Forza Motorsport 7: The long-awaited return

The Driving experience
After a six-year hiatus, Forza Motorsport 7 has finally arrived, bringing with it high expectations and mixed emotions. One area where it undoubtedly shines is in the driving experience. The physics and controls have improved significantly, with Turn10 boasting a “48x improvement in tire fidelity.” While it’s hard to quantify, the driving feels more accurate than ever, offering a better sense of tire grip and responsiveness. The rumble triggers on the Xbox controller provide excellent feedback, though they fall short of the DualSense controller’s finesse. Overall, the driving in Forza Motorsport has never been better.

Gameplay and accessibility
Forza Motorsport continues to lead the way in gameplay customization and accessibility. Players can adjust the AI difficulty across eight levels and fine-tune settings like traction control and ABS. Remarkably, the game offers extensive accessibility features, catering to players with low or no vision, expanding on options from Forza Horizon 5. This dedication to inclusivity deserves commendation.

The user interface has also seen significant improvements, eliminating the clutter of notifications and menus that used to distract from the racing experience. Rewards are now presented cleanly at the end of each race, reducing unnecessary interruptions. Players can tweak starting positions and difficulty levels, providing a tailored experience.

Car models and tracks
However, Forza Motorsport falls short in certain areas. Many car models appear outdated, lacking the visual fidelity expected from a title with such a long development cycle. Some models seem borrowed from the Horizon series, leaving enthusiasts disappointed. The customization options for many cars are limited, with generic front splitters and rear wings being the norm.

The track selection is also limited, with only 20 tracks available at launch. While notable circuits like Mid-Ohio and Watkins Glen are present, the absence of iconic tracks like the Nürburgring Nordschleife is glaring. The promise of future track additions is encouraging, but fans wonder why such crucial tracks weren’t prioritized over six years.

Graphics and gameplay quirks
Graphically, Forza Motorsport impresses in screenshots but falls short during actual gameplay. Ray tracing, while a welcome addition, doesn’t have the expected impact. High-spec PCs are needed to enjoy ray tracing without sacrificing framerate. Lighting, especially on cars, feels flat, and the lower-detail car models exhibit texture issues.

A new gameplay element requires players to drive each car in multiple events to level up and unlock performance parts. While it encourages experiencing cars in their stock form, it can hinder customization for specific purposes and introduces another in-game currency to manage.

Event options
Event options are relatively limited, with career mode, time trials, and multiplayer lobbies being the main offerings. Unique challenges, such as those in GT7, are missing, reducing variety in gameplay experiences.

In conclusion, Forza Motorsport 7 delivers an exceptional driving experience with improved physics and accessibility features. However, the game is marred by outdated car models, limited tracks, and a lack of gameplay diversity. Despite its flaws, it remains a solid choice for racing enthusiasts, especially with anticipated post-launch content updates. After a lengthy wait, it’s a promising start that leaves room for improvement.