Hi guys.
I’m a long time Forza player. I’ve owned every Forza game (minus 5, bought my xbox one when 6 came out) so I’m a little familiar with the series.
And overall, I’m just disappointed. I’ve always loved the Forza games, I grew up on them, learned drifting mechanics in them, learned about cars from them. But 7 doesn’t feel like Forza.
I remember when 2, 3, 4 came out. Each game added great features, gave you a reason to look forward to them. 5, I’ll skip on criticizing because A. I didn’t own it and B. It was a rushed launch title, a little understandable. However, Forza 7 brings back every feeling about the game being rushed that made me wait on 5. We’re 2 or 3 weeks out and we’re still missing features that have been in previous titles as well as still having numerous bugs. Personally, I’ve never really found bugs in the previous games. I’ve ran into numerous on 7. “But, it’s their first PC title for the main series!” Some might say, but there was an entire offshoot of 6 to essentially prepare the teams for the PC side, as well as Horizon 3. Bugs aside, that leads me to my next point which is…
Gameplay. The physics felt like a large improvement in tire feel from 6, at least to myself. The career mode was promising. Forza has literally changed nothing in the career mode since Forza 2, the same events, the same classes, just laid out differently. 7 was at least a bit different and added in points championships (Which was a big problem with 6 for me with just having to finish in the top 3 in EVERY SINGLE RACE) as well as different leagues and such. The homologation was a FANTASTIC idea, but poorly implemented. If there was different ones per car group, sure. The issues that arise here are that some cars you cannot tune whatsoever. Take the BMW E39 M5 for example. You cannot change a single item on it for homologation, it is at the class specs without modifying it. You cannot set it up for any tracks, tune how it drives or anything which puts it at a severe. That’s alright though because you can race it in other… oh wait, any race you use it in HAS to be bone stock unless you join a custom room with friends…but, there’s no open lobby’s anymore. That brings me to my next issue with 7, content.
Why would I want 7 compared to 6?
The game is now in 4k, okay so is every AAA title coming out now. “dynamic” weather? Well, I expected full weather and night cycles on every map if they were going to call it that. Otherwise it’s pretty similar to 6’s weather system where you basically got one per race. Driver gear? Cut me a break. Yes, it’s fun, but it’s not a “feature” on a racing game. Gran Turismo Sport has completely player customizable suits and helmets, yet they do not put it as a main feature of the game because it’s not. It’s finally on PC as well now! Okay, cool. I have an xbox still so it really doesn’t matter, and I’m sure 90% of the people who buy 7 already had one as well. Other then that, new cars and tracks. Most of the tracks have been in the game at some point or another, and as far as car count there’s barely any actual new cars that weren’t DLC in previous games so… can’t I just buy the DLC instead of a whole new game? Alright, well lets go online and try some racing! Wait… why’s there only 4 hoppers? I can only choose 30 cars total in the entire online right now? C’mon Turn 10.
Other then that, what reason was there to get 7? There’s no new content or features worth actually getting the game for that I can find.
Turn 10 stated that they were trying to add more driver depth to the series with its sad attempt at driver suits. You want to add more driver depth into the game? Add in a career that’s actually focused on you as a driver. Look at the original Grid, where you work your way up from nothing to a team owner, Project Cars, or the F1 games where you run actual racing seasons. As as simulator, there’s not a lot of the “life” simulation part in the Forza series and I feel it needs to take a step towards that if it’s going to keep the simulator title, especially when you have the Horizon games to fill the arcade gap now.
Forza needs new features to keep up I feel. Car count only gets you so far, especially when I’m sure everyone has their favorite cars they gravitate towards every game.
All in all, I know most of these points have been repeated countlessly since launch. I’m just disappointed the game is showing cracks, I’m disappointed I don’t have a reason to play this game, and I’m disappointed that the game is on such a set production cycle of every 2 years because it’s taking its toll on making Forza BETTER. I know if Turn 10 actually had the time to make what I’m sure they wish they could, Forza Motorsport 8 could be one of the most amazing games out there.
I hope the next Forza gives me a reason to come back.