Review for Forza Motorsport 7. Game for PC and Xbox One, the video game was released on 03/10/2017
Turn 10 returns to talk about itself, with the new Forza Motorsport 7, title that aims to revolutionize and outclass all other simulators of driving already on the market, but also on the way, such as the new Gran Turismo Sport which will be released shortly as an exclusive Playstation 4. Will it be successful or not? Difficult to say, especially because from many points of view we have noticed important differences, while in other respects we have noticed some features that did not make us cry for a miracle, what happened with Forza Motorsport 6.
Conquer the podium!
As usual, the game opens with a small introduction, which allows us to savor some of the innovations that we will find in Forza Motorsport 7, but which also has the purpose of introducing us to Driver's Cup, providing us with useful advice based on the winners of past editions. After this first introduction we are launched on the track using three different champions, with whom we will initially compete in the Dubai circuit, then move on to Mugello (race with Trucks) and finally we will have a wet race on the classic Suzuka Circuit.
Once you have learned the basic notions of the game, through these first simple races, we will be catapulted into the main menu from which you can choose all the activities to be carried out, ranging from simple fast race, to the career and multiplayer. As already mentioned a little while ago, our player's career will revolve around the Driver's Cup, a very important event that we will reach only after passing all the other minor leagues which are divided into:
- Hunter Championship;
- Escape Championship;
- Summoning Championship;
- Dominion Championship;
- Masters Championship;
- Forza Driver's Cup.
Each championship consists of several events, which are classified into two categories: series and exhibitions. In the first we will have the task of race on different tracks with a race-approved car (all players will have a car belonging to the same category) or with any car in the "Open" events. During the performances instead we will be asked to play a single race, which will however be very particular, in fact it will be singular events such as bowling with a Cadillac limousine, or a 1v1 race against Ken Block. The performances are many and above all they are varied, allowing the player to have fun, but above all to get a car to add to the collection after winning the exhibition.
Collect them all!
Forza Motorsport 7 fleet with over 700 models it is certainly one of the most interesting aspects that have made the history of the game, and that even in this chapter manages not to disappoint. The developers, however, unlike the leap made by Forza Motorsport 5 to Forza Motorsport 6, they did not let themselves go too far, limiting themselves to a few innovations, which among other things all revolve around collecting. In fact, from the very first minutes of the game, the narrator directs us towards what is thereour collection of vehicles, divided into five grades, each of which features a different number of vehicles that can be purchased or earned during the various events we will participate in.
The grades present in the "Collection" section are divided into:
- 1 Grade: Common
- 2 Grade: Uncommon
- 3 Grade: Raro
- 4 Grade: Very rare
- 5 Grade: Legend
We will obviously start from Grade 1 and acquire collection points, which can be obtained every time we get a new vehicle, we will be able to level up until we reach the most coveted rank, namely that of Legend. We found this system interesting in terms of collecting which can be fun for some players, making the game experience more varied and playable. However, at the same time, we found it insufficient to guarantee a quality single player, which still remains a career weak point of production.
In fact, based only on the novelties presented this year, we note that compared to what happened with the sixth chapter, this time the news is relatively few. An ad hoc career would have been enough, in addition to everything that Forza Motorsport 7 already offers to guarantee a much better and stimulating gaming experience, which unfortunately we have not found in part.
A real driving simulator
The sensations that you have playing Forza Motorsport 7 are much better than in the previous chapter. The driving simulation improves from all points of view, including vehicle weight management, road holding and the feel of speed that felt slightly better to us.
The simulation obviously does not reach the levels of Project Cars 2, but still manages to convey fun thanks to the many settings and driving aids that are very varied and allow everyone to find their perfect driving style. There are aids for the Traction Control, ABS, various controls for braking and steering stability, as well as the classic wake capable of suggesting the ideal route and the moments in which we need to decrease speed or brake. We were also particularly satisfied with the driving in the wet, both from an aesthetic and gameplay point of view. In fact, in this new chapter, driving in the wet is quite realistic, forcing the player to change his driving style in certain situations to avoid going off the road or skidding.
If the simulation of "normal" cars seemed almost excellent to us, we cannot say the same for the other classes of vehicles, which fail to return good feedback when driving, resulting very far from reality. A striking example can be found in rally cars, where the sensation of drifting is practically absent.
Graphically excellent but ...
From a graphic point of view Forza Motorsport 7 seemed excellent to us from the first tests of Gamescom 2017, where trying it on Xbox One X we were amazed at the level of detail achieved by the developers. Instead, trying the game for longer we noticed all the graphic beauty that the title has to offer us, but at the same time some things did not convince us and left us with a bad taste in our mouth.
Speaking of the plus points, we cannot fail to mention the dynamic weather that finally sees its appearance and manages, as already explained, to integrate perfectly with the driving system, but also with the game engine, in fact we can notice small puddles that form or disappear with time, but also the simple rain that through a treatment of all respect, it is realistic without disturbing the player too much while driving. Another point in favor certainly goes to the vehicle models that on PC with a 4K resolution and ultra details, are practically realistic photos, and we obviously expect the same treatment for the Xbox One X version, with the various 4K assets.
Speaking of the negative points, we cannot fail to mention the landscapes and more generally the race circuits, which are almost old and poorly defined compared to the new Dubai map, which flexes its muscles with its extremely defined rocks and in general thanks to a clean and detailed setting. Surely you will understand our criticisms of the graphics sector of Forza Motorsport 7, which we repeat to be exceptional, but from the point of view of the circuits we would have expected a more marked improvement than in the past. We are confident in a future restyling in the next chapters and a greater attention to detail as per the new map introduced this year.
Forza Motorsport 7 is one of those titles that give a lot, but fail to give their best. This chapter seemed excellent from many points of view, but under others we would have expected more news, one above all the career mode, which seemed too simplified and not very stimulating unlike what happens with the competition. The gameplay improves a lot, guaranteeing the player a realistic and fun driving on "normal" vehicles, while on the less traditional ones we found some problems related to the realism of the movements and the very reactivity of the vehicle to the player's stimuli. Graphically the PC game manages to wow at every turn, and we expect a similar feeling with Xbox one X coming in November and with full Forza Motorsport 7 support.
► Forza Motorsport 7 is a Driving-Simulation game developed by Turn 10 Studios and published by Microsoft for PC and Xbox One, the video game was released on 03/10/2017
