Forza 2 demo roars onto Live

By Tom Bramwell Published 10 May, 2007

First review on Eurogamer.de.

The demo version of Forza Motorsport 2 has popped up on Xbox Live Marketplace as promised by admins on the game's official forum, who posted last night. "That's what we've been told," we were, er, told.

There's no immediate word on the demo contents, but we do know it's 691MB. Because we're downloading it, clever clogs.

We've been enjoying a fair bit of Forza lately of course, bringing you first impressions and an interview with game director Dan Greenawalt ahead of its 8th June release.

Our pals at Eurogamer.de have been putting it through its paces too, posting their full review today and awarding a whopping 9/10. Check back here closer to release to see what we make of it.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (72) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • morriss #1 5 years ago

    Good job I'm sending my 360 off tomorrow isn't it?

    Oh. :'(

  • DB2k #2 5 years ago

    GAH I CANNOT READ TEH GERMANG.

    Please integrate some form of babelfish conversion :)

  • barchetta #3 5 years ago

    Ausgezeichnet? Prima?

  • LeD #4 5 years ago

    9/10? That's disappointing isn't it.

  • HarryB #5 5 years ago

    woohoo im hungover with no exams or anything to do... demo demo demo

  • stampax #6 5 years ago

    Woah - better than Halo.....

  • gizmo #7 5 years ago

    I'd be sending my 360 off too, if only they'd agree to repair it out of warranty (Dec 05). It died during the Spring Update. Did I tell you that already?

  • morriss #8 5 years ago

    Bout 1,000,000 times.

  • Zomoniac #9 5 years ago

    "If it's not there at exactly 2AM, please do not shoot the messenger or bring your vitriol here to the forA."

  • BraveArse #10 5 years ago

    "If it's not there at exactly 2AM, please do not shoot the messenger or bring your vitriol here to the forA."

    Good for you... now toddle off back to the Grammar Nazi Gazette, where someone might care. I'll be having a look for the demo sometime soonish.


    Like now.
    Edited by 2 at 10/05/07 @ 10:06

  • optimusprym8 #11 5 years ago

    damn work!

  • Xerx3s #12 5 years ago

    I'd be sending my 360 off too, if only they'd agree to repair it out of warranty (Dec 05). It died during the Spring Update. Did I tell you that already?

    A) Not out of warrantee
    B) All pre jan 06 models get free repairs anyway

  • bauhaus #13 5 years ago

    I may indeed turn my 360 on for the first time since.... oooooh 22nd March?

  • JayeM #14 5 years ago

    I just created me a 3rd new account and got another 1 months free Gold. :D

    I think that's my lot now though. :(

  • skillian #15 5 years ago

    "If it's not there at exactly 2AM, please do not shoot the messenger or bring your vitriol here to the forA."

    Check a dictionary. If you're going to make petty grammar complaints, at least get them right.

  • SBfistfun #16 5 years ago

    wow a racing game, how exciting!

  • ishigo #17 5 years ago

    wow, SBfistfun, a troll, how exciting!

  • Aretak #18 5 years ago

    Aw... I sent my 360 in for repair just yesterday. :(

  • DjWhizzkidd #19 5 years ago

    Demo is up, downloading as we speak . . . .

  • oakie007 #20 5 years ago

    Here is a translation from a German to English website.........not quite there but gives you a rough idea of what the Krauts are talking about.....


    At the graphics, will nothing change after own statements from Microsoft to the publication more. So one must removed come also in the full version with far spectators as a Pappaufsteller, missing Anti-Aliasing and the Last-Generation-Blooming-Beleuchtungseffekten right. In return there are clean sixty frames, very good textures, destructible car body and realistic race track by what means the game becomes its claim as a simulation full and entirely just. Above all there other virtues, how physics, load behavior and vehicle selection, over every doubt are sublime, probably would hardly be allowed to disturb itself real racers at these trifles.

    So Trifle cars eh.......hope they bounce off other cars.....:)

  • Xerx3s #21 5 years ago

    Here is a translation from a German to English website.........not quite there but gives you a rough idea of what the Krauts are talking about.....

    /claps slowly

    Ž_Ž

  • SBfistfun #22 5 years ago

    "wow, SBfistfun, a troll, how exciting!"

    nope, just not excited about yet ANOTHER racing game.

  • oakie007 #23 5 years ago

    @ Xerx3s

    Straight back at you....

    Hier ist eine Übersetzung von einem Deutsch zu englischer Website. ........not ziemlich dort aber gibt Ihnen eine vage Idee, von was der Krauts bespricht. ....

    /Klatscht langsam

  • Der_tolle_Emil #24 5 years ago

    I translated the entire review and posted in the forums: [link url=http://www.eurogamer.net/forum_thr ead_posts.php?thread_id=83006&category_id=39
    ]http://ww w.eurogamer.net/forum_thread_po...[/link]

    Bear with my lousy writing skills; But it should be better than any online translation.

  • rashes #25 5 years ago

    thanks very much der_tolle

    and boo to the people who always have to make some purile joke whenever the G word is mentioned.

  • Xerx3s #26 5 years ago

    Okie: saying the same in german isn't going to make it less outdated.

  • Der_tolle_Emil #27 5 years ago

    I don't like the Germans either. Noone in Austria does. It's mutual though so both countries are just fine with it and go well together if face to face. We only talk behind each others backs :)

  • Uncle_Fishboy #28 5 years ago

    Two world wars and one world cup - doo da, doo da!

  • sharpfish #29 5 years ago

    I've just finished playing the demo for 20 minutes. Not that impressed. :(

    I was very much looking forward to this game, and it's had it's fair share of hype which I wanted to believe. The demo has put me of "Instant purchase" and now it's a "maybe on budget" or "when I get time".

    Firstly the gameplay seems ok for a sim, it's certainly not an arcade racer and it's smooth and feels weighty. Rumble is used well and collision damage is nice to see (even if it's toned down and unrealistic - as always).

    However, While I can forgoe some graphical niceness for a "slick gameplay experience" I don't feel (from the demo) that either warrant the hype or "next gen" title.

    The game overall reminded me of a slightly updated version of Codemasters Toca Race Driver (2/3). Similar graphics (obv better but nothing amazing), similar gameplay (but less exciting imo).

    The problem for me is that it just looks quite unpolished, even if this was/is an EARLY version I can't see the full game being that much better looking.

    Ok so we have next gen "jaggies" which may not be traditional jaggies but are still pixelated edges on billboardy looking outfield textures, very average lighting (completely last gen), numerous graphical glitches around the playfield (on the run offs - inc textures that don't LOD properly, mip mapping that is far to visible between levels, strange artifacts floating in the air and very old looking textures/grass). It all looks so drab. And while race tracks generally do look drab/grey, there is little that pops out at you here. Surely some of the full game tracks are going to look nicer in the better locations, but right now I felt like I was playing an Xbox 1 game graphically.

    The cars are "ok", again they pale next to PGR3 or Test Drive Unlimited as do their camera options. The replay camera (from what I could see) is limited to the same as in game so no "fancy looking" angles/focussing effect - I'm sure i've seen this on a video somewhere so it's probably just left out the demo or I didn't see it.

    The cars in the front end look drab. PGR3 (which had it's fair share of problems) still made you feel hot and sweaty when looking at the auto exotica in your garage.. it felt like you owned them cos they looked so good, even with jaggies. The lighting was superb. In Forza2 they are just car models with average lighting. Nothing like the slick/flash prerendered "tuning 350z" trailers we've seen.

    Camera change is also mapped to the most stupid button (uncomfy to change while accelerating).

    So overall and underwhelming experienc based on the months of hype and time gap between this and PGR3, Burnout and even stuff like RR6... they all look better.

    And while it may be a smooth frame rate (which shouldn't be a TRADE OFF in the first place - a smooth frame rate is to be expected) it does sometimes feel like you are driving through treacle (even in a lambo).

    I don't want to put anyone off and I'm certain 90% of players will love it (esp sim heads who just want it for accurate-ish racing). It's going to be VERY fun to play but frankly it looks quite old and antiquated so shouldn't be used as standard bearer for Xbox360. PGR3 is STILL the best looking racer on 360 (and it still plays decently too). And as much as I hate to say it, if Sony get their act together with GT5 then it's not going to be too hard to blow this game out of the water graphically (whether it will compared to PGR4 is a different story).

    So, one for the hardcore racers who are not bored with re-iterations of the same old grey tracks. Along the lines of Race Driver and GTR etc but nothing really stands out as being new, innovative or mind blowing.

    Will reserve final judgement until I get a chance to sample the full game (somewhere). Oh and don't bother flaming cos:

    a. It's my opinion and i'm entitled to it
    b. I will just ignore you anyway
    Edited by 1 at 10/05/07 @ 12:29

  • Walshicus #30 5 years ago

    I don't like the Germans either. Noone in Austria does. It's mutual though so both countries are just fine with it and go well together if face to face. We only talk behind each others backs :)

    I do remember being advised to ask people whether they spoke English, as I didn't speak Austrian rather than German when I went out there. Forgot a few times and got hints of a nasty look... :D

  • Obsequious #31 5 years ago

    "I don't like the Germans either. Noone in Austria does."

    God, how the world needed that to be true in 1938.

    /puerility ftw.

  • LukeFX #32 5 years ago

    WTF, why link to the .de aricle, the fact that 99.9% of people cant understand that language isn't going to get you any thankyous

  • Wash #33 5 years ago

    Anyone know the age of this build we're recieving?...

    @sharpfish...

    From the images i've seen the cars/backdrops range from the good, to the down right ugly. So i dont doubt what you say.

    Cant wait to try it when i get home from work :|

  • rashes #34 5 years ago

    snapfish... you got all that from 20 mins play?
    Must have taken longer to write all that out :-)

  • belziah #35 5 years ago

    Xeres

    I'd be sending my 360 off too, if only they'd agree to repair it out of warranty (Dec 05). It died during the Spring Update. Did I tell you that already?

    A) Not out of warrantee
    B) All pre jan 06 models get free repairs anyway

    Someone should be kind enough to tell Microsoft UK because they told me (two months ago)that offer was only open to American customers and that I was niaive to expect that here, that'll be Ģ85 fuck-you very much!

  • bonker #36 5 years ago

    "I don't like the Germans either. Noone in Austria does. It's mutual though so both countries are just fine with it and go well together if face to face. We only talk behind each others backs :) "

    Must be a bummer then that the rest of the world considers Austria to simply be Greater Bavaria :)

  • bonker #37 5 years ago

    I hate jaggies.

    Hope this doesn't meh-out given how close DIRT is to release.

    That said, I've just read that they've made a right gash out of the MP in DIRT, i.e. there isn't one. Fucking great choice for a driving game, twats.

    Back to you then Forza ...

  • Mr_Whacker #38 5 years ago

    I remember that the Forza 1 demo on Xbox was poo all those years ago. Its tricky trying to get a feel for the racing in a demo like this as the driving model is designed to be really flexible.

  • sharpfish #39 5 years ago

    Manic Miner. When I said things shouldn't be a trade of I'm refering to the premise of a "next gen" console. Games targeted for fixed hardware shouldn't have problems like vsync tearing and shoddy frame rates. I'm not saying "magic gfx pixies" have to somehow create eye candy from a machine that can't handle it, i'm saying that we should DEMAND quality in frame rates from the outset and then judge the gfx after that, not have devs telling us that their gfx are crap cos they managed to 'meet' the minimum frame rate even without proper anti aliasing on a so called powerful current system!

    This has nothing to do with the fact that the art in the game is drab... seriously there is nothing going on here that hasn't been done on older systems and look just as good (save for the higher res).

    As for looking for problems in my first 20 minues, I was very excited when I started playing. I enjoyed the first game and this has been one game I've been looking forward to playing for ages, I expected a 'certain' level of graphical refinement which is just not present in the demos. Even the front end is dull and the car models look poor compared to older peers - which as nothing to do with performance as they can stick all the eye candy they want on the front end.

    Oh and yes I do nit-pick cos I worked in QA on racing games for a while so things stand out to me like this, but the funny thing is i'm sure I clearly stated:

    1. 90% of *gamers* will probably love this (as they are not as critical as me)
    2. It's my opinion and I stand by it. Even without bringing other games into the comparisons.

    It is a GOOD game, but come on talk about pre-hyping what, from the demo, appears to be just another semi-serious sim racer with so-so graphics.

    And 20 minutes is plenty.. most people form an opinion in the first 20 seconds so I think I was fair enough. :)

    Thankyou
    Edited by 1 at 10/05/07 @ 13:16

  • coojam #40 5 years ago

    sharpfish is on the nail with his comments, just very in-depth. It doesn't feel like it's actually any better than the original (it genuinely doesn't look very good unless your just staring at the backdrops or the cars). Here's hoping for TOCA and GTR then...
    Edited by 1 at 10/05/07 @ 13:21

  • chronom4n #41 5 years ago

    @sharpfish, thank you for hitting the nail on the head. I try really hard to like the screenshots but it still doesn't work. I remember seeing the gt3/4 screenshots and i became really excited.

    What seems to piss me off is that they talk about the celebration of cars yet the cars seem to look somewhat in the middle of current and next gen.

    In the beginning of the forza2 history, i remember the turn 10 folks saying that the nissan 350z in the trailer will be indicative of the game or something or other like that and look what they churn out!

    I am reserving judgement for when tha game officially comes and in terms of car modelling i would say that the NFSMW car modelling got me hot and bothered under the collar.

    If one car is anything to go by in today's next gen technology, i would point to the Nissan 350 Xanavi in the GT5 eiger nordweld demo. now that is totally and utterly mindblowing.

  • The-Bodybuilder #42 5 years ago

    The x360 is the my first console since the dreamcast werr had had too many games, I haven't finished yet before moving to another.

    sigh...

  • sinco #43 5 years ago

    I find no surprise in sharpfish mini review. I will try the demo when I get home later, but my expectations are not high on Forza 2. I just want to say that the only game wich will live trough racing simulation fans expectations would be GTR if it will ever be released for the 360.

  • joeking #44 5 years ago

    sharpish,

    I disagree with your sentiments on almost every single level imaginable. The Forza 2 demo roxxors my soxxors.

    That is all.

  • chronom4n #45 5 years ago

    @sinco. Read on gamecentral that simbin have canned the 360 version of GTR. I reckon that it will go onto PS3. Here is something interesting, while watching a trailer for GT5 I noticed that they had a Logitech G25 wheel in the development studios.

  • The-Bodybuilder #46 5 years ago

    I'm not suprised that it doesn't look that great. The turn 10 guys, as great as they are, have a shoddy art direction.

    I mean, it's just not right that GT3 can challenge forza 2 in the graphics department. Just not right.

  • sinco #47 5 years ago

    "I'm not suprised that it doesn't look that great. The turn 10 guys, as great as they are, have a shoddy art direction."

    Couldnīt agree more.

    About GTR beeing canned for 360. That's the worst news I have read here. :((((((

  • cyber_nicco #48 5 years ago

    All of you focusing so much on how "pretty" things look really miss the point of this game, if it's anything like the original.

    I haven't seen it yet, however, so I don't know what it looks like. If, however, it looks exactly like the original (although I guess it is already higher-res and higher-framerate), but has improvements to the already stellar handling physics, it will be a 10 out of 10 in my book.

    Most people can't drive well, anyway... :p

  • FooAtari #49 5 years ago

    Well im sorry to say im less than enthusiastic about Fprza Motorsport 2 so far.

    It's not a bad game I don't suppose but it's not the simualtion Turn 10 made it out to be.

    When the car slides it just feel wrong. It feels like it's spinning on a central axis. Last time I checked I had an analouge brake pedal, not a digital button. You barely have to touch the brake and the wheels lock up. The cars also seem to have to much tendancy to oversteer, feels almost arcade like in that respect.

    It doesnt look that great. Cars look pretty terrible, far to shiny have a more glass or plastic look to them. Have Turn 10 heard of anti-aliasing? The game looks just like in most of the screen shots, a bit grainy and generally not that impressive.
    By all means sacrafice some eye candy to get the FPS up, but is the best we can expect from the 360??

    Overall it's just like Forza, but fixes none of the issues IMO. I even think they have used exactly the same physics engine but fixed none of the issues like over sensative brakes.

    Damage looks good, as does the A.I. if a little agressive. As far as physics go, IMO there are games that out there that do it better, on console and PC.

    Further more, what the hell kind of brakes do these cars have. No way in hell you will get the brakes in an Integra (or is it a Civic cant remember) Type R to glow red hot braking into the first corner at Mugello.

    It seems like a good enough racing game, but Turn 10 made a big deal about it being a simulation, having awesome physics etc etc and im just not feeling it. Initial impression is that it's a bit like PGR but less forgiving. Thinking of canceling my pre-order. :(

  • sharpfish #50 5 years ago

    Look MMUK the point is not for debating. It is MS/Turn 10 themselves that had previously posted amazing trailers and promised big things.. the evidence isn't in the demo.

    Get over the 60fps thing for god's sake. And btw RR6 is 60fps and looks easily as good if not better. The only difference is Forza is trying to simulate more (realistically) so i'm well aware they have to cut corners.

    DO NOT put me in the "gfx junkie" catergory, I've got a brain and I love games mostly for gameplay, it doesn't mean they couldn't have pulled out more stops on the gfx (in the demo).

    AGain how does frame rate affect the front end? Do they need 60fps in the front end? no, so why does it look so dull and unimaginative compared to games considered most quirky niche racers (like RR6), it's clear they may have spent a hell of a long time getting the cars behaving accurately and the driving model may be close to perfection but that doesn't change the fact that's it quite ugly to look at (the demo) and that's nothing to do with 60fps it's to do with misplaced polys, tear lines in textures, sub par LOD work and seemingly lower poly car models than most of the competition.

    Now for the final time: It's a good game and probably plays really well as a pure sim racer for those that want that kind of thing, for those that expect a massive next gen title like this (which has been hyped up for ages) to actually look AT LEAST as good as year old or more games then this isn't the game for you.

    Now forgive me if I'd like my games to look better as time progresses, otherwise why bother releasing sequels cos they've hardly change the gameplay have they?

    So instead of continually questioning my opinion how about you give me some counter arguments (other than the "60fps" catch-all) as to why you believe this game is allowed to look like it was made 3 years ago (even more of a shock considering Turn 10's boasting and MS pr Drive).

    I'm not concerned with Turn 10, they have just made a game - well done to them. What I am saying is where does this end? Do we keep waiting for eternally delayed games only to have them look like a shadow of what was promised (this goes out to EVERY console not just the 360 - which HAS had some stunning games)

    I should add, in a previous discussion on here about this game I stated that I WOULD GLADLY TAKE A CUT ON EYE CANDY IF IT MEANT WE GOT SMOOTH/FAST FRAME RATES, I wasn't however, expecting it too look this bland and appear this dull/lifeless and that is a dissapointment... I just hope PGR4 can show the world what a real modern racer can LOOK like while still being fun to play.
    Edited by 2 at 10/05/07 @ 16:26

  • sharpfish #51 5 years ago

    "At 60 frames per second, Forza might be the best graphics possible."

    And btw - if this is true (and it may well be, 'cept for the fact that I think RR6 looks better and that's nothing special) then you are supporting my point. The fact that we are "settling" for all that is possible. So my bone of contention goes to the devs for overhyping and to MS for underpowering their system.

    It looks like we are going to be waiting until "Next" generation again now before we get HIGH DEF + ANTIALIASING + 60fps + Better geometry/texturing than previous gens + No Tearing - all at the same time. Yeah i'm dissapointed because I know certain devs have cut corners (Bizzare) to give the impression of a decent looking game and we allowed it cos it was an early release, I expected more for how long this game has been in development and frankly i'm begining to think we are all being taken for a ride. (pun intended)

  • sharpfish #52 5 years ago

    MMUK so you actually DID end up flaming me then? Cos I didn't like a game that you like? I hope you are not crying about it that would be sad.

    Stop putting words in my mouth, I am a coder and I work with gfx. Of course more polys means less performance, I didn't stress LESS POLYs as the main point I stress shoddy art direction and corner cutting that is totally independent of frame rate.

    And you still haven't told me why the front end is so dull when it doesn't need high performance, or why the cameras are so crap...

    I'm waiting.

    Oh and beauty is in the eye of the beholder, if you actually had a clue you would realise that the abstract cartoony gfx of RR6 are cohesive and polished even if nothing "special", Forza2 looks worse because it's not cohesive and it's immersion is ruined by glitches that i've rarely seen outside of beta builds for testing.

    I'm begining to think you haven't actually played the demo yet, am I right?

  • sharpfish #53 5 years ago

    "Twice the frame-rate of PGR3 = half the polygons of PGR3"

    Oh and that's not true either, polygon loads (sent in batches) are not a linear hit on performance, you forgot to mention again frame rate independent stuff like static lighting that looks great in PGR but average in Forza. Again this comes down to art direction and someone saying "thats enough to do the job" rather than pushing for more, striving to put their tech/game/talents where their mouths have been.

    People like you will never get the point I'm making, it's so easy to dismiss us as 'only interested in graphics' and quote game compaines advertising bullet points at us as excuses for why. 60fps is great, and i'm all for it, but in this case I don't think the sacrifices were worth making if Turn ten needed more spare horsepower to "pretty things up" compared to the next company.

    I will concede you are right about the "not for debate" comment I made, I didn't really mean that this whole issue wasn't for debating, I meant that you were quoting the 60fps as an 'excuse' for why the graphics were sub-par, where I was saying Turn 10 negated that 'excuse' because they never said, all this time, "Btw patient gamers, this game is gonna look old and dull when we release it but you will get smooth frame rates".

    Edited by 1 at 10/05/07 @ 16:46

  • polymorph #54 5 years ago

    Fight, fight, fight!!!

  • sinco #55 5 years ago

    "When the car slides it just feel wrong. It feels like it's spinning on a central axis."

    This really concerns me now. I hate that feeling in racing game.
    Canīt wait till I get home from work and check it.

    About the graphics:

    Mainly, there are two things that makes graphics look good or not:
    Technical factor - processor, graphic engine, memory blah blah blah

    And the HUMAN factor - Art direction, wich will coordinate the technical resources to get the best result possible.

    One can not stop saying that in that point, Turn 10 isnīt that well provided. Sure I can see that a great effort was done, but comparing the result with PGR3, GT5, DIRT or even Flatout 360 not to speak about GTR, GT Legends, Race etc,etc, I must say that effort is not enough, talent really is needed in turn 10 studios, in my opinion.

    About the physics engine: No surprise here too - In Forza The word "simulation" was always more a selling line than a real objective. Wich is sad.

    But forgeting the hard words, I still have hope that forza2 will sure give us plenty of fun hours on live.


    Edited by 1 at 10/05/07 @ 16:52

  • Beano #56 5 years ago

    Just tried the F2 demo... nice to see the game running in solid 60fps with no tearing and the handling/physics seems spot on :)
    But damn, the graphics are unimpressive for a 360 game.. even when taking the 60fps framerate into account. Looks like bad art-direction to me... the colors, environment, lightning, cars, etc. almost make the game look cartoonish. PGR3 looked far superior and realistic compared to this.

    EDIT: I'm still looking forward to the game though... I'm pretty sure the gameplay will make up for the "bad" graphics :)
    Edited by 1 at 10/05/07 @ 16:59

  • junglist #57 5 years ago

    @ sharpfish

    You do alot of "Flaming" for someone who says, quote: "i will just ignore you anyway", why dont you do us a favour & stick to your words (ie shut up)

  • Downside #58 5 years ago

    Been playing the demo for five hours.

    Brakes are a bit touchy, best not to slam them full on at first, eh? Ease onto them, just like the throttle. Oh, and turn off all driving aids (except ABS maybe). Wait for your tyres to warm up (i.e. a lap) before giving it full beans. Each of the 30 cars has a very unique feel.

    It's in a class of it's own, works well with the MS wheel, but I hope you can change the sensitivity and feedback levels in the full game.

    YMMV but I think it's spot on.

  • Krusty #59 5 years ago

    Damn graphics whores, calm down!

    I've been playing Forza 1 again in anticipation and am loving it - and it looks shoddy and is not very smooth under emulation...

    This game is all about the driving model and framerate; get over it.

  • king_skins #60 5 years ago

    started downloading the demo at 6:45... its now 9:05 and its only 30% complete :( this sucks, i need to play this demo!!

  • sinco #61 5 years ago

    Ok. Played it.

    Bad things first:

    Graphics:
    No question about it. They are not at the level of general expectations, and indeed BAD Art direction - sorry about this Turn 10, but it is the simple truth - to much lightning, bad reflections, bad textures, cars looking like toys. Here, clearly you could have done much, much better, even with the 60 fps issue - wich I think it was a good design decision.

    Sound:
    Not so good here too. A racing car has much more aleatory mechanical "noises" than just the engine, wich, by the way isn't that perfect too, but you had already showned that in one of your pit pass reports with the porshe noise - not that great. A lot more vaccum cleaner than I would apreciate, althought I must say the crash sounds are well done.

    But to be true this is blah blah blah, What we have in terms of sound and graphics is enough to enjoy a racing game in the aspect it really is worth for:

    Physics engine / handling of the cars.
    To be honest, I did not spent much time in the lower classes, so what I have to say goes mainly for the R (? - donīt remember the letter) class - the racing cars by the way. Although the ( (un)forgivable lack of a in car view - 300 cars has itīs price, yes - bad design choice here -my opinion off course). And on this aspect I have to say that with all the aids off except ABS, the game really shows itself.
    Miles away from the original built, in this forza2 one can really feel and understand the torque and power of this amazing racing cars. The Physics are, in my opinion really welll balanced in terms of reality and gameplay and give the term "simulation" an honest and, why not, Brave ( in the console world) new meaning.
    One really needs to treat the car as a "lady", smooth and gentle in the corners and braking and full trothle on the straights. Wonderfull feeling as much of you would know :). I am very pleased with this vital aspect of the game and immediatley ready to forgive the faults mentioned before. The car handling is brilliant after all and to compare racing differences between the Le mans Mobil Porshe and the Chevy is cheer pleasure. Diametraly different cars forces you to have equally different aproaches to the track, but both rewarding and really exigent.
    Of all that I read and said, in the final and after tasting the game, I trully have to give my congratulations and respect for the turn 10 guys - canīt wait for an online race with all the assists off - wonderfull thought at the moment.

    A word to the controller, wich should only be the steering wheel - the one that really makes entire justice to this game and behaves competently enough to justify the more than 120 Euros I paid it for.

    Final words:
    I have the feeling that the braking is too hardened - the wheels lock too soon and too quicky on pressure of the pedal, but after we get used to it itīs really O.K.

    The Demo is far too short, no time trial, no upload of best times, only the short version of a very good circuit - to short, too small - I know itīs not christmas, but donīt be mr Scrudge MSGS and T10, please give us some more - I will buy the game thatīs for shure, job done - true. But good will is very important these days, even in the marketing business...

    Could not evaluate the damage effects on the car - is it off?

    Could not evaluate the difference in behaviour of the car adjustments, sadly another feature turned off.

    Car damage isnīt the great too, once more in the demo there's no fatal damage. Will the game have it? Hope so.

    Very important : The difference between the sensation of going at 180km/h and 230km/h ( for example) should be much more present and powerfull.

    Need a TV only replay camera. After a race I like to see myself on "TV" not on crazy flying cameras that show no racing action.


    Good to have forza back, and with some great choices and evolution compared the first one. My respect to the good work turn 10 has done.

    In numbers I would give a 7.5/10 - yes, graphics and sound are really important immersion aspects in a racing game. It can really drop to 7/10 IF Collin Mcrae Dirt shows anything near to what the previews and videos have been showing.
    But no doubt great online racing moments are finnaly arriving to the Xbox 360, and for now forza2 is the only one that really shows beeing capable of it.


    See u all on the track in a month or so.

    5inco :)

    Edited by 6 at 10/05/07 @ 23:50

  • ScottyXTUK #62 5 years ago

    Played the demo a lot today and I like it. I accept it for what it is, a demo. You get one track and a few cars and that's it a tiny percent of what is in the full game. In the demo there's no damage effecting performance, no online play, no customising or upgrading cars so I know the full game will have me hooked for sure.

    Graphics looks fine to me, I don't really nitpick for things, all I know is it looked good and no tearing and ran lovely and smooth. I'm a big racing game fan, play GTR2 a lot on PC and the R2 cars remind me a lot of GTR2. In fact it's how I imagine GTR2 would look on 360 if we ever got it.

    I've been playing Forza 1 a lot lately and been loving it. Cos I'm used to seeing that this looks about 10 times better and plays just as good. The handling feels right to me and the cars sound amazing with a little tinkering of the audio options and if you have 5.1 then you really get the full effect.

    I'm so looking forward to the full game, I know I will like it and that's all that matters to me.

  • Calgon #63 5 years ago

    Im not reading through all these comments but has anyone mentioned that Forza 2 and PGR3 share the same engine now(this is what I read anyway), which is a good thing because they can really share knowlege and push the bar up faster every new game they make.

    They did promise lots for Forza 2, HDR lighting, 4x AA, 60fps, and more which added up to a pretty impressive spec list for the game. Now we know its 60fps... EG.de says theres no AA(others say 2x AA at best) and "last-gen"(is there such a thing) or bloom lighting. AA could be added for the final game if they have time to tweak, HDR could take longer if its not there already. I hope its some trick and they are gonna tell us they were pulling our legs and turned stuff off on purpose(because no mater what... people find something to whinge about with demos). If not then perhaps he will explain what happened(most likely he will say didnt want to delay it again and upset the fans).

    edit: It must be really hard to capture the sound of some of these beasts because alot of devs have tried to do it before, good to hear though... hopefully I'll beable to buy a premium(65nm and quieter all round 360 version) before the end of the year if MS get their act together.
    Edited by 1 at 10/05/07 @ 23:53

  • Perjoss #64 5 years ago

    Really enjoyed this,

    I did notice the jaggies too, they are most noticeable when you are looking at cars in the distance, this is no way near enough to put me off buying the game. The only 'special' effects that I could see was a slight Tglow coming from roofs and bonnets of the cars and (unless i need to get my eyes tested) there was a very slight motion blur when in bumber cam view. Even with a lack of most of the standard effects seen in games these days I still think its looks great. I was quite impressed with the track, I got a good look at it in the replay mode. I hope that 8 cars on track at once is not the limit throughout the full game, especially in career mode or whatever they decide to call the single player portion.

    Bought a microsoft wheel back when it was released, thought it was pretty cool with PGR, didn't like it at all when they added wheel support to TD, but with Forza demo any doubts I had in my mind about getting the wheel are gone, yeah some people say that racing titles are easier to play with a pad, but I don't fall into the category of 'hardcore' I only play to have fun and to get a sense of 'being there' and for me the wheel is so much more fun than a pad, and although it might be a little harder to play with a wheel it just feels 100% more like you're actually driving. Getting this on release day, cant wait :)
    Edited by 1 at 11/05/07 @ 00:55

  • dynarama #65 5 years ago

    Demo feels very meh - my big issue is the handling. Cars should have grip and body-roll right up until their limit and then the grip should just go. Hard to explain but Toca 2 on the PSOne did it perfectly.

  • captainrentboy #66 5 years ago

    I got the demo last night (it only took a beasting 20 mins, hope the H3 beta is as fast) and even though I'm not the biggest fan of sim driving games I actually enjoyed it, the graphics aren't that awful, the trackside detail is a bit bland but the cars look rather swish and have a lot less jaggies than PGR3's cars, I think it's possibly because I sit about 3ft away from a 37" HDTV, so I can't help but get slightly immmersed, and blinded.
    Damage model seemed good too, I drove into many walls at 150mph to give it a try.
    But God damn,I must be in the minority as this whole 60fps thing reeeeally didn't bother me or make my brief play any more enjoyable or impressive :/ personally I think I'd rather have a steady 30fps with better graphics.

  • ccfb #67 5 years ago

    Since when did people start using the phrase "art direction" in comments threads, like they knew what the hell they were talking about?

  • sniglet #68 5 years ago

    Well, I loved the demo. The first (yes, first, I'm rubbish) time I trashed the '97 M3 into the wall on the small back straight was awesome. So nice to see a good looking, but not over the top, visual damage model. The AI seems pretty aggressive at times, much better than the "on the rails" AI of GT4 (although, don't get me wrong, I love GT).

    I actually really like the look of this game and but for a touch of AA I think the graphics are good enough. Still can't wait to get going on the livery editor.

  • v8rush #69 5 years ago

    Physics: Very good - it definitely rewards 'proper' driving.

    Graphics: Acceptably good

    AI: A bit so-so, but once the initial 'dive down the inside and punt them out the way' tactics wore off, I reckoned they were pretty hard, but fair in overtaking situations.

    Audio: Utterly dire beyond belief. If I'm sitting on the bonnet (as I can't sit inside...) of a race-tuned monster, I expect to be able to _feel_ the guttural roar of the engine, or at least to be able to hear it over the sound of a couple of people cheering from about 200yds away. Not being able to hear it as the #1 noise really is inexcusable, as it's that which you use to time gearchanges, recognise turn-in speed, hear traction loss, etc etc... I know I can change the balance of the sounds, but it still sounds a bit bass-light and feeble.

  • adamamosa #70 5 years ago

    Damn, i was so looking forward to this game but based on this demo I cant see myself buying it!I may be prooved wrong but it bored the crap out of me!

    Plus not only are the graphics terrible at 60fps, in the replays the frame rate is cut down to 30fps and it looks a total shambles. So 18 months on PGR3 and RR6 are STILL the best looking racers on the 360!

    Oh and i have to ask (sharpfish may know) . . . why are framerates such as 40 or 50 fps never used these days? its either 30 or 60 . . . .

  • sharpfish #71 5 years ago

    [link url=http://forums.forzamotorsport.net/forums/28/10 9847/ShowThread.aspx
    ]http://fo rums.forzamotorsport.net/forums...[/link]

    Seems i'm far from alone on this.

    Just hope you can understand this was always about expectations/promises/supposed achievable targets ("4xAA for Free";) and as much MS's fault (Hardware promises) as the Devs (though I still expect other devs will go on to extract more power from the 360), and I think they could have spent less time allowing 4000 texture layers (or whatever stupid number it is) and concentrating on the most pressing visible flaws.

    I've no problem with the game as a sim game, and I like the selection of cars they have in there (JDM stuff that I own in real life rather than just supercars), but man those jaggies look bad on a 32" + screen.

  • Calgon #72 5 years ago

    I dont remember any claims of "4xAA for free", well I never paid any attention if there were any claims like that because very little is "free". I think the figure was 5% hit IF they do it on the daughter die(with tiling since theres only 10mb to work with and at HD resolutions that doesnt go very far without some trickery), I think its proving more difficult than was first beleived, 360 still has the best AA solution though out of all the consoles. 360 devs will learn to fully utilise the daughter die eventually(its not seen that much use yet) and we'll start to see more of 360s strengths... even though if were going to be fair its held its own and thensome so far.
    Edited by 4 at 14/05/07 @ 03:05

  • sharpfish #73 5 years ago

    Holy digging up a post from the past Batman!

    Anyway much time has passed and sensible reviews came out

    [link url= http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/792/792572p3.html
    ]http://uk .xbox360.ign.com/articles/792/7...[/link]

    IGN (who I would normally take no notice of) seem to be spot on in their review of Forza2.

    It seems I (and many others) were correct all along, a bland, dull, graphically and artistically lacking 'no sense of speed' racer that was overhyped and under delievered.

    I'm a massive car lover but even I can't see past it's faults just to get at some of the cars I've owned in real life, and It was great to be right all along and just based on a demo too, seems 20 minutes was all it took to get the correct opinion. :)

    I thankyou!