Forza Motorsport 3: [Single-player]

Forza Motorsport 3: [Single-player]

Techtree Test Labs, Jan 16, 2010 1000 hrs IST

This one won't disappoint you

Variety of cars; opponent AI apart, game is pretty well balanced; great customization options; regular DLC updates

Loading time on the higher side, can take up lots of hard disk space

Expert Rating :

Expert Review

Turn 10 studio returns to deliver the third installment of Xbox 360's definitive racing game series, Forza Motorsport. The highlight of this season is the huge collection of cars and tracks that take up more than an entire dual-layer DVD. Like most other game sequels, Forza Motorsports 3 does not bring anything revolutionary or groundbreaking to the table. Since the previous two installments were good games in their own right, Turn 10 has spent their time fruitfully tweaking and polishing the game's features and graphics. Some of these tweaks and minor additions give players more options to match their playing style and skill levels, and effectively bridging the gap between the elite and the weekend racer.

Setting up Froza 3 with all optional content takes a while and also a lot of hard drive space. The installation of the second DVD with optional bonus content takes nearly seven gigabytes of disk space. This bonus disc and the cars available on the play-disc takes the number of cars in the game to nearly 400, and considering the steady stream of DLC plus the content of collector's edition, Turn 10 takes it to an almost excessive level. However, I think the idea here is not about driving each and every car, rather it's about accommodating brand preference of maximum number of gamers.

According to the statistics recorded by the game, I spent nearly as much time browsing through the cars than actually racing. I just could not help but appreciate the wide variety of cars-from the dinky minis that reminds you of car chases in Pink Panther movies, to the insanely fast Bugatti Veyron that can go in excess of 400 km/h. Completing the collection of cars is an equally varied number of race tracks in 22 different locations.

It is nice to see that all the cars and tracks are available from the get-go and you have the choice to just jump into the thick of things. This also kind of beats the purpose of playing 'Season Mode' where each car needs to be bought by spending hard-earned credits or by consistently winning podium positions. However, Season Mode is not without its uses. For instance, this is one way to go to earn some game credits and bragging rights. Successfully completing a race in this mode awards the player with experience points that are shared between 'driver level' and 'car level'. Each time a driver goes a level up, a manufacturer will send one of their cars your way as a gift. Increasing car levels earns discount on upgrade parts made by a specific manufacturer.

Along with this, the Season Mode also offers intangibles, like giving you a sense of purpose and progress. The main objective of Season Mode is to win the annual World Championship races that take place at different times during a year. In between these races, you will participate in other competition where you can hone your racing skills, familiarize yourself with the different race tracks and earn credits and new rides.