As the new Ford GT was lowered through the roof into a packed San Diego arena to many an excited and bemused fan watching Microsoft’s E3 press conference, some wondered whether this grand gesture would be a sign of the times. Yes the Ford GT looks stunning, but it didn’t really go anywhere and nor did it really have a point, except of course for the hosts to show off a little. Many thought it symbolic of the Forza franchise, which has lacked the spark in recent years which its previous instalments such as Forza 2 and 3, years ago had. Yet having finally played Forza Motorsport 6 having the new Ford GT as the symbol of Forza 6 now makes perfect sense…
Let me bring you into the world of Forza Motorsport 6, a game which draws on 10 years of Forza fun, thrills and energy, spanning 8 different instalments from American festivals, to the far flung reaches of Asia to the winding roads of Europe’s hidden diamonds. Forza has taken us on an incredible journey on Earths greatest roads and in its greatest cars, Forza 6 not only embraces this, it lives it through every turn, every shift and drift, to every pass and into every winners enclosure. It pulls on its greatest strengths and proves that you can teach this old dog some new, amazing, tricks.
Turn 10 have for many created game after game of winning talent, it is no wonder that Forza is Microsoft’s flagship family game, it sums up everything that the Xbox is meant to be, using the raw power of the engine in an exciting and dynamic way, and once again Turn 10 studios have raised the bar in Forza Motorsport 6.
Throughout this review I’ll be taking you on a comprehensive tour around the pits of the Xbox One’s newest toy. From the Brazilian mountains, back to some old favourites in Atlanta to classics in Brands Hatch and the Daytona 500. Forza revisits some old ground for its 10th Anniversary, but first what is new?
One rather obvious flaw with Forza in the past which critics, such as myself, have constantly pointed out is that Turn 10 has never dabbled with any type of weather system to add variety to its games, the same baked in conditions often switched off the player and didn’t really give you the real effect and driving through some of the greatest experiences on Earth. But no more shall I moan! Fore alas, it is raining! And boy is it beautiful.
Driving in the wet is not a stroll in the park...
An overreaction you might say, perhaps, but Turn 10 has never really gone for any other weather system in the past and it’s always been a mystery to drivers. The game presents a brutal challenge in the wet, through aquaplaning and controlling the car through tight corners, Forza 6 makes you earn every last second as you spin through flooded conditions at over 100mph and beyond. The true beauty of the game is revealed in the same instance as the game shows off its fantastic 1080 60fps muscle with every rain drop.
Add into this the addition of night races, adding an extra thrill and dimension to an already enthralling and capitulating race. In the past I have found career mode to be rather tedious as the same track and conditions are replayed over and over again but with the changing conditions we have now have even more replay-ability. One aspect I would have liked, which is surely on the way, is a dynamic and changing environment, once you start a race, what you see is what you get, in an age where gaming is at its peak, Turn 10 seemingly missed a trick here. However with the edition of different styles of races the career mode makes yet another leap up into the next level.
“Stories of Motorsport” cover 5 volumes including Super Street and Sport Icons. This is the newly rebranded Career mode in Forza Motorsport 6. The other 3 categories are comprised of Grand Touring, Professional Racing and Ultimate Motorsport. Each area then breaks down a specific classification of cars that you can use within the volume of the story, it simply has tidied up what was an often messy unorganised affair in past instalments.
Within the 5 volumes you are taken through the history of Motorsport itself, from night races with cars from the 1960s to the modern day Formula E types racing around the streets of Prague. It celebrates everything in the history of racing, failing to miss a single historic moment. For advancing through the volumes, Forza Motorsport 6 steals one of Forza Horizons great features, the showcase races. Showcase races in Forza 6 bring back old game modes which previous Forza’s forced you to play such as weaving through cones and overtaking challenges while also bringing back The Stig. But its greatest triumph is the moments in Motorsport section of showcases, celebrating the arms race between Car manufacturers and legendary drivers throughout the decades.
Career mode has only one notable change after that, the additions of Mods. Mods come in a variety of shapes and aspects which can influence how you race or how much you earn. You simply buy a pack of mods and choose one of them for each race, for example one pack could contain the ability to jump up a few places and another could give you 7% grip, if you are struggling to pass the stage, Mods are a great way for you to advance.
All the rides and roads Forza Motorsport 6 has to offer.
Drivatars are nothing new to Forza Motorsport; they were introduced back in Forza 5, but in the newest instalment Drivatars feel better and more responsive than ever. Gone are the days of ridiculous driving where they shunted you off the track or they simply failed to challenge you as racer. Forza 6 allows the Drivatars to be simply intelligent, they respond to how you are racing, if you hold a strong lead the Drivatars pick up their collective game and forces pressure on you like a rampaging bull. The sheer aggression of the AI as well it’s a joy to battle against without being simply blown off the track, concluding it all, the game is one of the most enjoyable to play ever in the franchise’s history.
In terms of features Forza Motorsport returns with its full complement of weapons in the arsenal, nothing has been missed and game modes now feel more rewarding to the player and level progression isn’t as easy as it has been in the past. Career mode returns with an interesting set up, different to previous instalments. In Forza 6, Turn 10 have broken the down the career mode into 5 areas, gone are the days of simply choosing a competition with every range and type of car available to you.
Multiplayer is back in a two tier system, leagues are introduced to place the player in the most competitive bracket based on his or hers ability. Turn 10 studios have used a ghost league in order to time trail you to set you up, after that you fight your way to the top of the Forza rankings by racing against drivers across the globe. The old style free choice lobby is back too, drivers have the option of every class of car, Drift challenges, Tag races and Keep the It. Rivals also returns with an array of pre-set challenges for the players such as time attacks, Track days and Autocross ; A lot to sink your teeth into.
Another neat addition to Forza Motorsport 6 is Forza Vista, which allows you to explore every car in the game inside and out, as well as featuring a background video. The clip below shows me looking around my 1997 Volvo 850 R, the detail is immense as you can see. This mode really symbolises Forza Motorsport 6, the attention to detail is like no other racing game I have ever played, the bar Turn 10 have set themselves has truly been raised once again.
Take a tour of my brand new ride
As this is the Ultimate edition it’s important to show you what you get over the standard edition, of course you get the game but what other goodies are thrown in. The Forza Motorsport 6 Ultimate Edition includes VIP cars and membership, the Forza Motorsport 6 Car Pass, the first Forza Motorsport 6 DLC Car Pack (available on launch day), and the Ten Year Anniversary Car Pack, which features 10 specially tuned and liveried cars, including the 2009 Ferrari 458 Italia, the 2014 Lamborghini Hurácan and the 2013 McLaren P1™.
Fans of the Forza franchise simply have to buy this game; it is simply in a league of its own when it comes to all other rivals on the Xbox One, nothing comes close to the look, sound and feel of the game which will keep you coming back to the track day in and night out. Add in the constant stream of features and car packs which will be released over the next 12 months, the Ultimate edition seems like the way to go. This is a true celebration of all things in Motorsport as well as celebrating the 10th Anniversary of Turn 10 Studios in style.
With Thanks to XCN and Microsoft for allowing me to review, Turn 10 studio's Forza Motorsport 6.
