By Keith Proctor
The cars in the latest racing game from Microsoft Game Studios—Forza Motorsport™—are like the individual grains of sand on a beach. Not one of them are alike.
So what’s my gut reaction after playing a build of the game? You are going to love Forza Motorsport, because you’ll have ability to tweak and tune your car so that it feels and drives like your car—even if it looks just like one your friend drives.
Forza Motorsport, which was announced on the opening day of E3 2004, will ship with hundreds of cars from more than 60 manufacturers. But the number of cars is just the beginning when you’re discussing the variety of automotive experience Forza Motorsport offers. Again, at the risk of being redundant, if you are the kind of racing geek I am, you will be amazed at all the ways you’ll be able to twist, tune, and adjust each car’s equipment, performance, and looks in virtually any direction you want.
Forza Motorsport is expected to reach retail outlets this winter. In addition to the take-your-breath-away graphics and precise handling that are the trademarks of MGS driving titles like Project Gotham Racing® 2, RalliSport Challenge, and Midtown Madness 3, Forza Motorsport will give players an extensive array of tools and virtual accessories that will allow them to stamp their mark on the game at a DNA-level of depth.
Don’t like that racing stripe? Change it!
Not only can you change a car’s under-the-sheet-metal components (engines, tires, suspensions, etc.), but you’ll be able to use the game’s editing tools to change a car’s color schemes and other styling cues just a nudge or completely.
If you’re like me, you think the way a car looks is important, but what really boosts your turbo to the max is the ability to fine-tune a car’s performance. Forza Motorsport has what you want: The game’s controls allow you to change a car’s performance and handling characteristics.
There will be three main areas to tune and tweak your cars: engine/power, aerodynamics, and handling. So, let’s say you jump into Career mode and choose the Honda Civic Type R as your entry-level vehicle. Provided you have the budget, you can use the upgrade tools to make modifications to your car.
I started by improving the Civic’s engine performance by tuning the power plant. If money were no object, I could have made modifications suitable for elite club or professional racing series competition. I’m on a budget, though, so I opted for a more-robust-than-stock mod.
Forza Motorsport lets you make each car your own.
When I’m ready to improve my engine’s performance further, I’ll be able to alter the exhaust and fuel systems, add a turbo or supercharger, add nitrous injection, or even change engines. Since I’d like to make the Civic more slippery, I’m planning to buy improvements for the car’s aero package—new bumpers, side body panels, spoilers, and new headlights and taillights.
There are just as many ways to improve a car’s handling; you can alter the suspension, buy better brakes, replace the transmission and clutch, reduce the weight of the vehicle, upgrade the tires, and make changes to the car’s drive train. From top to bottom, inside and out, there’s virtually no way in which Forza Motorsport doesn’t allow you to make your car truly your own, reflecting your own personal sense of style and driving strategy.
I can’t wait. A major part of my fun will be figuring the type of equipment adjustments and purchases that will help me the most. After all, what’s the point of making changes if they aren’t going to help you go faster? And right now, looking at Forza Motorsport, I already feel rocket-powered.
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