jpg
Rose tinted glasses?

Although I'd agree with you that the graphics are little worse than expected, but I don't care its not what I want the game for.


http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8127/forza1aj4.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/449/forza2yq2.jpg
These shots of Forza1 are more fair. I went back to Forza, to see the differences. Forza2 has a higher resolution, and is far cleaner, but it's not as big a step as I'd expected.

In many ways, it's like MotoGP on the 360. There isn't enough of a visual upgrade to wow people.

The thing with the demo is that it looks nice. Nothing more than nice. The 60fps feels much better, and it plays well.

I can't wait to see the other tracks, and hopefully I'll be far more impressed with them than I am with the demo track.

I'm not gutted with the demo, just underwhelmed. I'll still give the full game a chance.

[charlesr]

TheForce (live: thaForce) has done a vid of a decent R2 lap.
http://www.ntsc-uk.com/reviews/360/Forza2/Forza2DemoTheForceR2.mov
It's an 86MB MOV file. eep. Anyway. Enjoy.
When he gets around to doing a C or A, I'll host those too.

[Commander Marklar]

OK, I reckon this is now hopelessly pedestrian. There's nothing any other driving doesn't do, only they all do racing better. AI feels lifeless and unaware while the handling leaves little to be desired; there's nothing different to Forza apart from the nicer track graphics. Typical of the kind of thing a corporate studio would put out I reckon, game designed by committee.

And my Xbox 360 is also dead :D

[Commander Marklar]

GTHD is there for graphics whores. Forza is there for handling whores.

You've got to be kidding :lol:

[prinnysquad]

You've got to be kidding :lol:

I reckon Charlesr had it bang on. The handling of forza is superb, really intuitive and rewarding once you put the commitment in. Every souped-up car in GT feels like you're driving a wooden box on wheels around.

[charlesr]

You've got to be kidding :lol:

No way man, dead serious. The amount of control you have on the edge is just right. And when you spin it, what you do with the brakes and the wheel and the throttle affect the spin in just the same way they do in real life. It's uncanny.

[TheForce]

I totally agree,
the control (braking, steering and using the throttle) I have with the cars in Forza is something I never had while playing GT, GTHD may look flashier but it sure does not handle as good as Forza,
not by a mile !!
Forza is a game you gonna appreciate more every hour you play it

[sharky_ob]

I totally agree,
the control (braking, steering and using the throttle) I have with the cars in Forza is something I never had while playing GT, GTHD may look flashier but it sure does not handle as good as Forza,
not by a mile !!
Forza is a game you gonna appreciate more every hour you play it

Couldn't have put it better myself, so I won't try!

Just got my 360 back from repair yesterday, and the demo was the first thing I downloaded and played. This is the game I got the 360 for, and with the wheel this is the best handling racing game I've ever played.

Now I want the full game even more :)

[dc-arena]

Shame this has been delayed two weeks, would of been perfect for a Bank Holiday weekend :) I have seen in some videos on net that you get more points if you turn off certain assists, and run in manual gears etc. Sounds like a good idea, and definetly gives a good incentive for players who do use assists to try switching them to 'off' :)

Now the important question is, what region do you want to start in? USA, Europe, or Japan. Going to be Japan for me I think, for some VTEC screamers ;)

[ChrisField]

It's all about the Bavarian motors for me! :D

[Yoshimax]

The scoring bonuses for turning off assists was in Forza1 as well.

[dc-arena]

I'll get my 911 GT1 later on for some Nurburgring action :)